It appears that this ill-fated vessel, the property of Messrs. Ashley; Brothers, of Liverpool, was bound to Aden, from Newcastle, with a cargo of coals, tar, and pitch. On the 3rd instant, when in lat. 26� 42' S., and long. 58� 30' E.; on the forehatch being removed, for the purpose of obtaining water, a dense mass of smoke was observed issuing from the lower hold, and on the main hatch being, taken off it was ascertained that the coals had ignited. The whole of that day and night, and the following morning were employed in throwing water on the coals, and heaving the dangerous cargo overboard, but the flames soon burst out so furiously, as to preclude all possibility of extinguishing them, and the officers and crew were compelled to take to the boats. Shortly afterwards the whole vessel was enveloped in flames, and soon presented but one mass of fire. Before the boats had made much way the masts went by the board, and the hull was still blazing when they lost sight of her. The long boat contained the master and twenty hands, the pinnace was occupied by the chief officer, Mr. Moody, and thirteen men. The latter report that on the night of the 5th, they lost sight of the longboat, about 300 miles to the S.E. of this island ; that they descried a vessel on the 8th, but pursued her in vain for two hours, making signals of distress, and finding it impossible to get up to her, made for this port. They arrived at Petite Rivière, at Mr. A. Geneve's, on Saturday, at five 'clock, whence they sailed for Port Louis on Monday morning.-

Le Cerneen, February 24.

P 37 SG&SGTL 20 Apr 44

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