New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-28
PAWNEE BURNED AT SEA
CREW TAKEN UNINJURED FROM THE
CLYDE LINE FREIGHTER.
CATCHES FIRE ABOUT FORTY MILES OFF
CAPE HENRY-THE GEORGE W. CLYDE
GOES To THE RESCUE

CAPE HENRY-THE GEORGE W. CLYDE
GOES TO THE RESCUE.
The steamship Pawnee, of the Clyde Line. was
burned 20 the waters edge about midnight last
Saturday while forty miles off Cape Henry on
the Virginia coast. she a freighter that
piled between Boston and Brunswick, Ga. and
had left the last-named port last Friday with
cargo composed of railroad ties. lumber. naval
stores and few bales Of cotton. She carried
no passengers. it was said at the office Of the
company in this city yesterday Her crew con-
sisted Of thirty-hve men under the command OF
Captain Ingram
The first news OF the disaster was brought 10
this city by Captain Savage Of the Savannah
Line steamship City of Macon. which arrived
here yesterday morning He said that his yes
sci had passed the wreck Of the Pawnee. which
still burning at 5 o'clock last Sunday morn
ing. and that he had made out her identity from
a part Of the stern which bore her name and
had not yet been burned away. The City of
Macon cruised around the wreck for some time.
but discovered no signs Of small boats.
When the news reached the Clyde Company 5
office here the keenest anxiety as to the fate
Of the crew manifested This was relieved
later in the day. however BY the receipt Of the
following telegram from H. c. Smallbones. the
company's agent az Wilmington:
Pawnee DESTROYED by fire at midnight sunday.
crew picked up by the George W. clyde and ar
rived here at II a. m. All hands saved.
The George w Clyde sailed from here for VII
mington and Georgetown last Saturday.
The Pawnee had evidently been burning for
several hours" said Captain Savage, when seen
on board his vessel yesterday. Her smokestack
still standing and from time to time bursts
NJ frou her bpld hoo fo .
top of It. 1t was about o'clock Sunday morn
ing that our lookout red glow on the
horizon ahead We did not pay any attention
10 il, however. but when morning broke We saw
clouds Of smoke rising above the horizon a little
10 starboard Our course was at once changed,
and we made for the smoke. and in a short time
We could make out the outlines Of vessel, from
which flames burst al intervals. on approach
ing nearer we could not at first sign OF
small boats, hatches. implements or anything
that might bear the name OF the vessel, but in
going around her stern letters forming
enough Of her name to Identify her. We crused
around the burning hulk for some time. and
finally decided that the steamship must have
been abandoned. II any attempt had been made
TO fight the fire all evidences Of the struggle had
been burned away. After leaving the wreck We
cruised about the neighborhoOd for miles on all
sides, hoping TO pick up the members OF the
crew. Not sign did We see Of them AFTER
some further search We came TO the conclusion
that some other vessel must have rescued them,
and so proceeded on our course.
snapshot picture Of the burning steamship
Thomas Clyde. manager Of the Clyde Line, said
Yesterday that the loss on the cargo would be
about S50OOO and that on the ship 100000. all
Of which was pretty well covered by insurance.
Captain Ingram and the crew will arrive here
tomorrow" Mr.. Clyde continued The Pawnee
not intended 10 carry passengers, and after
her arrival in Boston we had intended 10 use
her as a freighter between this city and Bruins
wick"
The Pawnee was wooden vessel She was
built in Philadelphia in $50 by Hillman Co
She was 2032 feet long. - feet beam, and had
a depth OF 1873 feet. She registered l,21O tons
gross She had compound two-cylinder engines
a single funnel. and was schooner rigged. Her
speed was about twelve knots hour. she was
last surveyed in this port in November. 1S9S.
Captain Ingram is we'll known in this port
He was master Of the steamship Delaware
which was burned off Barnegat In July. ls9S
Her thirty-two passengers and thirty officers
and crew were all saved and Captain Ingram
then as we'll at the burning OF the Pawnee
was the last man TO leave the ship.