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73
The cabin generally was leaky and structurally defective, and I have no
hesitation in stating that the conditions found constituted a serious nuisance,
injurious to the health of the inmates.
As some indication of the nature of the emanations from the cargo, I may
state that in the fore-cabin, which fortunately and probably for good reasons
was not occupied, the air was so foul that a light would not burn.
This fact may have been known to the crew of the barge, and may account
for the mate sleeping in the after-cabin.
It need only be pointed out that an alteration in the position of the barge,
or change of wind, might have been sulficient to transfer the accumulation of
foul gas from the fore-part of the vessel to the after-cabin, with the fatal
results which have, on several occasions previously, been brought to the
notice of your Committee.
A further notice was served upon the owner, in accordance with the advice
of Mr. Solicitor, in July, since when the barge has not been seen.