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

|"seS FThSate u1ssOufl
GiBRALrAR, Aug. %, ls43.
that the United States steam rigate Missouri, under
my command has been almost entirely by fire
arrived here Friday night the 18th Instant in II
ssn and edS ye The Ssy
hauling the ma4hnery, and making the necessary ar
engagements prior to leaving here the Sunday follow
ing After paying the customary honors 10 the Cover
nor by sautes from the ship, the Hon Mr. CUSHING and
self came shore to pay personal respects first
to our Consul Mr. sprague who afterwards, accom-
panied us to the Governor, Sir Robert Thomas Will
We remained on shore and spent the afternoon with
our Consul intending to return to the ship in the eve
ming, and had ordered my boat be shore fer us by
9oclock At about o'clock message was brought to
me that the Missouri ives on fire; repaired, without
moments delay, to the only gate throughiwhich could
the walls ofthe city the others being the
tom, closed at sunset ii learned afterwards however
vernon, the moment he heard Of the fire on board the
Missouri. am pleased to mention here that every
sistance was rendered to by that distinguished gentle
man, well as from Sir George Sartorus commanding
Her Britannia Majestys a. the Maabar will be
BY communication from me to those gentlemen, copy
| Of which, have the honor herewith to enclose) My
boat fortunately had been as the fire broke
out and found her at or the landing place when
arrived on board which was in about twenty minutes
perhaps from the moment received the startling ineli
gencs found the flames raging with violence and the
overcome them Every person board was disposed
Of or Stationed in such aposon, where he could do the
most possible good.
The powerful pumps board had with sacrity been
rugged with their hoses attached and were in operations
those men who were not at the pumps were employed in
drawing and passing water in buckets, and pouring it
upon the flames. At single glance however, disco.
vered the prudence Flooding the after magazine which
was Immediately done the forward one having already
very prudenty been ordered to be flooded before
ed the ship; after did So engines large boats
well manned alongside. These were sent of by
Sir Robert Wilson, the Goveenor and by the able and
energetic exeTtons of Sir George Sarorous and his off,
GERS with the seamen from his ship that at one time
IN hopes the devourpg element conquered but alas
the haterng hope was dssipated by its breaking
out again with increased vioence; this only increased
Of the Missouri and friendly auxaries until they
were driven from their stations by the flames
When saw there was not OF hope left to that
noble ship, summoned a council of the officers, and
those English officers whe were near me- to ascertain
no hope lett saving the shp Therefore gave the
order for every person to quit her without delay and
without coniusien for by this time there was but very
little space remaining for those board stand clear Of
the flames and smoke; the wind had increased and the
ship was in flames fore and aft; the crew Immediately
toek to the water and received the ready assistance Of
boats anticipang the exgency from her Britannia Ma
)eys ship Maabar and from the vessels in the harbor
Such the state Of the ship when the officers crew
were compelled to give her up they saved nothing but
what they stood in.
After had every person of the ship lowered
myself down by rope from the starboard wheel house,
and was taken on board the boats in waiting This
occurred at H. The immense number Of boats
surrounding the burning ship at this time were directed
to pull out of the fast possible fearing lest the
magazines might not have been eectually flooded,
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.
under water, the shock severely felt At the po
lite invitation of Sir George Sartorius, the
there had them o hp
chartered for the purpose OF conveying them and the
officers to the United States.
As the officers and have by this unfortunate and
unlocked for event been rendered completely destitute of
clothing and every thing else it has become absolutely
necessary for the OF their heahs and
fort to have them supplied Immediately with comfora-
BILE wearing apparel and have directed the Purser to
make the necessary purchases.
The ship chartered the Rajah,
and bound to that port and will sail in eight days from
lighters from the shore in saving as much othe property
as possible from the wreck the guns anchors chain
bles &c. will probably be recovered in time to send
them by the Rseh, and all such ;cles be got
from the wreck before she sails-the remainder will be
sent to the United States by the next vessel which sails
parts will be recovered After saving all that is valuable
or can be oany use whatever will request Mr. sprague
our Consul to sell the remainder to the best advantage
Until to-day have not been enabled to ascertain any
tistactory evidence as to how the fire originated The
were at 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
JOHN SUTTON states that about minutes to eight
O'Clock went to the starboard ngineer store with
globe lantern to get pair OF beam scales to weigh COAL
which they al that time taking in in getting down
the scales wrench fell and broke glass demijohn
could 4 then went down to the OFFENDER where they
were at work to see how much Of the spirits had run
down Twas my way to the chief engineer report
the circumstances of breaking the demohn and Just
got the berth deck ladder and had
spar deck before heard the cry of fire; turned round
Immediately, and the flame bursting up through the
gratings above the steam chest; ran deck got fire
bucket and endeavored to extingush the fameb
sWILLIAM j. WILLIAMS states9' was by the starting
bars in the engine ROOM at work the outside of the
cylinder; we heard something dripping down and we
there usually bucket of water kept in the store
room above); he said you need not be afraid more
would be coming down; we went on in our work, and
the first thing heard Clum sing out fire; at the
time the fame burst up suddenly from the felt and
canvass which was around the steam chest jumped
with Clum the steam chest and ppe and
haal the felt of, which we were not able to do; lthen
went to work to try and extinguish it.o
ALFRED CLuM states" at work putting on the
Of the lnder saw something like water drip
ping down. and sung out to sutton who was in The store
stand had light near me- and the water, as supposed
to 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 and, together
with Williams tried to haul the felt of, but could
succeed the aame blazed up, and caught the boards
which made the flooring Of the store room Immediately
the cylinders with lantern"
There doubt my mind Sir as to the correctness
OF the above statements and to that circumstance alone
whemed self and officers with the deepest and most
painful feelinge-the destruction Of our noble ship.
having Il in my power bear testimony Of the zeal and
frmness Of all the officers they evinced this trying
occasion GOODNESS which does them infinite credit, and
is alike honorable to themselves and to the service
The also did their duty like men, and deserve well
OF their couptry there are three four who
cularly distinguished for their jealous efforts and good
conduct and OF whom will speak again in another com
munication.
Ihave the happiness to inform you that all the Of
the Missouri were saved without single accident occur
ring to any Of them.
IT. review Of all the circumstances connected with
this disastrous occurrence you Sir should deem expe
dent that Court OF Enquiry should be directed 10 inv
tigate facts Of the case should be much graed If
such a course should be adopted.
have the honor to be,
Most respectfully,
Your very obedient servant
JOHN THOMAS NEWTON,
Captain.
Hon. DAVID HENsHAw,
Secretary Of the Navy, " ashington.
Marine Court.
udo