Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 2.djvu/214

 om the owners through Mr. Gandhi, advising not to remove the steamer without express instructions from them, as it was dangerous to the lives of the Indian passengers. Not even after receiving pratique was the steamer to be moved.

On the 10th January, the following signal was hoisted: “Quarantine having again expired, wish to disembark at once four European passengers. Also send water and fresh provisions. Want instructions as to landing horses. Send fodder. Report we all well.” These signals were all understood at the Station on shore and the Answering Pennant hoisted in reply to each. Cleaning and disinfecting repeated as usual. On the 11th January, the Health Officer visited the ship and granted pratique. At 1.30 the tender Natal put on board 4,800 gallons of water. Four European passengers landed per Natal after hoisting signal, “My European passengers refused a passage on shore by the Natal. Please give instructions.” At 4 p.m. signals were hoisted on shore, but could not be made out owing to haziness. Cleaning and disinfecting as well as ventilating of holds strictly attended to. A letter was received, signed by Harry Sparks, “Chairman of Committee”, and is hereto annexed and marked “A”, and copies of which are annexed to the duplicate original and protocol hereof. Certain enclosures were said to be made therewith, but were never received by the said appearer.

On the 12th January, cleaning and ventilating, etc., having been repeated at 4.30 p.m., “Captain will be off tomorrow” was signalled from the shore. On the 13th January, at 7.10 a.m., the Government tug Churchill came alongside with Pilot Gordon, who ordered the said appearer to heave short the cable, and to be ready to go inside at 10.30 a.m., this being a distinct order from Government, through the Port Captain. The said appearer having received instructions from the owners of the said Courland not to move without orders from them, requested Pilot Gordon to notify the owners that he was entering the harbour on Government orders. At 11.50, the Pilot came off in the tug Richard King, the vessel was got under way and taken across the bar. At 12.45, the Port anchor was let go and the vessel moored head and stern to buoys. At 1.15, Mr. H. Escombe, the Attorney- General for the Colony, came alongside with the Port Captain, and requested the said appearer to inform the passengers that they were under the protection of the Natal Government, and that they were as safe here as they would be in their own Indian villages. At 3 p.m., orders were received from the Port Captain to inform passengers they were free to land.

And the said Alexander Milne did further declare that, since the arrival of his said vessel in the inner harbour of this Port, on the 13th Jan