UNION HALL.—On Saturday, a seaman, just paid off from the Daphne sloop of war, was brought up under the following circumstances:—It appeared that he arrived in a fly from Gravesend the previous night, and was set down in the Borough, completely helpless from intoxication. He was carried on a stretcher to the station-house, and, when he came to his senses, he found that he was robbed of all the wages he had received at Chatham, after three years’ service in the Mediterranean. He added, that he wanted to get round to Portsmouth, but bad no money to get there, as he must go to sea again, having lost all, instead of going down to Scotland to see his friends.—Mr. Cottingham said that this was a striking instance of the improvidence of sailors, and asked the defendant why he got so drunk?—The defendant replied that for three years he had been constantly at sea, and when be got on shore he was determined on enjoying himself; but that he had paid dearly for it. He was advised to apply at “the Sailors’ Home,” and they would render him some assistance to get to Portsmouth. He was then discharged.
The Illustrated London News, London England, Week Ending May 21, 1842