The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-09-30
LOSS OF THE SHIP FAME.


from Sir Thomas Stamford Rafilcs, late
Governor of Bcncoolen, communicating the
destruction Of the ship Fame by fire, in which
he had embarked with his family and slitc
on his return to Europe. A more proyi-
dental escape is scarcely to be found upCh
record -
ave embarked on the Cd February, il
the Fame, and sailed 1T daylight for Eng-
land, with a fair wind and every prospect ot
quick and comfortable passage. The
ship was every thing we could wish, and
having closed my charge here much tony
satisfaction, it was one Of the happiest DAYS
Of nv life. We were perhaps too happy,
for, in the evening came a sad reverse. So.
phy had lust gone to bed, and had thrown
Of half my clothes. When a cry Of fire.
fire reused us from our calm content, and
in five minutes the whole ship was in flames!
ran to examine whence the flames princi-
pally issued, and found that the fire had It's
origin Immediately under our cabin. Down
With the boats where is Sophia! Here.
the children; here ; a rope to the side; low
er lady Raliies--give her TO me says one.
I'll take her SAYS the captain. Throw the
glinpowtlcr overheard it cannot be got at;
it is in the magizinc, close to the fire Stand
clear of the powder Shuttle the water
cask s--watcr water Where's Sir Sam-
ford Come into the boat. Push off; push
off; stand clear of the after part Of the Ship.
/ All this passed much quicker than can
write it, We pushed off, and as We did 50,
the flames were issuing from ourcabins, and
the whole Of the after part Of the ship were
in flames the masts and sails now taking
fire, We moved To distance, sufficient to-
void the immediate explosion, butthc flames
were now coming out of the main hatchway,
and seeing the rest of the crew, with the
captain, &c. still on board, we pulled back to
her under the bows, SO as to be most
distant from the powder. As we APP
preached we perceived that the people from
Oh board were getting into another boat on
the opposite side; she pushed off VIC hailed
| her, have ydu all on boardf Yes, all save
one. Who IS hcs Johnson, sick in his cot
Can we save him. No impossible; the
flames were then issuing from the hatchw&y;
at tins moment the poor fellow, scotched
imagine by the flames, roared out most
4 Justify, having ran up on the deck. Will 50
for him, says the captain. / he two boat
then came together, and we took out some Z
the persons from the Captains boat, which
was overlatlen. He then pulled under the
bowsprit Of the ship, and picked the poor
got the man; all lives safe, thank God ;Fnii
off from the ship; keep your eye upon a stai,
Sir Stamford there's one barely visible
! We then hauled close to each other, anA
! found the Captain fortunately had compass
but We had no light but from the ship. Qu.
distance from Bencoolen we estimated toba
from 20 to SO miles i'll S. ". direction,
there being no landing place to the souIA-
| ward of Bedccolcn, our only chance wae "
regain that port. The Captain then under
took to lead, and We to follow in y. ~ ~
course as well as VIC could, no chance, no
possibility being left that we could again ap
proach The ship, for she was now one spleF
did fame fore and aft and alott, her mast
and sails in blaze, ard rocking to and no
Threatening to fall in an instant. Thcregoes
her mizen-mast pull away my boys; thete
goes the gtnpowcltr, thank God
You may Judge Of our situation witNous
further particulars; the alarm was given "'
about ten minutes past eight, and inie tiaA
ten minutes She was il flames. There waS
not a soul on board at half past eight, ana Y
less than ten minutes afterwards she was oHc
grand mass OF fire.
My only apprehension was the want :.
boats to hold the people, as there was llos
| time to have got out a long boat, or MAKE
raft, all VIC had to rely upon were two si,,il .,
boats, which fortunately were lowered WIN,
out accident, and in these two small eFeh
boats, without drop Of water or gram :"
| food, or Il rag o. covering, except wha' ',
happened at the moment to have on -
backs, we embarked cn the wide octG1
| thankful to God for his mercies. Poo ~
pha having been taken out Of her bed, ll'.
nothing Oh but a wrapper, neither shols ~
| stockings; tic children were ust as tah.., an,
out OF bed, whence one had been snalCHee
after the flames had attacked it. N s.9.s
there was not time for amy one 70 tliilN Y
more than two things--Can the ship pe -,
ed' No; lctus save ourselves then; al ie''S
was swallowed up in one great ruin,
10 make the best CT our misfortune, "
avalled ourselves Of the light from the slir
to steer tolerably good course towar'is ~ y
shore; she continued to burn till aboN' l1'.
hight, when the salt petrc, Of which she ~
$50 tons on board, took fire, and sent up w..
OF the most brilliant flames that was ~, i.
seen illuminating the horizon in every =
rcction, to an extent Of no less than l.N'
miles, and casting that kind of blue llsls, lls.,,,
vcr us, which is of all others most iu,iaY
horrible. She burnt and continued 70 na", n"s
IN this style for about an hour or two, W.
we lost sight of the object ina cloud OF sllloG;
Neither Nelson, nor Mr.. Bell, our insII
cal friend, who had accompanied u.s. ',th u
saved their coats, the tail OF mne VIZ, W..
ockethandkcrch servedt to keep ool'.'ti tip
feet warm; and we made breeches loi
\ al he