A Mind at Sea by John Fry

Author:John Fry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2013-11-10T16:00:00+00:00

While at sea the law lays its heavy hand upon him. By night and by day, almost without interruption, he is subject to the severest discipline. Any disobedience of a master’s lawful commands is met with heavy punishment. To conspire to resist his authority is mutiny. Hence, on his arrival in Quebec, Jack longs for a little unbending, and night’s “spree,” as he calls it; he is decoyed ashore, poisoned with drugged liquor, and kept in close confinement until he dares not return. Once in the crimp’s power, the sailor is helpless. He is hustled on board another ship, often in a state of stupefaction, after having gone through the farce of “signing articles” at the shipping office. The crimp dictates the rate of his wages, often £10, £12 and sometimes £15 sterling per month. One half of this sum is handed over to the crimp, and Jack is dismissed with curses on his lips, often to meet with further punishment at home through his unfitness for duty, as a result of the bad whiskey and other compounds he has imbibed ashore. Often, however, the sailor refuses to desert. His clothes are then stolen, or he is forcibly taken out of the ship. Should he resist, the revolver is brought into play, and often used. Even the Captain and officers of ships are frequently overawed, and compelled to witness the desertion of their crews. The system results in a heavy tax upon the trade, and, of course, affects the rates of freight.[4]

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