THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 17, 1865. 749

THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 17, 1865.
the usual salute, which was immediately replied
to, after which I continued my course for Buenos
Ayres, with a fresh hreeze and port studding sails,
set (bonnettes a habord). At half-past four
o'clock, I was already at a great distance, when I
was informed by my men that the ship was on
fire. At first I could not believe this intelligence,
knowing that the ship was a steam-ship, but I
was soon undeceived by my eyes, and I could not
doubt that a catastrophe was becoming imminent.
I therefore immediately took in the studdingsails, and made short tacks in order to approach
and to place myself in a position to render such
assistance as the situation might require.
On my way I met three large boats full of
people, they were furnished with some square
sails, wind astern (voiles de fortune vent arriere).
My intention was to take the men on board, but
from their signals I was satisfied as as to their
safety, and they requested me to continue my
course to succour, if possible, their companions
in misfortune.
I kept on tacking therefore, when suddenly I
saw a small boat containing twenty-two men. I
immediately hove to, and a moment later I had
the satisfaction of receiving on board, the Commander of the ship, three officers, and eighteen
sailors. They were in a state of complete, or
almost complete nudity, especially the Commander. I immediately adopted all the means at my
disposal to clothe and make them comfortable. I
then pressed the Commander to take a cordial,
which he declined in spite of my entreaties, and
insisted on re-embarking in order to return to
the ship, wishing to give assistance, as far as possible, up to the last moment, to his unfortunate
companions, and to be present, as he considered
ib his duty to be, at the inevitable explosion of
his ship. To this fine and honourable conduct I
yielded, and could only promise him to wait as
near the ship as possible. Four men volunteered
to follow this noble example, and embarked with
him. At forty minutes past eight the explosion
took place, with a fearful noise, and in an instant
all was over.
Haa this grand devotion of the Captain received
its reward P This is my most ardent desire.
However, after having waited more than two
hours longer, I did not see the boat returning,
and with regret I found myself compelled to turn
my course to Monte Video.
. About fifteen minutes after midnight the
English gunboat hailed me, and after having
furnished her with all the information I possessed,
particularly on the supposed fate of the Captain
of the-ship, she sent to remove from on board, all
the men 1 had picked up.
Position of the ship. The Cerr bore S. 54 E.
The Island of Flores N. 12 E. Latitude S. 35°
03' 30". Longitude W. 58° 19' 15".
These, Monsieur le Consul, are the events,
imperfectly related, which took place before
my
eyes, respecting the destruction of the ship if Bombay ;" in which unfortunate affair I trust that I
have fulfilled the duties which humanity imposes,
and only regret not to have been able to do
more.
I have, &c.
(Signed) VQE. GOUSSIAUME.
749
British Consulate, Buenos Ayres,
December 21,1864.
My dear Colleague,
I HAVE received with much pleasure your
note of this day's date, accompanied by a copy
of a Eeport made to you by the Captain of the
French vessel " Fenelon," relative to the burning
of Her Majesty's ship " Bombay," of which he
was an eye-witness. The conduct of this officer,
and the services rendered by him during the
disaster, deserve the highest praise, and must
have called forth the gratitude and admiration of
the sufferers; the pains which he has also taken
to preserve a record of those circumstances which
reflect credit on the Captain of Her Majesty's
ship "Bombay," are a pleasing mark of consideration and kindness which will not pass
unnoticed*
I beg you will express to the Captain of the
"Fenelon" how highly I appreciate his conduct,
and acquaint him that his Eeport will be
transmitted to Her Majesty's Government as
evidence in the official investigation of the
affair.
Accept also my personal thanks for your kind
expressions on the occasion of so deplorable a
catastrophe, and believe me to be, &c.,
(Signed)
FEANK PARISH.
Monsieur Leopold Dudemaine,
Consul de France.
Buenos Ayres,
My Lord,
December 29,1864.
I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith for
your Lordship's information an extract of a letter
from Admiral Chaigneau, Commander-in-Chief of
the French naval forces on this station, to M. de
Vernouillet, French Charge d'Affaires to this
Eepublic, relative to the unfortunate loss of Her
Majesty's ship " Bombay." As the Admiral was
on board his own frigate " L'Astree" at the time,
and in sight of the disaster, his letter may be
considered interesting.
I have, &c.,
EDWD. THOENTON.
The Earl Russell, KG.,
$c. Sfc. $c.
A lord de VAstree, rade de Montevideo,
le 16 Decembre, 1864.
Monsieur et cher Ministre,
M. EICHEBEAQUE a du vous dire que les
douloureuses impressions, sous lesquelles m'avait
place le deplorable evenement arrive au magnifique vaisseau anglais le " Bombay," et les
dispositions que mes sympathies et 1'humanite
me faisaient un devoir de preudre pour Arenir
en aide a mon digne collegue et ami 1'Amiral
Elliot, et lui fournir les moyens de loger et
d'habiller l'6tat-major et 1'Equipage de son vaisseau, ne m'avaient pas permis de vous £crire par
son occasion, et que j'avais du le charger de vous
dormer toutes les nouvelles qui etaient de nature
True copy, &c., &c.
a vous interesser.
Hien n'a pu efcre decouvert sur les causes de
Buenos Ayres, December 20,1864.
ce terrible et effroyable incendie qui a debute
(Signed)
LEOP. DUDEMAINE.
In Charge of the Consulate. d'une maniere si violente qu'il a ete impossible
de s'approcher de son foyer; sa marche et ses
To the French Consulate
progres out ete si rapides qu'en moins d'une
demie-heure il a embrase tout le vaisseau, qu'il
at Buenos Ayres.