BURNING OF THE GERMAN BARQUE NEW ORLEANS Brisbane, December 12.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 83, 3 January 1885, Page 3

BURNING OF THE GERMAN BARQUE NEW ORLEANS Brisbane, December 12.

The steamer Glanworth, which arrived yesterday from the north, brought Herr Granhe, mate, and four seamen of tho barque New Orleans, of Hamburg, which was burnt at sea in September last, The New Orleans left Hamburg on the 21st July, under the command of the owner, Captain Bergmann, with one passenger and a full cargo, consisting of iron, dynamite cartridges, coal, and general merchandise, her destination being the island of Apia. All went well until 63 days out, in lat. 23*13 S., long. 2717 W., on the morning of the 15th September, at 4 o'clock, when the mato, Ganhe, took charge, and he observod denso volumes of smoke issuing from the after hatch. Ganhe ran aft, when he saw that the after hold was full of fire and smoko. He immediately closed all the hatches, so as to prevent the draught from fanning the flames, and called the captain and all hands on deck. Orders were then given to shorten sail. Holes wore made in the deck, and water was forced down into tho hold ; but it was soon found that the fire was gaining on them rapidly, and the deck became so hot that it was impossible for the crew to walk upon it. Amongst the cargo were five cases of dynamito cartridges, and fearing an explosion, as the fire could not be got under, orders were given to get the boats ready, and three hours after the fire was discovered the ship was abandoned. The captain, tho passenger Oleson, and four seamen took tho whaleboat, and the mate and the four remaining seamen got into the longboat which was very old and leaky. Soon aftor leaving the ship tho flames burst through the dock and shot high in the air, and the masts fell over tho sides with a terrible crash. Tho captain and mato then held a consultation as to what course they should steer; St. Helona was suggested, but upon further consideration it was decided to steer to the westward. Tho two boats kept well togethor during the whole of the day, but at nine o'clock at night they were separated in the darkness ana heavy squalls. The mate's boat sailed all night, and at daylight the captain's boat was nowhere to be seen. On that afternoon the occupants of the longboat sighted a ship to the south-wost, but it was too far away to notice their signals of distie^s. At half past four on the morning of the 17th, tho sight of a ship to the northward was hailed with intense delight, and she proved to be the Scottish Bard. Slio noticed their signals, and at half-past 5 &he hove-to, and took the castaway? on board. Tho whole of their provisions had been destroyed by water, and they \ioro all thoroughly exhausted. Tho Scottish Bard landed them at Townsville, whence they caino on to Brisbane.