The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-09-13 00:00:00

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A SHIP ON FIRE : PERILOUS SITUATION.

The following extract from the logbook of the ship Re-
nown, Captain Hosken, on her passage from Sydney, New
South Wales, to this port, with a cargo of wool, gives an
account of the breaking out of a fire in the hold, from the
spontaneous combustion, it is supposed, of the wool; of the
perilous situation of the crew and the passengers ; and of
the skilful and persevering manner in which the parties on
board subdued the flames, thereby saving the vessel and her
cargo as well as their own lives. The narrative is highly in-
teresting.

June 24.—At Ba. m. moved the spars on the larboard side,
and in so doing perceived a curious smell. At 9a. in., re-
marked the same kind of smell in the cabin. Overhauled all
the ship, but discovered nothing. At noon a similar smell.
Latitude obtained 25 26 S. lon. 38 43.
25th.—At 12 30, p. m., cleared the sail-cabin, store-room,
and everything out of the berths, and in so doing found the
smell proceeded from the hold, between the bulkheads of the
.cabin and quarter-deck. The smell increased, having every
symptom of the wool being on fire. Pressed the people to
work to get part of the provisions on deck, all the spirits,
oil, rope. &c.: closed all down, and made all as air-tight as
possible, and kept the ship before the wind for Rio. Pumps
duly attended to, and all possible sail set to advantage.
Cleared away the longboat and pinnace, got the tackle rove,
and all ready for getting the boats out. Latitude 24 20,
longitude
26th.—At twelve, p.m., commenced moderate breeze and
cloudy : all sail set to advantage, standing towards the land.
At 4, p.m., smoke was observed coming through the break of
the second deck, and smelling like the smoke of wool. At
6, p.m., the smell increasing very much, and every symptom
of the ship being on fire. The captain ordered the longboat
and pinnace to be hoisted overboard, with masts and sails,
and sent the most useless of the passengers in them. The
boats being ready, put astern of the ship, with a cask of
water, some provisions, and spirits, two chronometers, and
what was required for navigating the boats to land. At this
time the brass of the skylight and wood of the companion
appeared redhot. Covered the coats of the masts, skylights,
and companion with blankets and sails, which were con-
stantly kept wet. At 11 30, p.m., fire was discovered burst-
ing through the starboard side, a little before the main chains :
water was thrown in to stop the flames. At this time there
was nothing but a solid mass of fire to be seen inside the
ship, from the holes made by the flames. The boats were
now ordered alongside the ship for the remainder of the pas-
sewers, and some of the crew sent into them, except two of
the passengers, who exerted themselves in a most able man-
ner for the safety of the ship, namely, Dr. Hampton, R.N.,
and Mr. Joseph Lane, the captain having determined to re-
main by the ship, in hope of saving her and cargo, keeping
the mate and seven of the crew on board, who were employed
pouring water into the holes made by the fire, at the same
time constantly keeping the companion, skylights, and coats
of the masts and deck wet. At midnight, light breezes, and
fine weather : towing the boats astern with passsengers,
the fire still increasing from midnight to four a.m., when
the crew that were in the boats were ordered to come on
board to relieve those that had been working all night. At
daylight, being in sight of land, the captain determined to
break into the ship, by cutting away the covering board where
the fire appeared to be the most rapid : got some casks of
water filled on deck. At 8, a.m., all ready, and the ship's
company all on the spot, also Dr. H. and Mr. J. L. to assist,
commenced cutting away with the broad adze, and pouring
water into the hold. At 8, a.m., the fire appeared to be
abated, and the half-deck hatches were broken open to find
the extent of the fire. The hatches being broken open, water
was thrown down as fast as possible. Cleared away the half-
deck, and found nearly all the sails were burned and the ship's
stores and provisions all spoiled by the fire. At 9, a.m., the
fire appeared to be extinguished. A sail in sight in shore :
_sent away Mr. Lane and five men in the ship's gig to provide
a passage for some of the passengers the ladies having ap-
peared to suffer much from alarm and being in the boats all
night. At 11, a.m., returned, and reported the vessel was
bound for Rio, and that the captain would take about six
passengers. Captain Hoskin then put onboard Mr. and Mrs.
Badley, Mrs. Rose, Mr. Garrett, Mr. Perry, and two sailors.
At noon the captain returned to the ship ; hoisted up the
pinnace and gig and towing the longboat astern of the ship.
Pumps duly attended to.

27ih. At 12 p.m. commences light winds and pleasant
weather : made all possible sail, plying to windward. At 4,
H.M.B. Fantome spoke the captain kindly, offered us assis-
tance, and sent a boat aboard, with one lieutenant and surgeon
to inspect the state of the ship, and there were no symptoms
of fire to be seen. The Fantome's boat left the ship. At 8,
light winds and clear weather: no appearance of fire; em-
ployed throwing water over the burnt part of the ship. Mid-
night, ditto weather : threw more water over the ship. At
4, a.m., a moderate breeze from W.S.W. running along the
land : set all studding-sails. At noon, no appearance of fire.
28th. Lat. observed 23,20, long. 28, commences with a fine
breeze and pleasant weather. At 3, p.m., found the wool to
be on fire in the hold in the same place as before. All hands
were immediately ordered to pour water on the fire and to
take the burning wool on deck. At 4, p.m., there was no
fire to be seen, but some of the wool was still very hot. At
8, light wind and cloudy, no appearance of fire : set a watch
in the hold to watch for the fire breaking out again. At day-
light, saw the entrance to Rio harbour, bearing N.E. by E. :
at noon, no appearance of fire. Lat. 23 9, S., at 4, p.m.,
anchored in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro.