The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-15 00:00:00

GREAT FIRE AT HAVRE.

On the 12th inst. the ship-yard of one of the
largest builders in France was for several hours a
prey to fire. Shortly after midnight the generale
was sounded in the streets of Havre, and it was soon
found that the building-sheds of M. Normand, in the
suburb of Perrey, were in flames. Immediately the
alarm was given the authorities of Havre and Ingou-
ville, about 500 men of the Ist Light Infantry, the
fire brigades of th 3 three communes, the Custom-
house officers, with the gendarmerie, police, and
national guards, repaired in haste to the scene of the
disaster. It was found that the fire had broken out
in the large block of workshops in the centre of the
dock, and the flames, which rose in broad messes,
lighted up the horizon. From this centre the flames,
favoured by the high combustibility of the materials
collected there, extended to the frame on which rested
the magnificent steamer Normandy and a schooner
yacht in course of construction for M. Caylus. Words
cannot describe the appearance presented at this moment
by this scene of desolation. The elegant lines of
the steamer and schooner, which the flames enveloped
on every side, showed grandly at times through the
smoke, and occasionally as,utned the most fantastic
forms and proportions. Seen from the shore, the
two vessels had the appearance of resting on a sea of
fire, and being beaten by its waves. Notwithstanding
the efforts the of workmen, the flames made
short work with the two ships. At the end of
an hour the cradle of the Normandy was level with
the ground, and the vessel, reduced to a mere hulk,
lay upon it as upon its bier. Of the once promising
schooner there remained but a few smoking embers.
From the beginning it was seen that it would be
impossible to save these two vessels from destruction,
after the flames had once invaded them. All the
energies of the workmen were therefore directed with
a view to circumscribe as much as possible the ra-
vages of the fire. This end was partially attained.
The steamer Cs gne, constructed for the company of
Messageries Nationales, was saved from the destruc-
tive action of the fire, which, however,
charred her sides for a considerable length. Tne
citizens behaved with the greatest courage, and per-
severed in their endeavours, in spite of the shower of
fire which rained around. A fine shore boat, destined
to take part in the approaching regattas, was dragged
from the midst of the fire, and conveyed to a place of
safety. By great exertion the great workshop situate
in the Rue Perrey, as well as the immense stacks of
timber piled in the northern part of the yard, was
also saved. The loss sustained, as far as appears at
present, is about 400,000/. The proprietor was in-
sured fur a portion of the damage, but neither of the
vessels were included in the policy. Happily the di-
rection of the wind at the time huadered the progress
of the flames, otherwise Perrey must have been in
great danger of destruction, and Havre had hardly
escaped. A great ship now building in the yard of
M. Vasse, contiguous to that of M. Normand, was
for a short time menaced by the flames from the
Cygne, but was fortunately saved.