Polynesian., 1853-01-08
fHE POLYNESlAN.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1883.
peturu of Ship warren.


Tho sb;n Warren of Holmes Hole, Capt. r. n.
Smith, returned this port on the 7th ms'' 10 re-
damaqes sustained by FIRE at sea, since leaving
this port in Nov. last.
We have taken the pains to procure from an au-
thentc source the following facts in regard to the
disaster.
The Warren sailed hence on the oath of Now, in
company with the ship Eliza Adams, bound to the
weather coast and down on the line for sperm OIL
The two ships kept company till the l4th of Decem
ber when in lat. $50 N, long 1899 wes at half past
one A. NJ. of that day, the Warren was discovered
to be on fire forward and the smoke pouring out OF
the fore matches and forecastle gangway. The fire
was found to be burning very briskly in the lower
hold, forward of the fore hatch Torch lights were
burned to attract the attention of the Eliza Adams
and all hands were actively engaged in pouring wa
ter and in endeayors to put out the fire.
Up to half past FIVE o'clock in the morning. the
fire had gained upon them notwithstanding all their
efforts, and as the Eliza Adams was not in sight,
preparations were made to leave the ship. The
boats were lowered from the cranes by part of the
crew, while the remainder kept pouring on water
upon the fire.
At 6 o'clock the Eliza Adams was discovered and
four boats Immediately came to their assistance. BY
this time the officers and crew OF the Warren were
nearly blind from the effects of the smoke and steam
in which they had been working The arrival of
Capt. Smith with q men was most opportune. The
sails cut from the yards, and the matches and
gangways covered and made as tight as possible.
A hose tub, two hose, tunnels and buckets were
procured from the Eliza Adams, when the decks
were scuttled in several places, and water again
poured upon the fire. After unremitted exertions
for IL hours, the FIRE got under to such degree
that a man could go below while he could hold his
breath, and direct the hose upon the fire. In this
way the fire finally subdued, after the ship had
been burning % hours.
Both decks were much damaged from the try works
forward, on the starboard side; four deck beams
burnt nearly off, the skin plank burnt through and
of the timbers are charred an inch and half
deep. All the cutting gear, oars, boat boards, lurn
Der and other things in the vicinity of the fire
either consumed or spoiled by the fire.
1t is the clear opinion of the captain and officers
the Warren, that but for the timely aid of Capt.
Smith of the Eliza Adams and his gallant crew
they would have been compelled TO alb andon the
ship and have seen her burn 20 the waters edge
At seven o'clock in the morning after the fire
was extinguished, Capt. Smith again sent his crew
on board, who assisted in clearing away the rub
bish, bending new sails, reeving new rigging, and
BY O'Clock the ship was again under sail, bound
ihther TO repair.
We have been board the Warren, and from
the appearance of the hold, regard her preser-
walton from destruction almost miracle under
the circumstances. The utmost exertion must have
been made, and great diligence, perseverance and
energy brought into exercise. to have extinguished
60 extensive q fire as that on board the Warren
We congratulate the Captain, officers and crew on
the preservation eff their ship and lives and hope
they may yet be rewarded by good voyage for
their present loss of time and property.
1t will be remembered that the ship Warren Of
Warren, was entirely destroyed by fire in the Arc
tic last summer, one of whose officers was on board
the Warren of Hoims Hole or the occasion just
narrated.