Burning of the OCEAN MONARCH

In brief:-

Mr LITTLEDALE, Commodore of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club had been at the Beumaris Regatta which took place on Monday last, and was returning to Liverpool today on his yacht with a party of friends. At about 12 o' clock near the Great Ormes Head they observed the Ocean Monarch about 5 to 6 miles eastward in Abergele Bay, between the Ormes Head and Abergele. Suddenly the Ocean Monarch put up her helm as if returning to Liverpool and a flag of distress was hoisted, in a few seconds flames were observed to burst out abaft. The ship was lying right in the course of the yacht and Mr Thomas LITTLEDALE immediately bore away from her. On nearing her, although there was a swift breeze and heavy swell the yacht's boat was lowered to render what assistance she could. Mr Thomas LITTLEDALE'S exertions were of the noblest description, he has been the means of rescuing 32 persons from a watery grave.

The scene on nearing the vessel was most harrowing and appalling, flames were bursting with immense fury from the stern and centre of the vessel, so great was the heat that the passengers crowded to the fore part of the vessel. In despair women jumped overboard with their offspring in their arms, and sank to rise no more. Groups of men, women and children precipitated themselves into the water in the hope of self-preservation.

No pen can describe the horrible scene, as flames continued to rage with increased fury. In a few minutes the mizenmast went overboard a few minutes more the mainmast shared the same fate.

As the fire made its way to the fore part of the vessel passengers made their way to the jibboom, they clung as thick as they could pack, one lying over another. At length the foremast went overboard, snapping the fastening on the jibboom, which, with its load of human beings fell into the water. Amidst the most heart-rendering screams of those in the water and those still on board, some poor creatures were able to reach the vessel again, some clung to spars, but, many met a watery grave.

The fire broke out about 12 o' clock, Capt MURDOCK received his first intimation from the steward, who told him there was a great deal of heat coming from the ventilator. One of the passengers had made a fire in a wooden ventilator on the 3rd deck, which ran through the Captain's state room, he had mistaken the ventilator for a chimney. The captain gave immediate orders to extinguish the fire, but, alas, it was too late, the flames began to spread.

The fittings of passenger's berths in an emigrant ship are made up of thin deals and spars, which are easily ignited, once the fire gained mastery there was little chance of extinguishing it.

The captain attempted to put the vessel up wind, to keep the fire abaft, he could not accomplish it and so dropped the two anchors.

All control of the passengers had gone, they ran about as long as they could in all directions, the captain threw all moveable spars overboard to the poor fellows, later throwing a spar and following it. Several persons followed him seizing the same spar, he advised some to get off the spar as all would sink. He showed them how to swim on a plank, by which, he sustained himself for 20mins, till picked up by the yacht.

Half an hour after the yacht reached the vessel the Brazilian steam frigate AFFONSO, out on a trial trip, came up and anchored to windward close to the burning vessel. She got a rope made fast to the OCEAN MONARCH and by use of the rope her boats were able to go backwards and forwards to the burning vessel and by this means a large number of people were saved.

The PRINCE OF WALES steamer on her passage to Bangor came up shortly afterwards, and, with the NEW WORLD, packet ship, bound for New York, sent boats to rescue the passengers.

The QUEEN OF THE OCEAN remained alongside till about 3 o' clock, by which time the OCEAN MONARCH was burnt to the waters edge, and with only a few passengers left on board, several boats where alongside endeavouring to take them off.

Persons rescued by the QUEEN OF THE OCEAN

Seamen

Capt MURDOCK, William James MOORE, Carpenter, George VANE, William BLODGET, Jonathan SWEET, Richard BRANNON, John MC LOUGHLIN, Christian CHRISTIAN, Thomas HILER, Christopher J. AUSTIN, Adam JONES, Charles D. LOCKE, William R. NELAND, Isaac STOCKWELL, Charles NASON, John KEELER, W. H. PRATT, Samuel MORAY, Henry COLVER, Henry JONES.

Passengers

Whiston H. BRISTOW, London, Patrick MC MANUS,, John HORRIDGE, Patrick OREGAN, Patrick MC MAHON, Patrick GRIFFIN, John KELLY, Dennis COCHRANE, Peter SMITH, Anna ROPER, BILSTON, Birmingham, Mary MAGUIRE, County Cavan, Mary CARY, Thurles.

Amongst the latter was a poor woman who was proceeding to America with her three children to join her husband, she was in great distress, all her children were lost.

On reaching the Mersey Mr Thomas LITTLEDALE communicated with Mr DOWLING and arrangements were made to accommodate those who were friendless and penniless at the workhouse for the night.

As soon as the alarm was given the two boats of the OCEAN MONARCH were lowered, the mate with some crew and passengers got into one, and crew and passengers got into the other.

The stewardess courageously lost her life in attempting to get powder out of the cabin, there was about 25lbs on board, when she got below it is supposed she suffocated, the powder had exploded like the report of a cannon, but, not being confined and their being no persons at that part of the vessel, no damage is supposed done by the explosion.

At that time orders were given to let go of the anchors, a number of women and children were seated by the cable, and were drawn by it into the water.

16 persons arrived last night at Seacombe having been picked up by a fishing boat, Messers PARRY of the Hotel, treated them in a very hospitable manner. They crossed to Liverpool by the 8 o'clock boat, Mr BAKER the celebrated comedian was on board and made a collection amongst the passengers the money was shared out amongst the 16 survivors, 6 of which were women. One poor Irishman with his sister managed to seize his sister by the hair of the head just as she was sinking.

When landed at the Pierhead some of their messmates who had arrived by the yacht, greeted the newcomers in the most tender terms, the men hugged each other in a rough but honest embrace, tears were drawn by many spectators who witnessed it, they inquired eagerly after other comrades, and tears of both joy and sorrow ran down their cheeks.

The Brazilian frigate AFFONSO was out on a pleasure excursion, commanded by Capt J. M. LISBOA, also on board were Prince de JOINVILLE his Lady and suite, the Duke and Duchess d' AUMALE, the Brazilian Minister, the Chevalier d' LISBOA, Admiral GRENFELL and daughters. Four of their boats were lowered, Capt LISBOA jumped into one, Admiral GRENFELL into the other and were untiring in their exertions to save the poor people. The heat was very intense and even to those on boats alongside, it was very oppressive. From the crowds of people in the water time was taken to get them due to the boats being unable to get to them. Money was collected on the yacht and distributed by Mr J. A. TOBIN who was on the yacht.

Ann ROPER was sent to the Northern Hospital and Mr and Mrs DOW of Glasgow where among the cabin passengers saved.

The AFFONSO rescued 160 people, including 13 seamen, about 140 were landed the remainder prefering to stay aboard the frigate, the Marquis de LISBOA directed they should be accommodated in the best way possible.

The body of a dead child is also on the frigate. One poor woman on the landing-stage was bemoaning the loss of two children and we have heard there is a boy and girl unaccounted for on the frigate.

Some of the passengers say the fire was started by the fact that a lighted candle was amongst some spirits.

A noble fellow, a foreigner whose name we cannot ascertain went to the wreck when there was little hope of saving anyone and stuck to the hull of the vessel till all had left, by his own hand he lowered 100 persons to the boats below.

When the AFFONSO arrived at the river she anchored at the Sloyne and the distinguished company landed at the new stage in one of the ferry boats, the survivors were transferred to the PRESIDENT steamer and landed at the north of the Princes Pierhead with the view of being near the Northern Hospital. On landing they presented a sorry sight, many in almost a state of nudity with heads bandaged, some with arms, legs and other parts of the body bound up, from injuries by spars and wreck in the water, or knocked against boats and other ways.

208 passengers accounted for, 32 by the yacht, 160 by the AFFONSO, 16 by the fishing boat, one man was brought in by the TALIESIN, Rhyl steamer, in all 209, number stated on board 360, 151 remain unaccounted for, however, the PRINCE OF WALES steamer on her way to Bangor must have rescued some and taken them with her.

In the Northern Hospital

Ann ROPER, contused leg and badly bruised and child, she took her child in her arms, seized the rope and jumped overboard, holding on to the rope till the boat came to rescue her. Michael GLEESON, severe laceration to his hand and other injuries, his brother uninjured is also in the hospital. Margaret KERSHAW with her child, she nearly drowned and is suffering from immersion in water. Several persons were taken to Birkenhead Hospital.

Michael GLEESON states, several persons on the AFFONSO had there arms and legs fractured a steamer came alongside and three surgeons came on board to attend to those who couldn't be moved, one poor man had a compound fracture of the leg.

An eyewitness on the yacht was of the opinion that a great number of passengers lost their lives by the masts falling, which gave suddenly, those clinging to them and those running to and fro on deck in despair were killed by them.

The first assistance was rendered by Mr LITTLEDALE in his yacht QUEEN OF THE OCEAN, his powerful exertions saved 32 people. The conduct of Admiral GRENFELL, Brazilian Consul General, Capt LISBOA, Mr FROES, Vice Consul and the officers and crew of the AFFONSO is beyond praise.

The Prince and Princess de JOINVILLE, the Duke and Duchess d' AUMALE, the Chevalier LISBOA, gave all succour to the afflicted in board, among them two little children who upon these the Princesses lavished the most affecting attention.

An act of heroism exhibited towards the end of the scene when only a dozen helpless women and children remained on the burning wreck paralysed with fear and totally incapable of descending the tottering bowsprit to the boats in the midst of a heavy sea, an Englishman, Frederick JERVIN a native of Portsmouth and a seaman on board the American ship NEW WORLD, stripped naked and made his way through the sea and wreck with a line in his hand, and succeeded in getting the helpless victims to safety into the boats, himself being the last to leave the wreck. On arrival on board the AFFONSO, he was received by the Prince de JOINVILLE and Duke d' AUMALE who shook him by the hand and praised his gallantry.

Capt MURDOCK the commander of the OCEAN MONARCH narrated the sad affair, as did the 1st mate, Mr J. BRAGDON.

Mr BRAGDON refers to the sailor of the NEW WORLD as Frederick JEROME who took the line from the small boats to the OCEAN MONARCH and lowered 15 remaining passengers to safety and who distinguished himself in saving life, he had heard that he is a native of Portsmouth and that he is American.

Mr BRAGDON went on board the AFFONSO and experienced congratulations and every kindness. Amongst the most zealous on the AFFONSO he says, were Mr and Mrs LYNN of the Waterloo Hotel who were on board. Mrs LYNN went over to the poor children as they came on board, seized them in her arms, dried them, caressed them and covered them in the best way she could. Mr LYNN supplied the fainting with brandy and wine and the not so helpless with hot soup and meats etc. The conduct of both he says, was the subject of admiration and the poor poured on them incessant thanks and prayers.

An account was given by Mr J. R. FROES the Brazilian Vice-Consul at this port, who was on board the AFFONSO. He said in his account he saw the CAMBRIA [American mail boat] pass, but, she never hove to, and showed no inclination to give assistance. It is said in town that she did signal to other boats to look out, but he never saw the signal on the AFFONSO.

26th Aug 1848

Passengers

Cabin

Mr and Mrs DOW, Mr SOUTHWARD, Thomas HENRY, J. K. FELLOWS, Mr GREGG, Mr ELLIS, Mr and Mrs GRAHAM and daughter

2nd Class cabin

Mr James LIDDALL, Maine, Mrs HOWARD and child, England, Mrs REYNOLDS, Mrs ROPER and 2 children, Miss Maria BANNING, Mrs SHAW, Mr J. H. POWELL, Mrs BRISTOW, Mr MURPHY and four others.

Steerage

Mary ELLIS,40, John GLEESON, 40, Michael GLEESON, 35, Maurice MINIHAN, 22, Michael FLEMING, 40, John FLEMING, 20, Thomas HALEY, 20, Jerry BRISNALL, 30, Martin DOHERTY, 35, Edward CUROHY, 30, Ellen CUROHY, 30, Darby SULLIVAN, 16, Geoffrey SULLIVAN, 20, Michael QUICK, 39, Nancy SULLIVAN, 29, Patrick GRIFFIN, 22, , Murthy HANLY, 20, Julia DRUMMY, 48, James. DRUMMY, 11, Eugene CONDON, 27, Patrick REGAN, 23, Mary REGAN, 20, Catherine REGAN, 18, William. MOLAN, 42, Ellen MOLAN, 12, Davis MOLAN, 11, John MOLAN, 9, Catherine DWYER, Jane MC EVOY, 25, and Mary MC EVOY, 4, Mary CASHMAN, 39, Mary CASHMAN, 20, Nancy CASHMAN, 10, Darby CASHMAN, 7, Maurice CASHMAN, 5, Edmund CASHMAN, 2, William BROWN, 45, Mary Anne, 24 and Thomas ANDERSON, 5, Alice DEACON, 27, John HAMON, 24, Patrick MC MANUS,29, Ann, 27, James, 13, Thomas, 10, Catherine 5, and William REYNOLDS, 3, Mary SMITH, 20, and infant, Ann MC MANUS, 29, Mary WYNN, 24, Mary Ann GLEESON, 24, and infant, Patrick GLEESON, 3, Patrick BRADY, 8, James MURTAGH, 28, Mrs MURTAGH 20, and infant, Jane MURTAGH, 18, John 41, and Emma BELL, 40, James HELY, 41, John COMBS, 20, Ann SMITH, 18, Peter COX, 25, Richard COX, 25, Mary CROOK, 40, Martha KERSHAW 38, and infant, Ann 2, and Mary Anne KERSHAW, 2, Richard WALSH, Mary BURNS, William. GREENHOUSE, 20, Henry FISHER, 20, William. SCANLAN, Samuel POLLINSCALE, 21, James 24, and Mary SALE, 24, Sarah POLLARD, 20, Henry WHITE, 21, Winifred KEEGAN, 45, Betsey MULVONEY, 16, Catherine COYLE, 25, Michael KEAN, 25, Daniel KILMARTIN, 30, Michael ROURKE, 25, Thomas CONSTANTINE, 47, Ann CONSTANTINE, 47, William WILLS, 48, Mrs WILLS, 30, Mary Ann FINAN, 25, Bridget FINAN, 24, Mary FINAN, 3, Jane ROBERTS, 20, James WALKER, 22, John FRECKLETON, 22, Elisha BANNISTER, 22, Margaret FLOOD 45, and Margaret FLOOD, 15, Catherine, 14, and Bridget FLOOD, 12, Daniel MC CARTHEY, 12, Sarah , 14, and Margaret HALLORAN, 12, George TOMLINSON, 25, Peter WRIGGLESWORTH, 25, Rebecca, 36, Sophia 9, and Sarah Anne HILL, 9, George JONES, 28, Mrs JONES, 28, Jane NOLAN, 22, Margaret NOLAN, 18, William MAVITY, 24, Joseph BLYDEN, 28, Mrs S. NEESOM, 44, Sarah, 16, Edward and Jane NEESOM, 17, Emanuel HUGHES, 27, Mrs HUGHES 26, and infant, Mrs H. POWELL, 23, Joseph BUTTERWORTH, 30, Patrick MURPHY, 25, Johannah KELLY, 18, John, 30, Thomas 8, and Frederick BROWN, 4, Mrs BROWN 30, and infant, Catherine, 19, Mary 23, and Isabella CLARK, 6, William SAUNDERS, 26, Daniel 30, and Mary O'CONNOR, 28, Charles, 32, Sarah, 25, Alice 8, and Henry THOMPSON, 12, James HARWOOD, 32, Mary, 38, Honora 34, and Johannah TOBIN, 26, Johannah CAREY,27, Samuel 35,and John HUGHES, 14, Denis 24, and Eliza BURNS, 22, John MURRAY,26, James MC MAHON, 20, Andrew OUTLAN, 20. Edward and Mary JONES, William 25, and Margaret LLOYD, 22, Eliza BELL, 20, Denis CORCORAN, 21, John DOUGHERTY,40. James, HENRY, 20, James CONNOR, 20, Margaret MC GEE, 20, James NANGLE, 55, Dominick CURRAN, 20, James, 48, Margaret, 48, Margaret, 17, Catherine, 11, Eliza, 9, Johannah 28, and Jane RONAYNE, Robert MAXWELL, 46, John MC FALL, 24, James, 61, Mary 24, and Edwin BOOKER, 18, Betty SWALLOW, 39, James RADCLIFFE, 22, John JOHNSON, 23, Thomas 44, and Jane BRETTALL, 41, James WINSTANLEY O'HARA, 20, William SCANLAN, 60, John ATKINSON, 30, Thomas REYNOLDS, 20, Thomas, 32, Mary Ann 28, and James LISTER, 16, James and Bridget DURVEN, Samuel FIELDING, 60, Joseph SHREAD, 22, William, 30, Esther, 30, Elizabeth 5, and William JACKSON, 3, and infant, Thomas 30, and James JONES, 20, William BANSOM, 20, Catherine DWYN, 25, Arthur, 50, Betsey, Patrick and Kate DONNOLLY, 16, William TOWERS, 33, Catherine 18, and Ann GRAYSON, 29, George PARKER, 14, John KELLY, 36, John, 50, Mary,46, Elizabeth 20, and George WARBURTON, 18, Edward HURTLEY, 20, Norry 32, and Julia GALVIN, 60, Norry KEATING, 30, Catherine KELLY, 18, Norry, 18, Dennis 50, and John CALLAGHAN, 14, Mary DINAN, 18, John MOYNAH, 17, Mary CAREY, 13, Darby DONOHUE, 20, Humphrey MOYNAHAN, 20, Johannah BARRY, 25, Edward 31, and John KELLY, 34, Catherine 8, and Daniel LEARY, 11, Thomas 27, and Mrs KAY, 26, James 26, and Catherine WILSON 25,and infant, Edward 5, and Margaret SHEEN, 50, Peter SMITH, 19, Joseph, 28, Mary, 25, Ann 2, and Sarah SHAW, 1, Ann FIELDING, 60, Sarah FISHER, 25, Emma SHEA, 37, Elizabeth, 24, Sarah Anne 9, and Edward WARD, 3, Thomas COYBRY, 40, Michael FANNING, 25, Ann GIBNEY, 20, Mary MAXWELL, John GEORGE, Margaret ALLEN, Bridget REGAN, Daniel and Jane RYDER, Hugh GLYN, Frederick BROWN, Mrs BROWN infant and child, Catherine, 23, Johanna 4, and Ellen SULLIVAN, 2, Susan CALLAGHAN, 12, James O'BRIEN, 15, Elizabeth THOMPSON, 45, Michael LYNCH, 21, Margaret, 15, Ellen, 14, Mary 10, and Thomas SMITH, 8, Patrick DELANGHAM, 26, Ellen RUTH, 18, Owen CURLEY, 21, Frances SPENCER, 24, Mary WARBURTON and infant, Arthur MULDOON, 25, Mary Ann NESBITH, 20, Acles CUDDY, 16, Francis 18, and Catherine WOODS, 17, Margaret GORMLY, 17, Ellen 55, and Bridget TIERNEY, 23, Mary. A, 25, Sarah 4, and George TAYLOR, 2, Rosanna GREEN, 25, William MAGUIRE, 27, Bridget 20, and Mary GAFFNEY, 18, Michael GLEESON, 15, D. GLEESON, 20, Nancy NOLAN, 17, Ann MURPHY, 30, Elizabeth, 32, Jane 19, and James MC LELLAND, 16, Mary MAGUIRE, 18, Bridget 20, and Mary GAFNEY, 18, Michael KEEGAN.35, Mr W,. DRISTON 30, Mary MAXWELL, 20, John GEORGE, 33, Margaret ALLAN, Bridget REGAN, Hugh GLYNNE 30.

Mr Whiston DRISTON was a passenger in the stateroom, 6 first class cabin, 20 second class cabiin, 1 stateroom and 321 steerage, totalling 348.

Messers HARNDEN will send passengers who choose, out with the HOPE on the 28th inst or the SUNBEAM on the 3rd, however, many of the saved have been so terrified by what they witnessed and suffered that yesterday they called at the Waterloo Road for the passage money they had paid, this was promptly refunded.

Passengers unaccounted for

John ATKINSON, Thomas and Mary Ann ANDERSON, Johanna BARING, George BARKER, William BANSON, John, Emma and Eliza BELL, Joseph BLYDEN, Patrick BRADY, Jerry BRISNALL, Thomas William BROWN wife and child, Mary BURNS, Joseph BUTTERWORTH, Mary BUTTAN, Dennis and Susan CALLAGHAN, son and daughter, [5 children] CASHMAN, Catherine, Mary and Isabella CLARK, Catherine COYLE, Eugene CONDON, Ann CONSTANTINE, John COMBS, Richard, Peter and Mary Anne COX, Mary CROOK, Acles CUDY, Ellen CURLEY, Patrick DELHANHAM, James, Bridget DEVINE and child, Alice DEACON, John DOLAN, Darby DONOHUE, John and Martin DOUGHERTY, Whiston DRISTON, Mary DRUAN, Julia and James DRURY, Catherine DURGEN, Mary ELLIS, Sarah FISHER, Mary Ann, Mary and Bridget FINAN, Margaret FLOOD, Nora GALVIN, Mary GAFFNEY, Ann, Mary and Philip GLEESON and child, Margaret GORMLY, Rosanna GREEN, Margaret HALLORAN, Murthy HANLEY, James HELY, James HENRY, Rebecca HILL, Mary and John HUGHES, William JACKSON wife and child, William JACKSON wife and two children, John JOHNSON, George JONES and wife, Thomas, Jane and Mary JONES, Thomas KAYE and wife, Michael KEAN, Winifred KEEGAN, Ellen KELLEHER and child, Nora KEATING, Edward KELLY, Catherine KILBY, Neville LOWES, Robert MAXWELL, Jane and Mary MC EVOY, Daniel MC CARTHY, Margaret MC GEE, John MOYNCH, Ellen, Davis and John MOLAN, Ann MURPHY, William MURTY, Betsey MULVONEY, Arthur MULDOON, Jane MURTAGH and child, Jane NEESOM, Mary Ann NESBITT, James and Margaret NOLAN, Daniel O'CONNOR and wife, Biddy and Catherine O'HARA, Samuel POLLINSCALE, George PARKER, Mary QUINN and two sons, Jane ROBERTS, James RADCLIFF, James, Margaret, Catherine, Eliza and Margaret RONAYNE, James and Mary SALE, Joseph, Mary, Ann and Sarah SHAW, Margaret SHENAN, Joseph SHREAD, Margaret, Ellen , Thomas and Mary SMITH and child, William and Frances SPENCER, Darnby, Geoffry, Johanna, Ellen, Catherine and Nancy SULLIVAN, Sarah and George TAYLOR, William TOWNS, Ellen and Bridget TIERNEY, Henry, Sarah, Elizabeth and Alice THOMPSON, Sarah Ann and Edward WARD, James and Catherine WILSON and child, James WINSTANLEY, William WILLIS and wife, Mary WYNNE.

xxxxx

Those who distinguished themselves in saving life