MHA72 Delirium Tremens
1 2015-12-12T20:22:32-08:00 Nate Robinson 69bdb6d13a5fa4c55deea2889a6732d371124eed 6265 1 plain 2015-12-12T20:22:32-08:00 Nate Robinson 69bdb6d13a5fa4c55deea2889a6732d371124eedThis page is referenced by:
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Log MHA 1872
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Interestingly, the voyage of 1872 produced two official logs. This log contains important documents such as the discharge papers of disorderly sailors and official records of deserters. This log is more organized, containing an index that allows viewers to easily find major events. It also goes into greater detail of the notable incidents and is more concerned with the actions and attitudes of the crew.We learn from this log more about Henry Smith, the man afflicted with delirium tremens. Earlier in the voyage, he had another attack that came while he was restocking the Store Room. He began spitting up blood and the ship doctor, Dr. McDonald determined it was the result of an old chest disease.
We also learn of a fight between two members of the crew from the surgeon's report. John Clark had his jaw broken by James Barry, both classified as "able-bodied seamen". Alcohol seemed to be the source of the fight and Barry claimed drunkenness as his defense. Other members of the crew took his knife from him.
Ships were certainly not injury-free work places for the crew. While performing necessary tasks in precarious locations on the ship, rough seas could catch even a weathered seaman off-guard. Midshipman William Abbott was stepping from the rigging to the rail when the sea got rough and he fell. His result was a broken collarbone. Frank Bayley, a cuddy servant, slipped and dislocated his hip, which was promptly set back into place.
At Melbourne, several sailors decided to not return to the Clarence. After being absent from the ship for several days, they were declared deserted. From the log we see that seamen Willson, Cook, Barry, Broad, Cooper, and Carver were among those listed as the deserters.
A few other sailors did not return to the Clarence, but for a different reason. They were discharged by mutual consent, and they held different positions on the ship: Sackerson- O.S.; Fawcett- chief mate; McDonald- surgeon; Howard- steward; and George Hall, whose occupation is unknown.
Even though the Clarence lost quite a few of its crew, it surprisingly gained two extra sets of helping hands. James Evans and John Carter, two boys, were discovered as stowaways. They were sent to help in different areas of the ship- Evans to the Stewards' Pantry and Carter to the Passengers' Galley.
Dr. Wheeler was an interesting character for sure. He would quite frequently suffer from violent attacks of mania. He attributed to a shell that struck him on the head in 1869 on board another ship. One episode was particularly bad. Wheeler displayed a very foul mouth, threatened to harm Capt. Gibson and attempted to get his surgical knives to carry out his threats. He then attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the ship, but Capt. Gibson kept him from doing so.
This log goes into great detail about the suicide of Mrs. Sutherland. There are reports from the midshipman that found her body, the log-keeper, the surgeon, the captain, and passengers that knew Mrs. Sutherland. It was a thorough investigation and the conclusion was that, due to the size of the water closet, position of the body, and statements made by her acquaintances, the death was truly a suicide.
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Round Trip: London/Melbourne 1871-1872
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Log M6
This tale of the Clarence began on September 5th, 1871 in Gravesend, England. The first leg of the voyage was largely uneventful. Midshipman Higgup recorded the weather and various tasks of the crew. Passengers enjoyed entertainment with fiddles in the cuddy cabin. The Clarence landed at the Sandridge Railway Pier on December 13th, 1871.
The return trip was not quite so tame. The Clarence cast off from the docks on January 20, 1872 and by January 27th, she had already encountered some drama. Henry Smith, the steward, began acting strangely and the surgeon, Dr. Wheeler, was called. The surgeon determined he was suffering from delirium tremens, relieved him of his duties, and placed him under surveillance until an improvement in his condition could be observed. On February 7th, Henry Smith was reinstated to his duties with the restriction that he could not drink alcohol. Not long after Smith's recovery, a shocking discovery was made in the water cabin. On February 12th, Mrs. Sutherland was found dead, lying in a pool of her own blood. It was determined that she died from a self-inflicted wound to her neck half an hour before the discovery.
Midshipman Higgup reported that the next few months passed mostly without incident. The Clarence was making its usual progress, the crew assigned to the various tasks of ship improvement and repairs, and passengers enjoyed the changes of scenery from other ships and sighted land such as Cape Padrone, Bird Island, Cape St. Francis, and St Helena. Captain Gibson went ashore Born Point in the cutter to restock some supplies in late March.
May 8th comes and a curious sight is spotted: the Clarence has caught up with another ship with full sail, but with no crew or passenger visible on deck! Curiosity and philanthropy inspired Captain Gibson to investigate. The ship revealed itself to be the Russian Imaha, from the Island of Gunapie in Peru traveling to Falmouth, England. The entire crew, except for two hands, were suffering of scurvy and were short of provisions. Capt. Gibson and Dr. Wheeler go aboard the Imaha with provisions then return to the Clarence. Two members of the Clarence's crew volunteered to continue their journey aboard the Imaha and assist with the voyage to Falmouth.
May 22nd: Finally, the voyage is over and the Clarence makes fast to the docks at Blackwall.
Log MHA 1872
Interestingly, the voyage of 1872 produced two official logs. This log contains important documents such as the discharge papers of disorderly sailors and official records of deserters. This log is more organized, containing an index that allows viewers to easily find major events. It also goes into greater detail of the notable incidents.
We learn from this log more about Henry Smith, the man afflicted with delirium tremens. The onset of his attack came while he was restoring the Store Room. He began spitting up blood and the ship doctor, Mr. McDonald determined it was the result of an old chest disease.