The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-10-08

water. the other boats pulled swiftly
through the surf and MP one of the
numerous inlets which, fortunately
for them, the ship had stranded
The Sassacus' boats, fully manned
and armed, We're also in the water ere
the last man had left the prizes
decks. Yet before the intervening
space could be crossed the catastrophe
we had feared come about. A dozen
streams Of smoke began to creep lazily
upward from different parts of the
ship, and every moment increased in
volume She was on fire
With vigorous strokes we made for
the stranded vessel. We knew full
we'll that every intiammabie substance
had been thrown under her boilers to
increase her steam, and the clouds
arising from her looked omlnous.
Each moment increased the probabilI-
ty Of her blowing up, as the blockade
runners have an unpleasant habit OF
fastening down the safety-vaiyes and
putting on the blowers at the moment
of abandoning the ship.
Bravely the boats passed the first
breakers, and soon were tossing along
side the prize. Up the ships side
c!ambered the men. The first thought
and attention was given to the engines
and boilers. The safety valve was
found securely fastened down and the
most vigorous efforts failed to relieve
it. One may only imagine the verge
Of destruction, uncertain whether one.
two, or three minutes might not end
all in enc complete and terrible ex-
plOsion.
While ready la nds were busy above
the boilers, others were hauling the
furious fires or drenching them with
water The peril was imminent be
yond expression. Again and again
did the brave apply themselves to the
resisting valve till delay, though only
measured by seconds, was more than
reckless Suddenly in our state of
nervousness we were startled by a
scream of escaping steam. And then
We gave a loud cheer, for it announc
ed that the valve was loosened, the
pressure released, and there was no
more danger from that source.
Next we turned our attention to the
fire Tarpaulins were covered over
the matches, and the ships buckets
quickly found, were soon employed to
pour a conrtant stream of water upon
them. The blackness of the smoke
and the strong OdOr of turpentine
showed that it was no ordinary fire
raging below, Various points in the
deck were found to be scorchingly
hot, and an ominOus hollow sound
indicated the activity of the flames.
And now we again found ourselves
in great danger, for we discovered
that powder formed part of the
ships cargo, and the thought that a
single spark might at any instant blow
us, ship and all, to atoms, made the
blood run cold.
a small fire engine now arrived
from the Sassacus. Holes were cut
in the deck at the hottest parts and
streams OF water poured below, and
after the hardest kind of work we
succeeded in subduing the flames.
The steamer proved to be the Nut
field, perfectly new, and, as her papers
showed, laden with arms and stores
fer the Confederate government. She
had been chased the day before, and
escaped only 10 find herself at night
IN the midst of the inside blockaders
off Wilmington. Eluding these and
again putting straight to sea, daylight
had brought her within range of our
watchful lOokOuts, and the result was
before us.
liz the CABIN of the prize, which
was most luXuriantly furnished, stood
the breakfast table hastily abandoned.
\ lavish expenditure of turpentine
had soaked everything. both food and
furniture, but the fire had fortunately
failed to take, and nothing appeared
injured.
Preparations were next made for
saving the ships he engines of
both steamers were started. the cable
tautened, the prize moved, and
cheer was given as she seemed to be
atiOat, but the wind. which had in
creased, was rapidly forcing the Sas-
sacUs oyer upon neighbOring shoal,
and with a terrible shock she struck.
Quick as lightning the cable was
cut, and just in time the powerful
wheels launched our ship ahead upon
the swell, and into deeper water. 1t
was over, and every one breathed
freer. There was no alternative now
but to wait once more for the tide
We filed the interval by tightening
the beached ship of part of her cargo.
Cases of muskets, rifles. and swords
were passed up from ttc after hold.
where alone the fire had been entire
ly quelled, and being too valuable to
he thrown overheard, were transferred
to the hold of the Sassacus. About
forty cases had been started before
night came, SO that upon the midnight
tide hopes We're entertained that she
might float
Another haWser was stretched be
fore dusk, and everything made ready
but fortune seemed against us. The
tide rose. the engines were started.
the cable tautened. strained and
broke. 1t was provoking; but it was
determined on the following day to
endeavor at least TO save part of the
most valuable cargo. In accordance
with this plan men were set to work
at daylight. Cases of needles. hard
ware of every SOFT. saddles, brides.
gun tackles, machinery in orler and
ont of underwriting paper in bales, dry
goods, and fancy articles, were piled
in one solid mass from upper deck to
keelson.
It was thought advisable to save
the arms in preference to all else and
they were rapidly transferred to the
Sassacus. Before we had saved near
ly all the cargo the sea began to rise
and we were compelled to abandon
the Nutfield Orders were given to
set her atire. and then the Sassacus
withdrew short distance and opened
fire or her prize with shot and she'll.
lit seemed q hard fate for so baantiful