The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-10-17 00:00:00

BURNING OF THE SHIP "OLIVER
CROMWELL."

By the Cape pspers,that arrived at Plymouth on Monday,
intelligence was brought of the destruction ,1 the full-rigged
ship Wirer Crooooell. 1,200 tons, which was burnt at sea early
laat month 300 miles off the Cape :

The Oliver Cromwell, loaded with coal, left Newcastle
for Aden on the 18th June last, and though the venti-
lation of the cargo was attended to, fire burst out
from the fore hat b on Sunday, Sept. 6. Strenuous
efforts were made to subdue the flames, and the
ship's head was pointed for the Cape, upwards of
300 miles away. The two boats were hung on the
davits and liberally provisioned, but one on being
lowered was stove in and its contents lost. At five in
the afternoon the after hatch blew up with a terrific
explosion, and it was determined to abandon the ship.
The only available boat seas but 20 feet long, and in it
the captain and crew, twenty-one all told, left the
burning ship at seven o'clock, nothing being saved
except the chronometer and the ship's papers. It was
hoped that the ship would tow the boat some distance,
but sparks fell about, and the painter was thrown
off. Soon after this had been done, it was discovered
that the only compass in the boat was a small boat
compass with a broken glass, and an attempt was
made to board the ship again to supply the deficiency.
The fire had made so much progress that this was found
to be impossible, the ship being enveloped in flames
from stem to stern. During the night the burning,
vessel was in sight of the boat, but about four o'clock the
following morning the light disappeared, and it was
believed she had blown up or sunk. When daylight
broke the first thing was to ascertain what provisions
the boat contained. There were two small casks of
water, strongly impregnated with tar, on board, about
3001 b. of bread, four hams, and some tins of preserved
meat. There were also some pieces of canvas and
some carpenter's tools, and a small supply of nails.
The weather fortunately continued moderate, with a
fair wind, and the boat sailed between three and four
knots. The captain being aware of his position, and
the crew obedient and attentive, hopes were enter-
tained that all would reach land in safety, but it was
considered necessary to economise the water on board,
and each man was put upon allowance of three half-
pints in the twenty-four hours. During Monday and
Tuesday, owing to her being so heavily ladened, the
boat shipped a good deal of water, and the bread
became thoroughly sodden. To prevent this to some
extent stanchions were put up, and the height of the
bulwarks was increased nearly two feet by the use of
the canvas on board. Early on Wednesday the wind
increased in violence, and baling hail to be constantly
kept up. Table Mountain was sighted soon after sun-
rise. The sea increased in violence, and though the
boat was lightened by throwing overboard everything
which could be spared, two hands had to be kept at
work baling. As the boat approached the mouth of the
harbour those on board found a barque at anchor out-
side the breakwater. They made for her, and onboard.
ing the Saxon received a hearty welcome at the hands
of Captain Shepherd. They had been exactly 72 hours
at sea in the boat. Their provisions were consumed,
and the men were worn out with watching and excite-
ment. Upon landing the men found immediate shelter
in the Sailors' Home.