The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1868-01-09
Burning Of the Raleigh.
IArialing Particulars s ..afement Of a
g 1 Passenger. S

Il :
Passenger.
The Charleston Courier has fccsiv-
led Aefo1fcwing interesting and thrill
ling particulars Of the late burning Of
the steamship Ea.eigh, oiT The coas. Of
South Carolina:
DR. Jonhataan C.,ss, a passenger
who arrived Thursday morning, states
that on Taesday.ahnI. quarter to Il
;o'clctn heswas going fro,. the upper
deck Loiow, wlien.tttt ne net the pnra'rs
wife at the foot of the stairs. She ia
formed him that the steamer was ON
fire, and asked for her husband. He
told her he hail not seen, NJ, Nc Man
Ius.. On arriving at the lower deck he
saw the flames issuing from the rear
Oh. the engine, and the Captain and
others making efforts to dxtingn.sh
the fire. Ono of the fircmerAtold him
tire fire was just att of tire b6iier, and
that they could do nothing nd being
able to get the donkey engine Or fire
|apparatusin working order. A gem
erai alarm was given, and the fire
spreading very rapidly, the forward
part of the steamer was soon envel>
opcd il flames. The passengers and
crew made a great rush aft, and com
menced lowering the boats. Being
unable to stop tho engine, the wheels.
Kept going. aud the steamer in mo-
| ton. The boats were lowered aft Of
the wheels. Could not say how mary
boats were lowered, bu, after getting
I in one he saw two others afoat. Capt.
Marshn.an was very active giving his
orders with great GOODNESS and deci-
sion. The passengers, however, paid
bit little attention to him, lowering
themselves by ropes and by the sides
Of the steamer 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 capsizcd over twenty tines,
but being metallic lifc-boat, with
air-tight apartments, she did not
sink, even when she filed with water
Tie occupants capsized her them
selves several times, with the hope OF
clearing her Of water, clinging at
such times to her sides. Tho men
we're so exhausted, however that
they would get il without teing able
70 wait. Gradually one after sDoth-
er fell off and were lost until only
ten were left. Many Intellectual at
tcmpts were made TO right the boat
and dip ont the water. At length
those who wore life-pre servers
agreed to keep OF some distance,
land nccordir gly left an old Sailor IN
THE boat by himself, which, BY means
lcf il piece of wood, commenced BAIL
ling, and was successful in tightening
iher a little. Another got in, and,
taking off his shoes, also assisted in
haiiiDg. The doctor then took off his
boots, by the help Of which the boat
was entirely cleared, when the rest
Iof THOSE, around got in. They had
tnow drifted a quarter Of . mile from
the steamer. IT was then near sun
down. They had but one oar, but
f.lnst before dark, in sailing around
tine wreck tnes' scaT,v .et, ~a,s,-@ssss
Ipnrsurs bout, from which they took
three men, and given another oar
land row lacks. They then steered
westward. liz going near the wreck
they saw various parts Of the steam
er floating about, and y number Of
sharks swimming around. They also
lsaw two rafts,. on which there were
number Of men. brt could not tell
how many. As they passed the bur-
nng steamer they heard some
one hailing them, but could nor
Itch who it was, though it
was thought not to be the Captains
voice. The men. without either hats
or shoes, worked very checrfully,
each taking their turns at rowing
After rowing till Tuesday night they
made land on Kiawah island. On
going ashore the boat was carried
over the bccchanJ launchetlinto Kia-
wah River. They got q ground sew
Ieral times, and the men had to foot it
Through the woods. About 8 j.. m.
/ they came across a house. and were
kindly received by the Negro es, who
|gave them water and some sweet po-
tatoes. which partially relivcd their
hunger. One Of the negroes offered
to pilot them to Charleston-an Of
fer which they gladly accepted
/ They made, another halt on the road
after this at another house, where
they staid and warmed themselves
Euntil 10 o'clock Wednesday night
About half past 10 they started for
Charleston, guided by their negro pi-
Hot, and arrived here about half past
Is Thursday morning. They were all
very kindly received at tho Mills
Honse, where they took Breakfast
One Of their nnmber---a poor italian,
named Garsgard unable to speak a
word of English, Ind four sons on
board, who are all believed to have
been drowned. They we're l,arpists,
and were on Their way to New Or
leans for he purpose Of trying their
fortunes in that city. The last Dir.
Cass saw Of the Captain he was still
engaged in supplying life-perservers,
chairs, &c, to those in The water
At one time several vessels were re-
ported in sight, and many hoped 10
receive aid from them; but none came
near them. Among others lost was
John Brooks. first engineer, who was
| last seen by pnrser MeManns an nno