The Arkansas advocate., 1830-07-14
LOSS OF THE SHIP BOSTON.

excited yesterday III tIlis cIty, uy the me lanchoIy .tidings of the loss of the packet ship BosToN, and the death of the young lady who perished by exposure in the boat. This strong and elegant ship one of the finest packets that belongs to the country--was struck by lightning in the Gulf Stream, six days out from Charleston, and burnt 10 the waters odige. We ae present the details below, as furnished by Captain Mackay. La mentations are vain after fatal event; but 50 far as regards the future, we do hope that no ship will venture to Sea, without electric conductors. We are aware that it is a question with many masters of vessels, whether metallic con ductors more frequentlyand,sce the light ming toa ship, or zoard itof 'whenit spon- taneouslv comes. But on due invcSti- gation, we apprehend, that the complete efficacy of proper conductors, viii be clearly established. The memorable case of the packet New Yorls, three years ago, is familiar to many of our readers: that ship was struck twice on the same day-once without the con- duetor in it's place, and once, under its metallic protection: the first time she was fired, and very much injured above and below, and barely escaped the fate of the Boston: the second shock, though ten-fold more powerful than the first, was warded of with perfect irnpunity by the conductor, then inits place. We witnessed, and shall never forget. the opposite effects of those two blasts.-- Every individual on board was satisfied that the New York owed her safety un- der the second shock, entirely to the virtue of tho conductor. But we hasten 4 ta the details Of the present case. ,Ef fiie situation of the passengers and crew. of a dark night, ill an open boat-exposed to the raging elements of a stormy ocean-can be more easily imagined than described.
 Capt. MaeEay gives the following par ticulars of the loss of that excellent ship: "Oa Tuesday the 25th May, lat. 8, 3I j, long. S, IS, commenced with fresh breeze and squally weather-at ?, P. M. heavy rain, which continued until sunset 3, F. M. forlzed lightning in the South West, and dark and heavy clouds rising from the Westward 9, the wind hauled to the Westward-at ia, ' ' !. ast. t ltayy cloud began to rise in the South West--at 10, 8, sharp light ming, ciued up the top gallant sails, and hauled the main sail up; at eleven, heavy thunder and sharp lightning, the second flash struck the ship, burst the main royal from the gaslxets and burnt it; knocked down the steward and Isaac Hopkins sailor, and filled the ship full of electric fluid; we examined the ship immediately to ascertain if the nasts were injured or the lightning had pass ed through the deck; but the masts ap- peared uninjured, bright conaplisonce resting on each royal mast head. We single reefed the naihtop sail, and were about to haul the main sail when we ascertained that the ship was on fire; we immediately cleared the main and af. ter hatchways to get at the fire, hcay- ing the cotton over board and cutting holes in the deck, plying water in eve. ry dlrectlon--but all in vain; the cot ton in the main hold was on fire. fore and aft, on both sides, burning like finder. Ouroaly alternative was to clear away the boats and get them out, part of the crew and passengers as work keepine the ire down as much as possible by drawing and heaying water, the seup, pers being stopped up; we stove watci casks over holes ci1t.in the deck and is the main lfatchway; starting the water but ali to no good purpose, for before we could get theA long. beat ever she ships side, the fire had burst through the deck and out the larboarci side Q! the ship the flames ragged with such vio. issIce aud consumed the vessel so quick that nothing could be saved from the wreck. We got about forty gallons ot water. and provisions sufficient esss {, short allesss icc ss s;s keep the passengers sae crew alive for three weeks, almost every thing else ssas burnt burnt ii, ii, tie ship, even the money, watches and clothes, all destroyed. At3. X. M. tbe main and migen tss Se mi of ti,e- low deck, and the masts fellin the wa- ter at half past ss the passengers and and crew were all in the boats; the flames had had then reached the forecastle and the ship was onescornplete fame oI fire fore and aft. f'he passenge had exerted themselves to the utmost to ne. ..siSt ifg. sb1s railficrars haa srith 1.1a...x