The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-08 00:00:00

LOSS OF THE BARQUE DUKE OF
RICIIMOWD.

By the arrival yesterday in the Downs of the ship
Stag, from Colombo, intelligence has been received of the
total loss by fire of the barque Duke of Richmond, Cap-
tain Black, while on a voyage from London to Val-
paraiso, and, it is feared, the loss of a boat's crew. The
unfortunate ship, laden with a general cargo of mer-
chandise and three or four passengers, left the London
Docks at the latter end, of last August. The voyage
went safely enough apparently until the morning of the
sth of October, in lat. 12 deg. 12 min. N., and long.
24 deg. 31 min., when between eight and nine o'clock a
kind of explosion was heard, and some few minutes
afterwards a quantity of smoke was observed coming up
from the after-part of the vessel. It was then evident
that the ship had taken fire. The mate with some of
the hands endeavoured to find the seat of it ; and, after
some difficulty, found that the storeroom bulk-head had
been driven towards the stern, and that flames were
raging almost as far as the mainmast. They attempted
to check the progress of the fire, but the heat'and smoke
became so overpowering that they had to make a hasty
retreat. With a view, if possible, of stiflins, the flames,
the hatch was closely fastened down. In the meanwhile
the destructive element spread rapidly—all their endea-
vours were fruitless. The hold was then choked up with
wet sails, &e., and, as the ship was beyond preservation,
Captain Black gave the necessary directions for the
rescue of the passengers. A lady and her daughter,
Mr. and Miss Codd, with a Mr. Holt, were placed
in the life-boat ready for launching ; some water
and provisions, with a compass, sails, &c., were
also deposited in the craft. The long-boat was then
got out, with more water and provisions, and all made
ready for leaving at any sudden emergency. The
conflagration speedily assumed a very fearful aspect,
huge flames rolling out of the ship fore and aft.
Directions were then given to let go the life-boat with
the ladies, which was safely lowered, with four sailors,
the steward, and the second mate, who was in charge.
The ship's gig was then got all clear hanging astern.
Most of the crew then took to the long boat and shoved
off, the captain directing the life-boat to be kept close to
the latter. Captain Black was the last to leave the
vessel. Towards eleven o'clock the flames had burned
through the deck, and as it would have been danger-
ous for him to have remained, he Ipwered himself
from tue stern into the gig, and with a boy, car-,
penter, and two sailors, stood off a short distance
from the burning wreck. The rigging speedily caught,
and then the masts, which went over the side. As it
was thought that the boats would have a better chance
of being picked up by cruizing in the vicinity of the
wreck, the captain determined upon doing so. The
long boat kept company with the gig, but the life-boat
stood away and was lost sight of. In the evening, how-
ever, it again appeared in sight, and on coming up it was
seen that three of the sailors were intoxicated, having
got brandy and rum in the craft. The two ladies, Mr.
Holt, and the steward, were taken into the long-boat.
The men were reasoned with, told their position, and to
follow the long-boat which was towing the gig. At
about nine o'clock the life-boat, with the four men and
second mate, dropped astern, and was not again seen.
Lights were fixed for their guidance, but nothing was
seen of them. Early on the following morning, Capt.
Black and his companions espied a sail ; they fired
rockets, which were answered, and the whole of the two
boats' crews were safely received on board the Stag,
Captain Clark, bound to London from Colombo, where
they were most kindly treated. The Stag lay to until
daybreak in the hope of seeing the missing boat, but
not the least trace of it could be perceived. Tile fate
of the men is yet to be learned. The ill-fated barque
and cargo are reported to have been insured.