The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-05-31
THE BURNING OF THE "RIO GRANDE.'
A Resident of San Antonio Has Marrow
Escape from q Fiery Death.

Escape from q Fiery Death.
Mr.. John X. Murchie, in letter to friend
resident in San Antonio. reports his safe arri-
val in New York on the 10Th inst. In the let
ter he gives an interesting account of the burn
ing of the "Rio Grande," in which vessel he
travelled from Galveston to New York. About
$50 p. m. on that night the cry of sire p was
raised. AT this time there were ninety pas
sengers on board, including many women and
children. All hands were Immediately or
dered to the pumps, and they worked hard and
untiring, but their efforts were in vain. The
captain, thinking that all hope of saving the
vessel from the fiery element was gone, order
ed the boats to be launched. The women
were safely got in the boats, then the children
were lowered by ropes attached to their waists,
and, lastly, the men. They put off from the
burning wreck, and were alone on the wide
ocean, apparently without aid. But there was
succor near. An Italian barque, bound for
Genoa, attracted by the flames, made for the
scene of disaster, and, observing the distress
signals of the passengers, made foc them, thus
saving them the anxiety Of the night, which
they had gloomily contemplated. At last the
harque drew on one side and took the passen-
gers on board. The Italians gave up their
herths to the women and children The men
had to lay about anywhere, and suffered by
reason of feeling of intense cold, which pre-
vented sleep, and the most of them had to
pace the deck all night to keep up animation
The barque made for Delaware breakwater,
but there was no wind, so they made little
progress. All night and the next day they drifted
about. The passengers were half-frozen, semi
hungered and depressed in spirits. AT night a
breeze sprang up and We were able to make
Roadway. We sailed on all that night and
next day until four clock, when we sighted
Delaware breakwater, and the cry LAND (!
land !" was received with such feelings of 10Y
and gratitude as can be better imagined than
described. We arrived at Delaware at seven
O'Clock, and to our surprise found the Rio
Grande was safely harbored there. We then
learned that afte, the passengers had been
put or Capt Burrows made for the Delaware
breakwater, the Rio Grande still burning, and,
en- route, he had sunk her to the second deck,
thereby extinguishing the fire and saving the
vessel. Capt: Burrows soon came with tug
and took all the passengers off the bark, and
as he did SO cheer after cheer rent the air.
The tug was placed alongside the Rio Grande
again. We then found that the water had all
been pumped out and that she was high and
dry again. As we got on board again we
gave such cheer for the captain and crew of
the Italian bark that was almost forcible
enough to burst the threats of the gratifed
cheerers. We were soon at sea again, and on
Friday night we were safely landed in New
York. We were all grateful for our rescue,
and the impressions of anxiety and gratitude
that we gained on this perilous voyage are
such as few will lose, only with their lives"
Mr.. Murchie adds: "Never shall forget
even in the hour of danger and apparent
death, how tenderly strong, rough men low
cred the babies and women into the barge
and The whole scene was so pathetically pic
turesque as to draw tears from the hardest
hearts. And there were few, If any, who
when they landed, did not feel and express
heartfelt thanks to that kind Providence who
had saved them from the perils Of the Deep"