Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-04-03
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE +!

has been politely furnished with the follow
ing extract from the Journal OF capt. jayne
of the ship Oglethorpe, which sailed from
this port on the 18th Of Dec. last, for Liver
pool, detailing the particulars of serious
acciden, by lightning, on the 9th Dec. IL
days after having discharged her pilot -
Saturday, Dec. 81, l8lS,---These "a
hours commenced with fresh breezes and
squaly; at P. NJ. our mainnast was struck
with tightening in about 10 minutes, found
the ship to be on fire called all hands, took
in all sail but the close reef main-topsail,
and laid the ship too, with her head TO the
south; all hands now employed clearing
out the steerage, if possible, TO get at the
fire; got up the small bower cable, and
many other things, in order to break out
cotton, which we found very difficult, TO DO.
At 8 o'clock sent man aloit to look out,
who returned in a few minutes and saw
nothing we then commenced to hoist out
cotton on deck. At past 8 O'Clock, was
so stiAed with smoke we were obliged to
retreat from between decks-at this time
it appeared almost impossible TO save the
ship-shut the cabin, gangway, and steer
age hatch. All communication with the
cabin was prevented by smoke. Called
all hands aft, and tod them they must be
collected and now prepare the boat to
leave the ship. Sent man aloit who dcs-
cried sail apparently standing down for
US; set our ensign, union down, atthe main
topgalIant mast head, it blowing gale ac-
companied with heavy rain. AT half past
the boat was ready for hosting out, with
some provisions, compass, charts, quadrant
and many little things that would be useful.
We now assembled together on the quarter
deck, as then it appeared for the last time
to consult. The crew were very steady |
and executed their orders promptly. The
decks, in a line directly across the ship, a
bait The pump-well now became SO heated
that the pitch began 70 ooze out from the
seams of the decks. We supposed from
appearances that the plank was nearly burnt
through at this time, the only
and last resort, to cut holes through the
deck and pour water down, IN which we
were fortunate enough to succeed in From
side 10 side, we found from the upper to
the lower deck the ship entirely in flames
and it was with the greatest difficulty we
could prevent it from communicating on
deck through the holes. AT 5, we now
perceived, the fire nad abated in some
measure.-On the larb GARD side, ii being
to leeward, the water had run to more adj
vantage. We then got the ship before the
wind for a short time; and found that we
had cut the holes from side to side directly
over the principal line of the fire; being
guided by the dryness of the deck and
pitch rising from the seams. At hall past
5. we opened the Storage hatch, and found
in short time the smoke much abated: we
could not, however, as yet endure The
smoke, 50 as to work at the cotton in the
steerage-we kept applying water and
cutting through the deck. AT 6, lay too a
gain, with our head to the south. No man
could now remain but short time IN the
steerage-by perseverance, however, we
came to tie cotton that was entirely on fire
at half past 6; and by breaking it down,
the bagging being burnt off, the smoke arr
sing almost suhocated us being obliged
to pass up in our arms the cotton ahre on
deck II blowing gale at the time, it was
with he greatest difficulty we could get the
loose cotton overheard, the wind scattering
it over the ship fore and aft which was Oil
fire and number of bales on fire around
and near the ship-indeed she appeared TO
be enyeloped in flames. We were now
compelled to come from below, and heave
over as fas, as possible the cotton that was
on Ere on the decks; at the same time kept
the ship off nearly before the wind TO get
clear of the cotton on fire, and floating a
round the ship, which was blowing in
streaks in the air. At 7, hove too again,
having got the decks clear and the ship
free of the cotton On fire around her; COM
menced again between decks breaking cot
ton, the FIRE having gained much during our
stay on deck-we could but few minutes
a, time remain near it. being almost
strang!ed with smoke: one man and boy
gave up. who were completely exhausted