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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The seconclis by Miss Anna Smith , -whose conduct has deservedly won for her the admiration of all who hear of her courage and fortitude . Miss Anna Maria Smith , of 9 , Dawspn-street , Dublin , states , "As near as I can recollect ; it was about halfpast twelve o ' clock on Sunday morning when I first heard the alarm , of fire . I was in my berth . I hastily jumped out of it , and ran to the seats at the foot of the companion stairs , and went forward to £ gentleman and asked him if he knew the cause" of the alarm :. He told me the ship was on fire , but that there was not the least occasion for alarm , and advised me to return to my berth to dress . On refusing , he carried me to my bertb , and called the stewardess to attend me . She came out of her
room quite dressed ; but , being much frightened , she went forward without assisting me . Being alarmed at seeing s 6 mueh in others , I immediately took up a blanket and two petticoats , and rushed up the companion stairs aft . The names at that time were rushing through the after bulkhead . I stopped for a moment to observe if there was any chance of the fire being extinguished , and observed Captain Symons undressed , with a bucket in his hand , surrounded by his officers . Everything then was much confused , consequent upon the fire breaking out so suddenl y * I immediately ran aft , towards the wheel , where I saw a gentleman standing undressed , whom I believe to be Mr . Warburton . I went to the side of the ship , and seized a
rope , and on looking round I saw an officer running towards me , in flames . He threw himself down , and rolled over towards me , with the endeavourj no doubt , to extinguish the fire . I then asked Mrs . Scott , the stewardess , who was close behind me , if there was any place I could put my foot outside ? Mrs . Scott said , ¦ ' Oh yes ; there !' and ran to the other side , crying ' Save me . ! save me !' Observing a boat alongside , I swung out , holding by the rope for some time , the boat under me having capsized twice . At last , seeing a favourable opportunity , as the boat righted and was again under me , I let go my hold and dropped into the boat , a sailor at the same time endeavouring to catch me . I should think the fall was at least fifteen feet . I was not much hurt . I fell into the
bottom of the boat . I found there a M . Jean Strylus , a Belgian , and one sailor . The' former told me he was the only one saved when the boat capsized the second time . Four other sailors soon after reached the boat , and got in , but by what means I cannot tell , as I was so much exhausted . One of them called out , ' Cut the rope , or we . shall be lost . ' It was quickly done by one of the parties in the boat . It immediately drifted astern , when soon Bfter we observed a person in the water supporting himself upon two oars . The sailors rowed towards him , and fortunately succeeded in getting him in ; it proved to be Mr . Evans . This was no sooner done than we saw anothev , and every human effort was made to save him ; but iust as we got within a boat ' s length the poor
creatUTe sank . One of the men , Attwood , a very humane man , seeded most anxious to approach the ship , to do all he could to save more lives . Some objected , fearing the Bteamer ' s magazine would explode , and then all might be lost . We remained , however , within a short distance of the burning ship , in the hope of saving others , for , I should think , two hours ; and although we could distinctly observe the poor creatures huddled together aft , and many on the bows and bowsprit , we did not perceive any in the water . By this time the engines had ceased . When all hope was gone , the men prepared to pull towards land , if possible . There were , I think , five oars on board . We finally lost . sight of the ship about four o ' clock . I lay in the bottom' of the boat in my nightdress , which into the boat
covered with the blanket I flung previous to lowering myself ; but hearing the men say a sail would be serviceable , I immediately volunteered to give it up , which was gladly accepted , at once formed into a sail , and hoisted . The Belgian , who was sitting forward , then offered me a part of his cloak , and two of the sailors carried roe aft for that purpose . During the whole of this night one of the sailors steered , as the sea was running very high . In the morning , as we had but five hands , M . Strybus was requested to row , but he could not from weakness . I then proposed his taking the helm , and , as I can speak French , the orders were given by the men to me in English , and transferred m French to M . Strybus , to enable him to steer as they wished . About nine o ' clock we discovered , to our great joy , a sail , and immediately the men pulled with redoubled vigour towards her . She , however , appeared not to see The tolerably calm
us ! and kept her course . sea was on the Sunday , and the men continued to pull towardsi tho east , thereby hoping to reach the French coast . About eleven or twelve the same night the men observed a brilliant revolving light , and pulled vigorously towards it for six hours ; but as the sea was increasing m violence they feared to approach nearer , on account of the croas swells By this time the poor fellows were completely exhausted , and nature could hold out no longer . Seeing the condition we were in , M . Strybus said to me , Xou have roused their energies on two occasions , try again . I then cheered them on ; butas their hands were almostscanfied from their laborious exertions , it was almost impossible to do so . They , however , used another effort , and soon afterwards we observed another light in another direction ; we did not know what it was , but tho men at once resolved to make a Jast push , and shortly afterwardatheir exertions were rewarded by reaching a Dutch galliot , the captain lauen in witu tne
of which ' , who had previously omer boat , kindly took us aboard , and at once made for Brest , where wo arrived ftt four o ' clock on Monday afternoon . Altogether we were thirty hours in the small boat , during the whole of which anxious time there was nothing either to eat or drink ; but , notwithstanding ! the gallant fellows who had so laboriously exerted themselves to nave our lives , uttered not a murmur ; they were all most kind and attentive to me throughout this trying and distressing scene , but tho fireman , Attwood , particularly so ; no kindly bound up my feet in handkerohiefa and placed aomething round my head , to protect mo as far aa he was
house , where we were most hospitably re - tended to until our departure for Morlaix . Our gratitude to the English consul at Havre is also due . He was moat kind and attentive , and when we left , generously placed money at our disposal . I cannot dose without expressing my warmest thanks to Captain Smith , his stewardess , and all on board the Grand Turk steamer , who , during the bad passage from Havre to Southampton , were _ constant in their endeavours , to make us as comfortable as possible under existmg circumstances . "
ceived and at able from the inclemency of the weather . Mr . Gould , who was saved in the first boat , was also very kind and attentive to me after we had got on board the gaUiot , Our obligations to the family of the consul at Brest , and many other ladies , are great indeed . Immediately it was known we were on board , clothing and every necessary was sent off in abundance , and after we had , somewhat recovered from our exhaustion we were landed , and , - * and Mrs . Maclenuen . and child taken to the consul s
la addition to these , Mr . Frederick Glennie has furnished some particulars of the-last sight of Eliot Warburton . All the escapes smack of the miraculous ; Mr . Glennie ' s was no exception . "I was the last person , I should" thinks to arrive on deck . At that time they were attempting to lower some of the starboard boats , and some of the larboard , I fancy , were already in the water . I remained for some time looking round and seeing boats lowered from both sides in the greatest confusion . Presently I heard the captain give an order to lower the larboard lifeboat ; but the answer was , « She is on fire . ' On going to see whether this was the caseI found it was so . The captain then
, ordered the starboard lifeboat to be lowered . Again the answer was , ' She is on fire . ' Just then I saw the only remaining boat , except the two lifeboats reported to be burning , being lowered , and without waiting to ascertain whether the second lifeboat was really on fire , I heaved a rope over and slid down by it , with the intention of dropping into this boat as she cleared away from the vessel . I did not succeed in this attempt , and fell into the water . Happily the next wave brought her within reach of my arm , and I got in . As the steamer at this befothe wind
time was proceeding re very rapidly , we were immediately swept behind . At the time I slipped down * the captain and another man were at the wheel ; and I saw Me Warburton , with whom I was acquainted , but whom I had not perceived before , completely dressed , arid walking quickly towards the starboard ^ lifeboat . In two or three minutes from the time I reached the boat , I again looked at the wreck . I saw the captainand man still at the wheel ; and Mr . Warburton had returned and was standing beside them . That was the last . I saw of them .
Nothing more'has been heard of the boats supposed to have lived after being launched . There is a variety of rumours in Southampton about Captain Symons ' s unwillingness to go to sea in the Amazon . It is an undoubted fact that he would much rather have stayed at home than have taken the command of the Amazon . This desire he expressed while dining at the Royal George the day before he sailed . A friend likewise wishing him good bye in Southampton Water a few minutes before he sailed said jocosely , «• Good bye , Captain Symons , of the Amazon . " He replied sharply , " No , I will not
have it ; I am Captain of the Orinoco ( one ot the large steamers not yet completed ) . When Captain Symons took leave of the pilot at the Needles he was depressed in spirits . He shook hands with the pilot , and said , g < Well , God bless you , you have done your duty ; the responsibility now rests on me . ' The truth was , Captain Symons did not like the Amazon because it was not his ship , and all sailors are fanciful and superstitious ; but it is a libel on the humanity and manliness of a truly brave , kind-hearted , and honourable man to suppose that he had any doubts as to the safety of the ship . In fact , there is not the slightest foundation for thinking so . Amone other rumours of escapes from the ill-latea
Amazon is that of the Earl ot Sheffield , who had intended to go out in her to Barbadoes , but learning at the offl . ee in Moorgate-street that she was to start on a Friday , an unlucky day , he was deterred , and remained in town . While , as an instance of contrary presentiment , Mr . Pest , President of the Assembly of Barbadoes , had always Voyaged in sailing vessels , avoiding steamers as precarious . He saw the Amazon ; her beauty seduced him ; ho took his place , and shared her fate . . A searchinK public investigation into the causes of commenced
the fire which / destroyed the Amazon on Thursday , before tho Directors of tho West India Mail Packet Company . Mr . Neilson , Mr . Glennie , and Mr . Allen were examined ; but as the proceedings were adjourned , wo shall reserve a summary of them until next week .
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THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION . Tho projeoted expedition of Lieutenant Pirn in search of Sir John Franklin , has been cut short at St . Petersburg . The Russian Government allege that the difficulties attending the journey would be insurmountable ; that the tribes native to those northern regions are cruel and intractable ; that tho number of dogs alone required by Mr . Pirn could not be collected without ruining the natives , and that , in fine , the Wney is philosophically impossible . Lieutenant Pirn has been well received by the Emperor and the KuBBian creographers , and great lntoreat ia felt in the fate of FrankUn . Cuptaiu Beateon is fitting up ft
screw steamer , and intends to sail for Behring ' s Straits in a few weeks . His plan is detailed in a letter read at a meeting of the Royal Geographical Society , on Monday , and a resolution was passed , declaring that ** the generous and noble devotion of Captain Beatson deserved the countenance and support of the Society ^ " Lady Franklfn has also given him assistance . ; . : v We continue below the " Extractsfrom the Journal of a distinguished officer on board the Erebus . ' * Her Majesty ' s ship Erebus , June , 1845 .
6 th . Towards midnight . —I can ' t make out why Scotchmen just caught always speak in a low , hesitating , Inonotonous tone of voice , which is not at alf times to be understood— -this is , Ibelieve , called " cannyness . " Mr . Goodsir is ** canny . " He is long and straight , and walks upright on his toes , with his hands tucked up in each jacket pocket . He is perfeetly goodhumoured , very well informed on general points , in natural history learned , was Curator of the Edinburgh Museum ^ appears to be about twenty-eight years of age , laughs delightfully , cannot be in a passion , is enthusiastic about all 'ologies , draws the insides of microscopic animals with an imaginarypointed pencil , . catches phenomena in a bucket , looks at the thermometer and every other meter , is a pleasant companion , and an acquisition to the mess . So much for Mr . Goodsir .
7 tlu 11 p . m . —Pitching heavily , breeze increasing from W . N . W . It came on as the sun , was thinking of setting , about nine , in the form of a bank , behind which he vanished ; it then rose in the form of an . arch , and I expected wind ; but , having overspread the sky , it settled into a steadily increasing breeze . Sa « rometer rising as rapidly as it fell , and I have been prognosticating a sort of gale in consequence . It was calm all last night , cloudy all to-day . Passed the day in working ana making observations , when the snn did peep out , with Xe v iscomte . There is nothing in this day ' s journal that will interest or amuse you at all events , and I am not in a humour for describing any more messmates .
8 th . —I like a man who is in earnest . Sir John Franklin read the Church service to- day and a sermon so very beautifully , that ! defy any man not to feel the force of . what he would convey . Ther first Sunday he read was a . day or two before we sailed , when Lady Franklin , his daughter , and niece attended . Every one was struck with his extreme earnestness of manner , evidently proceeding from real conviction . We had a heavy sea ' and stiff breeze to-day ; but it moderated at four o ' clock , and the sun came out clear and beautiful . In latitude 62 degrees , at nine o ' clock this evening , we tacked ( if you know what that is ) , and stood to the S . W . We saw a ship from Peterhead to-day . 9 th .
10 th . —I was beginning to write last night , but the ship was tumbling about to such an extent that I went to bed » and had to turn out again immediately and get the topsails reefed , as it blew very hard in squalls . The ship pitched about as much as I ever saw any vessel , but still very easily . Reid says he does not like to see the wind " seeking a corner to blow ; into . " I worked observations all yesterday , and to-day took several on deck . The weather moderated this morning , and all day we have had little
wind and tolerably smooth sea . A clear , fine sunset at a quarter to ten , and Goodsir examining ' . ' mollueca " in a meecroHcope . He is in ecstasies about a bag full of blubber-like stuff which he has just hauled up in a net , and which turns out to be whales' food and other animals . I have been reading Sir John Franklin ' s vindication of his government of Van Diemen's Land , which was to come out a week or two after we sailed . He has ready all the sheets , and cute up Lord Stanley a few , and says he is haughty and imperious .
Here ends , I find , my third sheet ; so if you don t like your letter thus far , pray don ' t read the following which I intend to write . There is nothing to interest you now , and we are not far on our journey , so I wind up this and call it a letter , just for the sake of adding that I am , as ever , yours , &o . . More of the 10 th , —Crouoh is a little , black-haired * smooth-faced fellow—good humoured in his own way ; writes , reads , works , draws , all quietly . Is never in the way of anybody , and always read y when wanted ; but I can find no remarkable point in his character , except , perhaps , that he is , I should think , obstinate .
Stanley , the surgeon , I knew in China . He was in the Cornwallia a short time , where he worked very hard in his vocation . Is rather inclined to be good looking , but fati with jet black hair , very white hands , which are always abominably clean , and the shift sleeves tucked up ; giving one unpleasant ideas that he would not mind cutting one's leg off immediately—< " if not sooner . " Ho is thoroughly good natured and obliging and very attentive to our mess . Le Viscomte you know . He improves , if possible , on closer acquaintance . Fairh 6 lme , you know or have seen , is a smart , agreeable companion , and a well informed man . Sargent , a nice , pleasant-lookinglad , very good natured . Des Vooux I knew in the Cornwallia . He wont out
in her to join the Endymion , and was then a mere boy . He is now a most unexceptionable , clever , agreeable , lightheaded , obliging young fellow , and ft
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52 ; &&t UtSMif $ V ^ ( SAironAY ,,
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Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 17, 1852, page 52, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1918/page/8/
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