LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE HIBERNIA. 175 
LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE HIBERNIA, 
Bound for Van DieraavJs Land, iciih passengers. The fol- 
lovjing is from a letter of Mr. James Easby, milhorighif 
Richmond, Yorkshire, one of the passengers. 
On the 5th of February, about eleven o'clock, A. M. an 
alarm of fire was given, Avhich was ascertained to be but too 
true. The second mate, who acted as steward, had gone into 
the state-room, and while in the act of drawing a bucket of 
rum, let a lighted candle fall into the spirits ; and instead of 
giving the alarm, endeavored to extinguish the flames by- 
throwing about the store-room the blazing spirits, which dread- 
fully burnt his legs and arms, and set fire to a quantity of tar, 
pitch, spirits, straw, &c. As soon as an alarm was given the 
deck was scuttled, and water poured in — every exertion was 
used to arrest the all-devouring element, but to no purpose ; 
in less than two hours all hopes of saving either ship or car- 
go were abandoned, as between decks and lower-holds were 
full of smoke and the flames were breaking through between 
th-e decks. The captain now ordered the boats to be launch- 
ed, which was done. Giving me some books, charts, &c. he 
ordered me to get into the long boat, and take care of the few 
provisions which were saved from the sailors' forecastle and 
cabin. O what a scene of horror now took place ! Some 
were seen dressed up in their best clothes, as if going to a 
ball ; others were profaning God's name with the m.ost awful 
execrations , while some were on their knees supplicating his 
mercy. 
" 'Now shrieked the timid ^ 
" And stood still the brave." 
There were two hundred and thirty-two souls on board, and 
the boats would not hold more than a third of that number ; 
they were filled in a moment, and dropt astern. As the ship 
was still going, we drifted away, picking up a few who swam 
from the ship, or floated on pieces of timber. The whole of 
the sails and masts of the noble Hibemia were now in flames, 
and in a few minutes fell into the sea. And now a most dread- 
ful scene presented itself — all endeavoring to get upon the 
masts, with the expectation of being picked up by the boats, 
that being the only sad alternative, the flames or a watery 
grave. Those who got upon the rafts had neither vi^ater nor 
provisions, and if not picked up, would linger out a painful 
