The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-01-01
Rithmoitd 1ispatth,
Observation-Disclosures l, 1865
The Burning OF the R"ieiSh-Thri'i'
ing Particulars - S1 n
,,sseugcr-Wondcrful Escapes.

,,c. Particulars - Sta&eIfcbt Oh u
p.Sseuxcr-Wondcrful Escapes.
r,c Charleston Courier has received the
e,,inuinc account of the late burning Of
,Sn steamship Raleigh, Of the coast Of
South Carolina:
Dr. Jonathan Cass, a passenger, who
,r-;yed Thursday morning, states that on
Tncsdav about a quarter to II o'clock he
WAS going from the upper deck below,
rbcn he met the purser's wife at the foot
- the stairs. She informed him that the
s,aamcr was on fire, and asked for her bus
,,,a. He told her he had not seen Mr..
vrWanus. On arriving on the lower deck
Ir saw the flames issuing from the rear OF
the engine, and the captain and Others
waL;nr efforts to cXtinguish the fire. One
# ,Dc frcmcn told him the fire was Just
AT Of the boiler, and that they could do
,o,h;pr-not being able 10 get the donkey
engine or the fire apparatus IN working
order.
4 general alarm was given, and the fire
Spreading very rapidly, the WI part OF
.ic steamer was soon enveloped in flames.
The Passengers and crew made q great rush
81 and commenced lowering the boats.
BEING unable to stop the engine, the wheels
TENT going. and the steamer in motion.
Thr boats were lowered aft Of the wheels.
Corld not say how many boats were low
c~ed, but after getting in one he saw two
others afoat. Captain Marshman was very
so,iyc. giving his orders with great cool
~r>> and decision. The passengers, how
over paid but little attention to him, low
cr;rt themselves by ropes and by the sides
# the steamer into the boats, ovcr-crowd-
ing sut cap>izing them. The sea was very
-oicn. The Doctor fell into the water and
WAS picked up by a boat then containing
a.out twenty-five persons. This boat cap
SEED over twenty times, but being a me-
,2!lic liie.boat, with air-tight apartments,
she did not sink, even when she filled with
water. The occupants capSizcd her them
selves several times, with the hope of
clearing her of water, clinging, at such
times, TO her sides. The men were so ex-
lau,,cd, however, that they would get in
without being able to wait. Gradually
one after another fell off and were lost,
unit! only ten were left.
Many Intellectual attempts were made to
right the boat and dip ont the water. At
length those who wore lite-preservers
agreed 10 keep OFF some distance, and ac-
cordipglv left an old sailor in the boat by
himself, who, by means Of q piece of wood,
commenced haiiing, and was successful in
tightening her a little. Another got in,
and taking oil 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
around got in.
They had now drifted a quarter of a mile
from the steamer. 1t was then near SUD-
down. 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 stccrcd westward. In going near the
wreck they saw various parts Of the steamer
toating about, and a number If sharks
swimming around. They also saw two
,aits, GA which there were a number Of
men, but could not tell how many. As they
passed the burning steamer they heard
>onc one mailing them, but could not tell
who il vas, though IL was thought not 10
be the captains voice.
The men. without either hats or shoes,
worked very chcerfully, each taking their
taru, al rowing. After rowing all Tues
. day night they made land on kla wah
4 island. On going ashore'the boat was car
RED over the beach and launched into
Z HAWAI- river. They got aground several
/ times, and the Inn had TO foot it through
I tic woods. About 8 2. NJ. they came
acro,, 4 house, aud were kindly received
I by th" negroes, who gave them water and
some sweet potatoes, which partially re-
1 .lcyrd their hunger. One OF the negroes
I offered TO- pilot them to Charleston-an
/ offer which they gladly accepted. They
/ made another halt on the road after this
1 at another house, where they stayed and
warmed themselves until 10 o'clock We'd
! LcSday night. About half-past 10 they
] started for Charleston, guided by their ne
& gro pilot, and arrived here about haif-past
\ Thursday morning.
They were all very kindly received at
/ tie Mills House, Where they took break
last. Que ii their number, q poor Italian,
rtnlcd Garigardo, unable to speak a word
Of English, had four sons on board, who
/ are all believed to have been drowned.
4 They were harpcrs, and were on their way
10 New Orleans for tie purpose Of trying
their fortunes in that city. The last DR..
CASS saw OF the capttin he was still en-
gagged in supplying lift-preservers, chairs,
ETC., 10 those III the waer.
~ one time Severa vessels we're re-
ported III sight, and manE hoped to receive
AID from them, but none came near them.
Among others lost was John Brooks, first
engineer. who was last seen by PurSer
AcNanua ON one Of the gratings Of the
vessel, and James zimmerman, second en-
s.lccr.