The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-10-28
The Burning OF the rhcodoYc u.
Wagner.


We extract from the New York
-Herald, of Wednesday, the following
IN relation to the burning of the
steamer Theodore D. Wagner, from
Boston to Charleston
The brig Velocity arrived on Mon
day evening at the Atlantic Docks,
Brooklyn, having on board Il large
number OF the rescued passengers
and nearly all the crew OF the steam
ship Theodore d. Wagner. of the
Boston and Charleston line. which
was burned at sea last Saturday,
about seventy five miles of Cape
Henry, while on her voyage to
Charleston
The Wagner left Boston last Thurs
day, having on board a valuable cargo
consisting chiefly of boots and shoes
and other articles Of wear for the
Southern trade. She had also on
board twenty-six passengers, about
sixteen or eighteen of whom were
women. She proceeded on her
voyage without any accident occur
Ing until Saturday, when, in latitude
38 10 North, and longitude 73. so
West, it was discovered that fire
had broken out in the engine room,
enveloping the whole place soon
after in flames. Every means were
tried to stay or suppress the progress
OF the flames, but to no purpose.
The decks We're cut up, wet blankets
thrown on the burning portions of
the ship; the crew worked with all
their might and main; the passengers
helped them cheerfully and willingly;
the ladies acted heroicallv. some Of
them working the pumps for no less
II space of time than an hour -and-a-
half without ceasing; still, all to no
avail, as the flames got too great a
hold Of the ship to be easily quenched
or put down. The captain acted very
bravely and gallantly, giving his or
ders with the greatest steadiness and
dellberation, working as vigorously
as any Of the crew, and was the last
to leave the ill-fated vessel. The fire
at one time abated considerably. and
many thought it was completely ex-
tinguished, but it broke out again
with terrific fury, taking possession
OF every portion of the ship and con-
suming everything before it, leaving
no chance or hope whatever OF say
ing any of the property of either the
owners or the passengers. When all
hope had gone, the captain gave Or
ders to abandon the Wagner. The
small boats We're then lowered, and
the passengers and crew all safely
landed in them. They steered for
the brig and schooner which were in
sight, scarcely three-quarters of
mile away, and in which they We're
most Hospitality received and treated
In the kindest possible manner.
The Velocity, bound for this port,
is the brig which picked up the great
er number of the passengers, and
took every possible care of them on
their way back to this city. Beds
were fixed up for the women, and
every comfort that the size of the
vessel would allow was extended to
them. The boats Of the Velocity also
assisted in transferring the passengers
to the small boats of the Wagner,
then took from the latter, for the
voyage, a good supply Of provisions,
and having received all on board, pro
ceeded on her way.
ne names OF the passengers who
arrived in this city on Monday, on
lsard the Velocity, are: Mrs. Muir
ray, Misses Murray, two Mrs. Mar
bic, Mrs. Burton, Misses Chase. two. J
Captain Babson, Chief Engineer
Wyman, Third Assistant Engineer
John Mckay and other officers, the
steward and assistants, two colored
women and two colored men, and q
lady whose name was not ascertained,
but who is said to be the wife of the
Colonel of the Third New Hamp-
shire Regiment
On the arrival of the Velocity at
Brooklyn, the captain of the Wagner
Immediately waited on the agents of
the company. in Wall street, who
gave him funds sufficient to return to
the passengers their passage money,
which, when offered, the greater num-
Der of them refused to receive, be-
cause, in the receipt, they were
required to completely exonerate the
company from any claims for loss of
baggage, &c. which might be brought