Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-06-19
L0SS OF THE SOLON.

New YORK, Jane l2.-The valuable
ship Scion, d regular London trader, be-
longing 10 this port, was struck with
lightning and sci on fire, on the evening
of tie 27th of April. On the following
day, Il; IL O'clock, and before the flames
whicl were raging i'll the hold had burst
through the deck, the captain, crew and
passengers, 38 in number, were most pro-
vidpniialy rescued from their pcriious
situation ny The brig Poacher, from i-lv-
erpcol. The circumstances OF the case,
are more fully detailed in the following
article, from The Boston Daily Advertiser
Of Thursday -
Arrived, the brig Poacer, MALCOLM,
e5 days FROM Liverpool and 81 from Fay
al, with crockery and glassware. April
18th, fell in With the ship Scion, Stod
dard, from London for New YORK;, with
hemp, dry goods, copper, &c. which had
been struck with lightning the evening
previous, and set on fire, in lat. 40, 10,
long q, then 30 days out. Took off the
passengers, % in number, and crew, a.
mounting i'll all 10 50, and shortly after
the ire burst through the deck, and we
saw the masS 90 over the side. The fol-
lowing account 9th disaster, furnished
by passenger, & politely handed us from
the Exchange Coffee Honse, agrees with
ttiP minutes i!ohc OH ibc log DOOh, as IT,
corded BY Mr.. Top!iff, with Which we
have also been iav0ured =" On the 9th
OF April, al o'clock =. Nj. body of
lightning struck the ship, attended by
singular explosion, disordering every
Thing in It's passage down the mainmast
The captain, with many others on the up
per deck, we're al once knocked down !;
on the middle deck the same effect was
yrOduCed--yet IN either case no lives
we're lost Immediately columns al smoke
rose from the hold through every apcT-
lure and such was the strength OF the
dcvourlng matter, that il must, at the
same instant, have set fire 10 every part
al lhe cargo which was liable TO take nre
from II. IN this emergency, The thick
ness of the smoke became such as TO pre-
vent further respiration. All rushed on
deck in confusi0n-tlie lightning still
bursting forth, so that the whole sea ap-
peared like furnace.
Here WAS one Of the most distressing
scenes that ever was witnessed-lli most
part Of the people half naked, and il be-
ing inpTacticable TO return for their
clothes, and with no more of the necessa-
ries Of lie thanwould be required for a.
bout two days subsistence. ALI that now
remained To our hopes was to keep the
fire under by blocking up every aperture
where the smoke issued--and should this
be effected, we were fearful few hours
might close the scene. The boats could
not take two thirds our number, and The
mendous SEA also forbid the trial; the
hope of falling in with vessel was prcca-
rious, yet the hand Of a gracious PrOyi-
dence was over our hea Is. In Ibis STATE
we continued till next day about eleven
O'Clock, when the brig Poacher, Captain
Malcolm, appeared III sight, aud ultimate
iy saved our lives. The last boat had
scarce reached The brig when the Soon's
mizEen mast fell by The board, and the
mainpast followed in about half an hour
after. as this time tie flames had burst
out 10 every direction, so that Providence
had sent this vessel TO Our aid IN a most
critical moment so great a number Of
persons being added TO those already on
board iie Poacher, she having before Sc
ven passengers, II became necessary TO
make for the Western Islands for water
and provisions. We arrived at Fdyal on
the LIST ofMay, where every attention WAS
paid 10 our "a nts by Mr.. Dabney, tie
American Consul, and other persons, par
ticularly Messrs. Searle, Parker, Bayley
/. and Correa"
Three Of the SOlon's passengers here
went On board ilie slip Norfolk, for Lon
don; seven Of Tie passengers aud crew
on board the sclr Prudence, Legget,,
Or iIailiaX, AID tive remainder have a.