The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1882-07-26
A FEARFUL NIGHT IN THE
NORTH.
Destruction Of the Steamer "Rog.
ers" Which we MT TO aunt for
the Lost Jeanette

ers" Which we nr TO auntfor
the Lost Jeanette
Al went well until the morning of
/ November So 1881, when the startling
cry OF Fire was heard, and smok {
was seen issuing from the fore hold, APP
pearing to come trom underneath the
donkey boiler room. Fires were still
kep. under the donkey boiler to heat the
ship. Passed Assistant Engineer Zane
connected the steam pun ps with TINS
boiler, and In less than three minutes at
| ter the alarm was given stream was
directed on the fire. The hold was
slowed SO closely that the water could
not be put directly on the fire, and the
smoke was SO dense that the crew could
not get down there to break 1t out.
Officers and men worked with almost
superhuman strength. Late IN the at
ternoon 1t became apparent TO ali that
the ship was doomed. Still they fought
the flames. The steam pipe running
from the main boiler to the main winds
lass was broken, two sections OF hose
were fitted to the pipe, and steam was
forced into the hold. This seemed to
stay the fire, but it was only momentsry.
The hose was melted by the intense heat.
The smoke now began to rush into the
fireroom and coal bunkers.i Attention
was now turned to saving the crew-not
a very easy task, as the young Ice would
not support man weight, and boat
could not be forced through it sufficiently
far to clear the burning ship. Some OF
the men were taken from the force pumps
and ordered to get provisions and cloth
ing. Owing to the amount OF carbonlc
acid gas that had collected below decks
the men were unable to get at the stores
DIR. Castillo was kept busy resuscitating
the men who tainted from over eXertion
or were overcome by the smoke. Lower
topsais, toresail, lib and spanker were
set to try and run the vessel on the
beach, but the wind fell light she lost
steerageway, and the tide carried her be
tween Lukes island and the main land,
where she rau aground about five hundred
feet from sh re. The ship was deserted
at quarter to twelve o clock .. M, and
when the boat reached the Shore 1t was
two O'Clock a. III. of December !. The
boat were two hours and quarter IN
reaching the beach, a distance OF 500
feet. BY this time the fire had envelop-
ed the whole ship. Greatly to the dis
) appointment of all the hawser burned in
two, and the tide and ice, which had
, broken up somewhat, swept the ship out
of the harbour destroying all hope OF
saving any other property from the
wreck. For some reason, probably be
: cause the coal had packed SO closely that
the water could not get forward the ship
had not filled while aground, although
the outboard delivery was five inches IL
diameter. She afterwards dritted up the
bay, and was last seen on the morning OF
the End of December, still burning.
In four or five days the storm ceased
and a party was sent down for the boats
and provisions. Lieutenant Berry at
once began to trade with the natives tol
5 clothing, and he soon had the men com
fcrtably clad. The provisions saved
from the ship were kept in reserve, every
one being compelled to live on native
food. In three days the supply of pro
t visions began to run short, and 1t became
! evident to Lieutenant Berry that his crew
would have to be divided. Natives from
. other villages had kindly invited some tC
come and spend the winter with them, Sc
e the crew was divided INTO three parties
Mr.. Zane was placed IN charge of one
! party and went i;o the village at Soutl
Head Mr.. Hunt, with MS party, tool
up his abode in a settlement short dis
tance up the bay; Mr.. Waring remained
t with the rest at North Head, Lieutenan
o Berry on Corwin Island-a small Islanc
discovered By your correspondent in j unt
: last, and situated about one mile from th,
mainland, and 100 miles west-north-wes
e Of East cape-had erected small frame
b house, sixteen by twelve feet, and lef
; there Master Putnum, DR.. Jones, Col
Glider, and three men of the crew. They
had divisions for one year, and were In
e structed to sedge along the coast as sooI
: as the snow was In condition to travel on
. This house became known as the Wood
house" among the natives, to distinguish
it from the skin houses of the Tchoukt
5 chic. Mr.. Putnam was on his way dowr
4 the coast with the intention of visiting
, the ship to report progress when he hearC
:, at lnchuan, twenty-five miles west 0
: T asst cape, of the burning of the ship. II,
: Immediately started back for the Woo
S house, hired four natives and all the team
he could. loaded the sleds with provi
sions, and started for st. Lawrence bay
:, !, On all the sleds were slowed five bOxe
Of bread, about one thousand pounds o
!, pemmican, and few small stores. Il
: the meantime Lieutenant Berry turne,
. over the command of everything at tn
bay TO Master Warlng, and, in company
with one naive. had started for the W ooC
house, taking the one surviving team 0
logs At luchuan he met Nr. Putnam
t al gave him orders to continue his trip
and to bring Mr.. Hunt anu MI Eau
oack With hlm Early in January. Mr.
] Putnam aud ms three natives arrived a
/ heir destinatt H. He remained severa
lays after delivering the provisions I
} ,llow his dogs to lecuperate On Janu
Ary 10, the weather being fine. they iei
he North Head for the " ood house, Nj
Putnam driving his own team. Ivwar
uoon I'll wind >prang up flum the north
Df and anu soon Increased 10 "a terrlnc gale
> Il ling the air 80 thickly With snow that
J., uecame inpos>i to see he route, au
ID consequent Y the natives lost their way
81 1t was absolutely necessary 10 come to
g malt, because i would have been deaf
IL 10 the dogs to have compelled them I
lace the gale longer Tie ar was :
thick with the drifting snow that the !ea
Il dogs uld not be leen by the driy yer
&. his was night of most intense sci tfel
ling. In the morning it moderated lii