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Brig William Pitt. A. Homes

On a voyage from Philadelphia for Boston with an assorted cargo this vessel took fire from spontaneous combustion of cotton waste in the hold & put back to Edgartown after cutting holes in the deck to put out the fire.  The fire was extinguished by discharging part of the cargo, which was reladen and the voyage finished: an adjustment of the Loss is now required.

Abstract from the Protest.
1846
Mar. 27 Sailed from Philadelphia
Mar. 31 At 8am Nausett Lights bore W S W. distant 10 miles. At 10 am the watch below were awakened by smoke & driven on Deck. The Fire Castle was full and the fire appeared to be in the fore Hold. Water was thrown down the forescuttle and three Holes cut through the larboard side of the Deck, & water thrown down in hopes to extinguish the fire, but the smoke & flames poured out, and signals were set for assistance  The Brig William Penn, & the Schooner Coiner sent their Boats, with men, and another hole was cut through the deck on the starboard side to throw down water, but fire appeared to gain and it was deemed expedient to stop up all the holes & gangways as close as possible & put away for the nearest accessible port: Stood South and made all sail.
April 1 At 3 PM passed Montgomery point & kept away for Edgartown: At 5 Passed the Light Boat, at 6:30 passed Cape Page, & at 7 run aground in attempting to enter Edgartown Harbor: The Master went immediately for assistance and got a Lighter & obtained a Lighter & man to get the Brig Afloat: At 3:30 got off the flat and run into the Harbour. At 6 hauled in at the wharf. Fire apparently abating: Commenced discharging Deck load, cleared the Deck & got up tackle to discharge cargo at 10. Surveyors came on board who ordered the hatches to be opened & some cargo discharged which was done with little appearance of fire but as soon as the cargo forward was broken out the flames & smoke burst forth with such fury that it was found necessary to close the hatches until a Fire Engine could be got along side when they were opened again & by throwing in water as the cargo was got out they put out the fire, after which all the cargo which had been burned was discharged.

Transcription Notes:
Left off on line 10 (below Abstract)