EMIGRANT SHIP OCEAN MONARCH BURNT AT SEA. (From the United Service Gazette, August 26.)

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 274, 13 January 1849, Page 2

EMIGRANT SHIP OCEAN MONARCH BURNT AT SEA. (From the United Service Gazette, August 26.)

GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. The splendid American ship Ocean Monarch, of 1300 tons burthen, belonging to Train's line of Boston packet?, which left the Mersey early on Thursday morning in splendid trim, with about 360 persons on board, including the crew and emigrants, has been destroyed. It is melancholy to add, that, as near as can be calculated, about 100 of the passengers, who, but a few hours before, were buoyed up by bright anticipations of tbe future, have been loit. The Ocean Monarch sailed from Liverpool at an early hour, tbe tide flowing about seven o'clock. As she passed through the Channel her progress was repoitedbythe telegraph, but at length the sad news arrived that she was in flames. When tbe announcement was made in the Exchange News Room great consternation prevailed, it being well known that she had a great number of passengers on board. Great was the anxiety to learn any tidings whatever of the vessrl, but it was not till the arrival, about halfpast five, of the Queen of the Ocean yacht, belonging to T. Littledale, E&q., that the extent of the culamiiy was known. Mr. Littledale, who is tbe Commodore of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club, bad been at Buaumaris regatta, which took place on Monday last, and he was return ing in his yacht to Liverpool with a party of friends about 12 o'clock, when near the Great Ormsbead, they obtesved the Ocean Monarch about five or six miles to the eastward of the Oimshcad, in A^ergele Bay, betwesn the Ormsh*ad and Ab. rgele. Mr. Lit* tit-dale and his friends were admiring the beauty of the splendid ship as she was pursuing her course to the Atlantic. On a sudden tbe Ocean Monarch was observed to put up her helm as if returning to Liverpool. A flag of distress wa^ 'mnaediately hoisted, and in a few seconds flames were observed to burst out abaft The ship was lying right in the course of the yacht, and Mr. Littledale immediately b:>re away for her. On nearing her, although there was a s iff breeze blowing, with a heavy swell, the boat of the yacht was lowered, and proceeded to the ship for the purpose of rendering what assistance she could. Of course, with the swell on, it would have been next io certain destruction to the yacht had she been run alongside the ship, but the exertions of Mr. Littledale were of the noblest description, and he has tbe satisfaction of knowing that he has been the means of rescuing thirty" two persons from death. . The scene that presented itself to Mr. Littledale on nearing the vessel was most appalling. The fUmei were bursting with immense fury from the stem and centre of the vessel. So great was the he it in these parts that the passengers, male and female— men, women, and children — crowded to the fore part of the vessel. Their shrieks for aid were carried by the breeze across the waters. In their maddened despair, women jumped overboard with their children in their arms, and sunk. Men followed tbeir wives in frenzy, and were lost. Groups of men, women, and children! also precipitated themselves into ths water, in the vain hope of self-preservation, but the waters closed over many of them for ever. No pen can describe the scene. The flames continued to rage with increased fury. In a few minutes the mizenmast went overboard— a few minutes more, and the mainmast shared the same fate. There yet remained the foremast. As the fire was making its way to the fore part of the vessel, the passengers and ciew, of course, crowded still further forward. To the jib boom they bung in clusters, as thick as they could pack, even one lying over another. At length the foremast went overboard, snapping the fastenings at the jib-boom, which, with its load of human beings, dropped into the water, amidst heartn nding screams, both of those on board and those who were fulling into the water, Some of the poor creatures were enabled again to reach the vessel, others floated away on span, but many met with a. watery grave. It appears that the fire broke out about twelve o'clock. From the great consternation in which the pnssengers were, of course all control over them was gone. They ran about us long as they could in all directions, and some ot the scenes which followed have already been described. The captain thiew ovei board to the poor fellows in the water, all the moveable spars &c, he could find, and afterwards flung a spar in the water and followed it. Several persons followed him, and seizrd hold of the spar. He entreated some of them to let go, or he would perish, and showed them the example by swimming to a plank, by which he was enabled to sustain himself for about twenty minutes iv the water, when he was picked up by the yacb'In about an hour and a half after tbe yacht reached the vessel, the Biazilian steam frigate Aftbnso,

which waa out on a trial trip, tame up. Sh e anchored immediately to windward, and close to the burning vessel. She got a rope made Cast to the Ocean Monarch, and by the use of the said rope her boats were enabled to go backwards and forwa.-ds to the burning vessel with great facility, and by this meant a large number of pprsons were saved. The Prince of Wales Meamer, on her passage hence to Bangor, came up shortly afterwards, and with the New York packetship, bound for New Yoik, sent boats to the rescue of the passengers, and weie the means of saving a large number. Tae Queen of the Ocean remained alongside till 3 o'clock. At that time the vessel was burnt netr to the water's edge, and there were only a few of the passengers on board, ieveral boats being alongside endoavouring to take them off. The Brazilian frigate was commanded by the Marquis de Lisboa. There was also on board, the Prince . de Joinville, his lady, and suit, the Duke and Duchess ri'Aumalo, the Brazilian Minister, the Chevalier of Lisbon, Admiral Green fell and daughters, and other distinguished individuals. When the AfFonso discovered the Ocean Monarch, no time was lost iv bearing down to her, and it was intended to anchor right un. der her bow, but the wind changed a little and prevented thii from being accomplii-hed. Four boats were, however, at once lowered, and were soon followed by the large paddle box boat. M. Marquis de Lisboa jumped into one, and Admiral Greenfell into the other and were unliring in their exertions to save the poor people. The Prince de Joinvil'e stripped off his coat, and was particulaily assiduous in assisting the passengers on board the frigate. The Affonso rescn d in all about 160 persons, including thirteen seamen. 01' these about 14 > landed, and the remainder preferred staying on board the frigiite all night, M. Marquis de Lisboa having given directions that all who were desirous of remaining should be accommodated in the best way possible. About 208 passengers had been accounted for, 32 by the yachtr 16 > by the Affbnso, and 16 by the fishing* boat. One man who was also brought by the Taliesen Rhyl steamer, making in all 209. If the number stated on board, 360, correct, 151 remain to be accounted for. The Prince of Wales steamer must have rescued some and taken them on with her toBanuor. The stewardess lost her life in courageous^ attempting to get the powder out of the cabin. There were about twenty-five pounds weight on board, and when the went below to get it, it is supposed she was suff ■- cated. The powder exploded with the report like' that of a cannon, but not being confined, and there be= ing no person at that part of the vessel, no damage it it supi osed was done by the explosion. Sixieen persons arrived on Thursday night at Seacomb, having been picked up by a fishing-boat. The burning ship went down at about one o'clock (Friday) morning.