Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-01-10
The Bu'ning of the RalefSh-ThriIiing
EtIcuiars-Statement of Passenger -
Wonderful Escapes,

FIscNpes.
| The Charleston Courier has received the
| following account OF the late burning ot
the steamship Raleigh, off the coast OF
South Carolina
D.. Jonathan Cass, a passenger, who ar
rived Thursday morning, states that on
Tuesday, about quarter to II ocOck, he
was going from the upper deck below,
when he met the purser's wife at the foot
of the stairs. She informed him that the
steamer was on fire, and asked for her hus,
band. He told her he had not seen Mr.
McManus. On arriving on the lower deck
he saw the flames issuing from the rear oi
the engine, and the captain and others
making efforts to extinguish the fire. One
of the firemen told him the fire was Just
aft Of the boiler, and that they could dc
nOthing-Dot beng able to get the donkey
engine or the fire apparatus in working
order.
A general alarm was given, and the fire
spreading very rapidly, the forward part OF
the steamer was soon enveloped in flames.
The passengers and crew made great rush
aft, and commenced lowering the boats
Being unable to stop the engine the wheels
kept going and the steamer in motion.
The boats were lowered aft of the wheels.
Could not say how many boats were low
cred, but after getting into one he saw two
others atioat. Captain Marshman was very
active, giving his orders with great cool
ness and decision. The passengers, how
ever, paid but little attention to him, low
ering themselves by ropes and by the sides
Of the steamer into the boats, over crowd
ing and capsizing them. The sea was very
rough. The Doctor fell into the water and
was picked up by boat then containing
about twenty five persons. This boat cap
sized over twenty times, but being me-
talic hfe-boat, with air-tight apartments,
she did not sink, even when she filed with
water. The occupants capsized her them
selves several times, with the hope of clear
ing her Of water, clinging, at such times,
to her sides. The men were so exhausted
however, that they would get in without
being able to wait. Gradually one after
another fell off and were lost, until only
ten were left.
Many Intellectual attempts were made to
right the boat and dip out the water. At
length those who wore ~preservers agreed
to keep Off some distance, and accordingly
left an old sailor in the boat by himself,
who, by means of a 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. The Doctor then took off his
boots ; by the help of which the boat was
entirely cleared, when the rest of those
aground got In.
They had now drifted a quarter of q
mile from the steamer. It was then near
sundown. They had but one oar, but
just before 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 steered westward.-
In going near the wreck they saw various
parts of the steamer floating about, and a
number Of sharks swimming around. They
also saw two RATS. on which there were
number of men, but could not tell how
many. AS they passed the burning steam
er they heard some one hailingsthem, but
could not tell who it was, though it was
thought not to be the captain s voice.
The men, without either hats or shoes,
worked very cheerfully, each taking their
turns at rowing. After rowing all Tues
day night, they made land on Kiawah
island. On going ashore the boat was car
ried over the beach and launched into
Kiawah river. They got aground several
times, and the men had to foot it through
the woods. About 3 p. M. they came
across house, and were kindly received
by the negroes, who gave them water and
SOu1C S"CSC pOCdLOCS, NulCu re-
lieved their hunger. One of the negroes
offered 10 pilot them to Charleston-an
offer which they gladly accepted. They
made another halt on the road after this
at another house, where they stayed and
warmed themselves until 10 o'clock We'd
ncsday night About half past 10 they
started for Charleston, guided by their
negro pilot, and arrived here about half
past Thursday morning.
They we're all very kindly received at the
Mills House, where they took breakfast.
One of their number, poor italian, named
Gari gardO, unable to speak word of
English, had four sons on board, who
are believed to have been drowned
They We're harpers, and were on their way
to New Orleans for the purpose of trying
their fortunes in that city. The last DR..
Cass saw of the captain he was still enga-
ged ii supplying life preseryers, chairs,
etc , to those in the water.
At one time several vessels were report
ed in sight, and many hoped to receive aid
from them, but none came near them.
Among the lost was John Brooks, first
engineer, who was last seen by Purser Nc
Manus on one of the gratings of the vessel,
! and James zimmerman, second engineer.
Dolly Davenport, having read over fifty
obituary notices of himself, cut out from
Northern newspapers and forwarded to New
Orleans, has come to the conclusion that he
must be really dead, and now signs himself
accordingly, "Yours, truly, A. FL. Daven
port, deceased
A lady walked from Athens to Schnec
tady, 43 miles in II hours the other day
Her name was Stanton, which perhaps ha(
something to do with it.
Mr.. Chesbrough, the engineer of the
Chicago Lake Tunnel, has received Christ
mas present of S11, 900 in water bonds from
the city.