New-York tribune., 1870-04-23
FIRE AT SEA.

FIRE AT SEA.
THE SHIP THOMAS FREEMAN IN A sT0RM-sHE IS
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AND BURNED-CAP-
TAIN, CREW, AND PASSENGERS SAVED.
By the arrival at this port yesterday of the
brig Omega Of Sydney, C. b. Capt Kerr from Cienfue-
gos having board Capt. Charles Owen his wife, and
daughter and the Of the ship Thomas Freeman the
following particulars Of the loss of that vessel by fire are
obtained:
Can't Owen reports that he sailed from NewOrleans In
the Thomas Freeman Thursday April s, crossed the
bar at Southwest Pass the 9th at a. u, ana pro-
ceeded to sea had light and variable winds up TO Mon
day. April 1s, which commenced with strong gales ron'
g. s. E. and squaly weather, steering N ElO to IL miles
per hour at m furled gallant sails, and double
reefed the topsas fore and aft weather dark and threat
ening I'm the west frled mainsa spanker, upper fore
and mizzen topsals and hauled up the foresa at S3o
D. m. the wind changed suddenly to W. N. W.. and the
squail with great violence; at 4l5 p m the
ship struck by Lightning, which prostrated all on
board.
As soon as the shock passed of, found the masts al
standing and the ship by appearances all safe but We
found smoke coming up from the pump-wel; took
off the pumpwell scutte and found the ship full OF
smoke, and apparently fire fore and aft; wind W.
hauled the ship to N N. W., to get II possible to the
north Of the Gulf and to the land; at p m moderate
and clear found the ship fire fore and aft but on ex
animation could find no place where the lightning mad
entered sounded the pumps and found the ship free OF
water fastened down chain lockers and hove sails over
to keep the from the hold keeping the sans wet with
water; endeavored at the same time to get the ship to
land and made all sail to N. N. W., wind w.. at 10 p m,
wind hauled to w. N W., with strong gale and heavy
squalls doubereefed the topsas and fured mansail;
soon found the decks began to heat and the lead in the
scuppers the port side very hot at midnight ship on
fire at all parts, pitch frying out Of the seams on deck,
and smoke around and found that means could be
the ship got all the boats ready with neces
sary provisions and water, and made propositions TO
leave the ship.
At2 a. M, 18th, hove the manyard to the mast and
hung the long and other boats in the tackles ex-
pectng every moment the fire would burst through the
deck at daylight, M, had violent gales with blSh
sea from N. N W.; at a. m. wind somewhat abatsd
but still strong gale and high sea- at $3.50 discovered
sail to the 6. w. steering to N n E.. set the ensign,
union down. at the ga and at the mainmast head; at
the brig alongside and proved to be the Omega
(of Sydney, c. b.. Capt Kerr from Cenfuegos bound to
New-York told hin situation and he offered US all
the assistance in his power lowered the starboard quar-
terboa and sent the mate with four men with the cap
tan's wife and daughter to the brig; put out the long,
boat and sent her with sman quantity OF stores for the
crew rough and difficult to get alongside of the brig
at 1890 fire burst through the deck on the port side aba
the main rigging made arrangements to save our lVes
and leave the ship she being enveloped in fire and smoke
the lightning having gone through the side of the ship
on the port side the middle Of the wales or bends
under the main rigging, making hole apparently two
feet square.
At 1870 D. IN all hands board the brig, saving moth
ing but few provisions chronometers and part OF our
clothes; rough could only take on board the brig
our two quarter boats as captain Of the brig did not
think possible hoist in the long boat we let her go
adrf at ship entirely enyeloped In mass OF hanes
fore and aft at p. nj. the mizzenmast went by the
board; soon after the foremast and manmast fell, and
the ship burning rapidly; at the ship disappeared,
and thus ends the melancholy fate Of the ship Thomas
Freeman.
Capt owen in behalf OF his family, officers, and crew,
returns his thanks to Capt Peter Kerr Of the brig
Omega for his care skill, and seamanship in rescung
hem from the burning ship; also for his kindness and
olteness while board his vessel, and till all were
landed in NewYork.
REPORT OF CAPT. LAIRD OF THE DAcIAN.
The Anchor Line steamer Dacian, Capt Laird II days
from Gibraltar cargo OF fruit, arrived yesterday,
and reports that Wednesday, Goth nst at aD0uts p
m. a vessel was sighted which seemed to be ON fire. All
sail taken in the Dacan and the course was al
tered and tho steamship bore down for the burning
ship At % the engines stopped, 1t being unsafe
to 20 the flames. Capt. Laird hailed the craft,
and feeling that no one could live on board
with such fierce fire raging, and thinking
some persons might be clnging to wreckstnf or be
in boats the other side he ordered one OF his boats
lowered and and sent her to examine the wreck
The wind was very light at the time and the sea
comparatively easy, and the boat pulled completely
around the vessel but not living thing was to be seen
on board The vessel lay stern to the wind and the fire
had burned nearly to the waters edge except forward
and aft.
The position Of the burning vessel latitude 80 =
north longitude roo 1y west about 900 miles south
east OF Sandy Hook, and 265 miles east northeast OF
Hateras and about In the center Of the Gulf Stream
The Dacian boat did not return until after H. and 1t
was not until after midnight the Dacian left the burning
wreck.
There can be scarcely doubt that the ship fire re-
ported by the Dacan the Thomas Freeman and not
the steamship Cleopatra, suggested, before the
arrival Of Capt. owen yesterday.