Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-10-27
From the Davenport Telegraph.
DREADFUL FIRE AT DEyENPOR

Partial destruction Of The Royal Narai Ar
senai, halt million Of property destroyed AT
hall pas. four this morning Sunday an alarm
was given to the Superintendent of the dock
yard police, Lieut.. Williams, that the Talave-
ra line Of battle ship, in the North Dock was
on fire. All hands were instantly on the spot,
with engines, but so terrific were the flames
as to give evident proof that the total destruc-
ton of the ship was to succeed. The fire
bells were then rung, and tho workmen, with
the military were called in. The tide was
nigh, and plenty of water az hand, bus nothing
appeared TO subdue the fury with which the
fire extended southwards, the direction in
which the other docks and building lay, as
well as the rigging-house sail-loii, and all the
store houses
AT quarter 10 five o'clock, the Talavera
was one mass of flame, which, communion
ting with the shed overhead threatened 10 car
ry the fire TO the extremity of the yard. The
Minden line Of the battle ship, lying at the
stern of the Talavera which took fire ahead,
at one time appeared inevitably doomed, but
the wind shifting point, and by the most
strenuous exertions of the engines, the pro-
gress OF the flames astern was stopped-but
what appeared TO be the prevention of this
danger, only carried it in another direction
as the roof of the shed adjoining took fire, and
the dense columns Of smoke for time alb
peared to choke the flame.
Beneath this shed were kept the fgure-heads
of some OF the ships which, having borne the
brunt of the battle, were after the peace brok-
en- up; and these slight remembrances of their
achievements were kept with degree Of pride.
At the eastern end hung the flag of our never
to-be-forgoten naval hero, Nelson, under which
lie fought the battle of Trafalgar; and oppo-
site, the flag of Lord Exmouth, at the battle Of
Algiers. An attempt was CALAMITY made by
ayoung man to save them, but the fire was ic
fierce,and the attempt was given up for the safe
| ty Of the party who made it. Speedily sue.
ceeding the firing of his shed, the one adjoin.
in also took flame, in which was the Imogene
| frigate. This also was completely DESTROYED
To subdue the flames here appeared to be
fruitless, and an attempt was made TO prevent
further extension by playing the engines upor
the building opposite, but without success
and the whole range, together with large
pile of timber under shed were in flames.
Eight o'clock.-The fire is still burning
but will now be confined merely to the con
sumption of the timber and materials. Tn,
loss, at rough estimate, is said to be from
1 GiUU,OOU to 500,0U0; this appears to be al
extreme amount, but that the destruction il
immense there can be no doubt. No accom-
can yet be collected as to the origin of the fire
no party has been at work on board the shi]
in which it originated for several weeks. A
four O'Clock there was nothing like fire seen
and at half past five the ship was in fam
fore and aft. The strictest inquiry will n,
doubt be instituted as to the cause, and 70
/ the credit of the executive, it is TO be hopet
that no want Of caution from a false economy
has led to this severe national loss.