American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-12-10
CONDITIONS.

his men around him, and stating to them that ALI
the lives on board could net be saved in the boats,
he asked their consent to save the passengers and
take death with him. All acquiesced unanimously;
and fastened to let down the boats. While thu,
gagged, the flames burst through the deck, and
shrouded the pilot the mate, and the chimney in a
column of flames. The helsman however, held to
the wheel, until his limbs we're scorched and his
clothes consumed upon his back The unusual
heat round the boiler gave double impetus to the
engine. The vessel dashed n1ady through the wa
tiers until she was within few rods Of land. The
boats were down, and the Captain and his nlen held
the shrieking women and children in their arms,
when the helm gave way, and the vessel, turning
from the wind, flew backwards, whrling round and
round from the shore. None could approach to
stop the engine; its fury however soon spent itself,
and left the flaming wreck the mercy of the winds
and waves. With dreadful struggles, the naked
passengers got into the boats and received the wo-
and children from the hands OF the Captain
and crew, who, while the Games whrled over their
heads, refused the solicitations to enter the oyeTbur
dened barks, and pushed them off from the FIRE
which had nearly caught their sides. Itwas not dis
covered that one and youth of sixteen had
been forgotten. Hurrying them to the windward of
the flames, the youth was bound to plank, and
skillful swimmer of the crew lept with him into the
lake. The Captain, holding the frantic woman IN
his arms, stood upon the edge of scorching and
cracking wreck until he the last Of his COM
panions provided with spar, and committed to the
waves, then throwing from him with arm ia
BILE which he had before secured for the purpose,
and with the other grasped his charge, he spraag
into the waves The poor woman, mad with tefrcr.
seized his throat as he placed and held her upon the
table; forced to disengage himself, she was borne
away by the waves; he tried to follow and saw her
for the last time cllnging to burning mass Of the
vessel. One last shrek, and the poor creature was
: whelmed in food and Are. Swimming round the
blazing hulk and calling aloud to such of his conn
panions might be within heang, to keep it,
i he watched Tor the falling Of spar He seized one
while yet fire, and, quenching il, continued to-
float round the wreck, deemiDg that the light might
r be signal, should the boats be able return; but
u these had to row, heavily laden, six miles through,
o mountainous sea- 1t was long before they could
! make the land, and then, leaving their helpless
l. freight naked on the shore Of desert island in the
dark and empestuous night, they turned TO seek the
ct drowning heroes.
- "The day broke while they were laborng against
:, the roaring elements seeking in vain the exun-
- gushed beacon that was 10 guide their search; al
- length blackened atom appeared upon the top Of
= wave; stretched upon it was human figure. II
. was rejoice to say, the young Captainsenseless
&c but the generous soul quite dead. He is alive
10 and doing we'll One other of these devoted men
y was picked up in the morning, and wendrously
20 stored to life, alter being eight hours swimming
% and floating on the water Seven persisted.
- "The citizens of Burlington fastened with cloh
al ing and provisions to the sufferers On the island
=, took them TO their homes, and nursed them witt
u alfectonate soiicitude.
ed "The blackened wreck Of the Phoenix is nor
IL living in the midst of the lake. upon reef of rocks
ng TO which i. was driIted by the atorm.'1