The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-10-30

oOo"'So INV v i"y-V hOPo Ehtuuluhuk
lhe gloom which hung heavy upon my
hear. Suddenly It expanded like a
gloWing'meisOr, and the ocean was H.
Illuminated with red and CORY tinge. |
sss struck with astonisbment; but at the
same moment an exclamation resoun.
ded fOreand aft. "A ship on fire ship
on fire and the horrid conviction was
alas too evident. In a few minutes
the flames were distinctly visible, and
the sHip was pronounced to be about 5
miles distant. Never before did | witt
ness each aIacriIy among our crew as
in thalhour of peril. The captain, and
every taicer and man were on deck i'm.
and % it was impossible for
the frisstS, 10 approach 10 sufiicient time
to rescue the sufferers, before ten min>
utes had elapsed from the period of first
policing the fire, every boat was 10 mo-
ton towards the scene Of danger. II fell
10 my lot to command the captains gig,
a swift pulling boat with seven men, who
bent 10 their oars with all the might Of
brave and generous spirits. As We
drew near, the destructive element rG>
ged with increasing fury; and the
hrleks Of the wretched creatures came
mingIing with the clackling Of the flames
and the crash of falling mas,s. The
frigate had fred guns and hois,ed lights,
TO show them succor was at hand: and
the boAps crew occasionally cheered, TO
announe that they were approaching to
their rescue. The shouts were return
ed fom the burning ship; but so wiId,so
fearful, they sounded like the expiring
yell Of fagoDy, that still chung 10 hope g.
life. ] would have dashed instantly a.
long side, but the old coxswain respect
fully warned me Of tho danger Of such a
measure, "as the boat, he said 'would
DO instantly swamped by the crow de tina,
would rush into her. We were now
within a short distance OF the vessel, and
oh what a sight ofhoror was presen-
ted The ports we're all open, and the
flames pouring IRON them as from so
many moutbs, seemed eager for their
prey. Numbers Of poor creatures we're
swimming toward us, whilst others held
pieces of shattered spais, with strong
convulsive grasp. The fof- part Of the
ship was nearly consumed. and the up
per part abat was rapidly falling 10.
Those who could swim. we left for 9th
or boats 10 lake up, and pulling under
the stern, we lay unobserved by the gun
room porte, whiis the fiery fragments
came tumblng thick about us. Trus-
ting to my skill IN swimming, should i
be deemed requisite TO jump overheard,
| instantly entered the port~hole; anc
the chip having turned before the wind,
~ha, IlIle air there wae, drove the
greatest part of The smoke forward; vet
| Se,e ~ae almost an lnsuppOrIable heat,
aud the sufocatDg vapors bid defiance
10 my efforts to penetrate farther. A
feeling urged me on, and reached the
gun room ladder at the bottom Of which
lay human being, whose suferlngs 81
ouren,ly we're over. | passed my hant
quickly 10 'he heart, 10 feel If any palpi
'atlou yet remained, and discovered tina
the individual was Q female; che was ye
living and in few moments was safely
the boat. Again | returned with three
Vt my crew and soon had the satisfac.
Non Of rescuing eight poor wretchee
who lay 10 a state Of insensIbiti,y, and
must soon have pershed. Stimulated
10y success, we penetrated TO the burning
deck above; and never shall forget the
horror OF the spectacle. Here all wal
br,liancy. Several half burned ant
nanglsd bodies could be distinguished
IN the flames. Near The uonsom, sat {
mother with an, infant IN her arms
She !ssded me not, but claspedit Clo'
ser TO her bosom--gave one Wild shriel
aud mortal agony was over. The in
liant was secuted. Numbers that re-
NAMED, sough. refuge in the sea. TIL
iemsle ! had saved was still insensible
The worthy cOxs vain had wrapped tn
infant in his jacket, which was not
swesily sleeping in the box by hs side
| In the bow Of the boat, a grey haire
man exclaimed, "my son, my daughter
where are iheyi Another voice ieebl
uttered, my fa.her.' II was Sir Ed
wards son. The female was raised i
my aims, and recognised my Agnes.