The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-03-27
Burning Of Clipper Ship Polynesia.

We end in the -7Ita of March 3ithe following par
ticulars Of the loss Of this vessel. The Poiynesta was
a hne clipper snip Of .0S4 tons register, built at
East Boston, and commanded by George L. Woods.
She brought from New York to this port q full and
valuable cargo. which had been discharged, and the
vessel was lying IN the stream abreast OF Market
street wharf, ready 10 sail yesterday morning for
Honolulu AMI HOngkong, whittier she was bound in
ballast The ship was 10 have sailed on Saturday,
but some of the crew having deserted, (~probably
with tine CsribOo feyer,) caused her detention These
deseriers were taken and put on board by the police.
Yesterday morning. at about half pas twelve
o'clock. the fire was discovered Issuing from the after
barchway. and the City Hall sounded the alarm for
the Third District. The matches we're Immediately
put on, leaving only sufficient opening for the hose
pipes, through which several large streams Of water
we're thrown upon the FIRE. This was done By Capt.
Woods, assisted by nifty men furnished from the T.
s. Ship 81. .HaTy's, and in about an hour, the flames
had entirely disappeared, and although the hold vas
entirely filed with smoke, the impression was gener-
al fb=t the fire was exting1ished. The portable
force pumps brought from the ST Mary's, as we'll az
the several pumps Of the ship were. however. still
kept uninterrupIe1ly At work. throwing q large VOL
ume Of water into the hold .--.
About fur O'Clock, the decks began to grow warm.
and IL Gecame evident that the ire, though stihed,
WAS still burning below. The steamer -iRHG, Capt.
TruEOrIhy. which had been hred up by a boats crew
from n man oEsar, now came alongside and made
fast to her. intending 10 tos her 10 the Oats, as It
now became evident that nothing but scuttling would
rave her. The tide. however, Was running so strong
that the steamer could not tow her, and as she was
surrounded by shipping, II was deemed unsafe 10
heaye up her anchor, for fear OF her drifting a-foul
Of other ships and setting them also on Ere, besides
doing them other damage by collision. An attempt
was now made to scuttle her, and "A hole was cut IN
her por; side through which about three feet Of water
was let into her hold. The Harbor Master, fearing
she mig ht sink in the channel, where she would be-
come a serious obstruction to the harbOr, ordered the
hole stopped. which was nearly thrown out OF water
by n list Of the ship to starboard, caused by the water
settling in her bold.
Her consignees and Mr.. Bacon. agent Of Under
writer's, we're promptly on hand and did everything
in their power to save her. Efforts were now made
TO ship her chain, il being daylight, and tow her clear
Of the shipping on to the fats. The pitch was boiling
from the seams. and the deck and top-gallant fore
castle Sere found 10 be too hot for the men TO stand
on, and although the q mes were not shooting out,
yet the deck vas so charred and partially burnt that
great danger existed of its falling through, particu-
larly If any strain was put upon II.
The steamer now went ahead, and il was intended
to have unShaekled the mooring chain just above the
waters edge, and thus have toxed her of. The
steamer shot her ahead. but the shackle pin had
been 20 bent "a TO render its removal impossible.
Just at this time the flames shot up almost instantly
and without warning from under the topga.lant fore
castle, and through the deck, driving about twenty
men over the bow, some Of whom hung by ropes IN
the air, aud narrowly escaped with their lives. As
soon As these men were rescued, il was found that
the flames had reached the hawser by which the
steamer held the ship, and shortly after this burned
OF. A new hawser was now got ont and
male fast TO the bObstays; and saws. files, chEsels,
anu sietigeS were sent Tor from shore To use In cutting
the chain by which the ship was held. The ship
was now in a light blaze, the mizzen and mainmasIs
having fallen Efforts were now made 10 cut the
chain by Charles Hare and others. which was finally
accom- plisbei after about one hour hard labor.
lust as this difficult task was accomplished, the FORE
mast went over the side with a terrible crash, and
narrowly missed swamping several boats that were
close 10 The ship when il fell.
The slip was now lowed up past the city front, one
roaring mass of fame. her masts and decx all gone,
and was run ashore at South Beach, where what is
left Of her now lies. The bay was covered with hum
dreds of small boats, and the various wharfs and mills
we're covered with people who crowded down TO wit
ness the unusual spectacle Of the burning ship.
The crew, who we're supposed to have set her on fire.
were placed in irons by Capt. Woods, and are now
in the Station House under arrest.
The Polynesia was consigned 10 Charles W. Brooks
* Co, and was owned by James Hunnewell, of
Boston, where she was probably insured. Her value
was about $50. 600. Twelve mail bags of United
States Mail matter for Honolulu and China were
Oders of assistance were kindly rendered
By the city fire department, but TO render their SER
vices available the ship would have had to be moorei,
which was found impossible to do. without greatly
eOpardizing other vessels. Every possible exertion
vas made from the commencement to save the ship,
but the efforts proved unavailing. The wreck will
be sold At auction this morning. at ten o'clock, when
Of the Flying Dragon are requested to
Re On hand.