Atlantic Drift—Gathered in the Steerage, Part I [pp. 648-658]

6S2 Atlantic Brt/t-CaM~ercd in O~e S'tecragc.
work a few inches from it, the in- not extend to U~e spaces unden~eath
terstices of which served to stow hats the bunks; and it was daily inspector tins. Inside this coffinlike area ed or supposed to be inspected by
of the bunks you stow bed, bedding, one of the doctors, of whom there
cans, and all smaller imj5ed~nenttr, were two on board.
while such boxes as found their way The wash-house to the fbrward
down are pushed under the lower steerage was of decent size, with tiled
berths, piled in corners of the central floor, and contained eight closet
space, or serve in the streets as seats pans, five wash hand-basins, each
or footsteps to the upper berths. In with a tap of cold water and one
our steamer il~e bunks seen~ed to with a hot water tap, and four sinks,
have been just put up; they were also with salt water taps: putting
free from vermin, the timbers had aside the absence of any privacy, the
nothing dirtier about them than saw- an-angements were suitable, and the
dust; indeed, as we believe, the num- fittings generally clean; but, as in so
ber of steerage passengers who cross many other instances, the carelesseastwards is much less than in the ness or inattention of the crew made
other direction, the greater part of the admirable equipments of the ship
the boards are often knocked down almost useless. Except early in the
on the ship's arrival in New York, morning there was rarely any water
and the steerage filled wiU~ cargo, m the taps, and in the hot water
and then re-erected when she is again cistern, which also supplied the hotprepared for the westward trip. The water tap outside, often none for two
berths next to the central space were or three days: the engineer, the
the most in request, on account of steward told us, would not waste the
thefr being nearer the fresh air, and steam by putting his cistern into
the lower range everywhere objected communication with the boilers; and
to; but nearly all the tickets had a then often, when turned on, the tap
number affixed, and no liberty of poured out so much more hot steam
choice was permitted. Ours was in than water that one was likely rather
the upper bertl~ in one corner, and to get scalded hands than a full can.
consequently very far removed from The after-steerage was similar in
any ventilation; as a slight com- character to that of the single men,
pensation, being next to the side of but much larger, occupying both the
the ship, we could look through the main and between-decks; il~e marlittle window over the surging water, ried men and women slept on one
with which it was almost level and side,the single women on the other;
frequently covered. The gaps be- their privacy being supposed to be
tween the planks were veiy annoy- secured by.a canvas curtain let down
ing, as small articles readily fell at night the whole length of the cathrough them, and if they fell be- bin. In the other lines, we believe fl~e
neath the lower range it was too men and women, married or single,
dark and the space too narrow to are quite separated, but ours put it
readily recover them. From about forward as one of their attractions
nine till twelve every day the steer- that husbands and wives are berthed
age was closed, all the inmates sent together; as this simply means that
on deck, and the floor brushed and their bunks are allotted side by side,
laid down with fresh sawdust; this the wife is really no more berthed
process,we think, was confined to il~e wifl~ her own husband than with the
central space and the streets. and did spouse of her next neighbor. Many