The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-11-25
STEAMBOAT BURNT AND MANY LIVES
LOST.

LOSl.
We have received from our Boston Cor
respondents, the Editors of the Daily AID.
yertiser and Patriot, the following parlicu.
lars of sad disaster which has belallen the
steamboat Royal lar, which Plies between
Portland and 81. Johns, n. Brunswick.
Tins fine Steamer, 400 tons burthen,
commanded by Capt. Reed, which has
been PLYING the last summer between 81.
Johns, \. B. and Portland, took fire on her
passage TO Portland, al > p. M. on the 10Th
uit. N Penobscot bay, within two miles OF
The Fox Islands, and was destroyed. The
tire took under deck, and had got such as,
cendancy before II was discovered, that the
fire engine which was also under deck,
could not be got cut on account OF the IN.
tense heat, winch also prevented the men
below from working the steam engine sui
ticlently long 10 run her gu shore. The
Revenue Gutter from Castlne took off the
surviving passengers aud crew. ltls thought
that as many as thirty lives are lost
Since the above was IN type, We have
received The following from the Mcssrs.
Topl.ti:
TopliF's NsSos Room, Boston,
! Oct. ~, . O'clock r. w.
! Capt. Thos. Hoses, Of the Steamboat
Bangor, has politely furnished US with the
following particulars OF the loss OF the a.
boye vessel, obtained from ole Of The pas
sengers:
The Stearmer, Royal Tar, left on FRI.
day, 2Ist instant, with about 80 TO 100
passengers, lncludr.; crew. On deck we're
an Elephant, two Camels, several Hofs 5,
aud number OF Gagged ANIMALS, comprising
travelling caravan.
On Tuesday, 18th, when crossing Re
nobscot Bay, and ~Itnln abou, miles Of
I The entrance ut Fox Island ,noroughlare, II
was found that the water was out oil the
boiler, and as The wind VAS blowing very
heavy gale from \. ". at the time, the
boat was anchored tor the purpose OF filling
/ the boilers; aud ~ about an hour alter,
(abouI L. NJ she was discovered 20 be
I on FIRE.
The Engineer, with fifteen other persons,
immediately JumPsd INTO the largest boat,
aud msd: To the nearest land to leewaTd,
which they reached IN SAFETY 10 abou, four
hours. Capt. Reed promptly took posses
sion OF the only remaining boat, and took a
position AT short distance TO the wIndward.
! Three gentlemen passengers, good SWIM
mers, committed themselves 10 the water,
and were taken up by Capt. Reed.
he cable vas slipped and sai made on
the boat with the hope OF reaching the shore,
but the flames spread 70 rapidly from all 10
! forwards, that her mainmast was consumed
IN few minutes, and her tiller ropes being
burnt away, she drIited broadside 10 the
slnd, directly out 10 sea.
signal OF distress had been made and
IT Was fortunately discovered BY the Reeve.
nue. Gutter, stationed at CastIne, thee about
four or five mites To windward, and she
promptly bore up 10 her relief. Capt. Reed
put 90 board OF ner the persons IN his boat,
and then immediately commenced taking
of thos 2 remaining Oh board the ROYAL Tar.
At this tune she was msss ot flames
nearly from stem 10 stern small space
forward, which had mol YET taken FIRE, With
the bossprn, bobstay, &c. VAS crowded
Alth the survivors. Those oo the quarter
deck we're driven overheard BY the flames
aud such as survived we're hanging n the
daylt tackles, chalus aud ropes attached Il
the rudder.
Many were suspended by ropes, secured
on deck, but as the lire reached them, we're
precipltated Iuto the sea, and drowned. The
cutler unfortunately had no boat Of sufficient
SIZE to render any assistance in taking OF
the sufferers, and having gunpowder On
board, Lieut.. Dyer, ~ command, did mol
deem II prudent 10 approach very near the
sreck-so that the work Of rescue vas un
ayoidably yery tedious.
Capt. Reed however, firmly and resolute
; " perseyered with his boat, though II va.
> with some dlffiruIty that he could obtain d
sufficient boat'screw to approach the wreck
fearing the Elephant would 90 overheard
and destroy the boat.
The last boat lift the wreck a little be
fore sunset, with one solitary frantic female
the last on board, whose sister and child
had both persisted before her eyes. The
loss Of lives is estimated a, from 20 to 81
there beng some small children on board
which had not been inserted on Capt. READ
passenger list. The precise number eau
Dot be asceriaIErd.
The pronpt and praIseworthy decision
] at Capt. Reed, IN securing the boat, va
the only means by which the life Of an IN
dlsIdual could have been saved. The Ele
! plant, Camels and orsesJumped overheard
and all the animals 10 the cages we're burnt
None OF the passengers Or crews ba /.