feet 4 inches; 1 hatch-length, 6 feet 4 inches; width, 6 feet 4 inches; superficial, 41 feet 4 inches. Thus, superficial feet of whole steerage, 1,475 feet; superficial feet of passages, 499 feet 4 inches; clear superficial feet, 975 feet 8 inches. We found the height of the deck (measuring from deck to deck between carlines) to be 7 feet 2 inches. We also found the number of berths to be 247. These berths form three tiers from deck to deck throughout the whole steerage. The following is a statement of the position and size of these berths: Length of berth, 6 feet 10 inches; width of ditto, 1 foot 14 inch; height from upper berth to deck above, 2 feet 6 inches; height between berths, 2 feet; height from lower berth to deck below, 8 inches; size of fore hatch, deducted as above, superficial feet, 41 feet 4 inches. This hatch is available only as a companion-way, being bulkheaded on sides, and after end one berth attached to each side, and six berths built on after bulkhead. These six berths have the foremast of the ship running through all of them, materially lessening the room in said berths. 66 The berths on the sides of the ship are built athwart ship; those in the centre are constructed fore and aft," or lengthwise of the ship. The larger portion of all the berths are intended and used for three persons, a smaller portion are used for two persons, the only single berths being those attached to the bulkhead of the fore hatch. These berths have no partitions, side boards enclosing the three or two berths, as the case may be. The separation between the occupants are bars laid longitudinally; canvas is stretched from one side to the other, and is fastened to the bars by pins on the top of the bars. Where two bars are thus introduced, the space between bars are formed into bags, for three persons; where one, the spaces are for two persons. These bags, as before stated, are 6 feet in length, 1 foot 1 inch in breadth. Below is a plan of the berths. It is puzzling to imagine how the person occupying the middle bag enters, and still harder to conceive how that person can get out when the side bags are occupied, most of these berths being built against the side of the vessel one end, and the other having high boards across. It will be seen that the superficial feet actually contained in the steerage will, if divided by 247, (the number of berths,) give each one 3 feet 11 inches; and if divided by 424, the number of steerage passengers brought by said ship, give each one 2 feet 3 inches. We respectfully submit the foregoing report. F. W. RICE, Esq., United States Consul. HENRY S. TUCHILL. CONSULATE Of the United STATES OF AMERICA, Personally appeared before me, Francis W. Rice, United States consul for Aspinwall and its dependencies, Henry S. Tuchill and John Dallas, who signed the foregoing report in my presence, and who declare, under oath administered by me, the same to be correct and true in every particular. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and [L. S.] affixed the seal of my office, at Aspinwall, on the day and date above written. F. W. RICE. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Aspinwall, April 26, 1864. I, Francis W. Rice, consul of the United States of America for the port of Aspinwall and its dependencies, do hereby certify that the papers numbered 1, 2, 3, attached to this certificate, are true and faithful copies of the originals recorded in this consulate. U. S. CONSULATE, L. S., In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my office, at Aspinwall, the 26th day of April, A. D. 1864. F. W. RICE. |