THE FIERY STAR.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 270, 26 May 1865, Page 3

THE FIERY STAR.

EXTRACTS FROM CAPT. SARGENT’S LOG. (From the New Zealand Herald.) On the Ist April sailed from Moreton Bay, bound for Liverpool, with a full cargo of wool, hides, and tallow, and a large number of passengers. On the 11th April was off the south end of New Zealand. Doting a heavy gale we encountered on the 17th of the same month, two of our boats were carried away, leaving us with four only. On the 19th, when in latitude 45deg. lOmin. S„ 170 W. longitude, a fire broke out. It was first discovered at 6 p.m. by one of the seamen named James Adams, who came'to the cabin and informed Captain Yule that there was a strange smell of smoke in the forscastle. The Captain and chief mate went forward immediately to the forecastle, and took off the fore hatch. Smoke came up from the lower hold in clouds. The batches were at once battened down, and every hatchway in the ship was promptly secured, so as to allow of no ventilation. On the following morning there was a strong breeze, with frequent squalls, and the crew and passengers were employed pumping water on the hatchways for several hours. The fire increasing so rapidly, the passengers were obliged to leave the cabin, the gas being so string. Several of the sails were eut down from aloft to secure the the hatches. At 6 p.m., the flames broke out through the port bow, and the waterways. The boats were got out, and Captain Yule, most of the crew, and aU the passengers but one, left tho ship in four boats, leaving the chief officer, and 17 others, on board the burning ship. Captain Yule taking with him chronometers, chart, sextants, and compasses. The ship was in flames for’ard when the boats quitted the side of the vessel. Mr. Sargent volunteered to remain on board with those left behind and share the same fate. Immediately tho boats had left the ship the steam pumps we got under way, and the water from them somewhat cheeked the flames. AU the blankets and clothes which were withing reach were used up to block up the holes for'ard, and a quantity of water was pumped upon them from the steam pumps. On the 21st there was a moderate breeze and fine weather, "When the boats left they were ordered to Jay too all night, but on the following morning they were not to be seen. Kept the ship to the N., N.W., W., and a short distance to the N.E., but nothing of the boats could be seen. Having been without a compass all night, we succeeded in getting into tho cabin early in the morning and obtaining one. We found a chart to navigate the ship. The fire still under but not out. In the afternoon some of the hands were engaged in making a raft from the spare spars, while the others were employed in keeping the fire down. On the 22nd the weather was stiU fine with a light breeze. Hands still employed in pumping and building tho raft. The hole over the port bow was repatched up, and a man went aloft every few minutes, to see if any vessels were in sight, but none could be seen. The ship was now lying under short canvas. At 6 p.m. the raft was finished. The 23rd brought fine weather and light breezes. Ship underthree lower top-masts, and fire got'under considerably. The decks were cut away in several places, and was pumped down. In the afternoon everything on deck was burnt to keep steam pump up. Midnight dark and gloomy. April 24th.—Weather still gloomy. ' Pumping every two hours, there being three feet of water in the hold. The fire has not broken out all night and we are still putting water below. In the afternoon we took the fore hatch off, but could see no fire, and although the foremast was very much burnt in the way of the cable. Some of tho hands, went below, but owing to the gas being too strong, they were unable to get up any coals. The hatches were put on again, and the fore-topgallant sail and royal were cut down. April 26th.—Light air and cloudy. Tho fire broke out again early this morning, and two pumps were set to work to keep it down. There is still 3 feet of water in the hold. April 27. —The ship making much water, and pumped every two hours. May I.—Wind E.N.E. We took off the forehatch, and succeeded in getting up some coals, there being no smoke below, although plenty of steam and gas. The men ceuld only remain for two hours. The pitch is now coming out of the seams. Several booms were sent down, and at midnight it was squally. May 3.—Wind N.E.; light breezes and cloudy. Cut up main top-mast studding sail boom to make sleepers for the raft, and men still employed pumping water below. May 4. —Sighted two islands, supposed to be Mercury and Courier, Wore the ship round and stood to the east. A hole was cut in the deck to get the hawser up, but were unable to get the cable up. Ship laboring very heavily under three lower topmasts. Heavy gale at midnight, with terrific squall. May 11. —Another strong gale with squalls, and an observation taken. Ship making water still. At five p.m. made the land, bearing W.SW., distance 26 miles. At 10 p.m. a ship hove in sight on the lee bow, kept off; fired several guns, and showed blue lights. A boat was sent on board us, and we learnt that the ship in company was the from Dublin to Auckland. Upon learning our condition, Captain Moore sent a lifeboat, which stood by us until morning. May 12: —Early in the morning took of fore hatchway, to see if anything could be done to put the fire out, but found much more steam and gas below than before. Then sent for Captain Moore, of the ship Dauntless, to come on board, which he did. We went below and found the formast very badly burnt, and unable to carry any sail. I then told Captain Moore we wouldleave the ship if he would take us on board which he readily agreed to do. At 11 a.m.. the frames came up the forehatch. We then went on board the Dauntles and remained near the burning ship until 10 n.m. when she went down.” - With respect to the origin of the fire nothing accurate has been elicited, but is surmised that it was caused from spontaneous ignition of the wool.