The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-06-30
THE BURNING TRANSPORT.
AN ENGLISH NAVAL OFFICERS STORY

| AN ENGLISH NAVAL OFFICERS STORY.
The feet lay off North Fleet Hope, >
| awaiting the flag of Rear.AdmiraI Coffin,
who had been appointed to succeed the gal.
| liant Collingwood, and, heavy gale prevail
ing at the time, the ships were riding to thC
wind, regardless of tide, when night clos ed
around us.
Some thirty sail of merchantmen. under
convoy of one of our fastest frIgates, were
anchored in the entrance Of the Downs. and
between US ard them lay two convict ships.
while feet of transports with troops for
the East Indies, were anchored Just astern
of US, the largest-the Wellesley--being an
chored on our staTboat quarter, and scarce
three cables length distant.
Being senior passed midshipman of the old
Sovereign at the time, l was honored with
supreme command of a whole anc chor-watch.
ano having the first watch that night enjoy.
ed the happiness (?) of stTutting the quarter
deck exposed to the wind and rain, while
my more humble ard consequently more
fortunate watchmates sought shelter in the
lee OF The bulwarks, OF. slowed snugly away
beneath the guns, whilcd away the dreary
watch with yarns of dangers and battles
past.
1t had 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 six hundred sleepers
scarce a sound broke the silence reiening
throughout the vast hull of the old Sover-
eign. Even had halted, half-deeminp our
drearY watch at an end and, half-support-
ed by the cabin skyIight was indulginp in
visions of calm repose.
While standing thus, with face averted
from the driving storm, deep red CLEAN IL
lumined the darkness on our starboard quar-
ter, increasing so rapidly that ere 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 70 the skylight shouted:
Forward gun of the starboard forward
division on the spar-decki Fire P'
1t was our signal gun, and kept continual
ly loaded, so that my order was obeyed in an
instant, while 1 followed up the report with
the order, ''Bo'sen's mate, pipe all hands to
quarters"
The first lieutenant was at my side ere the
sound of the mates shrill whistle had ceased
reverberating on our main, gun, and berth
decks, when he instantly OWNED the cause
OF the alarm, and assuming command.
shouted, "Fire Pipe down all boats Waist
and afterguard pass the engines up from be.
loA Topmen, hook yard and stay tackles
Forecastle men and sail trimmers, pass the
messenger and take to-
In an instant all was hustle and prepara-
L,
port of messenger passed. was followed bv
that of boats all ready when Captain
Wilmer, who had gained the deck, shouted,
"Officers in charge of boats, to your station
al Bo'sen, pipe all boats away P' 1 spranp
from the rail, grasped the yard tackle, and
In an instant later landed in the launch, of
which 1 had command We then fell of.
and in few moments were scuddinp swift
ly toward the burning ship. 1t is almost
needless to add that our example was follow
ed by the various commanders in the feet
and on dropping alongside the Wellesley we
mustered fleet of some sixty boats capable
OF accommodating at least nine hundred
hands, larger number, fortunately, than
were placed in peril.
The moment the first boat reached the
transport the work of debarkation CON-
menced, but owing to the tremendous gale
and heavy sea progressed but slowly, while
the rapid advance of the fire drove numbers
from the deck TO seek safety In the sea,
from which they were rescued as promptly
as possible.
1t was truly a thrilling scene The hull of
the transport was evidently converted into
perfect volcano, while from each of her
matches lsaped tongue of fame, which
seizing on her fresh tarred rigging, trans
terred the whole mass into delicate treace-
ry Of fire, and speedily consuming it left her
tadt spars to tumble one after another over
the stern, killing and wounding numbers in
their descent.
This catastrophe, although resulting in
death to many, proved a means of safety to
many others who might otherwise have per
ished, as it established a direct means of
communication with many of the boats
which could not gain position alongside.
And thus the work went on, boat after boat
departing with its load of scorched, half ma
ked and shivering troops. with light sprink
ling of women and children, until nearly all
were saved, when the task commenced of
lowering the insensible forms of those who
had oeen hurt by the falling spars, in the
rush which had taken place on the discovery
of the fire, or had tainted from excessive
fright.
Our boat being scarce one third full. we
hauled alongside to receive our quota of the
unfortunate creatures, whom we handled as
tenderly as possible, laying them in a tier in
the stern-sheets, to the number of ten, wher.
having as many as we could accommodate
we dropped astern, and shipping our oars we
made futile attempt to regain the ROYAL
Sovereign. Finding that we could not gain
an inch, seized upon the first lull IN the
gale TO put the tiller hard up. when the
launch swung of, and catching the next sea
oroad on her bow, careened so heavily that
she hah-hlled, when the second caught her
Ialriy astern' and fortunately righted her,