Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1882-06-20
New York Herald.

when the Mallory Line Steamship, Rio
Grande, from Galveston, reached her
berth 1T Pier 20, East river, yesterday
afternoon, there were fearful eyes and
trcmulous lips among the group Of pas
bcngcrs who gathered about the stalwart
manly figure Of Capt a. G.. Burrows.
They were bidding farewell 10 a gallant
sailor, whose bravery and skill had saved
them from fire aud shipwrcck, and there
was n fcrvent ring to The Good bless you
t'aptaino and hearty carncstness in
the clasp Of the hand with which several
scores OF men and women sought TO cx-
press their gratitude and affection for
one to whom they felt they owed their
lives. One lady seized the Captains
br0nzed fist IN her two dainty hands,
subbed out few hystercal words Of
thnnkfliiness and looked ~ if she wanted
Ia kiss him. But she only blushed and
hastily retrcatcd down the gang-plunk
vii smile and graceful bow. For
IN hour those lcave-takings continued.
II was a remarkable scene and one long
10 he remembered.
Captain Burrows has accomplished n
feat which scafaring men say is not only
brilliant and unusual, but unprccedent-
ed. When his steamer was discovered
10 be on fire last Tuesday afternoon ut
sea, nine miles beyond the Delaware
Breakwater, he ovcrhauIed nm Italian
bark, tile Boppina \, successfully and
safely. and without the slightest panic,
transferred his ninciy-scvcn passengers
10 her, nayigatcd the burning vessel 10 n
shonl near the Brcakwater aud sank her
70 the deck beams. This was the only
means Of putting ont the fire. which was
IN the hold of the ship among 500 bales Of
cotton. IL was impossible TO reach the
fire on the Rio Grandc, or to successfully
battle with II In the usual way by pour
ing water through the matches. 70 COM
plctely sllhmergc all The steamer below
the main deck matches was the only re-
course. To accomplish this without Sc
TlOls injury 10 the steamer was no easy
task. But Capt, BurrOw managed it In
twenty-Sevcn hours after the connagra-
ion WINS first discovered, and not only
this, but IN twenty-four hours more he
bad cNtingulshed the flames, pumped
out and raised the ship and was once
again ready to start the engines and
steam for New York At the Delaware
Brcakwnter the Bio Grandc again over
hauled the Italian bark, rc.transferred
the passengers 10 the steamer aud re-
sumcd the voyage TO Now York with the
steamer rs sound as dollar and no other
injury except that 10 tho cargo. "For
quick and successful work, " said u sea
captain who appeared to he passenger
an the Rio Graudc. 81 should like to
know where or when that has been
cqualled. Captain Burrows, sir, Is q
biavc, cool-hcadcd, skilful man, and u
true sailor, every inch Of him"
Tho bark was 10 make for New York,
" possible; but In case Of bad weather
was to sail for the nearest port. We were
ninety miles from Cape llcnlopcn when
We started, but we had battling winds,
and the Captain decided to try aud rcOcl
the Delaware Brcakwatcr rather than
steer Tor New York. On Wednesday we
sighted tho steamer Gulf stream, She
rcsponded to our signals, and yielded Ia
the Italian captains request to take ~
IN tow for The Delaware Rrcakwatcr.
She got out two cables aud towcd us I'M
NJ Thursday morning at half past H.
when We passed the Five fnthom Bank
She then parted company with rs, and
We proceeded under sail 10 the halbOr OF
IcNpe, Del.