The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-10-05

shore, In saving as much Of the property as
possible from the wreck: the guns, anchors,
chain cables, &c, will probably be recover d IN
line to send them b. The Rajan, aud all such
articles Us can be 9 a from the wreck before chs
sails the remainder vii be sent TO The United
States by the nextye sd which sails ir ~ his.
The machinery, boilers, and many valuable
parts will be recovered. After saving all that
is valuable or can be Of any use whatever, VII
request Mr. Spague, our Consul, 10 sell The re-
Inalnder To the best advantage. Until to-day,
have not been enabled 10 ascertain any slus-
factory evidence as 10 how The hre originated.
The following, sir, IS The testimony oil ih'ce
coal heavers, who were at work at the time IN
the Engine Room, aud ia the vicinity where
The fire broke out. | will state The circum-
Stances ia their own words taken down as they
related them:
John Sutton states that about ten minutes to eight
O'Clock went IN die starboard Engineers store room,
with globe lantern, to get pair Ct beam scales to
weigh coal, which they were al that time taking IN !
in getting down the scales wrench fell and broke
glass mijohn, containing spirits OF turpentine;
wiped up as much as | could | then went down TO
the cylinder where they were at work 10 see how
much of the spirits had run down. was on my way
10 tie Chief Engineer TO report the circumstance OF
breaking The demichn, and had lust got on the berth
deck ladder and had hot reached the spar deck before
heard the cry Of fire l turned round Immediately
and saw the fame bursting up through the graiing'
above the steam chest; | ran on deck, got fire
bucket and ende lvored TO extinguish the flame"
"UiHiamJ. " iiams slaes was by the starting bars
ia the engine room, at work the outside of the cy-
nder we heard something dripping down, and we
sung gu, Sutton not to be dropping his water here,
(for there was usually bucket Of water kept in the
store room above y he said you need not be afraid,
no more would be coming down went on in our
work, and the first thing heard Cum sing out fire /;
at the same time saw the flame burst up suddenly
from the tfh and canvass which around the
steam chest jumped with Cium to the steam chest
and pipe and endeavored TO haul the felt off, which
we not able to do then went 10 work to Try
and extnguish IT."
".fJrsd Clgm states, | was at work putting on the
cover of the cylinder; | something like water
dripping down, and sung out to Sutton, who was in
the store-room above ; he sal something which did
not understand had light me, and the water,
felt and canvass which around the steam chest,
when it fell down upon my lamp, which was below
the whole felt and canvass was in
sheet Of flame, and together with Williams tried to
haul the felt off, but could succeed the fame
blazed up, and caught the boards which made the
flooring of the storeroom Immediately above it was
impossible TO work about the packing, of the cylin-
ders with lantern"
There is no doubt on my mind, sir, as 10 the
correctness Of the above statements, and'to that
circumstance alone must We attribute the dreal-
and officers with the deepest and most painful
feelings, the destruction OF our noble ship.
During the sad and melancholy scene, am
happy in having il 10 my power to bear tesimo-
ny of the zeal and frmness of all the officers :.
they evinced on this trying occasion a GOODNESS
which does hem iu6nte credit, and i, al Ike no
norable TO themselves and TO the service.
The crew also did their duty like men, and
deserve well Of their country ; there are three
OF four Tho were particularly distinguished for
their jealous Efforts and good conduct, and of
whom will speak again in another communi
cation. ial
have the happiness to inform you that all
the crew of The Missouri weye sdred puhout a
single accident occurring 10 any Of them.
II, on a review Of all the circum tances con
uecled with this disastrous occurrence, you, sir
should deem it oxpedient tina, Court of In
quiry should be directed to investigate the fact,
in the case / should be much gra,ifed if such
course should be adopted.
have the honor to be,
Most respectfully,
Your very obedient servant
JOHN THOMAS NEWTON,
Captain.
Hon. DAVID HESsBAw,