New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-12-28


gentleman found everything very much
heated, the scabin suffocating, and the crew
ready to take to the boats as the last resort.
The fire was raging in the lower tween
decks.
Having tried her main pumps he discov-
cred that the water in the tanks, which
contained over ten thousand gallons, was
almost boiling hot enough said the
captain yesterday. " to boil an egg. Cap
tain Lachere readily surruised that the ship
must be full of fire, and considering it I'M
safe to remain much longer on board gener-
ously invited Captain Wyman and his crew
to the Charles. Thinking perhaps that
there was yet time to get something on the
floating cauldron Captain Wyman inquired
whether he should bring some provisions,
but Captain Lachere, deeming 1t dangerous
to open any doors before leaving the ship,
declined the offer, and taking only few
ever. Meanwhile, a crew Of the Charles,
consisting of Randolph Schultz, second
mate; Edward Bepaurl, William Jasper
and Cornelius Glow, seamen, put forth In
yawl to the rescue of those of their breth-
rem on the A. Il. Wyman.
There was very heavy swell at the time,
and the terribly suffocating heat from the
vessel rendered the experiment exceedingly
difficult. Having examined everything,
pared to leave the ship. But the last scene
was frightful to behold.
The ship lay rocking on the deep, envel-
Oped in q huge cloud Of smoke, and every
instant q c0nhagratiOn was anticipated. The
entire crew of fourteen men having been
taken of, Captain Wyman went forward
and, in presence of Captain Lachsre and
three Of his men, opened the main hatch.
Out belched the flames, with a roar, as if
exulting in freedom, and the work of con-
hagratiOn was begun.
It was now rush for life, and hurrying
down the sides of the ill-starred ship. the
last batch of human beings on board cleared
her with rapid strokes. 1t was well they
did 80. The bales of cotton. partly released,
burned with terrible rapidity. +
The smoke had full vent, and in about ten
minutes after the last boat left the A. b.
Wyman the fire had extended to every por
ton Of her. The cracking Of the burning
timbers. the fury and noise of the conflagra-
ton and the splashing of spars in the water,
as they tumbled down in quick succession,
are stated to have been something terrible.
The two vessels were not more than a
couple of cables length apart and just so
soon as the rescued party scrambled on
board the Charles, that gallant ship squared
away to the westward, the wind being
about southwest, and the distance from New
York about nine hundred miles. 1t was,
perhaps, one of the happiest voyages ever
made by some of them, for if ever there
was a hairbreadth escape whose terrOrs may
be recalled with wonder, this was one Of
them.
Captain Wyman and his crew returned
their grateful thanks to Captain Lachere,
and most worthily did he deserve them.
Indeed, it is a pleasure to think that a
grand, fraternal, pbilanthropic feeling still,
and will ever exist throughout the world,
and nowhere has it been more cOurageOusly
demonstrated than OH the rolling pillows of
the ocean. The Charles arrived here yes
the captain and crew of the A. b. Wyman
safely on shore. Captain Wyman, having
made arrangements with men, proceeded
with the first and second mates to Boston,
to which city the ship belonged. She was
about 8l3 tons register, and was built in
1866 by EnOch Bonner, and at the time of
the disaster had ON board 200 bales of cot
ton, bound for Liverpool from Savannah,
which latter place she cleared November q,
and enjoyed fine weather until within few
days Of the burning.
Whether it was the lightning actually
caused the cOnfagratiOn need not be ques-
toned, but it has been known, in many in
stances where those employed to load ships
grease the bales in order to make them tit
more compactly, that spontaneous combus-
ton is not improbable, consequent upon the
action Of the oil upon the cotton. At the
conclusion of his narrative yesterday
Captain Lachere strongly advocated the use
of conductors.
''No vessel" said he, "should go to sea
without one. But it is not the captains
fault, since owners sometimes do not care to
60 to the expense. In fact, would not
insure any ship that has not conductor,
not only for the sake of the ship and cargo.
but on account of the many lives which the
absence of one endangers."