The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-26

Raleigh, commanded by Captain c. P. Marshman,
left Pier No. SO, North River, New York harbor,
for New Orleans. The vessel was a staunch one,
and commanded by an experienced seaman, so
that she had a good passenger list and fair cargo.
Her living freight consisted OF the officers and
crew, numbering thirty-nine, and twenty passen-
gers, three of whom were ladies', making i'll all hf-
ty-nine persons.
AS the Raleigh steamed down the harbor there
was no thought of danger. No one cared to re-
member that between them and eternity there was
nothing but q few inches of wood, and that a hery
monster Law in the hold, who, though ir1ned o
to the service of man, might at any time assert Its
mastery and avenge in an hour the constraint and
bondage Of years.
Nc incident of any moment occurred on Saturday
or Monday, but at about midday OH Tuesday,
when the Raleigh was about twenty miles south
east of the Charleston light ship, the passengers
and crew we're awakened from their fancied Sc
curly, and the cry arose that the ship was on fire.
A FIRE AT SEA.
A stiff breeze was blowing from the north, and
when the alarm was given, and it was made known
| that fire had broken out around the forward end
of the boiler, there was a panic amongst the pas
| sengers. Men and women ran hurriedly to and
fro shrieking for deliverance and crying to Heaven
| for aid. This did not last long. Captain Marsh
| man, a man of great GOODNESS, soon restored order'
and the ship was at once put before the WIND 10
throw the fire forward. Nor was any measure
| neglected that looked to the safety of those aboard.
Life preservers were distributed, and the boats
we're held in readiness. Captain Marshman him.
| ..IP c,,oo,;otoDI;no opl 1iractiDq aynry stem that
| was taken.
But the fire fieud was not to be cheated OF HIS
prev. The flames spread with amazing rapldlty,
and within five minutes time OF the first appear
! ance of the flames they had extended themselves
from the forward hatch to the smoking saloon.
Again a fearful excitement seized upon the pas
sengers; and now it could not be quelled even by
the thorough self-possession and tried Skill OF the
Captain. There was no hope of saving the ship ;
there was some hope of saving every life. Then,
was the order given to lower the boats.
DOWN WITH THE BOATS.
The first boat lowered was the ships boat No. 4.
A German was the first man that jumped In, but
as he did not understand the patent lowering ap-
paratus some precious moments were lost. FINALLY
the boat was lowered, and ten persons got safely
in. Only a moderate sea was running and there
was a chance for the Ives Of these ten persons !;
but the rapid motion of the vessel, and the swell
ling waves upset the boat in an instant, and the
whole of its inmates were thrown headlong into
the sea. The persons who were in this boat are
supposed to be lost, although nothing certain is
known as to their fate. .
Boat No. l was then taken in charge by Purser
McMannus, who succeeded in loweringlher safely.
1t was, however, a dangerous and difficult task,
and, owing to the ships Roadway, it was only &C
complished at great and terrible risk. In this
boat there were thirteen persons, but as there was
some danger Of the boat swapping, three of the
number were transferred to another boat as soon
as it was fallen in with. The ten persons left In
boat No. 1 have arrived in safety at this port.
Boat No. 2, in charge of C. w. Bartlett, chief Off
Ger Of. the Raleigh, was lowered successfully, and,
with eight persons aboard, put off from the flaming
wreck. This boat which, with boat No. 1, was
making for this port, fell in with the brig Tangent
on Monday evening, and its crew and passengers
were at once taken aboard. These eight persons
were brought in yesterday morning from the brig
Tangent by the tug Christiana, Captain Sly. This
tug also brought in the ten persons who were in
boat No. 1, which she picked up at sea at an early
hou. on Tuesday morning.
Boat No. 8, which was both large and sea-worthy,
has not vet been heard from; but, as she was in
charge Of a good seaman, it is hoped that she will
prove 70 be safe. This boat is known to have
eight persons aboard.
BELIEVED TO BE LOST.
In boat No. 4, which capsized, there were the
following ten persons, who are supposed to be
lost Henry Pelvin, chief steward; Thomas Col
Iopy, third steward; James Penfeld, waiter;
Thomas Brannan, pantry man,; Martin, u boy,
waiter; William Welsh, boy. passenger, of New
Orleans; Joshua Silvernail, coal passer; d. Lovelle,
fireman, and two others.
SAVED IN BOAT NO. l.
The ten persons who were left in boat No. l,
and who have arrived here safely, are named as
follows
Purser Thomas McManus and wife.
D. B. Rice, chief engineer.
John Smith, seaman.
Thos. Heating, baker.
James Crowley, third cook.
John Mcdonald, seaman.
Margaret Murthen, stewardess.
Captain N. R. Mills, Captain New York Police.
Chas. Whittron, passenger.
SAVED IN BOAT NO. 2.
The following eight persons who were in boat
No. 2 have arrived here
C. W. Bartlett, chief officer.
Gordon Young, second officer.
Chas. Smith, quartermaster.
Michael Gibbney, messman.
Thos. P. Brown, fireman.
E. Rabbars, steerage passenger.
j. Short, steerage passenger.
Francis Mehal, steerage passenger.
NO TIDINGs OF BOAT NO. 3.
The following persons are known to have been
aboard boat No. 8, which has not yet been heard
of:
Patrick Harrington, fireman.
John Larkins, fireman.
Eugene Ellis, captains boy.
C. ?. Morsbman, Jr., son of the Captain and
acting ouartermaster. and four steerage passen-
gers, names not known.
STILL MISSING.
Allowing ten persons to boat No. l, eight to boat
No. 2, eight to boat No. 3, and ten to boat No. a, as
already mentioned, nearly twenty persons remain
to be accounted for. Some of these probably fell
overheard in their hurry to reach the boats and
we're drowned. Others chung to such light articles
as we're floating about and may have been save.
In this way Mr.. Bartlett the chief officer, and Mi.
Gordon Young the second officer, made their es-
cape. They got on a hatchway, and remained
there until picked up. Four persons were seen
upon a raft, and a boat was making towards them,
which may have taken them of.
THE CAPTAIN.
n4-.- N nTo.oL,.oo t1a oon,n,.ndar Of fba
Raleigh, is we'll known in Charleston, and was for
cor,o t;roa pnoc{or oF tho steamshin KevatOne