Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1853-05-19
THE BURNING SHIP.

LATE in the autumn of 10, happened TO
be in the southern part of the United States,
when some affairs Of Importance required my
speedy appearance in Italy. The delay which
would have occurred by coming to New York
to embark, and the Inconvenience of travelling
by land at that season, Induced me to engage
passage at once in a vessel which was about to
sail from Charleston, laden with cotton for
MaCseies. The ship was commanded by Cap
tain s., who was also the owner Of the cargo.
Without any noteworthy occurrence, we had
arrived within few days sail of the coast Of
Spain, when we spoke ship which had just
come from MarSeilles the vessels exchanged
the latest papers of their respective countries.
and went on again in their several courses
When the French gazetts were opened within
our ship, our captain read with unexpected de-
light, that so small was the supply OF cotton in
the market, and so strong the demand for it,
that the next vessel which arrived with feight
of it might command almost any price which the
aVarice OF the owner should dictate. The wind,
which had been for some days setting little
towards the south, was at this time getting
round to the east, and promised to bring us
without delay directly to the Mediterranean
The captain perceived that, by avaing himself
to the utmost of freshening breeze, he might
pretty certainly realize splendid fortune a
consideration for which, as he had for years
struggled with little success in the pursuit Of
wealth, filled him with the most enthusiastic
Joy. Every sail was expanded to the wind,
and we advanced with the greatest rapidity.
On the following morning light was de-
scried to the west, apparently directly in the
course which we were making; as we proceed
ed briskly, however, it fell considerably to the
south Of us, and we preceived that it was ship
on fire. The light increased every moment, and
the signal guns fell upon our ears with distress
sing rapidly. The captain was at this time pa
cling the deck, as he Lad done almost constant
ly since the intelligence had reached him from
the passing vessel for the restlessness of expec-
tation scarcely allowed him to repose for mo-
ment. His eye was directed resolutely toward
the north; and though the light now gared un-
shunnabe, and the frequent shots could not be
unheard, and the commotion and excamations
of the passengers could not be unnoticed, his
glance never fell upon the object which engros-
sed all others.
After few moments of intense wonder and
excitement among the passengers and crew at
the silence of the captain, the steersman called
10 him, and asked if he should not turn out to
the distressed vessel but the other rudely or
dered him to attend to his own concerns. A
little while after, at the solicitation of the whole
company on board went up to The captain,
and said to him, that deemed it my duty to
inform him, that the universal desire of his
crew was that relief should be given to the
burning ship. He replied with agitation, that
the vessel could not be saved, and that he
should only lose the wind and Immediately
went down to the cabin and locked the door,
He was kind hearted man by nature, and' on
ordinary occasions, few would have taken great
er trouble to benefit fellow being. But the
prospect of riches was too much for his virtue |;
the hope of great gain devoured all the better
feelings of his nature, and made his heart as
hard as stone. If his mother had shrleked
from the flames, do not believe that he would
have turned from his course.
The crew, iu this condition of things, had
nothing to do but to lament the masters cruel
Nv. and submit to it, They watched the fiery
mass conscious that large company of their
brethren was perishing within their sight, who,
bv their efforts, might probybly be saved 1t
was not for several hours that the captain ap-
peared again upon the deck, and from his ap-
nearance then, might imagine that the con-
aict during his solitude must have been severe
and trying. stood near him as he came up.
His face had rigid yet anxious look-the coun-
tenance of man who braved, yet feared some
shock. His back was turned to the quarter
from which we came, and in that position he
addressed to me calmly some Indifferent obser-
vatious. While the conversation went on, he
cast frequent and buried glances to the south