The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-10-06
GIBRAL1An. August 30, ls43.

GIBRALTAR, August 80, ls43.
SlR: have the honor state that arrived here
in the Missouri on the evening Of the 25th inst
II was the intention of Captain Newton to stop
here for two three days only and then proceed d.
rectly to Alexandra.
But on the evening Of the Goth instant at about
8 O'Clock, the Missouri took fire. and, notwithstand-
ing the strenuous exertions Of Captain Newton his
officers and crew, efficiently and zealously aided by
Sir Robert Wilson, the Governor Of Gbralter, from
on shore, and by Sir George Sartorius, Of IL B. NJ.
line-of battle chip Maabar, with his officers and men,
TO extingush the flames, the Missouri was, in the
OF the night, consumed TO the waters edge,
and now lies tlackened wreck aground in the bay
Of Gibraltar.
beg leave to refer to the official letters Of Captain
Newton TO the Secretary sf the Navy, for a circum-
santial account of the origin and progress of the de-
plorabe event, by which this fine ship after emf
nenty prosperous voyage across the Atlantic, fully
testing her efficiency a ocean steamer, has been
lost to the Navy Of the United States. At the same
time, there some circumstances attending this
disaster which IL may be desirable and proper 10 have
communicated to you by
II seems TO be satisfactorily ascertained that the
fire originated in accident, which no foresight or
care the par, of the commander or officers Of the
Missouri could have prevented.
deem il my duty TO bear witness, as | can from
personal observation to real energy, skill, and
shaken courage, which Captain Newton and his off
manifested this trying occasion, In directing
and actively participating in the perscvering abor-
Of the ships company TO stay the course Of the de-
vouring flames. fire on ship board is always an &C
cident demanding the utmost yigor presence Of mind
and ready judgment The part Of those whose lot it
may be TO encounter it, from the in0ammable nature
Of the materials Of which the ship is constructed and
the difficulty of meeting the flames at every point
The dangers and difficulties Of the emergency OF
course infinitely augmented when a fire oc
ours on board a man OF war by reason OF
the great quantity of gunpowder, in various forms
which she contains the essential part OF her war
like equipment some of which, in spite OF every pre-
caution may take fire and explode, devoting every
man on board to inevitable and instant destruction
But amid oil the horrors of the scene the copmon-
der, officers, and men struggled msnfuy TO the last
and until not only ever. hope OF saving the ship
end, but the spread Of the flames had extended 81
far to render it physically impossible to pro,rsc
the endeavor to extingush them. Nothing remained
then to attend TO the preservation Of the lives
the officers and crew and, after all the ba'
been embarked in the ships boats, and in others a
hand, Captain Newton and his officers then followed
himself the last to quit the Missouri.
And ! am happy to say that, although il was ap
pretended at first that life or lives ght have bee
lost yet, on a careful muster having been this ds
made Of the ships company, il was found that ero
man Of the crew was present and answered 10 hi
name.
beg leave, also, TO ask your attention to the fac
Of the jealous cooperation Of the British authorize
ut Gibraltar in the attempt to subdue the flames an
in the rescue Of the ships company from the burnn
ship; as slso to the fact Of the premptitude and
diality which they have displayed IN proterIng a
possible assistance to Captain Newton and to mysel
Sir Robert Wilson, the Governor Of Gibraltar, o
receiving intelligence Of the fire, Immediately repaire
to the Mole and remained there, himself superb
tending in person the despatch Of boats and ERE CT
gines from the shore to the Missouri and afIordng
assistance in his power occasion offered until b
had sscer,ained that the whole Of the ships compa
nv hab been taken off
III B. M. line OF battle ship, Malabar, commando
by Captain Sir George sartorius, who is also Vic
Admiral in the Portugcso Navy, was the only mao-o
war, excsp, the Missouri, happening q, the time {
be in the bay Of Gibraltar. Sir George ssrtoru,