Page:Full and true account, of the cruel sufferings of the passengers on board the brig Nancy bound for New-York.pdf/3

[ 3 ] and the unwholesomness and stench of the place, together with the brutal and cruel behaviour of the captain, mate, and most of the crew. After the sea sickness began to abate, and the people to want nourishment, as there was no appearance of cooking, or any provision for them, the captain was spoke to about it, and desired to order their provision to be dressed. He said he had no cook; and when they expressed their surprise, that he should undertake to bring out such a number of passengers, without having a cook on board; he said he had been told a cook was unnecessary, for that they could cook for themselves. However, he ordered them pretty near their proper allowance, and as they had been some weeks without meat, two pound one half each full passenger which was due to them, was delivered, and this was all the meat they had during the whole passage. They made the best shift they could, to cook this meat; but it was so ill done, and so salt, that it afforded but little satisfaction and so increased their thirst, that they drank an unusual quantity of water; on which the captain took occasion to advise with some of the principal passengers, whether (as the wind continued still unfavourable, and threatened a long passage) it would not be expedient, to withhold from the passengers (till they should have made some progress on their voyage) meat, which while they continued unwell, did them little service, and by increasing their thirst, might occasion the water as well as the meat, to fall short. The persons consulted, readily concurred with the captain in opinion, that for the present, meat might be withheld. The captain and seamen appropriated the cabin to themselves, where they lived plentifully on good provisions, while the passengers were confined to black raw musty meal, and stinking water.—The door of the bulk head between the companion, and the deck where the passengers were, was strongly fastened with nails, so that the passengers had no air but what came in at the hatches, which occasioned them to be left open, in all weathers; and as no contrivance was made to secure them from the seas, that beat into