The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-04
The Burning of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Particnlars-.-Stateme OF fasseh.
ger...Wonderful Escapes.

The Burning of the Raieigh---Ihri'ilns
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF fassen.
ser...Wonderful Escapes.
The Charleston Courier has received the
following account of the late burning OF the
steamship Raleigh, off the coast OF South
Carolina:
Dr Jonathan Cass, a passenger, who ar
r;ya1 Thursday morning, states that Tues
dow about q quarter to 10 o'clock he was
,roino from the upper deck below, when he
met the purser's ,fe at the foot of the stairs
She informed him that the steamer was on
fire and asked for her husband. He told
her he had not seen Mr.. McManus On ar
irving on the lower deck he saw the flames
issuing from the rear of the engine, and the
captain and others making efforts to eXtln-
guish the fire. One of the tiremen told him
the fire was just aft of the boiler, and that
they could do nothing-not being able I"
get the donkey engine or the fire apparatus
in working order.
A general alarm was given, and the ire
spreading very rapidly, the forward part OF
the steamer was soon enveloped in Hames.-
the passengers and crew made great rush
aft, and commenced lowering the Doa's.-
Being unable to stop the engine, the "neeis
kept going, and the steamer In notion Inc
boats were lowered aft OF the wheels Could
not say how many boats were lowered, but
after gettingin one he saw two others anoaC'
CAPTAIN Marshman was very active, giving
his orders with great GOODNESS and decision.
The passengers, however, paid but little at
tention to him. lowering themselves 10y ropes
and by the sides of thesteam into the boats,
over-crowding and capsizing them. The sea
was very rough The Doctor fell into the
water and was picked UP by a boat then
containing about twenty-five persons. This
boat capsized over twenty times, but being
Il metallic lifc-boat, with air-tight depart
ments, she did not sink, even when she filed
with water. The occupants capsized her
themsel les several times, with the hope of
clearing her of water, elinging, at such times,
to her SIDES The men were so exhausted,
however, that they would get in without be
ing helped. Gradually one after another
fell eff and were lost, until only ten were
eft.
MANY Intellectual attempts were made to
right the boat, and dip out the water. AT
length those who wore life-preservers agreed
to keen off some distance, and accordingly
left an old sailor in the boat by himself,
who, by means OF piece OF wood, COM
menced bailing, and was successful IN
tightening her little. Another got IN. and
taking off his shoes, also assisted in bailing.
help of which the boat was entirely cleared,
when the rest of those around got in.
They had now drittcd quarter of q mile
from the steamer. 1t was then near sun
down. They had but one oar, but just be-
fore dark, in sailing around the wreck, they
came up with the purser's boat, from which
they took three men, and were given another
oar and row.locks. They then stcered west
ward In going near the wreck they saw |
- bo- q,>nt oLopt
and a number of sharks swimming around F.!
They also saw two RATS, on which there !
were number of men, but could not tell
how many. As they passed the burning
steamer they heard some one halling them.
bnt could not tell who it was, though it was
thought not to he the captains voice
The men, without either hats shoes, |
worked very cheerfully, each taking their |
turns at rowing. After rowing all Tuesday
night they made land on Kiawah island
On going ashore the boat was carried over
the beach and launched into Hawai- river. |
They got aground several times, and the
men had to foot it through the woods
About P NJ they came across house,
and were kindly received by the negroes,
who gave them water and some sweet pota-
toes, which partially relieved their hunger
One of the negroes offered to pilot them to
Charleston-an offer which they gladly &C
cepted. They made another halt on the
road after this at another house, where they
stayed and warmed themselves until 10
o'clock Wednesday night. About half-past
10 they started for Charleston, guided by ,
their negro pilot, and arrived here about
half-past Thursday morning.
They were all very kindly received at the
Mills House, where they took breakfast
One of their number poor italian, named
Garigarolo, unable to speak word of Eng
lish had four sons on board, who are all be-
lieved to have been drowned. They were
harpers, and were on their way to New Or
leans for the purpose of trying their fortunes
in that city. The last Dr. Cass saw of the
Captain he was still engaged in supplying
life preservers, chairs. ETC., to those in the
water.
At one time several vessels were reported
in sight, and many hoped to receive aid from
them, but none came near them.
Among others lost was John Brooks, first
engineer, who was last seen by Purser
McManus on one of the gratings of the YES
sci, and James zimmerman, second engineer.
they would /.