The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-26
THE MELITA DISASTER.

Particulars Of the Burning at Sea OF the
Steamship Melita-Rescue Of the Passenger
and Crew-Sfatement Of Passenger.
rev days since we published q brief account OF
the burning OF the steamship Meita, Captain James
sumner of Liverpool, the 9Th inst, while on the
passage from Boston to that port. BY the ship Jacob
A. stamler, Captain George Sampson, which arrived
here yesterday thrty-nine days from Havre, having
on board the captain, second and third officers sur
geon chief and second assistant engineers steward
and nityour OF the passengers of the Inflated vessel
we nave lul particulars OF the disaster and full as
surance OF the safety of all who were involved.
THE FIRST ALARM.
Tne steamship Melta left the port OF Boston on
August ~ under fair auspices as ever vessel went
10 sea, with an aggregate OF l0s souls on board.
without forethought OF disaster or prescence OF
Ill rate In the minds Of crew or passengers, she pro-
ceeded ON her voyage, and at two O'Clock ON the
morning OF the 6th instant had reached latitude 4s
deg. "a min. north, longitude 20 deg. 20 min west.
At this time and while boutng steadily aloof over
the great waste Of water stretching to the horizon
on every side, o large part Of the crew and
most OF the passengers being wrapped in
undisturbed slumber, the cry OF "Fireln-tnat Cry
which alone and under such circumstances
has power to pale the cheek OF the stanch
ana otherwise fearless seaman, and interrupt the
cool ,selfpossession OF his dauntless mind with
tilnid imagnings-broke with startling dstinctness
ON the morning air, breaking the slumber OF all
board and waking to terror and alright passengers
ana crew alike. An examination OF the cause OF
this alarm proved the vessel to be on fire forward
and no time was lost by the captain and chief officers
In making preparation for conflict with this insidi-
Gus enemy. The fire pumps were manned the steam
hose stretched forward, lines formed and every
available means put IN requisition Tor passing water.
III was light for life. Between those on board and
q nameless grave in the fathomess deep alone ex-
listed the fra vessel thus threatened with destruc-
ton, and under this stimulus the men
hang by the thread OF their successful
OF the crew; but as the day bore on in spite OF their
brave deU0tr. the IRE gained Roadway, aud daylight
broke upon doomed vessel and Illuminated the
spectacle or desperate vainly struggling against
q terrible fate menacng them beyond all hope OF
escape. Notwithstanding the apparent heplessness
ton the fight was bravely maintained through the
first hours OF the newborn day; every glance being
ION on either side In the anxious hope OF deserving
some friendly sail, drawn to their relief by the
column OF smoke which bore testimony for miles OF
their desperate strait AS may naturally be supposed,
the greatest alarm and CONSERVATION prevailed
among the female passengers and children, and
cries and shrieks Of agony mingled with the crack
ling OF the fierce danes, increasing the general dis
tress.
SAIL, HOi
At about half-past eight O'Clock sail hove sight.
At its rst appearance The joy exhibited by stru-
CLING unfortunaes was beyond description, but was
soon changed to terrible dread, and faces blauched
again at the thought that perhaps no notice would be
taken OF their situation. This fear however, dis
too strong for demonstrave utterance took posses
sion OF all when it became apparent that they had
been perceived ana that the sail bearing down
on them. The vessel proved to be the American ship
jacob A. Stamler, Captain George Sampson, from
Havre bound to New York, and in response to a
signal from Captain Sumner lay to Tor their relief.
All hope OF saving the Melita had long since been
gwen up but to stay the progress OF the flames until
such time a. the passengers-mostly women and
children-and crew could be got or called
| for every eXertion No time was had to save any
thing; indeed, the passengers being with one excep
al hon all
but boats being speedily got out from both vessels
| the work OF transferring the women and children
commenced, the male passengers and crew follow
ing the officers abandoning the burning vessel in
| the last extremity Twenty hours were occupied In
this work, and al four O'Clock A. NJ. September O,
both vessels having drified somewhat in latitude
/ 40 deg. min north longitude 20 deg 30 min. west
| course by the glare of the burning steamer. now
completely wrapped in flames, which folded her in
| a fierce embrace as though triumphing in savage
! Plee having won undisturbed possession Of their
| prey. The next morning she had entirely dis
appeared.
The addition Of one hundred and eight persons TO
| the number OF those on board the ship Stamer,
without provisions, caused great distress The pas
sengers saved from the Melta mad nothing but what
they wore and were IN most wretched plight, pre-
| sentng ptable appearance. Crowded together az
they necessarily were the ship this was NOT the
| greatest subject OF concern. The supplies OF the
vessel being insufficient Tor such number of mouths
10 make some other disposition OF at all events q
portion of them, and Captain Sampson accordingly
| and prompt signals to be exhibited when any ap-
peared IN sight IN order that he might put portion
OF those he had saved on board.
| DISCLOSING SAVED.
The first vessel that appeared was the British bark
Monequart, OF Prince Edwards Island, bound for
Liverpool, which hove in sight about halfpast three
O'Clock In the afternoon OF that day. on being
spoken the Captain agreed to take fifteen OF The
ocer and sixteen OF the Of the Melita
on board being an excess OF two over the number he
had agreed TO take ON the morning Of the stu the
snip kurrachee, OF and for Greenock, was spoken
and visited by Captain Sumner, VINO, after consider
BILE persuasion induced her captain take thirteen
OF his Captain Summers, crew who were accord
ingiy sent aboard. little later the Prussian brig
Auguste, Captain Block, from ST. John. n. b. bound
to Newry, was spoken. Captain Block expressed
his perfect willingness TO take all on board he could
but his vessel being email only seanen ana !
nine passengers were sent to him.
FRIENDLY SHOWER.
There were still on board The ship sixty-two OF
those whom she had rescued from the burning
steamer, which extraordinary addition 10 the mum
her or those for whom the vessel victualled on
leaving port caused considerable anxiety, especially
in the item OF water. heavy shower OF rain, how
ever, which fell few days afterwards, anu IN which
speei, removed thai source Of d,sonieIe and no
further concern feat that they could reach New
York without much suffering, which done as he
fore STAYED.
REcREANT SAILOR.
In not often sailor abandons his brother sailor
in distress and while examples OF heroic seli sacrl.
fee the part Of one toer Of the for others In
difficulty and danger can be cited beyond number,
instances OF recreancy or Indifference to others
calamtes Of very rare occurrence. The
present disaster has however furnished one. II ap-
pears that while ~, the crew Of the steamer were
son OF the Stamler spoke bark whose name
he did not learn that answered she from Water
passed between the ship and the steamer vet when
asked To take portion Of the rescued on board
she passed on without making any response.
STATEMENT or ROBERT CHISA, A PASSENGER
About midnight on saturday alarm OF fire was
raised; Inc pssse a were all asleep Some got
manned below as directed by the officers, and kept