The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-01-10
THE STEAMBOAT RALEIGH DIsAS-
TER.
A Fearful Scene-Great Loss of Life

On Saturday last the fine side wheel
steamship Ea'eiOh, commanded h Capt.
Z. t. Marshnan. left pier No. Sc, North
River, New York harb.r, for New Orleans
The vessel was staunch one, and com
mandcd by an experienced seamen so that
size had a good passenger list and fair
cargo. Herliving freight consisted Of the
Officers and Crew, numbering thirtynine,
and twenty passengers, three OF whom
were ladies', making in all fifty nine per-
sons.
No incident of any moment occurred on
Saturday or Monday, but, at ahout mid
day on Tuesday, when the Raleigh was
about twenty miles southeast Of the Char
lesion lightship, the passengers and crew
were awakened from their faucied security,
and the cry arose that the ship was on
fire.
\ stiff breeze was blowing from the north
AID when the alarm was given, and it was
made known that fire had broken out
around the forward end Of the boiler, there
was Il panic among the passengers. Men
and women ran hurriedy TO fro, shriching
for delivercnce and crying to heaven for
aid. This did not last long Capt. Marsh
man, a man Of great GOODNESS, soon restor-
ed order and the ship was at once put
/ \ or was any measure neglected that looked
to the safety of those aboard. life preServ-
ers were distributed, and the boats were
held in readiness, Capt. Marshman super
Intending and directing every step that was
taken
But the fire fend was not to be cheated
OF his prey. The flames spread with amaz-
/ ing rapidity, and within five minutes time
OF the grst appearance of the flames they
had extended themselves from the forward
batch to the smoking saloon. Again a
fearful excitement seized upon the passen
gers and now is could not quelled, even
fby the thorough self possession and tired
skill Of the captain. There was no hope
OF saving every life Then was the order
given to lower 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 apparatus, some pre-
cious moments were lost. Finally the boat
was lowered, and ten persons got safely in.
Only moderate sea was running and there
was q chance for the lives OF these ten per-
sons but the rapid motion of the vessel
and the swelling waves upset the boat in an
Instant, and the whole of its inmates were
thrown headong into the sea. The per
/ sons who were in the boat are supposed to
be last, although nothing certain Is known
as to their fate.
Boat No. was then taking in charge by
Purser McllannS, who succeeded in lower
ing her safely. 1t was however, a dang
crous and difficult task, and, owing TO the
ship Roadway, it was only accomplished
at u great and terrible risk In this boat
there was thirteen persons, but, as there
was some danger of the boat swapping,
three of them were transferred to another
boat as soon as it was fallen in with. The
ten persons left in boat No. ! have arrived
in safety at this port.
Boat No. =, In charge of c. ". Bartlett
chief officer of the Ralci9h, was lowered
successfully, and with eight persons aboaid
put of from the flaming wreck. This boat
which, with boat No. | was making for this
port, tell in with the brig Tangent on
Monday evening, and its crew and pa sscn
gers were at once taken aboard. These
eight passengers were brought in yesterday
morning from the brig Tangent ~ the tug
ChrjSttaHu, Captain Sly. This tug also
brought III the ten persons who We're i'll
boat No. /, which she picked MP at sea at
an eaaly hour on Tues lay morning.
Boat No. 4, which was both large and
sea worthy, Las lot yet been heard from !;
but as she was in charge OF good seaman. it
IS hoped that she WI! prove TO lac safe.
This boat Is known to have eight persons
aboard.
In boat No 4, Which 2apsized, there were
The following ten persons, vino are supposed
10 be lost: Henry re.viu, chief steward.
Thomas Coliopy, third steward James
Penfed, waiter; Thomas Brannau. pantry
man, Martin, a boy, waiter; William
" eish, boy, passenger, Of New Orleans I:
Joshua Sliycrnail, coal passer d. Aoyclle,
fireman, and two others
4 The following person are known to have
been aboard boat No. 3, which has not set
been heard of Patricd Harrington, fire.
man; john LaiklnS, fireman; Eugene Ellis.
captain boy; q. p. Marshnlae, Jr, son OF
the captain aud acting Quartermaster, and
tour steerage passengers, names not
known.
Allowing ten persons to boat No. |. eight
to boat No. ,. eight to boat No. 3, and ten
to boat No. 4, as already mentioned, nearly
20 persons remained to be accounted for.
Some OF these probably fell overheard in
their hurry to reach the boats and were
drowned Others chung to such light arti-
cies as were floating about and may have
been saved. In this way Mr.. Bartlett, tie
chief officer, aud Dir Gorden Dung. the
second officer, made their escape They
got on a hatchWay aud remained there IN,
I'll picked up. -Four persons were seen up
on raft, aud boat was making toward,
them, which may have taken them off
Capt G. p Alarshman, tho commander
of the Raleigh, is well known in Chares-
ton, and was for some time master OF the
steamship Keystone State, running be
tween this port and Philadelphia lie had
been ship master for over 20 years.
When last seen Captain Marshu.an was
near the wheel house of the Raieigh appar-
emily attending the wants of some of
those who were still ON the vessel The
Raleigh had in all, six boats of the best
+. description, and it is hoped that one or
more Of those left uncovered mag have been
able to reach the land.
The Raleigh belonged to the Atlantic
Coast Mail Steamship line, was built at
Greenpoint, l.. L., in 1865, aud was SSS
tons burthen. She was in every way a
staGnch and sea worthy vessel. 1t is not
known wether she sunk or not, but one of
the boats reports that the reflection of the
flames was seen until about ii clock on