Captain Carr, of the Routenbeck, has by the China's mail received at Port Adelaide particulars of an extraordinary recent experience of Captain Rice, who commanded the River Boyne, in which he sailed from Liverpool to Valparaiso with coal. On the 88th day out a strong smell of gas and the presence of smoke in a ventilator showed that the cargo had spontaneously ignited. At once the crew threw water over the coal to suppress the fire; but another danger arose as a furious gale assailed the vessel, compelling the master to relinquish contending with the fire in order to battle with the other elements. The ship was scudded before the gale until she reached a landlocked bay close to False Cape Horn. There the ship was anchored, and another fight with the flames ensued, but it was of no avail, as they obtained the mastery. The crew were completely exhausted, and in the face of the difficulty it was resolved to scuttle the ship. She was taken in shore to an eligible spot, and the sea permitted to flow into her. This was effectual, and the conflagration being thus suppressed she upon the next falling tides was pumped out, and then proceeded on her voyage. On the occurrence becoming known in England underwriters at once subscribed and presented 100 guineas to Captain Rice, and a similar sum to the officers and crew for the exertions which certainly saved both ship and cargo.— Register.