Daily globe., 1882-09-17
THE BURNING TRANSPORT.
An English Naval Officers Story.

An English Naval Officers Story.
The fleet lay off "North Fleet Hope"
awaiting the flag of Rear Admiral Cot
fin, who had been appointed to succeed
the gallant CollingEood, and, heavy
gale prevailing at the time, the ships
were rising to the wind, regardless of
tide, when night closed aronnd us.
Some thirty sail of merchantmen, uzo-
der convey of one of 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 scarcely
three cables length distant.
Being senior passed Midshipman of
the old Sovereign at the time, [ was
honored with supreme command OF
whole anchor watch, and, having the
first watch that night, enjoyed the hap
piness (?) of struttlng 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 snug
ly away beneath the guns, whiled away
the dreary watch with warns of dangers
and battles passed.
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 600
sleepers, scarce q sound broke the 81
lence reigning throughout the vast hull
of the old Sovereign. Even had halt
ed, half 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 avert
ed from the driving storm, deep red
CLEAN illuminated the darkness on our
starboard quarter, increasing 80 rapidly
that ere minute elapsed the upper
works. lower masts and yards of the We'll
lesley were plainly defined in the red
! glare. In an instant the truth flashed
upon me, she was on fire; and, bound
ing to the skylight, I shouted:
Forward gun OF the starboard for
ward division on the spar-deck! Fire +"
It 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 the sound of the mates shrill whistle
had ceased reverberating on our main,
gun and berth decks, when he instantly
: OWNED tho cause of the alarm, and, as
Stunning command, shouted: Fire
fire Pipe down all boats Waist and
| afterguard, pass the engines up from be-
low! Topmen, hook yard and stay
: tackles. Forecastle men and sail-trim-
mers, pass the messenger and take to. -
In an instant all was hustle and prep
aration, and ere lapse of two minutes
I, the report of messenger passed" was
followed by that of "boats all ready,
/ when Capt. Wilmer, who had gained the
deck, shouted: "Officers in charge of
boats, to your stations Bo'sen, pipe
all boats away!' I sprang from the rail,
] grasping the yard tackle, end in an in
stant later landed IN the launch, of which
had command. We then fell off, and
! in a 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 alorgside the
Wellesley we mustered fe-t of SONS
sixty boats, capable C 'commodatine
at least 900 hands, o larG Il number, fort
unately, 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
", 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.
It was truly thrilling scene. Th'
|, hull of the transport was evidently con
verted into perfect volcano. while from
each of her matches leaped tongue o
flame, which, seizing on her fresh-tarre'
rigging, transformed the whole mass In
5 to delicate tracery OF fire, an, Epeedll..
t consuming it, left her iaut sparo to tum
l bic one af ,er another over the stern
, killing and wounding number In thei
g descent.
+ The catastrophe, although resulting
g in death to many, proved a means c
: safety to many others, who homieht other
!. WISE have perished, as it estab!lshed
| Oir0Cf 1Q0;tuS OL COLulutlu1OtloiOA WV
!, many of the boats which could not gal
: position alongside. And thus Tia
% work went on, boat after boat departin
: with its load of scorched, half-nake
It and shivering troops, with sligf
d sprinkling OF women. and children, unit
e nearly all were saved, when the tas
:, commenced of lowering the insenslbl
e forms of those who had been hurt b
s. the falling spars in the rush which ha
taken place on the discovery of the fir'
or had tainted from excessive fright.
Our boat being scarcely one, ,thi1
:. = full, we hauled alongside to receive OF
70 70 quota of the unfortunate creatures, whol
~ We handled as tenderly as possible, la.
y inn them In :, Ainr In the stern sheets