Posted inMaritime & Naval History Natural World Ship Histories

Gallant Captain Saves Ship From Volcano’s Wrath

The St. Lucia correspondent of the New York Journal sends a graphic interview with the captain of the steamship Roddam, which was the only vessel saved when the awful visitation fell upon St. Pierre.

He states that they had only recently arrived, and that they still had steam up though the vessel was anchored. Then he describes the catastrophe :

“A burning mass thrown up by the volcano struck my steamer broadside. The shock was so terrible that it nearly capsized the vessel, big as she is. On hearing the awful explosion that had preceded the shock to ourselves, and seeing what looked like a great wall of flame rapidly approaching us from the volcano, all of us on board sought shelter wherever it was possible to get away from the terrible hail which then began to fall around us.

Posted inTrue Crime

Uttering A Forged Order

William Elphinstone, aged 22, described as a sailor, was placed at the bar, charged with feloniously uttering a forged order for monies to Moses Myers. Mr. Phillips defended the prisoner, who, it appeared from the evidence, had presented an order for 10 l., which appeared to be an order for an advance of wages to the prisoner, under an engagement of his making a voyage in the capacity of chief mate to India in the ship Madras, and which appeared to be signed by the master, Robert Slack. The prosecutor’s wife advanced a sovereign on it, and promised to give the prisoner more on the ensuing day. He, accordingly called to receive the money, when the prosecutor’s wife, having discovered by inquiry that the order had been forged, gave him into custody.