The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 33, July 1929 - April, 1930 Page: 26
344 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
backs just clearing our deck (which is seven feet four inches
high)."25 Trouble was encountered in getting the large Bactrian
on board in order that his humps did not touch anywhere. Porter
was obliged to cut away a part of the deck for the Bactrian, as he
could not stand under it without rubbing the top of his humps.
Hie was seven feet five inches high, ten feet long, and nine feet nine
inches around the body !
Specific rules and regulations for the camel deck were posted and
were faithfully adhered to by the keepers all during the voyage.
Every precaution for cleanliness was taken, and on the camel deck
there was scarcely any odor perceptible, for the deck was kept con-
stantly scrubbed, "and the whitewash brush kept going." The
system for feeding the camels was interesting: The feeding com-
menced at three o'clock every day, and each animal was given a
gallon of oats, or oats and peas mixed; the hay racks were always
filled, and the camels each averaged ten pounds of hay a day in
good weather. Three gallons of water each day were allowed to
an animal. Every day at nine o'clock in the morning the men who
attended the camels commenced currying them, "combing their
long hair with wooden combs, and rubbing their legs, joints and
feet with hard brushes.'"26
The most violent of the camels became very quiet and tractable
the moment the ship was in motion, and so remained throughout
the voyage. And what this meant to the crew can be readily
appreciated when it is stated that the ocean trip lasted for three
months! It was the rutting season when the camels were brought
on board, and for many days they ate but little. However, they
seemed satisfied to nibble the abundant whitewash off of the beams
and the sides of the ship. "When they do so," said Porter, "it is
because they require salt, and, furthermore, the whitewash seems
to do them good."27
For weeks at a time, during the voyage to Texas, there were
severe storms at sea, all of which the camels stood beautifully.
They were tied down on their knees during such periods, with hay
placed under their knees and haunches. One gale lasted for days.
2"Report, 115, 123. Ibid.
2Report, 119. Ibid.
2"Report, 124. Ibid.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 33, July 1929 - April, 1930, periodical, 1930; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101090/m1/34/?rotate=90: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.