The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-09-25

| tuSlc HSdus PAescntinI MOST SHOCK
ing spectacle. The sufferings of Scio
has been beyond description"
SMYRNA, JUNE 81.
Destruction Of a .7arkisk s i-gun Ship.
10 the night between the 18th and
18th inst. the Ottoman fleet was at an
Choir before Scio. The vessel of the
Captain Pacba, at the head Of the hne,
was about league from the shore. 1t
contained great riches, and about e2S6
persons, comprising number of slaves.
Two briggs catered the channel, and the
Turks took them for part of their own
squadron. In one tack that these briggs
made, they approached so near the OF.
toman vessels, that they were called to,
to keep off. They tackled, and stood.
towards Chisme, the better to take the
wind, and to have the same appearance
in running again on the squadron, and
renewing their maneuvres always de-
cided to profit by the security they
might inspire.
At one o'clock at night, they came
again, as of course, und proved to be
two fire-vessels. One run across the
prov of the Admiral's vessel, and was
grappled TO her. The other was direct
ed upon the ship of the line, the Capt.
tana Bey, (Which carried the treasure, J
but not with the same success. In the 4
first, the Greeks, as soon as they arriv-
ed, set fire to their vessel, and embark
ed in a tender with lateen sails The
fire, by the aid of strong wind, produce
ed an immense blaze in an instant, which,
enveloped the AdmiraIs vessel. The
Greeks, witnessing the flames, passed |
very near, uttering cries of victory.
The Cd brulot had communicated fir,
to the Capitana Bey, but they promptly
prevented it from spreading, and sepS-
rated the vessels, because the fre-vessel
was not gfappled to the prov. The
wind drove the latter vessel on shore,
where it was consumed. Ii was yet
smoking on the 2lst inst 1t is uncer-
tain, whether the Greeks who were in
her, saved themselves
We may easily figure to ourselves all
the circumstances Of this tragical event.
The consuming of the Admiral's vessel
lasted three quarters of an hour, in the
midst of the most excessive confusion.
More than 1000 persons aveyperished.
About $50 were saved:
The Grand Admiral did not wish to
survive the misfortune, and o5stinateIy
refused TO quit his vessel bat they en-
ployed force 10 take him from her, and
he was thrown into boat, after being
wounded by the fall Of mast He had
his head severely injured by a piece of
lived near an hour afterwards, but
breathed bis last just as he reached the
shore.
Two boats were sunk by the numbers
which got in to save themselves.
Before tine vessel blew up, alarm was
spread in the city Of Scio, ifiumined BY
the drea3ftl FIRE. kiI the Turks eel
lectel on the most elevated places, re-
garding, with astonishment, the frightfu!
progress of the devonring flames, and
the extreme disorder which prevailed
on the sea; augmented from time to
time, by the going of Of the cannon,
and the boats not daring to approach to
collect the unhappy men who were
floating on the waves, and imploring as
sistsnce.
All the other vessels Of war cut their
cables, and there was much confusion
among them, because they were igno-
rant Of the extent of the danger and
the Number of theif enemies. They
saw the tdmral's ship IN blaze, that
fire had been communicated TO the Cap
itana Bey, and even to a third vessel,
which was driving to the shore In
flames.
When The magnificent ship Of 81 guns
blew up, the explosion was terrible, and
the city Of Scio felt a conclusion similar
to that of au earthquake. The Turks,
who were spectators, were struck as with
a thunderbolt: the most part threw them
selves upon the earth, utteriug loud
cries. The disaster commenced about
one o'clock; before two, the Iifeless
body, of the Supreme Commander was
on the beach. The report of his de-
plorable end spread from person to per
sou, and the first beams Of dy shew to
every one the grand victim Of the event.
Despair, fury; and vengeance, seized all
hearts; and these passions, unclaimed,
demanded blcod. The Turks, at first,
rushed towards the Consulates, to de-
- e