Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-06-23

tho only Hash oil lightning ot peal oil tiun- |
der that we saw or heard.
Almost Immediately, Capt. Anthony wen,
forward with ono OF two OF the passengers be-
ing aware that we had been suuck with light
ming, 10 ascertain II the shlp was damaged
Although the cabin and steerage were hlied
with a sort Of smoke, which had sulphurous
smell, no one really supposed the ship 10 be
on hre OF that the appearances Indicated any
thing more than the gas usually following a
stroke OF lightning. some alarm and anxiety
was very naturally folt, particularly 10y the la
! dies. aud those connected with them but still |
as there was no increase OF smoke and no APP
pearance Of fire, the crew went about their |
regular business, and at four O'Clock, dinner |
was served as usual the cabin at that time be- |
ing clear of everything indicative Of danger
Some of us could not eat-while there was
uncertainty, we had no appetite, and the meal
which had heretofore been one OF pleasure,
accompanied by tho ,eciprocaiiea OF Good
feelings, and sallics Of wit, passed off with
dulness, and almost in silence. Capt An
thony looked in upon us as we sat a, table,
but he was too anxious 10 sit down, and did
not cease in his endeavors TO ascertain with
certainty our position.
Our dinner was a short and silent one and
when we went on deck, the captain said tina,
he had little doubt that the ship was on fire,
and that we must endeavor to get at il. In
few minutes all hands, including many OF the
cabin and Storage passengers, were at wsrk
hoisting out and throwing overheard flour and
cotton. The work of ,dscharging the cargo
between decks went on cheeriully, amid a Sc
we're rain, until about O'Clock, the fire not
appearing TO increase, and at times appearing
, to bo altogether extinguished, even II there
had been any except in the imagination but
, at that time, and when the forward lower
hatch was reached, we were at once convln-
h ced of the awful fact, that the cotton in the
lower hold was on file. The match was i'm
4 mediately closed as tight as possible, the up
per matches were also closed and partially
n caukcd, and preparations were made TO get
: out the boats.
n The children had been undressed and put
!, to bed for the nigh,-not however, without
. many anxious forcbodlngs on the part OF their
" parents. But when the dreadful certainty
was forced upon us that the ship was on fire,
l. our first object was to get the women and
|, children on deck.
i Capt. Anthony coolly, calmly and quietly
e gave his orders, and they were obeyed in the
is same spirit by his men. He remarked that II
ID was useless 10 bring up anything but such
T. light articles as we could easiest find, as the
IS boats would not be able TO carry any ba yRage.
in One caught carpet bag, another cloak
~ some opened their trunks and took out their
in money leaving everything else behind; and
Ie some caught blankets from the berths. The
,r steward got up barrel Of bread, and others
A. assisted him in putting whatever of eatables
h. there was in his pantry into bags, &c. A
"a barrel and two OF three jugs of water were
+ put into the long boat, with such coats cloaks
9 &c as could be got at in few minutes, and
m then she was launched overheard.
m The women and children were first handed
nj over the side of the ship, and then the cablr
* passengers, all except three; few Of The
I'd steerage passengers, the second mate, Mr.
h. Keller and four sailors The other boats
"a were also got out, and two men placed in each
- All this was done with order and regularity
ia without any pushing or crcwding, and in tact
y obedience TO to the captains orders, in yer,
(, short time IL was 10 o'clock before the Ions
boat was pushed off, ard line attached Il
her and the ship-having on board thirty-hv'
persons.
The ship, at the time that we first supposed
ourselves in danger, was put upon a south
easterly course, in the hope of falling in witt
"a or cutting off ship we had passed in the NOR
.' ming, and signal lanterns we're hoisted IN IN
w rigging but when VIC commenced getting on
~, w. the boats she was hove to, and she rode yer
i easy all night, the sea not being very bolster
~ GUS and there being very little wind IL ram
o' ed at intervals all night, and although II wa
II daylight and clear about O'Clock in the MOI
Nv Nv ming, Sunday the time seemed almost
:, eternity.
w We walked the deck all that night, and sal
W, but little. Capt. Anthony was watchiul, All
ei, going silently about in every part of the dec
iui stopping up a crack here, adjusting a roE
aaS there or giving some order for the safety
" those who at that moment he must have IL
~ depended almost entirely upon his dlscretlt
for their lives Morning broke; and the St
" VI rose, but 10 sail was in sight There we u
~, on the broad ocean, fine ship smoking at
ihu ery crack, with three frail boats attached
sly her by a single rope, and no hope OF resc,
80 except through the goodness OF the Almight!
,nay We remained in this state Of suspense a
ia day Sunday, making ourselves as comior,ao
IN IN as possible. Every crack where we cou
- find the smoke coming out, was stuffed WI
~" cotton, or plastered over with pipe-clay,
which the captain found a small lot on boar
nus The ice house on deck contained fresh mel
u and the cooks were employed all the day
49, cooking. We sent some warm coffee al
~, fresh milk, and some boiled fowls TO our frien
81 in the long boat. and made every exeriion
49,, tighten their misiorunes. But sill no al
40 came ia sight, and evening at last found ns
a. the same perilous situation that we were IN u
ror night before.
o During all this day the deck was qui
, ,n warm, on the right hand side forward OF u
- m1inmasi, indicating, as we supposed, IN
'hio the fire was in that part Of the vessel; q
' =, thick glass dead lights set into the deck at !
. ,eryals of about Two feet from stem 90 stei
a were also quite hot. But toward night q
deck and glasses began 10 cool oil. and the
. a was less smoke apparent: the forward hate
WIG es too were not quite so hot as they were