The pirates assembled us on deck, counted us over to see that none were missing, lifted the hatches at the foot of the mainmast, and lowered us, one by one, into the hold.
"A Lady's Captivity among Chinese Pirates in the Chinese Seas"
Fanny Loviot
The hatches were then lifted, a flood of blinding sunlight poured in upon us, and the friendly voice of Than-Sing greeted us from above.
"A Lady's Captivity among Chinese Pirates in the Chinese Seas"
Fanny Loviot
In many vessels there is a passage like this leading from the after cabin to the steerage, where the entire hold is not open from the hatches to the keel, as in big ships, which the captain may use in reaching certain portions of the cargo with less trouble than in the case of its being stored in a solid bulk.
"The Hilltop Boys on Lost Island"
Cyril Burleigh