Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-05-03

FORT MONROE, Va, May 1.-The following addi-
tiona particulars have been obtained in relation to
the steamer Washington Irving, which left Norfolk
yesterday afternoon under such mysterious circum-
stances, creating intense excitement she passed
out Of the harbor by dSregardng three heavy shots
fred ut her from sand battery on the beach, and
repeated halls and volleys of musketry from pur-
suing steamer:
It appears that she was seized at Norfolk several
days ago by the United States Marshal in cause of
contract with the United States Government and
also libeed by other parties for debts incurred in
that city During yesterday the Government claim
amounting to eleven hundred dollars, was paid by
her owners and shortly afterwards she was cut loose
from her moorings and started down the river A
telegram to this effect was sent TO Major General
Miles. commanding the district. who issued insrue-
tons for steamer TO start in pursuit she
appeared in sight.
The pursuing steamer failed TO intercept her and
she proceeded to sea, having been fred at three
times from the fort and received several volleys of
musketTy. Towards evening n guard of men was
placed on board the quarantine steamer Eliza Han
cox at Cape Henry and she started in pursuit of the
Washington Irving and overlook her about nine
miles east of Smiths Island. The guard boarded her,
sought interview with the Captain, and endea-
vored TO persuade him to return, but met with an
emphatic refusal, the plea that his steamer was
the high seas and beyond the jurisdiction of the
civil authorities of Virginia. Captain Shues of the
Hancox, having no instructions in regard to the affair."
undecided how to act, but taking the part of dis
TO await further Instructions, leaving the Irving
drifting about at sea in charge of the guard of
Sergeant and two detailed from the 9Th United
States Artillery misunderstanding evidently ex-
lists in regard to the whole affair, and is attributed
by many persons to lnJudlciousness on the part of
the military authorities in so hastily acting upon the
inform alton of n mere telegram from sheriff of
police in Norfolk.
The further instructions were not given the Eliza
Hanco1 this morning and presumed her station on
the quarantine grounds. One man was wounded on
board of the Washington Irving. and her captain,
| clearance from the Norfolk Custom House. The
| Washington Irving did not make her appearance in
the harbor to-day, as was confidently expected and
the presumption now that she proceeded northHard
with the intention of reaching either Philadelphia
New York. The whole transaction naturally created
great deal OF excitement here, and many specula-
tons rife as to the sequel of the proceedings.
The fact that the Government claim on the steamer
adjusted. and the United States Marshal having
released her before sire started away from Norfolk
has occasioned doubt In tho minds of those most
conversant with the details of the occurrence as to
the propriety of firing her she passed out of the
l harbor.
| STOCKING ACcIDENT-A Man on Fire.-An acci-
dent of terrible character occurred in the basement
| of premises No. 4S2 Eighth avenue. on Saturday
night. The police and the passers-by were apprsed
\ of the disaster by the appearance OF burning man
rushing through the street and screaming at the top
Of his voice The night quite dark and the spec
tacle was of most appalling character. They were
suddenly astonished and alarmed at first by what ap-
psared to be n column of fire about fifteen feet in
height bursting from the basement of the tenement
mentioned, and rushing down the street at fearful
| speed, accompanied by the most appalling screams
which appeared to issue from the very bosom of the
| burning shaft. The bowling man Of flame sped down
the street like an of death, for nearly an en-
tre block swaying to and fro, and finally falling to
flaming Column was burning man, whose ciothe:
had taken ire froEa the explosion of kerosene lamp
oceasoned @ by careleesIess, in the basement OF No
helch) was cared for but it is not expected that he
can recover. Two others, the proprietor and man
". !. cypress.
| The M1sroRETnHs OF CHIcAGo.-Work on the
lake tunnel at Chicago has been delayed by an accu
mutation of gas. An unuBually large amount re-
Gently collected and exploded the flames extending
| plosion several of the miners were knocked down
i and others slightly burned BY the flames,