Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-18
Burning of the British ship Polar starr
as1 Thrilling Narrative.

L
| " 4gEsg A DEMOCRATIC Know NOTHING.
| Burning Of the British ship Polar starr
s Thrilling Narrative.
| A correspondent Of the Journal Of Commerce,
at St. Helena, under date Of October 40, furnishes
for publication the annexed fearful account Of the
destruction by fire Of this vessel, at sea- and the
proyidential escape of her passengers and crew
from almost instant death
Captain Walkers Statement.
Sunday, October lst 1854, lat. 81 deg 90 g.,
long. as deg, 90 W., at 8 A. NJ, was alarmed by
the cry of FIRE, which was Immediately confirmed
by the sergeant ofthe detachment Of Royal Artillery,
which was on board, rushing into the cuddy calling
to his lieutenant, the ship is on fire. sir, theship
is on fire. Immediately rushed on deck, and
found the statement but too true. On going for
ward, found the smoke issuing out of the fore
hatchway in dense black cloud. Immediately
ordered the helm to be put up, and let the ship 90
OF before the wind. The smoke then began to u.s.
cend In thick, black cloud, up the main hatch
way. .l3t E @ tt lltsa q
All hands, troops and passengers, were innedi-
ately set to work with pumps and buckets to pour
water down the hatchways, II being impossible for
any one to get below After working with the
water for some time, and finding that the fire
was gaining, ordered all matches to be put on and
securely battened down, to prevent any air from
getting below. After getting matches secured,
cleared away the launch and hung her over the
side in the tackles fearing the flames would burst
up the hatchway and consume her. After seeing
the boats all right holesin the deck, fore and
aft, to insert tunnels into, being careful to stop up
the holes when the tunnels were removed from one
hole to another. During the whole of this time,
no pen can describe the Distraction and confusion
amongst the women and children, many Of them
with scarcely any clothing on them, and no posi-
bility of getting any.
We now found ourselves in most deplorable
position; for, in addition to having our ship burn
ing under us, we found that we had neither water
nor provisions on deck, one thousand miles away
from land, and our boats not capable Of containing
more than two-thirds our number, II obliged to
have recourse to them.
Noon.-Crew and passengers working unceas-
ingly with pumps and buckets, in the hopes Of
keeping the fire under. Observing great deal Of
smoke to escape out of the topgallant forecastle,
and covered all over with awet sail. About p. NJ.
made an attempt to get down through the poop
into the after store-room and succeeded in getting
up two or three bags of biscuit two or three hams
and a small keg of spirits.
ASP NJ, divided the troops, passengers and
sailors into two watches-Lieutenant Temple.ta.
king charge Of one watch and myself the other.
They were then told in which boat they would
have TO GO In case of necessity, so as to have as
little confusion as possible at the last moment.
Sixty were named for the launch, twenty-five for
| the pinnace, and fourteen for the gig The watch
was then set to work again. and continued through
| out the night 10 work necessarily and cheerfuny.
At daylight on Monday morning, sent one hand
up to the masthead, hoping some sail might provi-
dentially heave in sight, as that was our only hope
of escape, the boats being sure to swamp, Il made
use Of
Noon.-Strong breeze and dark gloomy atmos-
pbere all hands working most indefatgably and
making every effort 10 keep the fire under.
At s p. NJ, darkness again closed IN, without
having seen any sail or signal Of delivery. During
this day, oh, how anxiousy every eye was directed
round the horizon, go lopg as 4 blink of daylight
remained; but in vain--nothing was to be seen
afoat but our burning ship, the smoke issuing out
from every aperture where any mir was admitted.
At 8 p. NJ. set the watch again, and relieved each
other during the night At daylight sent another
lookout up TO the mast head, but nothing was to
| be seen. Ate A. NJ, got some water out of the
tank, and found il TO be almost up to boiling heat
the deck becoming very much heated. Noon
strong breeze and cloudy. Nothing In sight crew
all at work. making every effort TO suppress the FIRE
and keep II from bursting forth.
| At p. NJ, Just as night was again closing in for
the third time, and with Ii almost every hope Of
| any succOf, II plcaseu uOu 10 piess our eyes anu
cheer our hearts with the sight of ship on our
weather bow. All hands Immediately rose up and
gave three cheers; but as darkness was closing In
fast, they we're admonished not TO build their hopes
too high, for fear they should not see our signals
whereby the disappointment would only be the
greater We immediately commenced firing min.
ute guns, and burning blue lights which were
promptly answered, and we had the happiness Of
knowing that we we're seen, and our signals under
stood The ship was fastbearing down to us. Al
seven p NJ. she rounded to under our stern, when
Lieutenant Temple and myself went on board "a
explain our situation. The ship proved to be the
Annamooka, from Callao, bound to Cadiz- Captain
Hutchinson promised to render us all the assistance
in his power, and lay by US till daylight. M.
At eight P. NJ. we returned on board again, and
sent all the women on board the Annamooka. Al
daylight Captain Hutchinson went round the decks
with me, and examined all the holes that had been
cut, feeling the heat Of the decks, &c. His opin
ion perfectly conceded with mine and Lieutenant
Temples, that she could not possibly hold out much
longer, and that as soon as the matches were lifted
the flames would ascend nothing but the unoeas
ing exertions Of the crew and passengers, aud bAv
h.tta had fl<