The crew which we shipped in Hong Kong were several of them, as it
proved, released from jail to ship; they were, in part, the off-couring
of English vessels. They were disposed to take advantage of the
officers when possible, doing as little work as would serve to make
them appear busy. One of them was sent aloft to slush down the mast,
and the second mate observed that he was loitering about in the
rigging, to kill time. At eight bells he came down on deck, intending
to go to breakfast with his watch and let somebody else finish his
work; but the mate ordered him aloft to complete his job. This he
refused to do, saying he would not work when it was his watch below.
The captain heard the dispute and told the man that if he did not obey
the orders he would put him in irons. He continuing obstinate, they put
irons on his hands and placed him in the poop deck hatch, and gave him
hard bread and water for food. He held out forty-eight hours in spite
of the captain’s continual conversation with him; when leg irons were
brought and were going on; then he humbly consented to obey the order
and to behave well. The captain has since told me it was the only time
that he ever confined a sailor, and he was inclined afterward to wish
that he had been still more patient, trying to conquer the man by his
usual method of moral suasion. “But,” said he, “it was the only direct
refusal of duty which I ever had, and with such a dangerous crew I
felt the necessity of showing decision.” I record it with my grateful
acknowledgment that though this man was kept manacled in the lazareet,
under my stateroom, I did not know when he was put there, nor was I
aware of his crime and his punishment till several months after our
arrival.--One other incident will complete the criminal record of the
ship.