RUSSIA.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 116, 30 November 1858, Page 3

RUSSIA.

The papers report great success over Schamyl —and at the same time speak of the prospects of peace being established.

There is great excitement in Europe by a report that Russia ia about to establish a naval station at Villa Franca. The report is not corroborated. AMERICA. Nothing important.

BURNING OF THE BLACK BALL CLIPPER-SHIP EASTERN CITY, FROM LIVERPOOL TO MELBOURNE,

Miraculous Escape of Two Hundred and

Twenty-six Persons

(From the Cape Argus, September 14.) On Saturday evening last, the transport-ship Merchantman, Captain G. F. Brown, of and from London to Calcutta, with troops, put into Table Bay, for the purpose of landing the officers, crew, and passengers of the ill-fated Black Ball Australian clipper-ship Eastern City, which vessel caught fire, and was totally destroyed between the 23rd and 26th August, in the South Atlantic Ocean, lat. 31 S., long. 32 W. ' The incidents connected with the loss of the Eastern City, and the pvovidential deliverance of the officers, crew, and passengers, form a narrative of the most thrilling interest. She was a very fine vessel, of 1368 tons, and is said to ho the property of a Glasgow firm. On the 10th July sho left Liverpool for Melbourne, having on board 180 passengers, 47. men officers and crew, and 1600' tons general cargo. On the 23rd August it was discovered that fire had broken out in the hold under the forecastle. Every effort was made to extinguish it; but as these efforts were futile, and it became apparent the fire was extending, the usual preparationsforprovisioningandlaunching the

boats were made. Had the unfortunate passengers and crew been obliged to trnst themselves to the boats- in the. high sea which prevailed, there is little doubt that theirs would have been a most terrible fate. But while, the prospects of the-dis-tressed men and women were most gloomy, and imbed, when'thoy had almost despaired of safety, j they were "cheered by the sight of a friendly sail, and the means of 'assistance. Fortunately, the transport-ship Merchantman witnessed the signals of distress hoisted by the burning vessel, and bore down towards them to render assistance. The whole of the crew and passengers of the Eastern City were rescued, with the exception of one man —a steerage passenger—who it is believed was suffocated "in his berth. About five hours after all had left the ship, the flames burst out from her sides, the masts went overboard, and she was a total wreck! Captain Brown, of the Merchantman, determined upon landing the crew and passengers here, and we are glad to chronicle he did so without any detriment to his own vessel. The manner in which the passengers of the Eastern City speak of the kind treatment they received from all persons on board the Merchantman, is the best.testimony of the humane and gallant conduct of those British sailors and soldiers. All speak in high terms of the conduct of Captain Johnstone of the Eastern City. The vessel, cargo, and property belonging to the passengers cannot have been • worth less than £90,000 to £100,000; but vessel and cargo are supposed to have been insured.

The Caroline Elizabeth arrived at Melbourne on the 19th instant, having on board the passengers of the above ill-fated vessel.