Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-07-05
THE BURNING TRANSPORT
A Naval Officers Story.

1n6 meet lay OH - n OrJn E1eoG Hope,
awaiting the flag of Rear Admiral COT
flu, who had been appointed to succeed
the gallant Collingwood, and, a heavy
gale prevailing at the time, the ships
were riding to the wind, regardless of
tide, when night closed around us.
Some thirty sail of merchantmen, I'M
der convoy of one our fastest frigates,
were anchored In the entrance of the
Downs, and between us and them lay
two convict ships, while feet of trans
ports, with troops for the East Indies,
were anchored just astern of us, the
largest-the Wellesley-being anchored
on our starboard quarter, and scarce
three cables length distant.
Being senior passed m1dshipman of
the old Sovereign at the time, [ was
.hOnored with supreme command of q
whole anchor watch, and, having the
first watch that night, enjoyed the hap
piness CD of strutting the quarterback
exposed to the wind and rain, while my
more humble and consequently more
fortunate watch mates sought shelter in
the lee of the bulwarks, or slowed snugly
away beneath the guns, whiled away the
dreary watch with yarns of dangers and
battles passed.
1t lad just struck three bells, and,
save the measured tread of the sentinels
on duty, the pattering of the driving
rain, and the deep breathings of full 600
sleepers, scarce a sound broke the ST.
lence reigning throughout the vast hull
of the old Sovereign. Even had halted
haf-deeming our dreary watch at an
end; and half supported by the cabin
skYlight, was indulging In visions of
calm repose.
While standing thus, with face averted
from the driving storm, a deep red
CLEAN Illuminated the darkness on our
starboard quarter, increasing so rapidly,
that ere a minute elapsed, the upper
works, lower mast, and yards of the
Wellesley, were plainly defined in the
red glare. In an instant the truth
flashed upon me, she was on fire, and
bounding to the skylight I shouted:
Forward gun of the starboard for
ward division on the spar-deck! Fire!'
1t was our signal gun, and kept con-
tinually loaded, SO that my order was
obeyed in an instant, while | followed up
the report with the order, Bo'sen's
mate pipe all hands to quarters"
The first lieutenant was at my side ere
ceased reverberating on our main gun.
and berth decks, when he instantly
OWNED the cause of the alarm, and, as
Stunning command, shouted: Fire! fire!
Pipe down all boatsi Waist and after
guard, pass the engines up frow below!
Topmen hook yard and stay tackles.
FOrecastle men and sall-trlmmers, pass
the messenger and take to-"
oil L.
paration, and ere lapse of two minutes
the report of messenger passed " was
followed by that of boats all ready;
when Captain Wilmer, vino had gained
the deck, shouted: ''Oficers IN charge
of boats, to your Stationsl Bc'sen, pipe
all boats away!'' aprang from the rail,
grasping the yard tackle, and in an in
slant later landed in the launch, of which
/ had command. We then fell off, and
in few moments were scudding swiftly
toward the burning ship. 1t is almost
needless to add that our example was
followed by the various commanders in
the feet, and on dropping alongside the
Wellesley we mustered a feet of some
sixty boats, capable of accommodating
at least nine hundred hands, a larger
number, fortunately, than were placed
In peril.
The moment the first boat reached the
transport the work of debarkation com.
menced, but, owing to the tremendous
gale and heavy sea, progressed but slow
ly, while the rapid advance of the fire
drove numbers from the deck to seel
safety in the sea, from which they were
rescued as promptly as possible.
1t was truly thrilling scene. The
hull of the transport was evidently con-
verted into perfect volcano, while from
each of her matches leaped tongue o.
flame, which, Selling on her fresh-tarrec
rigging, transformed the whole mass
into delicate tracery of fire, anC
speedily consuming it, left her taunt
spars to tumble one after another over
the stern, killing and wounding numbers
In their descent.
The catastrophe, although resulting il
death to many, proved means of safety