The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-17

taking all sail In and bringing the ship before the
wind. Others ran out lengths Of hose from the fire
engines, which were passed down 10 hands below,
while hose was also put on to the donkey engine IL
became apparent that all these excrtons failed
in checking the progress of the fire. Col MoYat at
the suggestion OF the commander, directed his men
10 at once cast overheard all their ammunition, aud
in II short time they succeeded IN clearing out the
stafboaid magazine. The remainder of the powder
in the port magazine, however, excited great ap-
prehensons. Already had the after part of the ship
become almost impenetrable, from the dense
smoke and heat which filed every portion of it.
The colonel appealed to his men for volunteers to
attempt To rescue the contents ID the magazine
now so threatened Several brave fellows instantly
the magazine and clearing it, with the exception, it
IL supposed, of one or two barrels. IL was q truly
hazardous work. several nearly lost their lives; hav-
ing become o,erpowcred with the smoke and heat
they feIl and when hauled up by ropes to the deck
they were senseess The flames soon afterwards
burst up through the deck, and running along the
various cabins speedily set the whole on fire. There
was heavy gale blowing ut the time, and the ship
was rolling and pitching. Captain Castle, perceiy-
ing the critical position of the ship at once took
measures for the safe lowering of the boats. They
were launched without the least accident and the
troops were mustered on deSk. There WAS no rush
to the boats, and the men Complied with their Off
GERS commands with much order az on pa
rade. Colonel Motfat informed them that Captain
Castle did not despair Of losing the ship, but
for their own preservation 1t had been deemed ad-
vsabe to keep the boat of SO as to act in case Of
emergency. The ladies' women and children were
lowered into the port ifeboat and she was directed
to stand of until further orders All hands then
turned to constructing RATS of spare spars. In
short time three were put together, and which would
have been capable OF saving large portion Of those
on beard Captain Castle succeeded in launching
two overheard, and the third was left across the
deck to be lowered nj moments notice. In the
meanwhile the flames had made terrible progress.
The whole Of the cabins, saloons, &C., were one body
of fire; and about nine o'clock the flames burst
tbrOsgh the upper deck and ignited the mizen rig
giDg. Through the forethought of Captain Castle,
in bringing the ship before the wind, the fire and
smoke swept sternways, but serious xety was
felt lest the ship should pay off, aud render her
destruction inevitable Amidst this fearful suspense
a deadful explosion took place, doubt arising
from or two barrels left in the port magazine,
which blew out the portquartcr. All was con-
sternation-the ship, from the mainrigging to
her stern, was in one general body Of
fire. Captain Castle still had hope, although
he expressed his fears To the commanding officer
Of the troops that the ship would be lost Providen-
tally the bulkhcad of the aiterpart Of the ship with
ST cd the action of the flames. Here all efforts
concentrated to keep il cool Party after party Of
the troops volunteered for the work, and endea-
vored to prevent the fire making its way forward.
Asit was, several fell senseess from the suffocatng
infuence Of the smoke, and were dragged up appa-
reLty dead. With the greatest honor TO the troops,
they obeyed the direction of their officers with q
calmness and energy which were almost astounding,
and but for which the ship must have perished and
doubtless many of the lives board with her. For
the men KEEPS the fire at bay below il gained the
nlan-riggiDg Mr. Welch, the chief officer. with
several of the soldiers at once went alot with wet
blankets, and after considerable peril and risk sue
ceeded in extingushng the flames. As il was, how
ever. some Of the yards were destroyed. To-
wards two O'Clock the following morning the
men had the satisfaction of seeing. the fire di-
mnishing, but only had the effect Of inducing them
to continue their exertions with, If possible,
almost double energy. The flames were gradually
beaten back and by daylight was accomplished their
nyttra .,l.4t1x A.
fearful havoc made by the fire clearly ascartaned
The aterpart at the ship was burnt out merely its
shell remaining; and now another fate threatened
her. The gale still prevailed and the ship roll
ing and pitching in heavy sea, constantly shipping
considerable water at the portquarter, which had
been blown out by the explosion She had fifteen
feet Of water in her hold and active steps had TO be
taken ~ prevent her laundering All the men were
set TO the pumps and balng water out of the hold.
Captain Castle, fearing the stern would fall out got
two hawsers under her bottom and made them taut;
the next difficulty was to stop the water which
pouring In through the quarter. Spare sails and
blankets we're placed the opening and the leak
was partially stopped. There was no abatement in
the gale during the morning. and in every heave Of
the ship the water tanks in the hold, which had got
loose, were dashed from side to the other.
The state Of the ship. and the continued seve-
ity Of the weather, rendered the constant working
of the pumps and the baling imperative. II WAS not
ill two o'clock in the afternoon that the boat
tanning the women and children could be got along
side They were got on - ard, and the other boats,
which had been ordered oil during the raging Of tho
fire returned with the exception Of the gig, which
had been swamped during the night. The officer in
charge Of her. however, Mr.. Wood, and the hands,
were picked up by another boat. During the re-
mainder Of the day. the following night and sue
ceeding day the whole of the hands and troops were
engaged in working the pumps and clearing the ship
OF the water. by the evening of the 18th the crew
succeeded in securing the stern. and getting seerage
way on the ship. She had then drifted Us far az
long. - II >. Capt Castle then set c" sail, and
bore up In the hope Of making the Mauritius, and,
10 the Joy OF all on board, made thai port In eight
days where her arrival and marvellous escape ex.
cited considerable sensation. The Officers In con-
mand Of the troops speak in the highest terms Of the
conduct Of Captain Castle during the trying occasion
The Sarah Sands was heavily insured at Lloyd's.