Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-06-12

ldicated any thing more than the gas usual
" following stroke OF lightning Some
alarm and anxiety was very naturally felt
by the ladies and those who
were connected with them but still, as there
was no increase of smoke, and no appear.
ance OF fire, the crew went about their reg
uar business, and at four o'clock dinner
was served as usual the cabin at that time
being clear every thing indicative Of dan.
ger. Some of us could not eai,-while there
was uncertainty we had no appetite, and the
meal which had heretofore been one of
pleasure, accompanied by the reciprocation
OF good feelings, and salles of wit passed off
with dulness and almost in silence. Capt
Anthony looked in upon us as we sat
at table, but he was too anxious to sill
down, and did not cease in his endeavors to
ascertain with certainty our position. The
first mate, Mr. Delano, and the steward,
opened the run and went into il, 10 ascertain
ifthere was fire or smoke in that part Of the
ship, but came out without being satisfied
either that there was or was not--the smell
was the same as that we had at first, mostly
of gas, like sulphur.
Our dinner was short and silent one !;
and when we went on deck, the Captain
said that he had little doubt that the ship
was on fire. and that we must endeavor TO
get at it. On suggestion that we might
be obliged to take TO the boats, it was imme.
dately remarked by one OF our French pass
engers, and responded 10 by others-"Let us
take care of the women and children first"
| mention this as honorable to those who
made it, and as showing that there was,
even AT tina; first moment Of danger praise.
worthy abandonment of self to the protection
OF others who are naturally more helpless.
Not moment was lost in clearing the main
hatch, the Captain himself leading the way,
and commencing by throwing over the eu p.
ty water casks and useless lumber which
was stored round the long boat The mate,
with another gang Of hands. was at the fore
hatch, and in lew minutes all hands. incu.
ding many of the cabin and sleerage passen.
gers, were At work hosting out and throw
ing overheard -four and cotton.
The work Of discharging the cargo be-
tween decks went on cheerluly, amid Sc
we're rain, until about eight o'clock. the fire
not appearing TO increase, and at times APP
pcarng TO be altogether extinguished, even
ifthere had ever been any except in the i'm.
agination but at that time, and when the
forward lower hatch was reached, we were
a, once convinced ofihe awful fact, that the
cotton in The lower hold was on FIRE. The
hatch was Immediately closed as tight as
possible, the upper matches were also closed
and partially caulked, and preparations were
made to get out the boats.
In answer 10 many inquiries why we had
not IN the mean time got our baggage on
deck, will remark, that until now there
was hope that we were sill SAFE that, il
there were fire on board, we should be able
10 get at and extinguish it. So great was
our confidence, that the children were un-
dressed and put to bed for the night,-not
however without many anxious forebodings
on the part Of their parents. When the
dreadful certainty was forced upon us, ouI
first object was TO get the women and chi!
dfen on deck. and in fact this was rendered
the more necessary from the circumstance
that the patches being closed, the gas mus
escape somewhere. and il Immediately go
vent through the run and the stewards pan
try into the cabin. rendering ilnpossibe fol
any one to remain long below at a time
Captain Anthony cody, calmly and quietl,
gave his orders, and they were obeyed il
the same spirit by his men. He remarked
that il was useless 10 bring up any thing
but such light articles as we could easies
fnd as the boats would not be able 10 carry
any baggage. One caught a carpet bag
and another a cloak some opened ihe
trunks and took out their money eavin:
every thing else behind and some caugh
blankets from the berhs. The steward GO
up barrel OF bread, and oihersia ssisted bin
in putting whatever of eatables there was il
his pantry into bags, Sc. A barrel and tw
or three jugs of water were put into the long
boat, with such coats, cloaks. &c. as could b
got at in few minutes, and then she wa
launched overheard. The women and chi
; dren were first handed over the side OF th
ship, and thea the cabin passengers, all es
, cept three, a few ofthe steeIage passengers
the second mate. Mr. Keller, and four sal
ors. The other boats were also got out, an
two men placed in each. All this was don
with order and regularity. without any pusl
ing or crowding. and in tacit obedience t
/ the captains orders, in very short time
!, Ii was ten o'clock before the long boat wa
b pushed off, and line attached TO her an
: the ship-haying on board thirty-fve pc
/ sons. Nothing was said at the time abot
e the other two boats. and those'of us who n
n manned on board the Poland were wain
e for the first break OF morning TO learn III
/. fate 10 which we were ACCOMPLISHMENTS
s that it would be madness 10 put more I'M
II the long boat, and that not more than half
d those of us who remained could ever get il
q 4 ho har fho oh af ba Il