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

LOSS OF THE AMAZON.

- - -
PLYSIOOTEr, FRIDAY. —The improper s'owage of some tal-
low on board the unfo, tunate Amazon is now given as the
Muse of the destruction of that ill-tated ship The tallow
Was in ea:Au, placed on bags on the coal, and it is asserted
that the tatow was so much heeted by the engine fires that
It molted through the casks, on the bags and coal, and thus
l'elidared the whole easily iguitible.
One of the passengeis, Mr. Allen, of the West Indies, was
Observed pacing the deck with his hands in prayer, patiently
'Waiting that inevitable fate from which he knew there was
leo 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
IA 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 fur their purpose.
If 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 probahi-
litY is, that when the crew of the life-boat thought the
t "argue answered them she was replying to the gig, the crew
which it now seems she has raved.
'When the life-boa' first made out the brig Marsden
the was thought, probably from her name, to be a Dutch
3hip, and Nerenk, one of the Amazon's crew, hailed her
lo that language. Captain Evans on this hesitated to re-
ceive them, thinking they might be pirates, whereon Mr.
addressed him in English, and on finding they
'were shipwrecked mariners he instantly received them on
board, and treated them with every humanity,
SueeiesupToN, 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 testitying 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
Insufficieat 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 einkieg
of the ship. The prudence of adjourning the inquiry for
further evidence is now fully apparent, and it is hoped the::
the portion of the passengers and crew who have landed on
the French coast may be able to throw some additional light
bpon the many points which are requisite to be cleared up.
Besides the testimony of the crew, we hope that of the sur-
'riving passengers will be invited—not alone for the interest
of the company, but for the sake of supply ing 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 widows 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 of Southampton
Op to the present moment swell the total amount to nearle
4001. 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 of the
country.
The following circular has been issued this afternoon, pre-
liminary to a public meeting at the Guildhall, on Monday,
'here a committee will be formed:—
" LOSS OF THE AMAZON.
" Southampton, January 9, 1852.
" are requested by the Mayor to solicit your at-
tendance_ at a public, meeting, to be held at the Guildhall, on
Monday next, at twelve o'clock, for the purpose of adopting
such measures as may be deemed expedient for the relief of
the widows and fatherless children of the unfortunate suf-
ferers by that awful calamity.
,Subscriptions will be most thankfully received by the
ay or and Hon. Secretaries, and vat ions banks in the town.
" We are, Sir, your most obedient servants,
"JOHN HENRY COOKSEY,
"Jenne Levy, Hon. Secretaries."

Among the crew of the Amazon who were saved is an able
Neiman, named James Maylin. He arrived at Southampton
sca Wednesday night. He belongs to Wisbeach, in Cam-
bridgeshire. wlle is an intelligent and apparently a trust-
" Worthy,.. man. He states that soon after the ship left the
-Needles they stopped two hours off Portland to throw water
4;,.a the engines; the captain at this time was walking the
soridge. Maylin was on watch on Saturday night in the
100k-out at the port bow. Mowatt, another man who was
'4'7o, was looking out on the starboard bow. The second
officer had charge of the watch. At a quarter to one on
esurnlay morning he heard the fire-bell, which was rung by
essmore, another of those saved. On turning round
4d fleeing whereabouts the ship was on fire, he imiam-
lhl.lately rushed to get at the wet swabs, which had been
`elide ready the night before to clean the decks for Sunday
Vrayers, and threw them on the foregrating close to the
fere funnel. He then, with another man, hove two trusses
they overboard, which had taken fire. At that moment
. captain came on deck in his shirt and trousers., and
Nrithout shoes or stockings, and Marlin assisted him in
Rhrowing water down the forecabin. The captain was per-
tly calm and collected, and though working laboriously,
giving orders t the various persona who were near him.
scene of indescribable terror and confusion ensued ;
and Maylin states, that the despairing and agonised screams
l`sl the people, together with the cries of the tortured ani-
eals on board, seem yet to ring in his ears. He sew num-
of persons rush on deck, stricken with terror, many of
them terribly burnt. Some dropped down dead immediately,
swooned with fright and suffering. He remembers
aeeing a boy rush on deck in a Guernsey frock, with his
face tearfully burnt. While getting the boat ready in which
s e escaped, a female passenger rushed on deck. She
bad only her nightgown on, the bottom of which and her
Me were much burnt. Three times she was placed in the
peat that was saved—once by Quartermaster Dunford
but she refused to remain. He heard several hurriedly say
then
ber, that they would soon give her plenty of clothing
she got away from the ship, but modestly prevailed
aver the love of life, ana she remained behind to perish.
4les,last words Maylin heard Captain Symons say were,
lt e all up
boats with us—there is no hope, my men—get your
ready." He then saw him fur the last time as he _ eat aft towards the wheel. Maylin then almost immedi-
iklely fell through the deck, and received a flesh wound in
me knee. What aided much to the disastrous consequences
ac_ the fire, was the not being able to stop the engines, on
count of the terrible heat in the engine-room. The speed
Irlvblh she was going through the sea, rendered it &most
oseible to launch the boats without their being swamped.
e; c boat in which the 21 were saved, most fortunately and
"4ngularly escaped swamping. After leaving the ship ;he
liar no living thing on board—he thinks that all but himself
j d companions must have perished in the waves in attempt-
ing tb escape, or must have been disabled or killed by the
littnes. It was break of day before the Amazon event down.
6ave her distinctly when her magazine blew up. A large
Iltireber of rockets mounted up in the air at the time.

voy
TO THE ZDITOS OF TIIE TIMES.
artoBi;—• Nothing could be more auspicious than the dep
ure
tthe Amazon from Southampton waters on tier first age,
t the afternoon of Friday, th 2d of Jnuary, 152. She
Pss accompanied by the mai e l tender,a crowdedBwith the
pends of the ship, the passengers, and the captain, by whom
:4eY bad just been hospitably entertained on board, and who
'vinced by their hearty cheers at parting how sincerely they
/dated us a safe and prosperous voyage.
The Amazon was a beautifully built ship of 2,250 tons
'Orden, with a flush deck of nearly 300 feet in length, pro-
Pelled by two splendid engines of 400-horse power each,
!toted with a supply of 1,000 sacks of coal, and 1,000 tons in
hulk. She had on board 165 in all, including seven women
sand two children—viz., 50 passengers and 106 crew and at-
tendants.
The wind was right ahead, but she proceeded steadily
'4l till about 9 o'clock, when the bearings of the cranks
of
the paddle.shaft became so hot that she was stopped
:tabled
Until by pumping water upon
ti
fo
m ran hour she was
to proceti. This operation was repeated during
s'ile night and following morning, and on Saturday, at 12
'clock, oar position was lat. 49 12, long. 4 57. Towards
evening the wind increased still ahead—our course, west
Od
by south half south. Between 8 and 9 o'clock I was
svalking the deck with Mr. Best, of Barbadoes, speaking
0,,,f the state of the engines, on which they were then
" You appear very anxious about those en-
sines," said he, "is there any danger ?" "None," said I,
las long as there is plenty of sea-room ; but with our €13..
glues stopped, on a lee shore, I would not give much for
our chance of escape in such a night as we are likely
to have„ from the appearance of the weather." " I
tope, said he, " there is no chance of fire, as we
Should have two elements to contend with." " I hope' not,"
I replied, " for we should have three, as it is evidently "
to blow a gale, and we must then look to thefourth for gongforolur
refuge," "God forbid 1" said he, three to one are fearful
Odds. Good night," and he went below. I then proceeded
to the engine-room and found the heariifasivaaerayt.uhot. I men-
tioned to one of the engineers my appreh r the night,
lead recommended to slacken speed ; while we were yet
°Peaking the bearings became so hot that the contents ofthe
Ref
burst off like so much steam. Ms. An oe
thief engineer, who, bads been raost constant in his aalten-
Mons, was immediately on the spot, stopped the engines,
44,eked the caps, and applied the pumps for two hours before
Nre could proceed. I had several times during the day con-
versed with Mr. Angus on the state of the engines, which be
old me he did not expect would get settled to their bearings
or at least a week.
briFr_orn the necessity of keeping the bearings constantly lu-
th eared, a very large vessel of grease stood at the door of
store.roorn, which was under the galley. At about
on 11 the engines were again put about and I went
isit deck and joined Captain Symons. who stated his appre-.
l'e!laion of a heavy gale before morning, when he expected,
aiji and a change of wind to the northward. We conversed
"it midnight, when he went below.
„Being partially conversant with machinery, I felt anxious
Tle!ut the state of the engines, and walked the deck until
if
past 12, when I again went to the engine-room, leaving
. Vincent, midshipman of the watch, on deck.
tsst'e engines were then going at three-quarters speed, and
s's','neineer in attendance, putting his hand on the bearings
—„ e
Me
t all
es was going quite comfortable, and I accordingly
Ted rt
proceeded 0 Minutes after I had left the deck Mr. Vincent
.whe below to set the time by the Captain's directions,
pa he be perceived smoke and fire coming up the fore-hatch-
ea Vast the ship's galley. lie immediately gave the alarm
who'? °Meer of the watch, and ran aft to inform the Captain,
to tstnatantly came on deck and directed his whole energies
rs.'" sntspression of the fire
eb had net b .
atom been in bed for five minutes
.when I first heard
diedbY th bell, and the cries of " Fire," which
.were accornpa-
and rush.e shrieks of several of the female cabin passengers,
akendie ing from my berth I saw the sparks and flames
ss.. _JP _
tshe isa%,e`te main hatchway above the engines, and many
tb: retired hurrying on deck in their night-clothes.
estannsea,i°n'ilY cabin and put on part of my clothes, whmi.
"ebt:iAt thaVonfusion warned me to lose no time in
net, osq•ie Perae`'l'
rcutki h.naid,d I saw on reaching the deck was Mr. Bur-
belt in un,wisi' standing in his night-shirt with a life-buoy
rnv wrought
time, / to my mind that I had left a life-
the
the imipdesfltl
the saajurltea to:0111(th I might perhaps recover if I had yet
oil store-rods the flames, which were rising from
saso tailenveays in so bright a mass as to con-
cabin, ssbie%--, and esi:t the fire had originated in or near the
'napping
ri
hI seenetat there might be time to regain my
I could ng" k anllettevid.in doing though the windows were
Just as I had
at brat la, With the heat of the flames.
each of the
ef the di • found it tnY hand on the belt, it being dark ;
Pr division at tremendous
Oa leavin fire aft,
tilhot attem the end
dous crash of the glass panels
of the cabins announced the ap-
pt the PP
cabin paaseug cabin
Jeers, ass
a ed at tt dared
regain the deck several of the
ie approach of the fire,
era for aPProaeh f
the ward in vein ° the companion-stairs; I urged
PPer deck unhurt, nnd drawing a long breath I gained
ap.a ° desert on could
Kelso •rf cb convey any adequate impression of
" there Presented itself. With the excePtion