Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-01-25

getting further into the hold. There
was no confusion, however; every
order was obeyed by the men with
GOODNESS and courage. The course OF
the ship was stopped. Col. Moffat
was scen in earnest consultation with
Capt. Castle deciding upon measures
for suprcssing the flames, while the
crew were actively employed in taking
all the sails in and bringing the snip
before the wind. Others ran out
lengths OF hose from the fire engines,
which were passed down to hands be
low, while hose was put on the donkey
engine. 1t soon became apparent that
all these cxertions failed In checking
the progress Of the fire. Col. Moffat
at the suggestion Of the commander,
directed his men at ono to cast over
board all the ammunition, and IN a
short time they succeeded in clearing
out the starboard magazine. The re-
mainder of the powder, however, excl
ted great app%rehensions. Already had
the after part of the ship become
almost unapproachable from the dense
smoke and heat which filed every por-
ton Of it. The Col. appealed to his
men for volunteers to attempt to reese
cue the contents of the magazine now
SO threatened. Several brave fellows
instantly came forward and heroically
succeeded in reaching the magazine,
and clearing 1t, it IS supposed with the
exception Of II or two barrels Of pow
der. 1t was truly hazardous work,
several nearly lost their lives, they be-
came oyerpowercd with the heat and
smoke and fell, and when hauled upon
deck by ropes were senscless. The
flames soon afterwards burned up
through the deck, and running along
the various cabins soo set the whole
on fire. There was a heavy gale blow
ing at the time, and Capt. Castle per
ceiving the critical position OF the ship
at once took measures for the safe
lowering of the boats. They were
without the least accident,
the troops were mustered oil deck,
there was no rush to the boats and the
men obcycd the word of command
with as much order, as if they were on
Col. Motfat informed them
that Capt. Castle did not despair OF
the ship, but for their own
preservation it had been deemed adyis-
able to keep the boats off SO as to act
in a casa of cmcrgcncy.
The ladies, ONE and children
were lowered into the port lie boat,
and she was directed to stand off until
further orders. All hands then turned
constructing RATS of spare spars. In a
short time three were put together
which would have been capable of saw
ing a large portion of those on board.
Capt. Castle succeeded in launching
two overheard, and the third was left
across the deck to be lowered at "a mo-
ment's notice. In the meanwhile, the
flames had made terrible progress, tie
whole of the cabins, saloon, we're one
body of fire, and about 8 o'clock the
flames burst through the upper deck
and if.litcd the mizzen rigging.
Through the forethought of Capt. Cas-
tie in bringing the ship to the wind
the fire and smoke were swept stern
ways, but serious anxiety was felt lest
the ship should pay off, and SO render
her destruction inevitable, During
this fearful suspense a dreadful explo-
sion took place, no doubt arising from
one or two barrels left in the port mag
.azine, which blew out the port quarter.
The ship from the main rigging to her
stern was in one general body Of fire
Capt. Castle still had hope, although
he expressed his fears to the command
ing officer of the troops that the ship
would be lost. Providen.iallv the bulk
head of the after part of the ship with
stood the action of the flames. Here
all efforts efforts were concentrated to
keep it cool. Party after party of the
troops volunteered for the work, aui
SO endeavored to prevent the fire from
making its way forward.
For hours did this state Of affairs
continue. Although the men kept the
fire at bay below, it gained the main
rigging. Mr.. WEIGH, the chief officer,
with several of the soldiers. at once
went aloft with wet blankets, and af-
ter considerable peril and risk succeed
ed in extiDguishing the flames. As is
was. however, some, some of the yards
were destroyed. Towards 2 o'clock
the following morning the lei had
the satisfaction of seeing the fire dim
inishing. The flames were gradually
beaten back, and by daylight we're en-
tirely extinguished. 1t was not until
then that the fearful havoc made by
the fire was clearly a%scertained. The
after part of the ship was burnt out
merely its shell remaining, and now
another fate threatened her. The gale
still prevailed and the ship was rolling
and pitching in a heavy sea, constant
ly shipping water at the part quarter
which had been blowout by the ex-
plosion. She had Is feet of water in
her hold, and active steps were neces-
sary to prevent her laundering. All
the men were set to the pumps and
balllng water out of the held. Capt.
Castle, fearing the stern would fall out
got two hawsers under the bottom and
made them taut. The next difficulty
was to stop the water which was pour
ing in through the quarter. Spare
sails and blankets were placed ovs1
the opening and the leak was partially
stopped. There Wa no abatement in