Shanghai, 15th June.
Before E. H. Burrows, Esq., Police Magistrate.
The Magistrate sat to hold an enquiry under the Merchant Shipping Act on a complaint issued by two of the seamen of the Aiakata of toaltrestmens: reosived by them from the officers of the vessel also on behalf of the Captain on charges against the seamen, William Baker, sworn, stated that ho was an Atnerican and that he had nothing to say against the Captain but lots against the mate, On one occasion on a stormy night the mate hit him when aloft furling the upper topsail, 'The mate had some trouble on deck, and whether he was mad drunk he could not say, but whilst ho was reaching over for the' gasket, atthe yardarm the mate kicked him three times in the ribs, and had he not caught hold of the lift' he must have fallen' to the deck. Another time he was taking a capstan bar out of the rack and in doing so accidentally knocked the mate. apologised to the mate, who then knocked him down on deck, kicked him on the head and jumped on him, (Witness pointed to sear received through the kick.) He also stated that he had been subjected to kicks and abuse throughout the voyage, In reply to the Magistrate he said he knew nothing about a sailing-ship, having previously been an apprentice on board of American steamers, He shipped in New York as an A.B, and at the time affirmed he was no sailor, but was told that would be all right and he would have the opportunity to learn seamanship, Capt. Crowe, in reply to His Worshi affirmed that the man haa signed and had had his pay reduced to £1 per month as he know not a quarter of the ropes on bourd, and was as ignorant of seamanship as his (the Captain's) boots.
Baker replied that those who shipped hin knew that beforehand, His Worship—You say the Captain know of your incompetency when engaging you?
Baker—Yes, sir.
Captain—When the old crow were paid off and uew men shipped T was sick,—in fact I had been sick most of the time in New York. I sent an order with the Shipping Master as I was ill in bed at the time.
His Worship—You say you had no means of judging their capacities Captain—They were represented to me us A.B, they are screwed up to declare theme selves as such.
Baker then avowed that he went to a Mr. Williams and asked him for a ship. The vessel was a Nova Scotian and could not get crew. The boarding master stated it would be " good chance for him to learn seamanship, and the British Consul put him on the articles as an A.B.
Hans Koppermaun, an A.B., was next sworn, He said hehad served 11 years sea and stated that immediately on going on board and before he had a chance to put his clothes away the mate came to the forecastle door and ordered him to sweep the snow off the decks. He protested and the mate then kicked him down on deck and jumped upon him. The mara assaulted him, because they (the crew) said they could not work just then, On another occasion when the vessel was running before the wind the mate accused him of being a point and a half off the course and then strack him three times with broomshank, and another time when sick and wanting to go off duty he (the mate) Kicked him.
Jules Veschoere, sworn, stated that when on the topsail yard furling sail the boatswain kicked him and also that the captain struck him with his fist when steering.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.