The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-15
LOSS OF THE AMERICAN SHIP HELEN

.''' VI lHE AMERICAN SHIP HELEN
me following is the report of Mr.. W. P Russell,
d passenger on board the American ship Helen from
London to Melbourne which was DESTROYED Nv fire
on the 8th of December
we left the London docks on the 18th of October.
1885, IN the American ship Helen, of Boston, ,OO3
hons register commanded by F. 7. West, for Mel
bourne, with avery valuable cargo of general mer
chahdlSe, containing Goals (l4O tons) timber,
STATES wines, brandy in casks and cases gin aIes
candles, turpentine, oils crystals &c. in all about
LOU IONS; ~ passengers between decks, crew of II
men, ships cook, passengers cook steward two
ohcers, captain and captains clerk 10th October,
at >, +. NJ, Scilly Islands bore y. E. BY NJ IS
miles, from whence we took our departure and
300 So W. - iva"
We had made an excellent passage with gener-
ally fine weather, up to Friday the 4th Dec, when
we were in lat. AZ S. and lon. 10 u E. On Sat
urday morning the 9TH Dec, at 30 A. NJ, we ex-
perenced heavy gale from the west 1t com
menced with furious squall, accompanied with
man, ram and snow with large cross-sea; we took
IN SAIL as required
At ii A. NJ, the weather looked threatening;
double reefed the tOpsails and slowed the main
sail. The day ends with heavy gale and ire
mendous sea. Ship laboring much and shipping,
considerable quantities of water. On Sunday
at +. NJ, turned one reef out of the sails to
Keep the ship away from the heavy seas-at 100
I. M'' the gale increasing, double-reefed the
mantopsail againthe ship still aboring and rolling
heavily; at 80 A. NJ. of Monday, Dec. l. the second
ohcer on duty at that time discovered smoke coming
up the forehatch and reported the same to the cap
tam VINO was Immediately on the spot with all hands
trying to discover the exact position of the fire but
without success further than that it came from the
lower hoe-all hands were set to work with the
oeck hose-pump, throwing water down the forehatch
INTO the lower hold but the smoke came up too strong
TO continue it; Captain West then gave orders to
nave every part of the ship communicating with the
lower hold closed up tight and caulked; and put
the sps head for the nearest land Algoa Bay, dis
tant about 500 to 600 miles, it was still blowing
gale, and the wind kept gradually HAULING TO NV
ana NNW, but Captain West was in hopes of fall
ing IN with some ship, and we were gradually draw
ing INTO milder climate in case the necessity for
taxing to the boats should become compulsory
capt. West had arranged the passengers and crews
Tor each boat, with provisions and water and did
everything possible to save the lives of his passen-
gers and crew. Capt. West scarcely for a moment
left the deck from the time the fire was discovered
until we left the ship
HIS quiet firm manner, and the duty going on as
usual inspired us all with confidence that his exer-
tlons would, with Gods blessing, get us out of our
Perlious situation. Early on Tuesday morning, the
Hth OF December, Captain West discovered a sail
ana immediately crowded AN sail after the ship
hosting flag of distress at the same time A
squaIl comingl on, we lost sight of the shin for
httle While; on clearing off made all sail and on
getting alongside found the ship to be the Thor of
Geile, for Madras
On being made acquainted with our perilous stu
anon captain Westmann said he would take us all
on 0oard his ship. The weather was very stormy
with heavy squalls, and a large sea running. bnt
happily every soul board was safely got from the
heten to the Thor in the HeIen's boats CAPTAIN
West tried all possible to get Captain West
mann to lay by his ship for time to try and save
the ehects OF the passengers, and if any cargo
could be got out of her, but Captain Westmann re-
FUSED peremptory to do so-being afraid of damage
to his ship in case of explosion or otherwise.
captain West had therefore no alternative left
G Gue 10 abandon his burning ship, which finally
q tba Of :.
lat. al ~ = Ion. % AZ e. The Thor having no ac.
c0mmodatlon for more than her own crew, CAPTAIN
west, with his officers, steward and five seamen
I N her ana went on board the Eucharis Paul, of
Nantes, a French barque, for Trincomalee, on the
llth OF December. Captain Dugast her command
en- received us IN the most kind manner and regret
ted that his accommodations limited that he
could not take any more off the Thor
we remained on board the Eueharis Paul until
the lth OF January received the greatest kindness
and attention from Captain Dugast and his officers
and LETT them to 90 on board the Anna Longton
hlrkby, OF Liverpool for Point de Gale, in order
10 get the needfu done with the ships papers at the
American Consulate. We are greatly indebted to
captain Richard kirkby for his kindness and atten-
ton to our wants on board his ship and shall ever
retain grateful remembrance of the kindness of
Captain tombstone and Captain Chapman, two mas
sengers of the Anna Longton
MADRAS, Jan. 2l.-23 persons, among whom are
SIX females and two children, are now inmates of
the Sailors Home, under the following distressing
vi SuhStdnces: Inc party are the passengers and a
Portlon OF the crew of the American ship Helen for
Melbourne from London, which was abandoned, ON
hre, IN lat. Al 50 s., long. 30 AZ E., Dec s, and
were brought on to Madras by the Swedish ship
Thor. 'P
The Heien, upwards of 100 tons, was the property
OF the Messrs Cunningham, of Boston, and was char
tered by Lldgett Co.. of London, which port she
lett on Oct. I, with cabin and 20 second class pas
sengerS, and miscellaneous cargo including 300
tons OF coal and large quantity of spirits. The
poor people do not seem to have Jared well in the
Thor, but this owing more to the accident which
nobody on board could have foreseen, than to any
want OF Kindness attention on the part of the
Swedish captain and his crew.
He supplied them with everything in his power:
but the female portion of the passengers of the
Helen had to do with the single suit on their
backs, as the Thor had change of linen to offer
them. few days afterwards Captain West signal
ed French vessel, which took him, the two mates,
and the cabin passenger on board, and the inconye
nences to which the bereaved people were subjected
IN the Thor would have found no end before reach
ing Madras perhaps, had not the steamer Uadauni-
7d, with horses from Sydney for Calcutta fallen in
with her. lat ! 40 N, long. 81 II E., and supplied
her with water and other necessares not forgetting
The women, who were made happy each with a ,
change or two of clean apparel. The TnddUfed
took on some eight of the crew to Calcutta. The
emale inmates Of the Home speak in grateful terms
IF the lady of Captain Franklin of the Jladaunted,
rom whom they acknowledge having expert need /.
great kindness. On their arrival at Madras they !
we're sent to the Sailors Home by Captain McKen. .
lie. Captain West and his party are believed to
at Ca1-lpo