... Cape Fearafter and floating over its surface, threatened to envelops every ship on it in flames. The of these vessels left the river hastily, avoid the imminent danger. Could not the rface of James river be thus covered with contents of thousands of barrels of tar, rude turpentine, and resin in a state of ignition, upon which might be thrown old boxes, barrels, lumber and shanties, pine faggots and s...