Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-08

The following detailed narrative of the burning of the
packet ship Caleb Grimshaw, kindly furnished for pub
LEGATION by Capt. Hoxie will be read with most painful
interest 1t vivid picture of the pers of the sea in
one OF their most dreadful FORMS and worthy beside OF
note Tor the evidence bears OF the value of dcipne in
such an emergency. The small band of officers and
seamen acting IN concert together, were able to control
in measure the large number of steerage passengers
and so TO direct the efforts of all as to best promote the
general safety here life lost in each instance it
appearslt was owing mainly 10 the violation of this dis
cpline.
No unusual incident occurred on the voyage until
Monday, the 18th OF November. TIL. day commenced
with light airs from the Norhward, for the first time since
leaving Liverpool, the weather was pleasant AT 2.
NJ, cry OF fire was raised, and instantly the pascal
gers were thrown into terrible state Of alarm and
1uslon IN which difficult for the officers to cause
any command to be heard. Without delay however,
the engine got to work and continued to work du-
ring the whole time that the crew were able to STAY by
| the burning wreck
Inns hre engine probably the means of saving the
lives OF all who were fortunate to escape 1t
purchased by Capt II. just previous leaving Liver
pool on TINS voyage, and OF unusual pow and
pacity By he enabled to flood the whole of the
ship to depth OF eeren feet in few hours. Bul for this
capt does not think that with cargo of the nature
OF his, the ship could have lasted twenty -four hours
When the alarm was given, it was supposed the fire
was IN the steerage, and the between decks were
once Hooded This did not subdue the fire and it be-
came evident that the Storage not the OF the
disaster One OF the forward matches opened, and
the flames discovered in the forward hold abreast
OF the chain locker, on both sides. Mr. Hoxe, the
chief officer was lowered by rope into the hold, but
was at once overcome by the smoke, and Immediately
drawn out almost senseess The smoke within the first
hour become So dense that was impossible for any
among the passengers now became appalling. They
were perfectly frantic Some refused to work longer at
the fire engine, and abandoned themselves despair
while others rushed to the quarter boats, hanging the
davlts, and crammed them full showing themselves in
like sheep without regard to the possibility of the boats
sustaining Them By the use of force the CAPTAIN and
a to Ona Of xUh II
the other DGs carried acay from the DARTS by the i'm
nense number aoho INSTANTLY crowded into her These
| all pershed with Others who sprape from the chains
after the boat, as she went down.
The boat which had been cleared was then lowered
and by her means the other which had been swamped
was ghted and both, together with the stern boat were
towed asten with two men in EACH subject to the or
ders OF the captain Hopes of subdung the fire were
still entertained and the most exerons with
the engine and with buckets were continued The sail
on the ship were reduced to close reeed top sails
AT A. NJ, the pumps sounded and 81 feet wa
ter iound the smoke and steam continuing very Dense
wne inc exeement among the passengers had not
launched her overheard and placed in her such articles
ofProvson as coqdbe obtained and dropped her asern
WIN Two men IN her. The construction Of raft was
also commenced, under the direction of Captain Hoxe
from the spars and planks deck As as it was
Hnlsled, the passengers became uncomfortable and
contrary to the orders OF the captain and in spite OF his
ehdeaVors to prevent them launched the raft broke the
locks from the harness casks, and removed the beef
ana pork lhey contained, to the raft The smoke in
OF ne strongest rushed to the raft and fearing that
might be overburthened at it adrift and at
sunset that day We're scarcely visible. The next day
the 18TH the wind blew heavily from the Eastward and
Capt H. does not believe it possible that the raft could
nave wlthstood the sea, and has little doubt that they
| were all lost.
The remaining passengers, deeming that those who
taken to the raft were fortunate than they pro-
ceeded to construct another of such materials as
they could lay hands At P. M the heat and
smoke became alarming, and the long boat was ordered
| under hp nd Vic ,lonJ i
were lowered from the cabin windows into it, The
oher CABIN passengers also lowered the stern
the CABIN windows being too small to allow their egress
/ by that means. The boats then filled with as
many OF the passengers and crew they could safely
carry eservng places for such of the crew as remained
3y the vessel tor the purpose Of keeping the fire under
When the boats were thus filled, those for whom no
pace could be ound became perfectly wild; their shreks
OF despair were tnghtiul. Maddened by the increasing
heat they began to cut holes the deck and to stavo
the water tanks containing 200 gallons nowith-
standing the entreates OF the captan their existence
might depend on the preservation of such water and
provisions as were deck for other could be reach
3D. thirst Tor drink and piunder manifested it.
sell among them, and required all the energies of the
captain and crew to keep them in anything like subec-
1lon. Az ~ +. AL Capt H. went on board the boat,
leaving Mr. Hoxie, two mates and six in charge
10 Keep the engine at work. The boats were now all
astern OF the ship, and she settling fast. At H. on
Tuesday, it was found that more steam than smoke
came from below, and the eXertons the pump were
somewhat RENTED.
On Wednesday sail made on the ship, and she
ran 10 Tie IN w the wind being at the time S F.
hoping that some vessel might be fallen in with Allhe
boats still in tow. The decks were very hot and at the
hottest 1 places holes were cut and the hose applied
lhursday-The weather was moderate; continued to
pump out hot water and pumpin cold. The heat of the
decks was increasing Stood to the S. Emo vessel in
slght A difficulty at this time occurred in the long
BOAT as was found that she was too deep with
safety Some were induced to come on board the ship
and sail was then made her for the Western Islands,
Friday, at II meridian, sail was made out from the
mast head, bearing E. S. E. 20 miles. Deepening faces
Frightening up and all felt that there was yet hope But
as the burning ship neared the stranger he did not ap-
pearto notice the signals OF Distress which were flying
al TWO mast heads Despair again prevailed top-sails
were lowered, and the chase abandoned At that moment
the stranger appeared notice the signals and at once
altered nus course ured his opgaan sails and courses
reeied his top-sais and prepared his vessel for any
emergency. AT 80 the stranger came within hail
ing distance and proved to be the British barque Sarah
OF Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Captain David Cook
Several attempts were made before he could get the
long boat but at so she got alongside the bark with
six persons Including Capt H. in the boat, who were
most kindly received. 1t blew double-reeed op-sai
breeze at the time, and the two quarter boats were
brought blythe alongside but the sea was too heavy
to venture with any OF the passengers The bark Law
close to the ship during the night, with lights hosed
while the wind increased much that the three boats
towing astern were carried away.
Saturday-At daylight, the ship being far astern
hosted the ensign for her to come up but she not mind
ing the signal, the bark ran down to her and fearing
that the flames would burst out Mr. Hoxie lower.
ed two boats from the bark, and commenced taking the
women and children on board. Worked until dark
Wien te Wlnu ana sea increasing, the refused to
return to the ship, they feared the boats would be
swamped. During the night it blew gale A heavy
sea was running, and boat towing astern was carried
| away.
| Sunday aftenoon-fou that 1863 passengers were
on board the bark and all OF the except six Lay
close to the ship that night and throughout the next
day, as It continued to blow too heavily to lower the
Tuesday, 10th. The second mate and six men vo-
luneered to go on board the ship and relieve those still
remaining on her, and steer after the bark for the land
being impossible to take them from the ship in such
boats as were left, while such sea was running Capt
Cook thought it advisable to get if possible off Flores
which was then supposed bear S. E. distant eighty
five miles The men went board and relieved their
companions who returned to the bark greatly exhaust
ed. Sail was made on the ship and at i p NJ on We'd
nesday sea accounD made the land At7 p M. hove
to under the lee of Flores, and commenced removing