The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-10 00:00:00

LOSS OF THE AMAZON.

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PLYMOUTH, FRIDAY. —The improper stowage of some tal-
low on board the unfortunate Amazon is now given as the
cause of the destruction of that ill-fated ship. The tallow
Was in casks, placed on bags on the coal, and it is asserted
that the tallow was so much heated by the engine fires that
it melted through the casks, on the bags and coal, and thus
rendered the whole easily ignitible.
One of the passengers, fir. Allen, of the West Indies, was
observed pacing the deck with his hands in prayer, patiently
waiting that inevitable fate ffora which he knew there was
no escape. A gentleman and lady, in their night dresses
Only, both on fire, came on deck, and with their arms round
each other, walked over to one of the ship's hatches, and fell
together into the flames.
After getting possession of the life-boat, no rowlocks could
be found, but Mr. Vincent, the young midshipman, who re-
tained his self-possesion throughout, coolly took a spar, and
With his knife soon cut sufficient for their purpose.
It the strange barque, seen after leaving the Amazon, had
borne down towards the life-boat, she could not have taken
out the men, so tempestuous was the sea, and the probabi-
lity is, that when the crew of the life-boat thought the
barque answered them she was replying to the gig, the crew
of which it now seems she has saved.
When the life-boat first made out the brig Marsden
she was thought, probably from her name, to be a Dutch
ship, and Nerenk, one of the Amazon's crew, hailed her
in that language. Captain Evans on this hesitated to re-
ceive them, thinking they might be pirates, whereon Mr.
Neilson addressed him in English, and on finding they
were shipwrecked mariners he instantly received them on
board, and treated them with every humanity.
SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY.—The investigation held here
yesterday by the Court of Directors of the Royal Mail
Steam Company, and the evidence then received added but
little to the intelligence and particulars previously published.
The facts elicited, beyond testifying to the perfect efficiency
of the ship and her engines, and to the high state of disci-
pline of the officers, engineers, and crew, were manifestly
insufficient to enable the directors to arrive at any conclu-
sion either respecting the origin of the fire on board the
Amazon or the thrilling events which preceded the sinki-g
of the ship. The prudence of adjourning the inquiry for
further evidence is now fully apparent, and it is hoped that
the portion of the passengers and crew who have landed on
the French coast may be able to throw some additional light
upon the many points which are requisite to be cleared up.
Besides the testimony of the crew, we hope that of the sur-
viving passengers will be invited—not alone for the interest
of the company, but for the sake:of supply ieg to the public
the greatest amount of information that can be procured.
It is thought probable that the steamer due at Southamp-
ton from Havre on Tuesday morning next may bring the
sufferers from Brest, and in that case the investigation would
be resumed in Southampton. A number of people congre-
gated at the docks to-day, awaiting the arrival of the French
packet from Havre, but she brought no tidings whatever.
We have much pleasure in having it in our power to
announce that the directors of the Royal Mail Steam-packet
Company have contributed 100 guineas to the proposed
subscription for relieving the unfortunate sufferers by the
wreck of. the Amazon, and for rendering substantial aid to
the a idows and orphans left by the crew. Mr. Thomas
Baring, M.P , the chairman of the Royal Mail Steam Com-
pany, has also given the munificent sum of 100 guineas,
and other subscriptions from the inhabitants ofSoutbampton
up to_the present moment swell the total amount to nearly
400/. A. large sum will be necessary for promptly and
efficiently carrying out the objects of this subscription, and
it is hoped that donations will flow in from all parts f the
country.
The following circular has been issued this afternoon, pre-
liminary to a public, meeting at the Guildhall, on Monday,
Where a committee will be formed :7_