The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-26
FIRE AT SEA.
Particulars OF the Burning OF the Steam.
ship Melitn-Reacue of the Grew.

Particulars OF the Burning of the Steam.
ship Melita-tescue of the Crew.
The N. Y. Herald Of this morning recounts the
following:
few days since we published brief account
of the burning OF the Steamship Melita, Captain
James Sumner, of Liverpool, On the 9th inst,
while ON the passage from Boston to that port.
BY the ship Jacob A. Samler, CAPTAIN George
Sampson, which arrived here yesterday, thirty.
nine days iIom Havre, having on board the
cautain, second and bird officers, surgeon, chief
and second assistant engineers, steward, and
ftytour OF the passengers OF the Ill lated vessel,
we have full particulars OF the disaster and full
The steamship NelIta left the port Of Boston.
ON August ~, under as fair auspices as ever
vessel went 10 sea. with an aggregate OF l08
souls on board. Without toretnought of disaster
pass engers, she proceeded on her voyage, and at
two O'Clock on the morning Of the 9th instant
had reached latitude 4S deg. 81 mIn north,
longitude 20 deg. 70 min. west. At this time,
and while bouting steadily along over the great
waste OF water stretching to the horizon on
every side, large part OF the creT and most Of
the passengers being wrapped in unds-
turbed slumber, the CRY of "Fire!" was
raised.
The fire gained headvay, and daylight broke
upon a doomed vessel and illuminated the spec.
tacle OF desperate men vainly struggling against
terrible fate menaciDg them beyond all hope of
escape. notwithstanding the apparent helpless
ness of battling against what seemed inevitable
destruction, the fight was bravely maintained
every glance being anxlously, ever and anon,
turned towards the horizon ON either side in the
anxious hope OF descry ing some friendly sail,
drawn to their relief by the column OF smoke
Which bore testimony for miles of their despe-
rate strait AS may naturally be supposed, the
gre atest alarm and CONSERVATION prevailed
among the female passengers aud children, and
cries and shrieks OF agony mingled with the
cracking OF the fierce flames, increasing the
general distress.
At about half-psst eight O'Clock sail hove in
sight. At its first appearance the joy exhibited
by the struggling uniortunates was beyond de-
scripuon, but was soon changed to a terrible
dread, and faces blaDcned again at the thought
that perhaps no Lotice would be taken of their
situation. This fear, however, was dissipated,
and feeling OF thanktulness and gratitude
too strong for demonstrative utteraDce
took possession Of all when 1t became
apparent that they had been perceived
and that the sail was bearing down on them.
The " ssel proved TO be the American ship Jacob
A. STAINED, Captain George Sampson, from
Hayre, bound to New York, aud In response to
signal from Captain Sumner Law to for their
relief. All hope of saving the Melita had long
since been given up; but to stay the progress OF
the flames until such time as the passengers
mostly women and chi'dren-and crew could
be got off called for every exertion. No time
was had TO save anything; indeed, the passen-
gers, being with one exception in the steerage,
had before this lost their all; bat boats being
speedily got out from both vessels the work
of transferring the women and children
commenced, the male passengers and crew fol-
low pg the officers b lndt the burning vessel
In the last extremity. Twenty hours were oc.
cupied in this work, and at o'clock A. M. on
September 6, both vessels drfted some what in
latitude 40 deg. min. north, longitude 2S deg.
80 min. west, the Stamler got under way again,
lighted on her course by the glare OF the burn
ing steamer now completely wrapped in flames,
which folded her in derce embrace as though
triumI hing in savage glee, having won unds-
turoed possession of their prey. The next
morning she had entirely disappeared.