The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-02-24
EVENTFUL VOYAGE.
A Ship on Fire for Days-She is Run
Ashore Near Cape Horn, Where
Her Captain Puts out the Flames
Saves the Vessel and Dis

Her Captain Puts out the Flames
Saves the Vessel and Dis
covers Bay.
| From the New York Mercury.
Captain Rice. of the ship River Boyne
at Liverpool, tells the following story
of his recent remarkable cruise. The
vessel was coal laden, and when within
150 n1iles of Cape Horn the cargo was
discovered In flames : Seeing we could
do nothing to fight the tie, [ resolved
to run for smooth water anchorage, SO
squared away for False Cape Horn, which
we rounded next day, and came to an
Choir in q snug little bay, compl etely
land locked. We anchored in six faith
oms, stiff, sandy bottom. The smoke
by this time WAS coming out strong from
under the caps of the fore and main
masts. From the time We kept away,
the cabin could not be entered for smoke.
After getting the ship safely anchored
had all the boats put into the water
and hung astern, in case the ship should
blow up or burst in flames, and emned-
lately set every one to draw water by
the head pump to keep the decks full.
The scupper holes were all plugged aud
watertight. I also had the carpenter
cutting holes in the deck in order 10
sluice the Goals. At P. M. the sail
ors refused to work. I had them ali
aft to reason with them, and asked each
man individually the reason for refus-
ing. They all had the same complaint
wanted rest. 1 offered them watch and
watch, but they refused that also; SO
the two mates, steward, carpenter, the
two small boys, stowaway and myself
kept the decks flooded till A. NJ, when
summoned by the mate they all turned
to. All kept at work until 6 A. n. on
the 18th, when, finding the smoke had
left the after hatch. I set gang to ligh-
ten ship out of the after hatch il order
to more effectually food the fore part OF
the deck. / had then six feet of water
in the hold, and the Goals in the after
hatch quite cool. At P. III. l had to
batten down the hatch again, and con-
tinue sluicing down through the decks
till 4. II. when we had eight feet ten
inc hes in the well, ship two feet by the
head and down in the water, with hawse
pipes awash, forward scuppers under,
| the fire apparently increasing, and every
one getting worn with fatigue and ex-
posture, the weather at the time very
boisterous, with continued wet, snow
/ or Eail ] now deemed it advisable fo1
| the salvation of the ship to lay her
| aground and scuttle her. Accordingly
we picked up the starboard anchor,
slipped and buoyed the port cable al
sixty fethoms, and by the aid OF cells
and izedge laid the ship aground at the
head the hay, abreast stream, on 8
| spot had previously carefully examined
| with the lead and found to be Fl De
sandy bottom. On taking ground we
proceeded to let the water in by opening
the side-lights in the forecastle. The
tide soon falling, she only got filed uI
TO thirteen feet in the we'll, and we had
| to keep the decks flooded all night with
| the main pumps. The smoke issued sc
strong from the holes in the deck thai
the men had with difficulty stuck to the
pumps. at A. NJ. of the 18th the tide
rose, filed the ship, and effectuaily put
the fire out. AS soon as the tide would
allow, we set the pnmps on to clear the
| ship of water. The weather taking uE
| fine, she foated, and got hove off by
the tow-line and fifteen fatEoms cable
shackled on to the outlying slipped ca
BILE. We thus got off, and moored il
safety in cur former position. Ou1
stock of bread. weighing AGO pounds
was saved. and barrel OF -four. Every
thing else perishable in the lazarette ani
store-rcoms was spoiled. Since leaving
the bay the ship has made 10 water
and is apparently no worse from being
on the ground, and we have had some
hard weather to contend with. On DC
tober 26. the American sailing schooner
| Golden West, anchored, hauled in to see
if we wanted assistance; off New Lon
don, in passing the bay, saw us, and
finding none was required, she proceed
ed, botnd from Grange Bay to the
Diego-Ramirez, after seals. The cap
tain told me he was well acquainted will
the neighborhood, but was never in this
bay before, and was surprised to find il
such snug place. The name Of the
bay 10 not know, as I have no chart
with it on. 1t is inside a small island
about two miles to the northwestward
of Point Lort, and there is only room
for two or three vessels. Anchorage
six fathonls, sandy bottom, good hold
ing ground, and no dangers, 1t is shell
tered from all winds, and fresh waite
and wood for firing are plentiful.