Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-13
HEnALp OFFICE, NoRFoLk,
Fy;doy. March 9-6 fl. N. }
MOST AWFUL. CONFLAGRATION!

MOST AWFUL CONGREGATIONS!
I, has become our painful task to record a
mother most destructive visitation OF our un'or-
tuns,e town by fire, which broke out TINS morn,
ing at half past one O'Clock in small smell "
a building south side Of Mar-street, few PAGES
East of Church-sireet, occupied as wnee,-
wright shop by Mr.. Z. Balance. The oeiia,
ing was in a blaze before it was discovered, ana
the tenants of the large frame house belonging
to the heirs Of David Patterson, forming the D.
z. corner Of Main and Church streets, were no,
apprized Of their danger until the famts IA" =
communicated 10 il, such was the rapidity %
their nroqress. owing to the dryness oil the
weather, and strong South Easterly WIND.
The buildings on the North side OF Main 81.
immediately opposite the fire, were also very
combustible; the exertions Of the Fire ComPa-
mics, succeeded in preserving them-but II Is
beyond the power Of our pen TO describe inc
scene which presented ITSELF, when the names
had risen to their height in the second ouilain9'
The wind which seemed 10 have increased ~
violence, whirled the sparks and flakes o. i're
to an immense distance, descended Ike ari'',hg
snow, which literally covering. the shingea
roofs of the houses 20 lecward, seemed 10 oeiy
all human power to save them from cohllagra-
ton Several times were some VI the most
combusible Of them on fire, but as often extin-
guished by the active exertlons OF our naray
fire-men. At length it was perceived tnat
fake had lodged on The ample * elevated ROOF
of Christ Church (about $50 yards to iecwara
of the fire, } and kindled into blaze. The hose
Of one of the Fire Companies was immediately
sent to extinguish 1t, but, alas! too late. lhe
fire had penetrated into the vacancy between
the vaulted ceiling and the ridge pole, and
there was no means of ascent within the church
the stream Of water could not reach il from
without and before ladder Of sufficient length
could be obtained, The fire had spread the whole
length Of the roof, and burst forth in terrihc
grandeur.
The buildings between Main street and The
church within the parallels Of Church and Fen
Church sis. were now considered out OF danger;
but those beyond the church within the same
parallel, it appeared TO be beyond all human
power to save The elegant mansion OF Wal
ter Heron, Esq half mile at least from The
original seat Of the fire, had caught about the
same time and in the same manner as the
Church; believing his premises in no danger,
Mr.. Heron had gone 10 render assistance TO
those who were Immediately y ssdf ged, as had bad
walk; and we are informed that there was not
a male person on the lot: we regret to add that
his house was burnt 10 the ground, and but We
ry little ofi,s valuable furniture saved
The dwelling house and office belonging 10
b. Pollard, Esq. on the NJ side Of the Church
were in few minutes enveloped in flames,
which heightened by the violence Of the wind,
Knocked every exertion to check their progress.
The next buildings which caught fire were the
new Lancasteran School house in the rear
Qronting on Fen Church street,) and Mrs.
Bramble's dwelling Gan elevated wooden house,
on the n. and beyond these, the fire swept eve
ry building TO the large brick house, al the cor
ner Of Mariners street, on the East side Of
Church-sreet, and 10 the northern extremity
Of Fen Church-street, West side, including all
those on Mariners street.
The sight was awful and heart-rending be-.
yond description. 1t was not regular pro-
gressive hre--if it had been, our Fire Compa-
MES would soon have checked its progress;
but houses remote from the body of The FIRE, as
well as those near, were ignited by the falling
flakes and brands, and as many as. IL or Is in
detached situations were on fire at the same
moment.
We have not time to give any thing like
probable estimate Of the amount ofproperty de-
stroyed, or the names OF the individual sufferers
Between forty and Fifty families have been rem.
dered houseless, and the loss cannot be much
short OF 10000 dollars. The Church. (includ.
ing its elegant organ) was insured for $4,000
in the Mutual Assurance Office, and we under.
stand that most Of the houses Of any consider
able value were also insured. The ere might
have been accidental, but there is too much
cause to ap2rehend that it was the work Of The
lurking incen9iary.
LAUNCH OF A NEW SLOoP OF WAR. !
Norfolk, March 9.-Another addition has |
been made 10 our gallant navy in beautiful |
ship, destined, We trust 10 do honor TO her flag,
as she has already done credit to the skill of her
builders. The sloop of war NArcHEz was yes
terday afternoon, at half past 4 o'clock, launch
ed from the Navy Yard, a, Gosport, into the bo-
som of the waters, in the finest imaginable STYLE,
and amid the acclamations of thousands of spec.
tators. The Natchez is about 800 tons bur.
then, intended TO carry "a guns, and is another
honorable specimen Of the Superior skill and
intelligence of Mr. Francis Grice Naval con-
structor.
After the launch numerous parry of gentle.
men and ladies repaired 10 the hospitable man.
sion Of Commodore Barron, Commander Of rbe
Yard, where they were very agreeabIy enter.
tanned by the Commodore with an elegant co.
Iafio nd thar efr .Ix