THE BURNING OF THE LIGHTNING.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2035, 12 November 1869, Page 2

THE BURNING OF THE LIGHTNING.

This fine ship was destroyed by fire at Geelong on the 30th ult. The tire was first discovered at about two a.m., and in five minutes afterwards the firemen were at work the hose was run aboard, and a stream of water began to pour down on the fire: a hundred such streams, however, would not it is thought have had the desired effect. At ha f past two or perhaps a little later, the ship moving away from the wharf, the hose broke. A few minutes afterwards she was brought back again to the wharf, and again did the firemen do their utmost, being assisted by the force-pump belonging to the vessel, and by the three crews, who hauled water up over the side in scores of buckets. At a quarter past three she was finally hauled away from the wharf into deep water, and an attempt made to scuttle her the operation being superintended by Gapt. Jenkins, of the Aboukir. This, however, ■signally failed. The fire by this time had become almost unbearable, the flames working their way aft with a fierceness that defies description. The devouring element then caught hold of the ship’s launch, and it was soon simply impossible to work at the main hatch, where, thanks to the exertions made all the available wool ’tween decks had been sent up. Between 9 and 10 a.m. the burning wreck was standing in the fairway channel, deserted by everybody. The work of destruction still went on, fire could be seen the whole length of the vessel, and round the main and mizen masts, which seemed to be trjdng to stick by the old vessel. At a quarter to eleven o’clock there was a cry of “There sl(c goes the mizen could stand it no longer, and gave an uneasy lurch. Suddenly down it came, bringing what remained of the mainmast with it, and causing the waters between the ship and the wharf to seethe again ; some of the burning fragments going, it was imagined from the wharf, uncomfortably near a little boat, of which there were scores bobbing round the wreck. At II o’clock another crash was heard, caused by a largo piece of the bulwarks falling over the side. It was now observed : that, as the cargo was being consumed the ■ fore part of the vessel was gradually lifting, until the scuttle holes, cut from the starboard counter to the main rigging, instead of being under water, avere 2ft or 3ffc above. The volunteers tried their hands at firing shots into the hull d the vessel and so scuttling. but all their efforts wore of 'ho avail j j the ship as it became lightened rose in the j ' water until the bows, which on Saturday wore drawing 20ft were only drawing 12ft. i The stern was much deeper, being kept down i by 200 tons of copper ore and 150 tons of ( fresh water in tanks. At about 4 o’clock, 1 Captains Jenea, Williams, and Nicholson i took a number of ship carpenters to the ] wreck, and there quickly out her down to i the water’s edge m several places. Their 1 efforts, however, did not meet with iinme- i diate success. At half-past six the scnttlers 1 met with their reward, the hull could be t seen visibly sinking, and in less than five 1 minutes the water rushed through the holes e and over the lower portions of the sides. The f hull qun)c in f)7ft of water, and nothing re- c maiued to ' bIkW that’ the Lightning had } existed but a few burning beams jutting r above the placid waters of Curio Bay. i The Lightning was built in 1853 by Donald a M‘K»y, of Boston, and for years occupied r the position of first favorite among the Black Ball Liners. She belongs to Mr Harrison, r of Liverpool, who also owns the Champion of 1 the Seas, and the Donald M‘Kay. It is f doubtful whether ho was insured. The e Lightning was 1769 tons register, and for 1 the Inst four years was commanded by Cap- I tain Jones! - Although fifteen years old, she o

was on Saturday considered to be as good a ship as ever, having been lately furnished with new decks, caulked, coppered, and fitted with 1,500 tunnels along her bilge. On Saturday she had 4,600 bales on board, 3,000 of these being greasy wool; also 200 tons of copper ore, a quantity of tallow, and 35 casks of colonial wine. Between 400 and 500 bales were saved, and it is believed that all the wool in the lower hold, nearly 2,000 bales, will also be got out. The tallow was not burnt, and the copper and the colonial wine will be recovered. Most of the cargo was fully insured. The total loss may be estimated—supposing the wool in the lower hold, etc., to be saved—at L 70,000.