The Nevada Democrat., 1859-10-26
nurnInr or a Ship at Sea.


The splendid clipper ship MastiE, Capt. VIM.
o. johnson, which left San Francisco for Hong
Kong, Sept. 10th, was consumed by 6re on the
18th, when five days out from San Francisco.
On board the ship were Mrs. johnson, the wife
of the Captain, five cabin passengers, crew of
twenty-eight men, and one hundred and seven
ty.five Chinese passengers. There was also on
board $83, 900 in specie. The fire was first dis
covered between decks, but had got under such
headway that it was found impossible to extin-
guish the flames. Luckily, the British ship
Achilles was in sight, and as soon as the hames
were discovered steered for the burning vessel,
hove TO about mile distant, and sent boat to
assist n rescuing the passengers When the
boats of the Mastif were lowered there was q
general rush among the Chinese to get on
board, and it was necessary to employ force TO
keep them from swampng the boats. In about
an hour and quarter after the fret alarm was
given, every person on board the Mastln had
been safely placed on the deck Of the Achilles
with the single exception of a Chinaman, who
went below after his money and was suffocated.
As soon as all the lives had been saved, atten-
ton was given to saving property and provis-
ions. The specie was got out and sent on board
the Achilles, and the passengers saved the most
of their luggage.
Among the passengers was Mr.. Richard II.
Dana, the author of 1.-TWO years before the
Mast" who took charge of one OF the boats and
rendered efficient aid in saving the lives of the
passengers showing that be had not forgotten
his two years service before the mast. Capt
johnson seems to have acted with great firm
ness and presence of mind throughout the try
ing emergency, and 1t wos greatly owing to bis
GOODNESS and prompt decision that so many lives
were saved. Mr.. Dana, in an account OF the
disaster furnished the Alta, gives the closing
scene as follows:
Every living creature was out of the ship; the
specie was saved oil accessible places on deck
had been cleared of their contents, and the
flames would soon be through the decks. All
but the two quarter boats now left her for the
last time, and when we got on the deck OF the
Achilles. the flames burst with loud report,
through the main deck, near the malnmast.
Two figures were still visible in the lurid twl-
light. lingering on the quarterback Of the ship
of their PRIDE the master and chief mate. They
now left her in the order of battle, the captain
last, and precisely at quarter before seven
o'clock, as timed by the captains watch, In the
light of the flames, as be was rowed off in his
boat, and not more than two hours after the
first ntination of fire, this noble ship, so swift,
so strong, so high in reputation, so complete
10 all her appointments, was deserted mass of
flames.
We were received on board the Achilles with
a hearty and kindly welcome by her command
er, and as we gathered on the quarterback, we
saw the flames go up the masts of the Mastiti In
spires, the sails and rigging catch, aud each
mast fall, and in few hours, as we filled away
for the Sandwich Islands, we could see only the
distant light of burning hulk on the night
covered ocean.
The Mastiff was one of the finest of American
clippers, of 1000 ions burthen, owned in New
York, and was insured TO the amount of $780,
600. The passengers and treasure were re-
shipped romIHonolulu to Hongkong, and Cap
tain Johnson and the crew returned to San
Francisco on the bark Yankee