30 September 1854



The Ben Nevis, Captain Heron, from Liverpool, with a large number of emigrants, had to put into Queenstown yesterday with cholera on board. She left Liverpool on Tuesday, and had not proceeded far on her voyage when the disease made its appearance, and some cases proved fatal. At the time of her arrival in Queenstown there had been six deaths; and 16 cases were under treatment. A telegraph was instantly dispatched for Captain De Courcey, the Government Emigration officer, and it is understood he has made arrangements for the medical treatment of the patients.





This vessel, which sailed from Liverpool on the 26th September, with, it is stated, 448 emigrants on board, most of whom were German, is now lying in Queenstown harbour, cholera having broken out among her passengers. Her crew numbers 42 men. Previous to her departure from Liverpool, four cases of Asiatic cholera occurred; and the Emigration-officer at that port directed the passengers and crew to quit the vessel and ordered the ship to be fumigated. The passengers were then permitted to go on board the vessel again, but on the following day two other passengers were seized with cholera and had to be removed from the vessel. On the 26th ult, no fresh cases having made their appearance for three days, the Emigration-officer deemed that the pestilence was eradicated from the vessel and allowed it to proceed. On that day, however, no fewer than eight of the passengers were taken ill; next day four more were added to the sick list, and on the following day three others were attacked. This made 14 cases, seven of whom died. On the 29th there were seven new cases. On this day the vessel arrived in Queenstown, and her condition being reported, Dr. Scott proceeded on board and rendered every assistance. Her agents, Messrs. Scott & Co., dispatched a telegraphic message to Captain De Courcey, Government Emigration officer, who was at the moment in Cork. Captain De Courcey instantly proceeded to Queenstown and on his arrival, Admiral Carroll ordered the Inconstant hulk to be towed alongside the vessel. No time was lost in preparing the hulk for the reception of the healthy passengers, and on Saturday they were all removed to the hulk, where they have every advantage of good diet, warmth, cleanliness and ventilation. As a consequence, the number of new cases has been comparatively few. The sick on board the Ben Nevis also receive every possible attention and many are recovering. The following is an accurate account of the number of new cases, deaths, and convalescent cases: -

Dates,Cases, Deaths, Under Treatment
From 26th to 29th inclusive. 7, 7, 17
30th September, 2, 2, 18
1st October, 4, 5, 19,

Yesterday no deaths were reported, and but one new case has been added, which is likely to recover.



The cholera on board the Ben Nevis has decreased. The number of new cases does not average more than one per day, and the deaths since the 6th inst. number only 9. The following is the official return: - New cases since 6th October, 9; deaths since same period, 9; under treatment on 12th October, 4. Every possible care is taken of the patients on board the ship; they are supplied with the best diet and medical attendance, and it is hoped that after the lapse of a few days the disease will be eradicated.






SAILED: Ben Nevis, Heron, emigrants, etc TO: Texas