The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-25
DESTRUCTION OF PART OF THE TOW
Err OF LONDON


We make the following interesting extract from
detailed account Of the confagraton in the London
Times:
BY hafpas. IL o'clock the conAagration had reach.
ed To frghtful magnitude. 1t had extended through
the flooring Of the small armory in the lower compaT
ment, occupied by the train of artillery, and those
splendid trophies of Englands glory well known
to the public. From this period the flames continued
to increase with such fearful violence that apprehen
sons entertained that every part of the Tower
would be overwhelmed and become victim to them
Fire was to be seen gushing forth from every window
Of the building which had all the appearance Of the
crater of some volcano The heat became SO intense
that il was utterly impossible for human being to
stand on the broad walk between the armory and the
White Tower and before it possible to remove
the engines, some of them burnt very consdera-
bly,. At one o'clock the whole of the Clock Tower,
which had stood lettering for time together with
great mass of the roof and portion Of the up.
pei heavy stone work Of tho building, fell in with
tremendous crash, resembling the firing Of heavy ar
'illery Immediately after this the flames for
time increased their height but assumed lvd hue Of
most unearthly description and evidently blew
in the direction of the White Tower, for which great
fears were entertained. II is curious TO remark,
that notwithstanding the intense heat which it had
sustained the vane on the top of the cupalo Of the
Clock Tower kept its point to the northeast at which
it pointing when the fire commenced even the
time when the Tower fell in. All attentions were
now directed towards the White Tower and the
Church OF st. Peter The leaden water pipes, run
ming from the roof Of the former were melted, and
the frames Of the windows had already ignited but
plentiful supply Of water having been obtained, the
exertions Of the fremeD, so!ders &c. directed
to it, and il only by copious streams of water be-
ing poured upon il, that it rescued. The church
is also indebted to the praseworhy exertions of the
officers of the garrison and the soldiers under their
command for its preservation.
The Jewel Tower next attracted the attention of
the authorities the wind, having somewhat shifted,
blew the flames in that direction and its destruction
appeared inevitable On this circumstance reaching
the OF the Governor Major Ellington he instant
directed the warders break open at all risks,
cure the regalia and Crown jewels and bring them
at to him. To effect this crowbars were found
to be indispensable. Mr. Swift the Master of the
Jewel Tower, who was sent for, was found to be in
possession Of the key of the only the other
keys these valuabe- being in the possession Of the
Lord Chamberlain. On gaining entrance much
farther difficulty presented itself in the removal of the
strong iron railing with which the diamonds &c
were surrounded. After lapse Of about twenty mi
nutes it Effected and most extraordinary scene
presented ITSELF the warders carrying crowns scep
tres and other yaluabIes OF royalty between groups
soldiers, police, fremen, and Others from the Jewel
Tower 10 the Governors residence which is situated
at the very far,hest extremity Of the green. None
however sustained the slightest injury, and by din
of the most promp exertions the Jewel Tower itsel
was saved.
With respect to the amount value of the property
DESTROYED, II is impossible, at the present time to Civ
adequate idea; tits, however, generally suppose,
to exceed Fl 900 900 sterling.
!