The New York herald., 1870-08-09
FIRE AT SEA.

The Burning Of tho Ship Levunfer at Sea-
Report Of Captain Hcwes-The Ship Three
Days on Fire-Kescuo Of tho Grew by tho
French Fishing Bark Marie Clementine.
We published few days ago telegram announc-
ing the loss Of the American ship Levanter by fire,
and the rescue Of the oficers and crew by fishing
bark. We give below the report Of the disaster as
furnished by Captain Alfred Howes, the master Of
the iLfated VESSEL
had moderate winds from s. w. to n. w. down the
Channel. Thursday Juno 80, sea time ten O'Clock
from Which we tooS our dsparsgre .'is lad es
breezes from N. N 4. to N W. TO lat. 4s 1s NJ Ion.
1s 81 W., fiom whence zee we W y, had strong variable
heavy westerly gales and o fearful sea; The ship
laboring heavily and shipping much wateri split
upper foresail and maintopnlast staysan. July 10
we had tremendous gales from w. n. w. and fear
full sea- all sail ured except lower topsais and FORE
topmast staysatl Had light variable winds to lat.
Sunday July a. l145 ?. NJ. light breeze from
ported the ship to be on re called ali hands mme-
dately and took on the matches and endeavored to
ascertain the location, cause and extent OF the fire.
ways. which rendered it Impossible for any one to
remain In OF over the hatchways for the space OF
ing end drawing water and pouring 1t down all the
hatchways as fast as possible and continued to do
so up to eight O'Clock A. NJ the 10Th OF July, when
we found the re Increasing SO fast that we deemed
1t compulsory to put on and batten down all the
hatches to stop the ventilation and Keep the fire
from bursting ont into names. there being upwards
Of 400 barrels Of oil slowed between decks, which
we found 10 be leaking badly down upon the 1re,
then commenced TO bore holes In the deck about six
feet apart and turned water down said holes keep.
inS water into them to prevent ventialion.p p''
We kept the ships head towards the southwark
Where on the preceding day we had seen several
thick fog We saw no vessels until four r. NJ, when
the fog cleared up little, we saw vessel ahead;
fog soon smut down thick and we lost sight Of her.
At i've P. NJ. the fre had Increased SO that 1t was
impossible for any one to enter the cabin forecase
increasing breezes and rain. At six p. M. we wore
ships head towardsthe northwest keeping the ship
near possible to where we had seen the vessels
At anchor, furled all Light sails and kept all hands
ct work turning water down the holes in the deck
all through the night, Tuesday. 2sIh.
At daylight the fire seemed to be still increasing,
the smoke bursting out through the seams in the
bow and side pats and the pitch melting IN the
and some very sick from the effects OF the smoke
while endeavoring to put out the fire. It now ap-
the ship and that she would soon burst out in
flames. Cleared away the boats and got them over.
boSrd, and got little provisions and water and
small portion Of our clothing into them. At nine
O'Clock A. NJ. the fog cleared q little and we saw
two barks lying at anchor on the eastsoutheast
proceeded to get the port chain on deck and bent t
and got the anchor or the bow. The chief officer
chain locker to bend on the end of the chain: and
most of the officers and crew were greatly anected
with heat and smoke while hauling up the chain.
At ten O'Clock we anchored about two miles north
west from one Of the barks the ships decks being
then SO hot, and the smoke bursting out through
every seam, that 1t seemed as if she was on the
point Of breaking out into names tho captain.
second officer and four men then got into OF the
boats and proceeded on board OF the bark. whicn
proved to bo the French fishing bark Marie Clemen.
tine, Of Fecampt, Captain Duval.
we continued TO pour water down the holes In the
decks until TWO O'Clock p. NJ, 21th sea time, when
the captain returned TO the ship also boat from the
bark. At halfpast two Pm. the Are suddenly hurst
ont OF all the hachwsys ana we all barely succeeded
In gettiug into tie boats and In few moments the
ship was one sheet OF name We remained by her
until tue masts were burnt and fell over the side,
pankshecr, and at eight p M. we all got on board
Of the bark 1t being then fog with slight breeze
SAW e ne 5 Of the ae1s
miles to leeward but sci In foggy ard We lost sight
Of her. At ten O'Clock Captain buyal got his vessel
ward bound -Ar,sric2a fishermen, and at noon we
boarded The schooner s. J. Ham,in Captain Hamlin,
who, though not ready 10 sail for some days kindly
consented 20 take all The oicers on board seven In
number, and proceea homAward, which he promptly
did as :?on a. we transferred small portion OF our
| rCl0thinG on board his vcgSel. ts --f
Woras OF ours cannot irnpart the feelings OF
sincere gratitude we entertain Tor the French cap:
ha vessel 1t ls xorthy OF en- abler pen than ours to
disclose the snd attentions, hospllable and gensrs
Gus sE!er!a:.ment and countless isyors shown ~ 6y
shan ever cherish with gra.eful hearts tho memory
o. :hat sft!.ui mariner, unassumtng gentleman and
humane beneao;Or. who, With E!s brave crew. gave
up as!r berths choicest food and all .her soaroes
ci comfort to our disposal And we all JOIN IN avail.
sincere thanks to Captain uamlln land his crew for
| their klrdnaes and hospitality.
The Le-aDter was 7n2 tons, built at Newcastle,
] Me-, 10 1854 and was owned BY Nr. I. H. smith, o.
Boston. She loaded at London 10 Messrs. Thhyer y
iinco,n's line Of packets T9e following 70 COPY o.
| slgDeesi-2s hOgsleads beer J. d. Richards b Son
$50 barrels mcrchandse, 2. and F. King Cc.t 1so
pieces boxwcoi, s. A. Holt 4 Cot u CASKS beer,
Hayesj do. emery, @. II. Gray a Danforth LOG
casks bottled beer, case merchan1se H. A!k,ni a.
rags. e2 tons old iron % Caeks pars wlta % casks