The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-04-23
BURNED At SEA.
A Terrible risht on the Oceas-Aii Hands
Frustrated By LishtninE-A Gallant Hcs-
cue By n Brave Seaman.

A Terrible risht on the Ooeas-Aii Hands
Frustrated By Lishtnins-A Gallant Res-
cue By n Brave Seaman.
The brig Omega, Capt Peter Kerr. from Glen
fucgos, which arrived here yesterday, brought TO
this port Capt Charles owen and his wife, and the
crew OF the ship Thomas Freeman, which was
burned at sea on Tuesday last From Capt. Owens
report 1t appears that his ship left New Orleans on
Tuesday, April 8, for Cronstadt and had light and
variable winds until Monday last, which opened
with very squally weather and strong gales from
the southeast At $50 p. NJ, the wind changed aud
denly TO the northwest, and the squali came over
with great violence.
While the crew were engaged shortening sail at
415 p NJ bright fash Of lightning struck the ship,
and every person on board was prostrated. As soon
as the shock passed of the mssts were examined,
and all found TO be standing, and the ship by all ap
pearances safe. Soon nfter smoke was discovered
issuing from the pump we'll. Upon removing the
pump-well scuttle II was found that tho ship was
full OF smoke and apparently on IRE fore and an.
The closest inspection failed IN reveal IN those
board the place where the lightning had entered.
Upon sounding the pumps Capt. owen satisfied him
self that the ship was making no water. From all
the matches the black smoke rolled up In dense
volumes, rendering the blaekness Of the night more
Intense, and nearly sufrocating the crew.
In order TO prevent the air from reaching the
ships hold, wet sails were thrown over the chain
..-.,- $50 ..v.s put lVr'n Fun NV
vessel Into the land on the 0uii c0ast.
AT 10 o'clock the decks began TO heat and the lead
In the scuppers the port side TO melt, the pitch
running at the same time from the seams on deck.
All hope OF saving the slip was now abandoned, and
the boats got In readiness with the necessary pro.
visions 10 leave her TO her fate.
At daybreak on Tuesday morning the gale was
still raging with high sen, yet no FIRE had vet
made It's appearance. At o'clock tile storm abated
somewhat, though every moment II was expected
the FIRE would burst through the deck At this time
sail was discovered 10 the southwest The smoul-
dering ship then displayed signals OF distress, which
the strange craft answered In the storm by promptly
bearing down upon her. She proved 10 be the
Omegn, bound TO New York. Her comminder
Capt, Kerr, signalled that he would stand by aud
afford all the assistance In lis power. The mate Of
the Thomas Freeman was then sent In charge OF
one OF the boats with the Captains wife one daugh-
ter to the brig. The rough, and It was very
dnfcut getting alongside.
Az f1:s0 A. NJ. the FIRE hurst through the deck on
the port side At 1880 =. NJ. all hands len in the
long boat saving nothing but few provisions,
chron onometers and some clothes. As the brig could
not take more than the two quarter boats board,
tie LONG boat was let 20 adrih.
AT $50 p. NJ. the ship wns entirely enveloped In
flames, tho mizzen mast eoon after went overheard,
and at p. NJ. she went down. In leaving the burn
ing ship the discovery was made that the lqhtning
penetrated the port side OF the ship, cutting hole
nearly two feet square near the bends under the
main rigging.