The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-10-07
Omcial Report OF the Loss OF the United
States Steam Frlgate Missouri.

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OHiciaI Report OF the Loss OF the United
| states steam Frigate Missouri.
GiBRALrAR, Aug. 10, ls4s.
sir.It has become my painu duty to report to you
that the united States steam irgate Missouri under
my command has been almost entirely destroy by fire.
arrived here on Friday night the 10Th instant, in IL
Commenced taking in coal filling up the water, N over
hauling the machinery, and making the necessary
prior to leaving here the Sunday follow
ing After paying the customary honors TO the Cover
by salues from the ship, the Hon. Mr. CUSHING and
myself came shore to pay our personal respects first
panied US to the Governor, Sir Robert Thomas VIII.
| son. 50
Consul intending to return to the ship in the
ming and had ordered boat to be shore fer us by
so'clock: At about o'clock message was brought to
moments delay, the only gate throughlw hch could
pass the walls ofthe city the others being is the
tom, closed sunset. learned Afterwards however,
they all thrown open by direction of the
vernon, the moment he heard of the fire board the
Missouri am pleased to mention here that every as
ssance was rendered to by that distinguished gentle
man, as well as from Sir George Sartorus commanding
Her Britannia Msjesty's IA, the Maabar will be seen
by communication from me to those gentlemen copy
of which, have the honor herewith to enclose) My
boat fortunately had been sent the fire broke
out and found her at or the landing place; when
arrived board, which in about twenty minutes
perhaps from the momen! received the startling nte
gsncs found the flames raging with violence and the
overcome them Every person board disposed
Of or stationed in such position where he could do the
most possible good
The powerful pumps board had with slacrity been
rugged with their hoses attached and in operations
those men who were not at the pumps employed
drawing and passing in buckets and pouring it
upon the flames At single glance, however, disco
vered the prudence flooding the after magazine which
very prudeny been ordered to be flooded before
ed the ships after did two engines in large boats
Sir Robert Wilson, the Governor and by the able and
energetic exerons Of Sir George Sartorious and his off,
with the semen from his ship, that at time
in hopes the devourng element was conquered but ALAS
the fattering hope disspaed by its breaking
out again with increased xoience this only increased
of the Missouri and friendly auxiliares until they
were driven from their stations by the flames.
When saw there was not ray OF hope left to save that
noble ship summoned a council of the officers and
those English officers whe were near me- to ascertain
their views they quickly and unanimously decided there
hope left Of saving the ship. therefore gave the
order for every person to quit her without delay and
without confusion for by this time there was but very
little space remaining for those board to stand clear Of
the flames and smoke; the wind had increased and the
ship was in flames fore and aft; the crew Immediately
boats antcipating the exigency, from her Britannia Ma
esty ship Malabar and from the vessels in the harbor
Such was the state OF the ship when the officers and crew
compelled to give her up they saved nothing but
what they stood in.
After had every person out Of the ship lowered
myself down by rope from the sarboard wheel house.
and was taken board othe boats in waiting. This
occurred at hafpss IL. The immense number of boats
surrounding the burning ship at this time, directed
to pull Of the way possible fearing lest the
magazines might not have been efectualIy flooded an
explosion might take places and in that event the loss Of
life would have been great Fortunately, however the
magazines did not explode until O'Clock in the morning.
SO completely were they foodcd and as they exploded
under water, the shock not severely felt At the po
lite invitation of Sir George Sartorius the were
board his ship, the Malabar and have remained
there until to day. have had them removed to q ship
chartered for the purpose of conveying them and the
officers to the United States.
As the officers and crew have BY this unfortunate and
clothing and every thing ese has become absolutely
necessary for the Of their heahs and COM
fort to have them supplied Immediately with comorta-
BILE wearing apparel and have directed the Purser to
make the necessary purchases
The ship chartered the Rajah 800 TONS of Boston,
and bound to that port and will sail in eight days from
this date. have had the crew employed, as well
lighters from the Shore in saving much property
possible from the wreck the guns anchors chain
bles, Sc, will probably be recovered in time to send
them by The Rsjah, and all such articles be got
from the wreck before she sals-the remainder will be
the United States by the next vessel which sails
from this port The machinery boilers aud many valuable
or can he ofany use whateverI request Mr. sprague
Consul to sell the remainder to the best advantage
Until to-day have not been enabled to ascertain any
sfactory evidence as to how the fire originated. The
following Sir the testimony Of three coal beavers who
work at the time in the engine ROOM and in the
vicinity where the fire broke out will state the Cir
cumstances lin their own words taken down as they
lated them -
JOHN surroS states that about ten minutes to eight
globe lantern get pair OF beam scales to weigh COAL
which they were al that time taking in; in getting down
the scales wrench fell and broke glass dsmiohn,
tanning spirits of turpentne; wiped up as much as
could then went down to the cylender where they
down. was my way the chief engineer report
the circumstances Of breaking the demohn and
got the berth deck ladder and had not not reached the
spar deck before heard the cry Of fire; turned round
Immediately, and saw the fame bursting up through the
uoRes and % extnsuish the sme
WILLIAM J. WILLIAMS states-"I was by the starting
bars the engine room, at work the outside Of the
cylinder; we heard something dripping down, and We
Sutton not to be dropping his water here or
there usually bucket Of water kept in the store
room above); he said you need not be afraid,
the first thing heard Clum sing out FIRE; at the
time saw the lame burst up suddenly from the felt and
with Clum the steam chest and pipe and to
has the felt off, which we were not able to do; then
went to work to try and extingush it,"
ALFnEp CLuM states-"I was at work putting on the
cover of the nder saw something like water drip
ping S 5 so%eo@ Which did mot
stand had light near me, and the water, as supposed
it be, had nearly wet through the felt and canvass
which around the steam chest, when fell down up
on my lamp, which was below; Immediately the whole
felt and canvass was in sheet of fame end, together
succeed; the fame blazed up, and caught the boards
which made the flooring Of the store room Immediately
above it was impossible to work about the packngs Of
the cy flinders with lantern"
There no doubt on my mind Sir the correctness
Of the above statements and to that circumstance alone
must we attribute the dreadful calamity which has
whemed self and officers with the deepest and most
painful eelings-the destruction Of our noble ship.
During the SAD ana meiancnoiy scene am hapny IN
having in my power to bear testimony Of the zeal and
rmnes Of ell the officers; they evnced on isrying
occ aston GOODNESS which does them infinite credit, and
IL alike honorable themselves and to the service
The also did their duty like men, and deserve well
of their courtry there three four who par
t;cuary distinguished for their jealous efforts and good
conduct and Of whom will speak again in another
muncaton.
Ihave the happiness to inform you that all the of
the Missouri were saved without single accident
ring to any OF them.
IT, on review OF all the circumstances connected with
this disastrous occurrence you Sir should deem expe
dent that Court OF Enquiry should be directed 10 inves
tgate facts of the case should be much gratfed il
such a course should be adopted.
have the honor to be,
Most respectfully,
Your very obedient servant,
JOHN THOMAS NEWTON,
Captain.
Han .vs