The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-04-21
Terrible Cntnstruphs al Sea.


The General Lyon" q screw
steamer which had formerly been
used as Il blockade-runner, sailed for
Fortress Monroe on the morning of
w ednesday last, with nearly six hun
dred persons on board, including the
crew. Her passengers consisted Of
discharged and paroled soldiers, es-
capped prisoners and refugees, among
whom were about thirty women and
twenty-five small children. AT ten
o'clock on Friday morning she was
off Cape Hatteras, the wind having
increased to Il hurricane, and the sea
running very high. 1t is believed
that the vessel was about sixty miles
from land when an alarm of fire was
given, and in few minutes aiterward
the flames broke ont at the rear Of the
pilot house and nearly in the center
of the vessel. Several of the crew
were in the rigging, and there were
very few persons OIL deck at the time,
many Of the passengers being con,
fined to their bcrths by sickness,
The first mate, James Gibbs, and
the other officers IF the vessel imme-
diately got the fire pumps to work,
with which and tie requisite quantity
of hose, the vesse. was well provided
But the flames steadily gained head
way, and although the pumps were
worked with unainching perse> erance
the fire soon spread over the center
portion of the deck, driving the crew
And those who were assisting them to
the stern and bow Of the vessel. The
matches had been closed in conse-
quence of the decks being so con
stantly under water, but those below,
alarmed by the smoke which was
spreading through the cabin, rushed
on deck only to he drivenback by the
flames. The frightful chries of the
women and children, and their pite
Gus suppllcations for help were
drowned by the roaring OF the storm.
Several Of the parole t soldiers were
sick and confined to their borths.-
Some of them managed to crawl on
deck, and clung there until washed
overheard by the waves. In about
half an hour after tie fire broke out,
the engines, partially stopped, and
the vessel Immediately swung around
with her broadqide 10 the wind, the
flames then spreading across the
deck.
1t had now became quite evident
that the ship could moi be saved
The first officer acted with great
courage, and only abandoned the YES
sci when all hopes of saving her were
gone. The fire pumps wele still kept
Mt work, and the flames were fought
back with great determination -
Many of those below were doubtless
already sutrocated. The shrieks aud
means of the dying came up to those
on deck, but they could do nothing
to help them. Just at this time a
steamer, which proved to be the
United States transport Gen. Seiwick,
Capt. Starkcy, and small schooner,
hove in sight. But neither of them
could render any assistance, owing
to the violence of the storm, and tho
fact that the burning steamer had
drifted in toward the breakers.
The flames were now spreading
with fearful rapidity. The boats were
launched, although there appeared tc
be little hope of their living in such {
sea. Into the first boat the mer
lowered themselves, including th'
Captain of the General Lyon, 1t il
affirmed by several of those who es
capped that the Captain had lost al
control of himself, and was evidentl,
crazed with fear.
Hardly had this boat been loosec
from the vessels side than she drifteC
under the stern, was struck by tn
screw, and almost instantly wen
ldewA- Esh Lewis, q private in tn