NARROW ESCAPE FROM FIRE OF THE STEAMER SARAH SANDS.

Colonist, Issue 31, 5 February 1858, Page 2

NARROW ESCAPE FROM FIRE OF THE STEAMER SARAH SANDS.

(Froni the Mauritius Commercial Gazette, Nov. 23.) The iron steamer Sarah Sands left Portsmouth on the 16th August for Calcutta, with 3G6 men, besides officers, of the 54th Kegiment. She reached the Cape on the 15th October, and after coaling there continued her voyage. On the afternoon of the 11th November, in latitude 1348 S., and longitude 76 E., fire broke out onboard, and after 15 hours terrible anxiety and courageous perseverance, the explosion of powder on board, and the destruction of the after part of the vessel, the. fire was extinguished. All the efforts made would have been in vain if the vessel had not been iron, and divided into water-tight compartments. The after compartment was completely destroyed, only the skeleton remains, and a sad spectacle it appears. The Sarah Sands was nearly halfway between Ceylon and Mauritius when this accident happened, and was fortunately able to use her engines to reach our port. We regret exceedingly again to have to record another example of the misconduct of part of the crew on such a trying occasion. We are to give a narrative of what topic place on board from the notes of Mr. Manion, hospital sergeant of the 54th Kegiment. The officers of the 54th, whom we saw on board, informed us that all the facts are faithfully related.

About half-past 3 o'clock p.m., on the 11th November, 1557, an alarm of fire was heard, and almost immediately afterwards smoke was seen in volumes, which told too plainly that the ship was on fire. It appears that the stores stowed away in the after part of the vessel ignited from somo cause which will be brought to light on investigation. The officers were dressed for dinner when the alarm was given, and all came on deck, together with the lsdies, five in number. The latter were put into the boats, without being able to procure any other wearing apparel from their cabins than what they had on. A few men and female servants accompanied them. Part of the crew disgracefully deserted the vessel and took to the boats without leave or licence.

By this time the flames began to force their way through the quarter-deck, and the officers and men set to work with a hearty good will. Pumps, hose, sacks,' wet blankets, and every available article were put in requisition to obtain water. Rafts were made and launched, and the work conducted cooly, collectedly, and "energetically. Orders, were given to the military officers, and obeyed by the soldiers with as much discipline as if they were on parade, but so far all that was done was little avail; the flames rose with increased fury, enveloped the mizenmast, spare, and rigging, and in a short time the whole went over the side with a horrid crash. The fire continued to advance along the quartet-deck, and was resisted and kept in check, inch by inch, by the daring courage of officers and men, some of which were actually surrounded by the flames. In the meantime a party of volunteers had made their rway to-the powder magazine, which was in the after part of the vessel, and, .under most trying circumstances, succeeded in removing nearly all thopowder frbm amidst volumes of smoke and . heat. The colours of the regiment were saved at the same time by a quartermaster of the ship. The fire had now advanced as far as the bridge; the "heat became excessive and the smoke suffocating, but as the flames rose and the smoke increased, so did the courage of the gallant officers and soldiers. The stern determination of all to do their utmost, and the- almost superhuman exertion displayed, inspired good hope that under Divine Providence the imminent danger that threatened us would be surmounted. During this ■ time the ship lay with her side to the wind, and the captain being anxious to get her head more up to it, called for some volunteers to assist in setting sail. Several officers and men instantly went aft with him, but the ropes, tackle, &c, having given way/being partly burnt, they could not succeed in this object. Fortunately the vessel remained in the same position, for if she had veered round with the wind every soul on board would have been burned or sfeoked out.

There was no relaxation among the men, except to occasionally go to windward for a puff of fresh air.

All hope of saving the after part of the ship being given up, a suggestion was made by Mr. Frazer, the chief engineer, to cut away the deck, with the view of preventing the fire from communicating with the fore part of the vessel, and after a short discussion was adopted.

Holes were immediately cut large enough to admit men with water, &c. A barrier was made with wet "blankets and bedding across that part of the ship in the rear of the engine-room, and every nerve was strained to keep this barrier and bunker proof by the constant application of water from every available

source,

Notwithstanding every exertion on deck, the flames did not abate, but the courage and perseverance of the officers and soldiers were also unabated, for never was breach or battlement so ably defended as was the progress of the fire resisted. At one moment the flames rose so high as to seem to dare the efforts to keep them back, but vigorous arms were there with water to arrost their fury.

This state of things lasted until midnight, when the powder unavoidably left in the magazine exploded, blowing a variety of objects and fragments high into the air. An awful, a solemn pause followed tins tremendous explosion. Work ceased, and but one thought must have possessed the minds of all present: it was that they ; were about to be launched into eternity.

We were shortly aroused from our reverie by a voice, which I think was that of the adjutant, crying out, " All right, boys, the ship is safe; let's to work again, and by God's help we'll soon put out the fire." At length, after fifteen hours, the fire was got under and extinguished.

'The Board of Trade, to mark their sense of the kindness shown by the islanders of Tristan d'Acunha to the passengers and crew of the ship Joseph Somes, Elmstone, from London for Melbourne, which was Inirnt off the island on the 25th of February, have directed a supply of clothing, agricultural seeds, spades, shovels, pitchforks, casks of beef and pork, to the value of IOOJ., to be sent out to them by her Majesty's ship Cyclops, which has sailed from Portsmouth. The Joseph Somes took fire a few miles from Tristan d'Acunha, lat. 37 S., 12-40 W., 1500 miles from the Cape of Good Hope. The islanders received the passengers and crew of the Joseph Somes with every kindness, each one vicing with anoth; r who should do the most. They freely shared their provisions with them, which had been much diminished from a bad harvest, and that without hopes of ever being repaid. They were subsequently taken off by the Nimroud, Tilman, of London, from Kurrachee, and landed at the Cape of Good Hope. On the return of Captain Elmston, the Board of Trade put themselves in communication with him, when he reported most highly on the treatment they experienced from the islanders. — Home News, November 16.

Mabket Report.—Tin plates are flat, lead heavy, iron dull, champagne brisk, rhubarb and senna are drugs, starch is stiffening, and paper is stationary. There is no life in dead logs, but considerable animation in old cheese.— Punch. A Dustman's Opinion.— Dustman. " I don't quite like the looks o' this ere Hingia bisness, Temmy." Sweep. " No; but it's jist wot yer might expect from eich a parcel o' dirty black hignarant scoundrels as ftizm.,"±-Punchi