Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-08-08
MARINE CATASTROPHE.
BUNRING AND TOTAL LOSS OF THE
STEAMER GLASGOW AT SEA.
The Passengers and Crew all Saved.-FLn and
Graphie Account.

] dfdphie Account
The New York Tribune gives the followin
f graphic account of the burning of the steame
D Glasgow -
, The British steamship Glasgow, Of the Inma
, line left New-York at o'clock on the mornin
! Of SUNDAY, July 80, for Liverpool, with ful
Q freight OF cotton, cheese, &C., and some 25I
, persons on board, including the seamen. Ever,
r thing seemed to go well, with fine and cheering
sky above, and a sea without scarcely ripple
until about 10 O'Clock of the morning Of the 8 lst
when the cry was sounded of 80 man overheard,
which was mistaken by many Of the passengers
below for an alarm Of FIRE.
For few moments the CONSERVATION was
great until the cause was generally known,
when quiet again regned. A boat was lowered
after slight accident, ocoasioned by the breaking
OF Que of the boat-hooks, which nearly caused
the second officers life, through the sudden
letting down into the sea of the after-end of the
boat Had it been filled with passengers, many
would doubtless have been lost. The man was,
however, lost. He came on board in a state Of
delerium tremens, and was confined in straight
jacket by the Surgeon, and thus confined, be
rolled himself overheard, and being unable to
help himself, was drowned.
This excitement had not much more than
comfortably subsidized when about o'clock the
alarm Of fire was sounded. All hands Of course
rushed on deck, but as the fire was in the fore
part OF the vessel all the second class passengers
rushed aft, and for few minutes the widest
excitement prevailed. A general rush was made
for the ratings in front Of the small boats.
Orders were given by the captain and officers
that no persons should get into the boats without
permission, and that the first man who attempted
to force his way into boat before all the
women and children had been taken of, would
be shot
In this order all the gentlemen in the first
cabin most eheerfully acquiesced, and manifested
disposition to aid in its execution. IL was
however, after only a few minutes, when
vessel was discovered at the distance Of some
eight miles, the Glasgow was at once put under
full head Of steam, and her course directed
toward the sailing vessel, and minute guns we're
hred also signal flags we're hosted, which, being
interpreted, read, al am on fire."
Soon the sailor changed her course and made
for u.s. Hope at once took the place Of despair,
many crying out "Thank God We will be
saved" In the meantime the captain ordered
the boats to be lowered into the sea, with the
main view, l presume, Of preventing the
passengers from rushing into them, and all were
lowered save one that was in command Of q
common sailor or steward, instead Of the boat
swain who should have been in charge, but who
had his ribs broken by fall shortly after the
fire commenced. This boat instead Of being
lowered empty into the water, was ordered TO
be first filled with ladies. Some few were
placed therein and were nearly thrown into the
sea by the partial cspSizing Of the boat, when
the order was countermanded and the ladies
taken out.
The boat was then lowered, empty, about s
o'clock. The sailing vessel was laying to under
our stern about half q mile distant, when Capt.
Manning ordered the accommodation ladder to
be lowered, and the work Of transferring the
passengers commenced.
The first boat was allied with women and
children; the second boat took the remaining
women and children and a few males, and ther
followed in regular order the remaining passsn.
sorg.
Our friend proved to be the American bark
Rosamond, Capt. F. S. Wallis, Of and for New
York, loaded with GOALS from Cow Bay. Capt
Wallis proved himself noble specimen of an
American gentleman Kindness charity and
sympathy seemed to beam from every part Of his
face. He received US with outstretched arms,
and bid us welcome to all he had on board.
We are also obliged to his officers, as we'll as a
gentleman passenger on board. After the
passengers were all safely on board the Rosamond
the work of transferring the baggage commenced,
after which the sailors were brought on board I;
the gallant and kind Capt. Manning remaining
by his steamer until about 10 o'clock at night,
seeming unwilling to leave her until she had
sank beneath the deep bosom Of the ocean, aud
only did consent to seek shelter on board the
kosamond after the GlasgoW's hull was not only
oil on fire, but the woodwork all burned out.
Capt. Manning, with his first and second
officers, having arrived on board, the Rosamond
was gotten u1der way, and the wind being favor
able, she was headed directly on her course for
York. The scene on board the Rosamond,
after sunset, was truly grand, and terrific,
sheets of flame and curling smoke issuing from
the whole length Of the Glasgow, and running
up the tarred ropes to the tops Of the mssts,
which gave way, one by one, and fell into the
mighty deep. When the hull was fully on FIRE
the blaze and light could be seen through the
numerous PORTFOLIOS looking like some demoniac
monster with many mouths, belching forth fire
and smoke.
When this general confagration was going on
many eyes on board the RosamoDd were bathed
in tears Of thankfulness to God that they had
been so mercifully rescued from the devouring
flames that seemed to have no mercy or pity,
but was consuming all on its way, though be it
said to the disgrace Of humanity that some were
scarcely on board the Rosamond when they were
heard cursing and swearing in the most frightful
manner.
was informed by an officer that one man on
board the Glasgow who was ordered to carry
water to put out the FIRE, declared that he would
not, unless some person would guarantee to pay
him.
The entire process Of transferring the passen-
gers was performed in most admirable and
orderly manner, which reflects the highest credit
upon the coolness and sound judgment Of Capt
Manning and his officers.
On beard the Rosamond all was done that
could be done for the accommodation of the
passengers Of the Glasgow. Some few were
placed in the cabin, and the balance slept and
eat on deck Fortunately for oil, the weather
was fine aud the ocean almost as smooth as
mill pond, had il been otherwise other results
might have followed,
The Rosamond was hecalmed and somewhat
short of water. When the steamer Erin came
in sight on the morning of August I'd, just at
daybreak, it was deemed prudent to make q
second transfer Of the GlasgoW's passengers to
the latter vessel, which was done in q regular
and most orderly manner, the ocean being very
smooth and calm. We were received on board
the Erin in the kiudest manner, and though she
had a large number Of passengers yet room was
soon found for all the new comersi and thus
rescued and kindly provided for we reached
New-York
In regard to the cause Of the FIRE there exists
several opinions. Some cotton bales were slowed
away in the same part Of the vessel occupied by
the steerage passengers, and it has been said
that one of them had lit his pipe and threw the
lighted match among the cotton, and thus set
the vessel on fire. Others conjecture that the
cotton below decks heated, and thus spontaneous
combustion took place. CAREFUL examination,
however, would doubtless bring out the facts.
For "a hours after we left the burning Glasgow
she had not gone down, as smoke could be seen
rising from the hull.
Ii seems that the FIRE was observed by the
officers of the Erin on tho evening of the LIST.
They directed their way to the spot, aud finding
only the burning hull, presumed We were all
aAoat in the small boats hence it is said nearly
ali the eleven hundred passengers Of the Erin,
with her officers and crew, kept anxious watch
",t-f.ht 60, sr.a1l hoa4a on the ocean Whan