The Press.
London, England, 1858-01-02 00:00:00

THE "SARAH SANDS."

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A LAMENTABLE accident has occurred to one of our
steam transports conveying troo, s to India. The
Sarah Sarvis was burned at sea on the 11th Nov.
As an instance of cool daring, the saving of the
ship and its crew and passengers is one of the
noblest on record. The following letter from the
captain details the incidents which occurred :
At about 3.45 p.m., on the 11th of November, I disco-
vered a very strong smell of fire arising from the after
orlop deck (where about lio of the troops were berthed),
and upon going into the hold fund it to be on fire, and
immense volumes of smoke issuing from it. I imme-
diately ordered all the engines to be stopped, all sail taken
in, and the ship brought to the wind ; some hands were at
the same time getting fire-hoses passed below.
I then requested Colonel Moffatt to have all the ammu-
nition thrown overboard, and succeeded in clearing the
starboard magazine. By this time the whole of the after
part of the ship was so much enveloped in smoke that it
was scarcely possible to stand ; but volunteers came aft
and attempted to clear the port magazine, which they
succeeded in doing, with the exception (as we suppose) of
one barrel. Several of the men were dragged up senseless
from below while thus engaged.
I ordered all the boats to be lowered, placing the ladies
in the port lifeboat under the charge of Mr. Verey, third
officer, giving him orders to keep clear of the ship until
recalled. Mr. Welch, chief officer, was forward hoisting
out the cutter and longboat, which was done without acci-
dent. I then commenced constructing rafts, of which I
launched two overboard and safely moored them alongside,
keeping a third across the deck forward in readiness.
At about 8.30 p.m. flames burst through the upper deck,
and shortly after the mizen rigging took fire. I was then
fearful of the ship paying off, but fortunately the after
braces were burnt through, and the mainyard swung round.
About nine a.m. a fearful explosion took place in the
port magazine. By this time the ship was one body of
flame from the stern to the main rigging, and thinking it
scarcely possible to save her I called Major Brett ( in com-
mand of the troops) forward, and told him my opinion, re-
questing him to endeavour to keep order among the troops
till the last, hut at the same time to use every exertion to
check the fire.
No person can describe the manner in which the men
worked to keep the fire bock ; one party were below keep-
ing the bulkhead cool, several of whom were dragged up
senseless, and fresh volunteers took their places, but were
soon in the same state.
At eleven p.m. the maintopaailyard took fire. Mr. Welch,
one quartermaster, and four or five soldiers went aloft with
wet blankets and succeeded in extinguishing it, but not
until the yard and mast were nearly burnt through. About
midnight we appeared to have made some impression on
the fire, and after that drove it back inch by inch until
daylight, when it had been completely got under.
The ship now appeared in a fearful plight; merely the
shell remaining, the port quarter blown out by the explo-
sion, fifteen feet of water in the hold, and the ship rolling
heavily and taking in large quantities of water aft.
As soon as the smoke was partially cleared away I got
spare sails and blankets aft to stop the leak, passing two
hawsers round the stern and setting them up. The troops
were employed baling and pumping, the ship rolling
heavily, and the tanks rolling from side to side in the
hold.
About ten a.m. the ladies joined the ship. I then
ordered all the boats alongside, but found the sea too
heavy for them to remain there ; the gig, however, had
been abandoned during the night, and the crew, under Mr.
Ward, fourth officer, got into another of the boats.
The troops were employed during the remainder of the
, day baling and pumping, and the crew in securing the
stern. Throughout the night all hands were engaged in
baling and pumping. The boats were secured fore and
aft, but several were severely damaged.
At daylight on the 13th the crew were employed hoist-
ing in the boats, the troops working manfully in baling
' and pumping. Latitude at noon 13.1'2 S. At five p.m.
set foresail and foretopsail, and bore for the Mauritius.
On Thursday, the 19th, sighted the Island Roderigues,
and arrived at Mauritius on Monday, the '23rd.
J. S. CAsTer, Commander.