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


Omcial Report OF the Loss Of the United
states steam Frigate Missouri.
0isRALrAR, Aug. %, ls43.
sir.lt has become my painiul duty to report to you
that the United States steam irigate Missouri under
my command has been almost entirely destroyed by fire.
mere on Friday night the 2oth instant in II
commenced taking in coal filling up the water, over
hauling the machinery, and making the necessary
rsnSemsnts prior to leaving here the Sunday follow
ing After paying the customary honors TO the Cover
nor by sslutes from the ship the Hon Mr. CUSHING and
myself came on shore to our personal respects first
10 our Consul, Mr.. Sprague, who afterwards, accom-
panied us to the Governor, Sir Robert Thomas Will
son.
We remained on shore and spent the afternoon with
our intending to return to the ship in the
ming and had ordered my boat be shore fer by
9o'clock At about O'Clock message was brought to
me that the missouri was on fire; repaired, without
moments delay, to the only gate throughlwhich could
pass the walls ofthe city the others being the
TOM closed at sunset. Il learned Afterwards however
they were all thrown open, by direction of the
werner the moment he heard Of the fire board the
Missouri am pleased to mention here that every
sstance rendered by that distinguished gentle
man. as well as from Sir George Sartorius, commanding
Her Britannia Majesy "a the Malabar as will be seen
by accommodation 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 near the landing place when
arrived on board, which was in about twenty minutes
perhaps from the moment received the startling inelli
officers and exerting themselves to the utmost TO
overcome them Every person board was disposed
o. or saoned IN such position where he could do the
The powerful pumps on board had with slacrty been
rugged with their hoses attached and in operations
those mon who were not at the pumps, employed in
upon the flames At single glance however ,Id disco
vered the prudence OF flooding the after magazine which
Immediately done the forward one having already
prudently been ordered be flooded before res
ed the ships soon after did two engines large boats
well manned came alongside. These were sent Oft by
Sir Robert Wilson, the Goveenor end by the able and
with the his int
in hopes the devourng element conquered but ALAS
the aaerng hope was soon dsspated by its breaking
out again with increased vioence this only increased
the energies and jealous efforts Of the officers and crew
OF the Missouri and friendly auxiliaries until they
were driven from their stations by the flames.
When saw there not ray Of hope left to save that
noble ship, summoned council Of the officers and
their views they quickly and unanimously decided there
no hope left saving the ship therefore gave the
Orae s ,9r every person to gun her without delay and
space remaining for those board to stand clear Of
the flames and smokes the wind had increased and the
ship was in flames fore and aft; the Immediately
the water and received the ready assistance Of
boats antoipatng the exgency from her Britannia Ma
Such the state Of the ship wh the officers crew
were compelled to give her up they saved nothing but
After Ihad every person out of the ship lowered
myself down by rope from the starboard wheel house.
and was taken on board ofthe boats in waiting This
occurred at half H. The immense number Of boats
surrounding the burning ship at this time directed
to pull out of the fast possible fearing lest the
explosion might take place. 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.
completely they flooded; and they exploded
under water the shock was not severely felt At the
lite b Of sir George .ah, 5 the crew
there until to day have had them removed to ship
chartered for the purpose Of conveying them and the
As the officers and crew by this unfortunate and
unlocked for been rendered completely destitute of
clothing and every thing else, has become absolutely
necessary the preservation OF their heahs and
fort, to have them supplied Immediately with comorta-
wearing apparel, and have directed the Purser to
make the necessary purchases.
ship chartered is the Rsjah 900 TONS Of Boston,
and bound to that port and will sail in eight days from
this date. | have had the crew employed as well as
lighters from the shore in saving much ofthe property
possible from the wreck the guns anchors chain
them by The Rsjah and all such articles be got
from the wreck before she sas-the remainder will be
from this port The machinery boilers and many valuable
parts will be recovered After saving all that is valuable
can be oany use whateverI will request Mr.. sprague
Consul to sell the remainder to the best advantage
Until to-day have not been enabled to ascertain any
tistactory evidence to how the fire originated The
following Sir the testimony Of three coal beavers who
at work at the time in the engine ROOM and in the
vicinity where the fire broke out will state the Cir
lated them =
JOHN SUTTON states that about ten minutes to eight
O'Clock to the sarboard engineers store with
globe iantern,to get pair beam scales weigh COAL
which they were at that time taking in getting down
the scales wrench fell and broke glass dsmjohn,
tanning spirits OF turpentine; wiped up as much as
could; then went down to the cyender where they
at work to see how much Of the spirits had run
down. was on my way to the chief engineer to report
the circumstances Of breaking the demjohn and had just
got the berth deck ladder and had not
Immediately, and the fame bursting up through the
gratngs above the steam chest; ran on deck got fire
WILLIAM j. WILLIAMS stateso.I was by the starting
bars in the engine ROOM at work the outside Of the
cylinder; we heard something dripping down, and We
sung cut to Sutton not to be dropping his water here or
there usually bucket of water kept in the store
above); he said you need not be afraid,
would be coming down; we went on in our work, and
the first thing heard Clum sing out fire. at the
time the lame burst up suddenly from the felt and
canvass which around the steam chest. jumped
with Cum steam chest pipe and endeavored to
haul the felt Off which not able to do then
went to work to try and extinguish it.o
ALFRED CLuM states-"I was at work putting on the
Of the cylinder; saw something like water drip
ping down. and sung out to Sutton who was in the store
stand; had light me, and the water, supposed
it to be- had nearly wet through the felt and
on my lamp, which was below; Immediately the whole
felt and canvass was in sheet Of fame and, together
with williams tried to haul the felt OF, but could
succeed the fame blazed up, and caught the boards
which made the flooring of the store Immediately
above it impossible to work about the packings OF
the cylinders with lantern"
There doubt my mind Sir as to the correctness
the above statements and to that alone
must we attribute the dreadful calamity which has over
whemed my self and officers with the deepest and most
painful feelings-the destruction Of our noble ship.
During the sad and melancholy scene an, am happy IN
rmness Of ell the oicers they evinced on this trying
occasion GOODNESS which does them infinite credit, and
il alike honorable to themselves and to the service
The crewAlso did their duty like men, and deserve well
of their country; there three four who were par
distinguished for their jealous efforts and good
conduct and Of whom will speak sgain in another com.
munication
have the happiness to inform you that all the of
the Missouri were saved without single accident
ring to any OF them
IT. review OF all the circumstances connected with
this disastrous occurrence, you Sir should deem exps
dent that Court OF Enquiry should be directed TO nves
tgate the facts of the case should be much gratied
such a course should be adopted.
have the honor TO be,
Most respectfully,
Your very obedient servant,
JOHN THOMAS NEWTON,
Captain.