Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-01-16

We have heard particulars frightfuI enough to
appal the stoutest heart, athoug Oh mperfecsy de-
tailed One account ssys that the fire discovered
under tier of cotton bales piled amidships against
the wooden box or frame which enclosed the pipe
leading from the Gre room below, this boat having
her boiler on her kelson, under deck. This pipe
led through the freight above and the ignition of the
cotton had become extensive before the fire engine
and hose Of the boat could be put in operation, that
both crew and passengers were so overwhelmed in
SMOKE end the natural agitation of the moment, that
all efforts to subdue the fire were unavailable. A
rush then made for the boats-but in the agita-
ton of the time, they filled TO OVERCOMING and
were swamped alongside the burning boat
So far can learn, not soul but the three
above mentioned were saved. The deaths of the
sufferers were awful-fre water! frost and cold
Oh God! Oh God can human Imagination picture a
death NOR horr,blel
The Lexington had $4,000 in specie on board; ;
$4,000 of Thu was owned by the Merchants bank
of Boston. She was insured against fire, $4,000
in the Eagle office, and $4,000 in the North Ame-
rican. We told that this boat had been
demned, some months since, as unseaworthy, but
the company insisted on running her. Either Capt.
Bunker, or the company are deeply to be blamed;
and must have public meeting the subject
When she came last Friday, she took FIRE, and
the passengers never expected to reach New York
alive; and yet she sent another trip crowded
with freight and passengers, unseawerthy, with
tiller ropes, and unskilful men, and she has been
destroyed by fire, with 100 precious lives.
We think thatthe Directors Of this Company ought
TO be indicted by the Grand Jury, for putting their
worst boat the line during the weather. and
overlooking her with freight Capt. Vanderbilt was
lying sick at home he would have been in her. We
never public indignation so much aroused, and
all the Directors are deeply eensured one Of them,
a brother Of Thaddeus Phelps burnt up. Childs,
the Captain of the boat and his brother, both
lost. The Lexington has been fined for not having
wires to her llers and yet she evaded the law again
Over thirty stores were shut in the city
the news was received.
Captain billiard was saved from perishing by
frost because his body in the water, and his head
only out. He is at the United States Hotel
The boat drifted with the tide and sank at o'clock
on Tuesday merning, off Bridgeport harbsr.
Such is the fate Of the Lexington, and the hun
dred bright brave, beautiful, learned and gallant
spirits that left New York in her, full of life, hope,
and Joy later than Monday last 1t is feared that
Proes Longellow is lost in herr the most correct
list was burnt up board the boat; perhaps one
will know all that lost in her. The thought
is awful. Finn, the comedian the wit, the humor
list, died this awful death. The German Professor
in Harvard University, was there. Captains Kim
dali and Foster had just arrived from South Ame-
rica and going a visit to their friends. Two
brothers named Winslow, with their sister and
mother) were taking TO Boston, the corpse of their
brother, who died here few days since In fact, |
we might ill paper with interesting particulars
and touc hing domestic anecdotes Of each Of the
sufferers 1t is pos sibe that two others
may be saved bnt it is barely probable. The thought
is heart-rending
Such was the fate of the Lexington,
la the fire, and frost. and snow,
God .avou as all from such fate.
Oh. Christ, from all such woe.