The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-12-27
BUHN1sa OF THE srrA,rsHtp RA-

BURNINa OF THE STEAMSHIP RA-
hEIaH-GREAT Loss OF LFE.-The
Charleston Ne,cs states that, on Sa-
turday last, the fine side-wheel steam
ship Raleigh, commanded by Captain
G. P. Marshman, left New York
harbor for New Orleans. The vessel
was staunch one, and commanded
by an experienced seaman. Her liv-
ing freight consisted of the officers
and crew, numbering thirty nine, and
twenty passengers, three of whom
were ladies, making in all fifty-nine
persons. About midday on Tuesday,
when the Raleigh was about twenty
miles Southeast of the Charleston
light-ship, the passengers and crew
were awakened by the cry of fire. 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 for
ward end of the boiler, there was II
panic amongst the passengers. The
ship was at once put before the wind
TO throw the fire forward. Life pre-
servers were distributed, and the
boats were held in readiness. Cap
tain Marshman himself superintend-
ing and directing every step that was
taken. The flames spread with
amazing rapidity, and within five
minutes time of the first appearance
of the flames, they had extended
themselves from the forward hatch
to the smoking saloon. There was
no hope of saving the ship; there
was some hope of saving life. Then,
was the order given to lower the boats.
Two or three were successfully lower
ed, but one of them was upset, and the
following persons believed to have
been lost: Henry Pelvin, steward; T.
Collopy, third steward; James Pen
field, waiter; Thos. Brannan, pantry
man; Martin, a boy, waiter; William
Welsh, boy, passenger, eof New Or
leans; Joshua Silvernail, coal passer;
D. Lovelle, fireman, and two others.
One of the boats, which was both
large and sea-worthy, has not yet
been heard from; but, rs she was in
charge of good seaman, it is hoped
that she will prove to be safe. This
boat is known to have eight persons
aboard. The others were rescued by
passing vessel. Nearly thirty
persons from tho burnt vessel re-
main to be accounted for, but it is
thought some of them will be saved.
Captain G. p. Marshman, the COM
mander of the Raleigh, is well known
in Charleston, and was for some
time master of the steamship Key
stone State, running between Charles
ton and Philadelphia. When last
seen, he was near the wheel l-house Of
the Raleigh, apparently attending to
the wants of some of those who were
still on the vessel. Captain Marsh
man will, it is earnestly hoped, be
saved; but, whatever his fate, it may
be said of him that, like IL /. he sailor,
he stuck to his ship to the last.
The Raleigh belonged to the At
lantic Coast Mail Steamship Line,
and was S6S tons burthen. She was
in every way staunch and worthy
vessel.
The cause of the fire is unknown,
but it is supposed that it originated
in the over-heating of the boiler, and
the consequent ignition of the wood
en- bulk-heads. The Raleigh had
aboard a moderate freight of general
merchandise.
A lady named Bryant, from Mo-
bile, about fifty years of age, fell
overheard during the rush for the
boats. She had on n life-preserver,
which would have kept her aAoat,
but around her waist she had belted
large sum in specie, and this addi-
tional weight carried the unfortunate
woman like lead to the bottom.
Those who were saved lost their
baggage.
DR.. Joseph Cross, the ex-Methodist