Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-09-14

more and the mainmast shared the same fate
There yet remained the foremost. AS the fire
was making its way to the fore part of the YES
sci, the passengers and crew, Of course, crowd
ed still further forward. TO the iibboom they
chung in clusters as thick as they could pack
even one lying over another. At length the
foremost went overheard. swapping the iastenlngs
of the iibboom, which, with its load OF human
beings dropped into the water, amidst the most
heart-rending screams both Of those on board
and those who were falling into the water.-
Some of the poor creatures were enabled again
to reach the vessel, others hoa,ed away on spars.
but many met with watery grave, 80.
Meantime gave orders to get the ships ats
nfoat Two were got overheard, and WINE III
The act of getting the others ready, and cutting
away the lashings, the fire reached them, and
they were Immediately enveloped IN flames. On
seeing this the passengers became more I'M
manageable than ever 1t was painful moment.
The shreks of terror and alarm battle all de-
scrption Maddened by despair, and in the vain
nope of being rescued they knew not how, num-
bers again jumped overheard. Seeing their sad
plight, and the awful sacrifice of life which was
going on, despite of every effort which made,
gave directions to throw every movable ari-
Gle overheard, so that those who had left the
ship might cling 10 them until help arrived.
The Queen Of the Ocean yacht was the first
10 come TO our assistance. Her owner. Mr..
Thomas Littledale, with whom were Sir Thorn
as Hesketh, Mr.. Tobn, Mr. Palk, and Mr. Au-
frere, ordered the boat to be lowered, and pio-
ceeded with an alacrity and zeal aided by the
gentlemen named and the crew of his craft, to
pick up all within their reach. ] may just here
observe that the last tn ng which did was to
throw over topgallant yard, made fast with
rope, to keep it along side The carpenter and
one or two of the men assisted inc TO do this,
and then told those who could hear me t. Jump
overheard and cling to the SPAR A good many
obeyed my directions. At this time was sur
rounded on all sides, both fore and aft, by the
flames, aud Sc ing no possible chance OF escape
II | remained moment longer, | followed the
spar had sent overheard Several seized hold
of the same spar. entreated some of them to
let go, or all would perish, and showed them the
example by swimming to plank by which was
enabled to sustain myself for about half an hour
In the water, when was picked up by the Queen
of the Ocean.
The Brazilian steam-friga,e Alfonso, the
Prince of Wales, coastng steamer and The New
York packet ship New World, after some time,
came up and rendered effective service.
The Queen of the Ocean remained alongside
till three o'clock. At that time the vessel was
burnt near to the waters edge, and there were
only few of the passengers on board, several
boats being alongside endeavorng TO take them
of.
Finding that the yacht could do no MORE Mr.
Littledae ordered her to start for Liverpool,
where we arrived about seven o'clock in the eve
ming.
Although did not see the part taken by the
officers and distinguished party on board the
Brazilian frigate, yet am bound to return them
my grateful thanks for the very laudabe aud
Ill Df1,. g
ny human beings from watery grave, or the
still more fearful death by fire. Of Mr.. Little
dale, and his company aud crew, know not how
to speak; their conduct is beyond all praise
May he in whose hands are the issues of life
and death, grant them in another and better
world the lull reward which such philanthropy
and benevolent conduct emnenty deserves.
OF the origin of the fire, | cannot at present
say. My mind has not yet been so fully compo
sed as to enable me to investigate, with accuracy
the probability of the various conectures which
are afloat. Al present, am inclined to say that
it arose from some of the passengers smoking in
the steerage, contrary to orders
The Ocean Monarch had very valuable car.
go, the trelgh, of which, together with the pas
Sage money, amounted TO about f26C0.
JAMES MURDOCH,
Commander of the Ocean Monarch
The Ocean Monarch left this port or Thurs
day morning, the 9th inst at an early nour, the
tide flowing about 7 o'clock. As she passed
through the channel, her progress was reported
by the telegraph; but at length the sad news ar
rived that she was in flames. When the an
nouncemen was made in the Exchange News
Room, great CONSERVATION prevailed, il being
well known that she had large number of pas
sengers on board. Great was the anxiety to learn
any tidings whatever of the vessel; but it was
not till the arrival, about half past FIVE of the
Queen of the Ocean yacht belonging to Thorn
as Lttledae, Esq of this town, that the extent
of the calamity was known.
We have stated the number of souls on board
the Ocean Monarch to have been $50; out of
which we can reckon from all sources, 229 saved
thus leaving Isl who are supposed to have
persisted.
The Journal gives the following as u correct
list of the cabin passengers saved:
n. Southworth, artist of this city; George
Gregg, OF Salem; james X. Fellowes, of Low
ell; Alexander b. Dow and wife, of Ryegate,
VT; Thos Mclienry, of New Orleans.