The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-18
of the Burning ofthe Clipper
Shin MRsfI1.

LETTER FROM MIR. GEORGE CLIFFORD.
On BOARD BRITISH SHIP ACHILLES, Sept. rs, 1850
BY this conveyance you will be appraised Of the total
loss of the clipper ship Masta, Capt W o. Johnson
The ship beat out Of the harbor Of San Francisco on S
turday, September 10, having on board passengers,
,an Mrs ", Sss s Mi Dana q R s
nond of New Bedford, destination Honolulu Mr. schon.
burn and Mr. George Clifford Of San Francisco for Hong
passengers. Chief officer Of the ship, Mr. Win. Bailey
second do Mr.. Geo johnson; steward, Edward T. Tro
During Sunday and Monday had light winds, ami on
Tuesday morning we made sai ten miles distant
bound 10 sydney; kept her company With moderate
breezes and st meridian OF Thursday 10th up with
70 four to five miles distance our ship beng 70 windward
At Az p NJ lat 80 deg 40 min, long les dog IS MN,
the weather being fine ant sea smooth ii vas discovered
tiat our ship was or ilIe. smoke issued from the
Immediately the hose was directed into the lat
ter the force pump manned, but the fire could
20 allow any one TO remain below. Signal Of
distress was made which was promptly Acknowledged
by the Achilles. Capt johnson at once ordered the
magazine TO be thsown overboard the quarter boats 70
be lowered and the cabin passengers to get into
q them The Chinese were trcnzed with fear, bowling
and moaning Ike devils and made several attempts TO
rush into the boats which quickly repealed by the
Captain officers and passengers IN which necessary
90 use FORCE Inc hrs BOAT in charge Of second officer
Mr. johnson, conveying captans wife, five cabin passen
gers and three Cinnamon, who threw themselves into the
boat, reached the Achilles were welcomed on srd
by Captain Hart who at made every preparation 10
receive all On board and made them comfortable as
charge Of his second officer proceeded 10 the burning
ship, and made several trips in bringing Chinese pas
sengers. Meantime, board the Mastn, three other
boats launched, and in the space Of one hour ali
che passengers on board the Achilles.
AS soon Is tue cabin passengers reached the Achilles
pursuant to the captains ORDERS they separately returned
20 the Masf in the boats assisting In pulling oar and
when on board eudeav0ring such Of effects
belonging to the ship and themselves could be got at;
amidst tie dense smoke which prevailed only portion
If their baggage wasSaved The got at nearly all
II their baggage, wle the captain, officers and steward
Lost mostly all of their personal effects being engaged Ia
their duties to the ship and getting out the treasure which
safely put board the Achilles. The live stock
MISC put into the boats, but provisions for the
Cinnamon could be got at The ship burned very rapidly,
and at quarter 70 M Whereabouts the hull
was enveoped in flames, which, communicating to the sails
and rigging, were soon u a blaze 70 the royals.
Captain johnson and chief officer Mr.. Bailey re-
and passengers being saved, with one ex-
cepson Chinaman, supposed to have been sufocated
oetweea decks. Capt johnson and his officers behsyed
VIII commendabe GOODNESS and energy and credit is due
20 em Tor The good order and discipline which prevailed
uuTine the snort but trying events.
coon aiter we went board of the Achills was do
cdeo proceed 70 Honolulu and shaped our course ac
cordngly, leaving the Mastif OF frea bright hut
sad spectacle to us who had recently enoycd Ali the
comforts which could possibly be had on sea vovage
10 Capt Henry T. Hart must ever feel urdcy r. |
Obligations for his noble manner ana The ar
hearted kindGess all Of received at bis bands IT.
lshiles the OF the Masuh grateful for
heir attentions The Cinnamon have been cared FOR ss
'cu as circumstances ana the limited space GU deck