Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-06-17
NSw- York, June %.
LOSS OF THE SoL0N.

.NPtC- York, June 70.
LOSS OF THE soLoN.
The valuable ship Scion, regular Lon
don trader belonging to this POT, was
struck with lightning and set on fire, on
the evening of the 9Th OF April. On
the following day, at II O'Clock, and be-
fore the flames which we're raging in the
hold had burst through the deck, the cap
tain, crew and passengers, So in number,
were mo providentially rescued from
their perilous situation, by the brig Poa-
cher, from Liverpool. The circumstan-
ces Of the case, are more fully detailed
in the following article from the Boston
Daily Advertiser Of Thursday.
Arrived, the brig Poacher, Malcolm,
IS days from Liverpool, and 81 from
Fayal, April sstb, fell in with the big
Scion, Stoddard, from London to New
York, with hemp, dry good,, copper, &c.
which had been struck with lightning the
evening previous, and set on fire, in lat.
40, IS, long. 81, then 20 days out. Took
OF the passengers, 81 in number, and
crew, amou ting in all to So, and shortly
after the fire burst through the deck, aud
we saw the masts gn over the side. The
following account Of the disaster, fur
nished by passenger, and politely handed
US from the Exchange Coffee House, a.
grees with the minutes made en- the log
book, as recorded by Mr.. TOp!if, with
which we have also been favored -" On
the eth Of April, at 9 O'Clock, p. NJ. u
body Of lightning struck the ship, atten.
ded by singular explosion, disorderiEg
every thing in its passage down the main
mast. The captain, with many others
on the upper deck, were at once knocked
down; on the middle deck the same ei.
feet was produred-yet in their case No
lives were lost. Immediately columns oil
smoke rose from the hold throug Il every
aperture and such was the strength of
the devouring matter, that it must, at
the same instant. have set fire to every
part Of the cargo which was liable to take
fire from it. In this emergency, the
thickness Of the smoke became such as
to prevent further respiration. All rush.
ed on deck in confusion-the lightning
still bursting for,h, so that the whole sea
appeared Ike furnace.
Here was one OF the most distressing
scenes that ever was witnessed-the most
part of the people half naked, and it
being impracticable to return for their
clothes, and with no more Of the Deces-
saries of human life than would be re.
qnired for about two days subsistence
All 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 fear
full few hours might close the scene
The boats could tot take two-thirds our
number, and the tremendous sea also for.
bid the trial; the hope Of falling in with
a vessel was precarious, yet the hand Of
gracious providence was over our heads.
Ia this state we continued till next day
about II o'clock, when the brig Poacher,
captain Malcolm, appeared in sight. and
ultimately saved our lives. The last boat
had scarce reached the brig, when the
Solon's mizzcnmast iei! by the board,
and the mainmast followed in about half
an hour after. At this time the flames
burst out in every direction, so that Pro-
violence had sent this vessel to our aid in
a most critical moment. So great num-
Der Of persons being added to those al.
ready on board the Poacher, she having
before seven passengers, it became ne.
cessary to make for the Western Islands
for water and provisions. We arrived
at Fayal On the first Of May, where every
attention was paid to our wants BY Mr..
Dabney the American consul, and other