Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-11-14
From The Neio Orleans Picdyune.
A ROYAL CONFEDERATION.

The Empress and the Monarch two majestic
boats, were completely demolished BY fire upon
the river early yesterday morning. The Empress
was up for St. Louis, and would have left at me.
rdian on Wednesday but for the violent rain
storm which prevailed at that time. Given
and o'clock on yesterday morning she was dis
covered TO be on fire, but so rapid was the pro
gress OF the flames that oil efforts to check the
Confla ration proved unavaling There being
no possibility OF saving the boat, and her presence
placing the otheI boats in manifest danger, she
was at length cut loose and suffered to bat off
into the stream. This produced singularly
novel and magnificent spectacle for those who
left their beds and sought the Levee at the sound
Of the fire bells The blazing boat, one sheet Of
fame from stem 10 stern, !el off into the current
Illuminating the vessels and houses along the
Levee, spreading broad glare Of red around the
sky and lightning the deep Mississippi with long,
quivering reflection Of her flames.
She foated almost directly across the river,
touched the opposite shore at sIaughterhouse Point
and communicating her fire 10 the Monarch, which
was there at the ship yard, undergoing rePails.-
Both OF he doomed vessels were from here towed
out int the stream by ferry boat and cut loose,
from whence they hoaed down The river, and the
two hnks sunk in fifteen feet water some six or
seven miles below the city.
The Empress was owned hrinci paly in Frank
fort, (Ky.) and partly in St. Lou S. She was con-.
n;anded by Capt. Bacon, who never left the bla.
zng vessel until she was cut loose by the ferry
boat and actually sinking. tits possible that the
fire OF the Empress might have been quenched on
this side, but the risk to the adjoining boats was
so great that the other crews cut her loose. The
loss Of boat and cargo which was principally
salt, is estimated at 100000
The Monarch was valued at $4,000, upon
which there was insurance to the amount o
1926, 900.
Further particulars from the N. o. CONNER
cial Bulletin Of Wednesday: ..
FIRE.-About four o'clock yesterday morning
the alarm Of fire was given, which proved to be II
the steam boat Empress, bound for ST. Louis and
ready 20 Statistic was lying at the foot o.
Gravier street.-the steam boats Rlenzl, Oceana
&c. lying in the same tier. 1t was thought advi
sable to cut the Empress adrift, which was acccr
dinghy DONE She then drifled with the curlen
ard was urged by the wind TO the opposite side o
the river, and unfortunately brought up aongsd
Of the steam boat Monarch. (recenty launched
after having UNDERGONE thorough repairs, and W,
regret to state, that in few MINUTES the monarch
caught fire and burned to the waters edge.
The fire then communicated 10 the hulk Of tn
Boonslick, which was also consumed and by tn
greatest dint Of exertion the Huma, lying on tn
STOCKS at the ward OF Messrs. llarroll & Co, wa
saved, with but little damage to the alter.cahin
During the confusion on board the Monarch
an explosion Of gunpowder took place on boar
the Empress, from the forward hatch, which male
rally deferred the efforts to save portion OF he
cargo. However we are happy to state that II
injury was sustained By the persons immedateI
in the vicinity.
The hulks were lowed down by the ferry boa
to the fats opposite Slaughter House Point, ant
we learn an attempt will be made to save the en-
gines.-We have not learned how the FIRE origi
mated. Cd. sHF ..Fn..f