The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-01-28

10 attempt to rescue the contents Of the
magazine now 50 Threatened. Several brave
fellows instantly came forward and bcroical-
ly succeeded in reaching the magazine, aud
clearing it, it is supposed, with the cxcep
tion o! one or two barrels OF peH.a,. II
was n truly hazardous work. several nearly
lost their lives, they became ovcrpowcrcd
with the hca, and smoke and fill. and when
hauled up on deck by ropes were senseless
The flames soon afterwards burned up
through the deck, and running along the VA
rious cabins soon -ct the whole on fire.
There was heavy gale blowing ut the
time, and Capt. Castle, perceiving the crti
cal position Of the ship, at once took meas
ares for the safe lowering of the boats
They were launched without the least ncci-
dent. the troops were mustered On deck,
there was no rush To the boats. and the men
obeyed the word Of command with as much
order as II they were on parade. Colonel
Mof!att informed them that Captain Castle
did not despair Of saving the ship, but for
their own preservation II had been deemed
advisable 10 keep the boats oil SO as to act
in case Of emergency.
The ladies. women and children were low.
cred into the port-iie boat and she wns
directed TO stand of until further orders
All hands then turned to constructing RATS
Of spare sparf In short time three were
put together, which would have been cnpa'
bic of saving large portion of those ON
board. Capt. Castle succeeded in launching
two overheard. and the third was left across
the deck 10 bc lowered at "a moments notice.
In the meanwhile. the flames had male ter
rib!e progress. the whole Of the cabins and
saloon, were one body Of fire, and about .
o'clock the flames hurst through the upper
deck and ign,ed the mizzen rigging. Thro'
the forcthought Of Capt. Castle in bringing
the ship TO the wind, the fire aud smoke
were swept sternways, but serious anxiety
WAS felt lest the ship should pay of, and 80
render her destruction inevitable. During
this fearful suspense 'lradIul explosion
took place, no doubt arising from one or two
barrels left in the port magazine. which
blew out the port quarter. The ship from
the main rigging 10 her stern was IN one
general body Of fire. Capt. Castle still had
hope. although he expressed bis fears 10 the
commanding officer OF the troops that the
ship would be lost. Provdentialy the
bulkhead Of the after part Of the ship with
stood the action oi the flames. Hero a.:
Efforts wcrc concentrated 10 keep il cool -
Party after party Of the troops volunteered
for the work, and 80 emlcayorcd to prevent
the fire from making il way forward.
For hours did this state Of affairs con
,iuue. Although the men kept the fire at
bay below, il gained the main rigging. Mr.
WEIGH. the chief officer. with several of the
soldiers, 81 once went alon with vet blan
kets and after considerable peril nnd risk
succeeded IN eStinguishing the flames. As
i, was. however some Of the yards were de-
siroyod. Towards two o'clock the following
morning The men bad the satisfaction OF
seeing the fire diminishing. The flames
were gradually beaten back. aud by daylight
were entirely extlnguIshe1. II was not ill
then tint the fearful havoc made 10y the fro
was clearly ascertainoI The after part Of
the ship was burnt out, merely is shell 70
naming and now another fate threatened
her The gale still prevailed and the .hip
was rolling and pitching ia heavy sea con
which had been blown ont by the explosion.
She bad ! , feet Cf watcr in her hold. aud
active strIs were nee, ssary 10 prevent her
fp1nderng. All thp mcB were sct to the
pumps and bailing water out of the hold
Captain Castle, fearing the stern would
ia.l 04t, got twO haws.rs abler the bottom
aud made them t8ui The next difficulty
sas 70 stop ,he water which var pouring IN
through the quarter. Spare -ails and
blankets were placed oycr the opening and
the oak ~as partially -toppai There wa
no ahab mert ~ the gale daring Tie mofn.
llg and 10 every hraye Oi the ship the water
tank IN thc hold which hl1 got lo0-", ware
dasl0l from one side % tie othrr TIE
state 81 The ship, aud the continued severity
0l the wrailnf. rendered ih" constant wGfk
,ng u the puinIs and the baiIing imperative.
/, w4s not tn O'Clock ia tbs afternoon
thai tbe boats containing the women AMI
children cond h. got a.ookside. They were
got ~ board AMI the other boais. which
had b-rn ordered Of iariGg The raging ol
tie Ere, returned, With tie exception Oi the
2.z. Which b,d br,n ,samp,rd during the
u.gLt ,i,e officer 10 cbargc II ber. however,
Mr. Wcei, and all hand wer' picked up by
another boat
Daring the remainder o' The DAY, ibr fol
iow.ng D 2ht and succeeding day the whole
oi ~ hands and troop we-r cngagd work
ipg the pump. and clearing ID" -bjp u thf
VAT. ~ the cscniog II the 1871, Tie
cr.S sgcc0dnI IN securing tie stSrn and
gettny s'e'rage way on The ship. she bal
lLeu df.'ied "a, far a. long tud' ! 3 deRa "
MD. .outh. Captain Castle then set all
al aoi bDre up in the hop Of making
HAafI,iss, and % the joy u all 90 hoard.
lnade the port in eight d.ys, wbere hnr ar.
riva AMI masye!ous escap excited cou-ide-
rabc saD.4tiOn. The ohicers 10 command
of ibe tfoops spak ~ ,he high',t term. Of
tn ootdpct o' Captain Castle during 'be
trying occa,'on