The Daily spy., 1848-09-13

ship, in consequence of my orders not being
heard l directed that the anchors should beIet
go, so as TO allow the ship to get her head to the
wind, and thus, if possible, conhne the flames to
the stern. In a few minutes the mlzen-mast
went overboard-a few minutes more, and the
main mast shared the same fate. There yet re-
mained the fore-mast AS the fire was making
It's way to the fore part OF the vessel, the passen-
gers and crew, of course, crowded still further
forward To the iibboom they cluDg in clusters
as thick as they could pack-even one lying over
another. At length the fore.mast went over
board, swapping the fastnings OF the jbboom
which, with its load of human beings, dropped
INTO the water amidst the most heart rending
screams, both of those on board ald those who
were falling into the water. Some of the poor
creatures were enabled again to reach the vessel
others floated away spars, but many met with
watery grave.
Meantime, gave orders to get the ships boats
afloat. Two were got overheard, ,and while in the
act OF getting the others ready, aud cutting awav
the Iashngs, the fire reached them, and thew
were Immediately enveloped in flames. On see.
ing this the passengers became more unmanage.
able than ever. 1t was painful moment The
shrieks OF terror and alarm battle all description
Maddened by despair, and the vain hope of
being rescued they knew not how numbers again
jumped overheard. Seeing their sad plight and
the awful sacrifice OF life which was going on.
QeSpllG vi every cllOTI WHICH Hldue, L gave tI-
rection to throw every movable article overheard
that those who had left the ship mig hit cling bv
them until help arrived.
The Queen of the Ocean yacht was the first 10
come to our assistance. Her owner, Mr. Thomas
ittedale with whom were Sir Thomas Hesketb
Mr. Tobin, Mr. Pak, and Mr. Aufrere ordered the
boat to be lowered, and proceeded with an alac.
rity and zeal, aided by the gentlemen named and
the crew oil his craft, to pick up all within their
oh I iusf bac ~ 1t.
thing which did was to throw over a topgaIlant
yard, m@de fast with rope, to keep it along side
The carpente. and one or two Of the men assisted
me to do this, and then told those who conh
hear me to jump overheard and cling 10 the spar
A good many obeyea my directions. AT this
time was surrounded OF all sides, both fore and
att by the flames, and seeing no chance of escape
If remained for moment longer, 1 followed the
spar had sent overheard. Several seized bold
OF the same spar. 1 entreated some of them to
let go or all would perish, ard showed them the
example by swimming to plank, by which was
enabled to sustain myself Tor about hall an hour
IN the water, when was picked up by the Queen
of the Ocean.
The Brazilian steam -frigate Alfonso, the Prince
OF W ales, 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 alonos;da
- +>-'NN NiVNni <Al lHdl UIu6 ln6 vessel
burnt near to the waters edge, and there were
only few of the passengers on board. several
boats being alongside endeavoring to take them
of. >'''"
Finding that the yacht could do no more. Mr.
Littedale ordered her to start for Liverpool where
we arrived about O'Clock in the evening.
or the origin OF the fire cannot at pre- sent cav
MY mind has not yet beeA SO fully composed 3s
10 enable me to investigate with accuracy the
PROBABILITY OF the various conjectures which are
afioat. AT present ! am inclined to saw that i
arose IRON some OF the passengers smoking in the
steerage, contrary to orders.
JAMES MURDOCH,
Commander OF the Ocean Monarch.
The Brazilian frigate Alfonso was out on
pleasure excursion She was commanded bv The
M arquls q Llsboa. There was on board the Duke
and Duchess d'Aumale the Brazilian M,n;ster
the Chevaller d'Lisboa, Admiral Grenfell and
daughters, and other distinguished individuals
when the Alfonso discovered the Ocean Mon.
arch, no time was lost in bearing down TO her
and 1t wasintended TO anchor right under her how
but the wind changed little, and prevented th,s
from being accomplished. Four boats were. how.
ever, at once lowered, and were soon followed
oy the large paddle box boat. The MARQUIS d..
Lisboa jumped into one, and Admiral Grenteu
lnto the other, and were untirng in their exer.
tons to save the poor people. The Prince de
Joinviile stripped his coat, and was particularly
asslduous in assisting the passengers on board The
frlgate. The heat was very intense, and even 10
those on board the boats alongside was verv on.
pressive. What it must have been to those who
were crowding on the poop and bowsprit of the
vessel none can tell but those who experienced
it. 1t was sufficient, however; to make them
Jump into the water, seeking succor from one ele-
ment. by taking another equally as destructive,
but far less agonzing in its effect From the
crowd OF human beings in the water clinging to
the spars, SC 1.-THE boats were unable TO get as
close TO the vessel as they otherwise would have
done, and OF course, considerable time was un.
avoidably consumed in rescuing the poor unfor.
tunates ss-l
The stewardess lost her life In comrageously at.
tempting to get the powder out of the cabin
There were about twenty-five pounds weight on
board, and when she went below to get It, It'll
supposed she was sufOcated The powder ex.
picded with report like that OF cannon, but not
being confined, and there being no person at that
part Of the vessel, no damage 1t is supposed was
done by the explosion. At the time orders were
given to let 60 the anchers, number OF women
and children were seated in some way near the