New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-09-11
The Ocean Monarch-Farther Particulars.


We have been favored by Capt Murdock, the com
ulander of the iated vessel with the following nara
tive Of the sad affair
The Ocean Monarch sailed from the river AZ day
light in the morning, in tow of steamtug. fresh
breeze was blowing at the time. About o'clock the
pilot aud the stcamug left US. We made al SAL, and
proceeded 10 Nothing OF any consequence occur
red until about u o'clock, when the order 10 tack
ship was given We then about six miles this
side Of the Great Ormshesd.
After the yards were hauled, the steward OF the
ship came I'D and told that OF the passengers
had III IRE Of the ventators in the alter part oi
the ship Immediately sent an officer and one man
with tue se ward the matter 20 put out the IRE,
aud 10 bring up the delinquent. at once went below,
and discovered smoke proceeding into the main cabin
through one Of the state rooms. We began, without
delay TO throw down, but, In ave min ltes after
ward-indeed almost instantly, the alter part OF the
ship burst into flames. We put the ship before the
wind in order TO lessen the draught but were Obliged
10 bring her again The fire produced the utmost
confusion among the passengeTs-ah appeared lnistu'
alton aud despsrycls and screams oil the most norm
flying description were given-an control over them
lost; my voice could not be heard nor my orders
Obeyed.
Finding that nothing could be done with the yards,
caused both of the anchors 20 be let that the ship
head might be to wind and the fire be kept ahait
possible The passengers crowded in numbers TO the
bowsput to avoid the heat OF the flames; many, in
alarm and despair leaped overheard, and. although
spars aud all loose materials lying about deck were
drowned
In spite of all that could be DONE the flames in
creased. gave orders to get the boats out Two OF
them were got out but before the ashngs OF the others
could be cut they enyeoped in flames. The mate
and several of the passengers, with part OF the crew
got into one OF the boats which was lowered and a
portion of the with passengers into the other.
The last thing which did was 10 throw overheard
tOpgaant yard with rope attached 10 to make II last
along side and tell the people 10 Jump overheard ana
cling to it, then finding the flames approaching 50 rap
idly that | could neither get forward nor alt was
Obliged TO heave myself overheard and cling TO the spar
for short time but finding that there were too many
already clinging to IT, | swan 10 board which Tor
iunatey hoatcd US, and after remaining IN the
about half an hour was picked up by the boat
belonging 10 the Queen OF the Ocean.
" should perhaps have stated before, that seeing our
disaster, the Queen OF the Ocean yacht, owned by Mr.
Thomas Ltiledsc. O. Liverpool, with party u his
friends board, hove down 10 u.s. lowered her boat,
and the crew. with ndefatgsble exertions. were the
means Of saving the lives OF 80. In the mean time,
the yacht rendering every assistance IN her power
the Brazilian war steamer Aonzo, and the Prince OF
Wales steamer bound to Bangor with the packets ship
New World sent their boats and were the means OF
saving many that were cingng 10 the wreck ana hoa
ing about the spars their exerons we're great ana
praiseworthy The Queen of the Ocean renamed
alongside Til o'clock and when she had done all that
possible 10 do set ga for Liverpool MI ana Mrs
Dow of Glasgow, Mr.. Southwiih, and Mr. Fellows, are
among the cabin passengers whom know 10 nave Deeh
saved 80. ,
as 10 the origin Of the fire. differ from published
statement that have There was no wooden
yentistor IN board the ship; the ventliors were OF
iron. The fire originated, IN my opinion from smoking
among the Storage passengers the night before sever
al pipes were taken from them. The fire was stanta
neous; five minutes after IL discovered the whole
stern of the ship in flames The cargo consisted OF
iron dry goods, salt and earthenware the latter being
packed in crates stuffed with straw.
There were, calculate. about so souls altogether
on board but had not completed our classifying
arrangements, the exact number ! cannot positively
tell There were think 81 first and second cabin and
3O7 Storage passengers the crew consisted OF ~ hands
including myself
An eyewitness on board the yacht gives it as his
opinion that the greater number OF the passengers met
their deaths by the falling of the msss, which gave
way suddenly without any previous warning TO the
poor creatures who were crowded upon them whbe
many women and children who were running to and
fro in despair, wiihou, any friendly guidance ON the
part of those who might have directed them to place
Of safety. were killed by the heavy spars as they de
-cended 10 the deck The oremast which was the last
to give way tel forward, and in its course carried
away the bOwsprit. on which were crowd OF human
beings nearly the whole OF whom were either crushed
TO death precipitated into the sea and drowned
Many unfortunate creatures, with pteous cries Tor as
.stanco yanly struggling to eNtrcate themselves
from the rigging to escape the IRE, which was pursuing
its rapid course near them.