The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-07-21
1URNiNu OF THE sTKAassHIS rxHN'
SYLvANIA.
ruREELIvEs LOST

Tho s,ea I'M shin Pennsylvania, Capt' ZEAL, Oh
the Union line. running between TINS city and
philadeIphia, was destroyed by nre Thursday
ni.bt about II o'clock, OF jamestown She
.tonned at Norfolk on her way, and left
,here for this city about 4 O'Clock Thurs
d.v afternoon. The fire was discovered
about II O'Clock, bursting from the fire.rooms
on the boiler deck, and the flames spread
with such rapidity that the passengers were
forced to take to RATS in their night clio thes.
The fire in the stern of the vessel prevented
her boats being gotten down. Three children
of Mrs. Dietz, were drowned by the upsetting
of raft. The Curtis Peck, from this city,
passed the burning steamer and took her pas
sengers ana crew to Norfolk.
The following is a list of the passengers
who were on the Pennsylvania:
CD. Graham, Philadelphia.
Mrs. McClung. Richmond.
Mrs Deitz and four children, Philadelphia.
All except the three children named were
saved The passengers lost their baggage
The following is an extract from letter from
Mr.. John Perry, of this city, a passenger on
the Curtis Peck, the relieving steamer:
NORFOLK July 20, 1860.
On our way down to Norfolk, Thursday
night in the steamboat Curtis Peck, about II
O'CLOCK. +. w we IOuuu Tue slcde1lSAip L CHI IL
sylyania, Capt. Teal, on fire off James town.
She was lying at anchor during the storm -
The passengers included one gentleman, two
ladies and four children. Three OF the
latter were drowned by the raft turning over.
Great praise is due to the officers of the Curtis
Peck. MIR. Geo. Clifford, first mate; Mr.. Sam
uel Cain, second mate. and Mr.. Rob't Wright,
second engineer, went out in small boats TO
pick up those on the RATS. We then went
alongside the burning ship. and took off Capt.
Teal, the ladies and remaining part of the
crew, seventeen in number. The mother OF
the three children was almost distracted
Captain Moore, the pilot, cruised about TO see
if ali were picked up. Capt. Teal informed
him all except the three children were safe on
board The Peck; we then passed the burning
ship on our way to Norfolk. She must have
gone down soon after we left, as she was burn
ing near the waters edge. A subscription was
taken up, and S27 collec ted, which j. Ii. Free
man, agent of the boat, distributed to those
most needing it. The agent invited the pas
sengerS and crew TO Richmond, this evening,
on he Curtis Peck.
The Portsmouth Transcript of yesterday
morning adds:
The mother of the three lost little ones Is
almost insane and her piteous lamentations
are truly beart-rending. Tomorrow the
saved parties will be taken to Richmond,
whittier they were going when thus proven ted.
The Pennsylvania" arrived here from
Philadelphia yesterday morning and left du-
ring the afternoon for Richmond. When in
the vicinity of Jamestown, the violent wind
and rain storm then prevailing compelled
her to anchor as il was deemed dangerous TO
proceed in the impenetrable darkness. 1t
was at that point the fire originated and in
the fre-room. The steamer and cargo are to-
tai losses.
BY TELBGRAPH
NORFOLK. July 20.-The flames were dis
covered issuing from the hatchway of the
boiler deck, aft. Immediately commenced a
most painful scene of excitement The pas
+trR, a. ttS n fNrlr n ldVa
called from their berths. So rapid was the
progress of the fire that they had no time to
dress and the ladies and children were run
ming about the deck screaming with terror.
The flames roaring through the hatchways
which were swept off, threa tening destruction
to all on board, and preventing the crew from
getting at the boats, which, indeed, were soon
burnt. For while all hope seemed TO be cut
of. Rats were constructed by the crew with
all possible haste One of them was taken
charge of by the pilot, who also took G.. Gra-
ham, q passenger, and four children of Mrs.
DietZ-one of them a baby. As soon as the
raft fioated off from the ship it capsiZed, and
all were struggling at the mercy of the waves.
The three children persisted.
Mr. Smack by great effort succeeded in
saving the baby and catchinga plank He was
afterwards discovered by the steamer Curtis
Peck floating away from the burning shi p
with the infant clasbed in his arms. He de-
clined assis lance, saying that the condition OF
others near at hand was far more perious.-
ue Ddoy cries were uedIu, anu "i. SluaCh
and the child were picked up one mile from
the ship.
Capt Teal and the two lady passengers af-
forwards got on raft constructed OF hatch
ways, leaving on board Mr. Cullum, chief
en gineer; Harris I'd engineer; the firemen and
other hands who commenced building a raft
of spurs, lumber, &c They were just landing
their RAFT when the Curtis Peck hove in sight
They tolled the bells of the burning ship until
the steamboat came up. The G. P.'s boats
were lowered, and LIST officer Clifford rescued
the two ladies, cham bermaid, captain and two
of the crew. They then went back and took
of Harris the I'd engineer, and the rest of the
crew.
spontaneous combns ton in a package in the
freight.
Capt. Teal and the officers behaved gall
lanuy.
night.