Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-12-14
From the London Times, Nor. ].
AWFUL CONTRIBUTIONS THE TOW !
Err OF LONDON

Err OF LONDON.
An event which will long be remember
ed in the annals of English history, and
which may be regarded in every respect
ms q truly national calamity, occurred on
Saturday night, Oct. 30, in the entire des-
tructon, together with its contents, of that
magnificent building, forming so promi-
nent a feature in the far famed Tower of
London, denominated "The Grand Store
House o! Armory," containing, in addition
to an almost innumerable quantity Of tro-
phies and other exigencics Of British glo-
ry, no less number than 300, 600 stand
of arms, &C., besides a vast quantity of
military carriages, bombs and other spoils
of war captured in various parts Of the
world.
The flames having once penetrated this
hall, no hope existed that any portion of it
would be saved, and the axertons Of the
fremen were confined to the preservation
Of the surrounding buildings, upon which
they played with all the water they could
obtain. AT this crisis the greatest appre-
tensions were entertained for the safety
of the crown jewels deposited in the rega-
liza office. which closely adioins the cas-
tern extremity Of the Grand Armory, and
the ycomcn of the guard, under the direc-
ton of their captain, were deputcd TO I'M
dertakc the removal. This service was
safely performed, without accident, and
the whole Of the vaIuables, including the
beautiful model Of the White Tower. we're
consigned to the care Of the governor and
in the vaults beneath his residence.
he a.
become so excessive that the fromen could
no longer act in the centre square, and it
was quite impossible to attempt 10 save
any portion Of the arms, &c, contained
in the grand storehouse. Notwithstanding
the Iatencss Of the hour, the alarm soon
spread through the metropolis, and Tower
Hill and its immediate ncighborhood were
immensely thronged. At this period Of
the cOnflagraton the atmosphere was il
lumined in an extraordinary degree, and
the fire might have been seen at many
miles distance, while the reflection on the
surrounding houses and on the shipping in
the river, produced a most striking effect.
About one o'clock the appearance Of the
burning mass was surprisingly grand
The flames having at that time extended
to nearly the whole length Of the armory;
shortly after the roofs, being completely
burned through, fell in with a tremendous
crash, the flames rising with a lurid glare
far above the towers Of the citadel.
The fire was not subducd, however, I'M
til near five O'clock and the mass of ru-
ms was burning fcrccly throughout the
day. Many rumors are in circulation as
to the supposed origin Of the fire; but no.
thing is known at present on which conf
dcnce can be placed. Over heated nues
are stated to have caused the disaster, bv
some; while others attribute it to an act Of
an inccndiary. An inquiry will be no doubt
set on foot by the Government.
The Grand Armory is one Of the most
modern portions Of the citadel, and was
built in the year 1858 by William and Ma
ry. 1t is now totally destroyed, and pre-
SCENTS melancholy contrast to its former
grandeur.
1t will DC utterly impossible to estimate
with anything approaching to exactness
the extent Of loss which the country will
suffer by this disastrous event, to say no.
thing Of the national trophies which it is
impracticablc to restore: but there can be
no doubt that the damage sustained by the
building, together with the arms destroyed
cannot be replaced for less than one mil
lion sterling.