The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-10-05

'hore, IN saving az much VI the property as
possible from the wreck the guns, anchors,
chain cables, &c, wall probably be recovered in
lime 10 send them b, The Rsjah. aud all such
articles as can be ga from the wreck before she
sails the remainder will b. cent TO the United
States by the next vessel which sails frvm this.
The machinery, boilers, aud many valuable
parts viii be recovered. After saving all that
Is valuable OF can be Of any use whatever. vii
request Mr.. Sprague, our Consul, 10 sell The re-
maiader TO the best advantage. Uatil to-day,
| have not beea enabled 10 ascertlio any SITS
factory evidence as 20 how the 6,e originated.
The following, sir, is the testimony OF three
coal beavers, who were at work at the time in
the Engine Room, and in The vicinity where
the fire broke out | will slate he circum-
stances in their own words taken down as they
related them:
John Sutton states that about ten minutes TO eight
O'Clock went in The slarboard Engineers store room,
with globe lantern, TO get pair cf beam scales to
weigh coal, which they at that time taking IN;
in getting down the scales wrench fell and broke
glass demijohn, containing spirits OF turpentinei
wiped up as much as ! could ! then went down TO
much of the spirits had run down. ! was on my way
to Tie Chief Engineer to report the circumstance Of
breaking the demjchn, and had lust got the berth
deck ladder and had not reached the spar deck before
heard the cry Of fire l turned round Immediately
and saw the flame bursting up through the gratings
above the steam chest; ran on deck, got a fire
bucket and ende avored to extnguish the flame"
"WiuiamJ Williams states, was by the starting bars
10 the engine room, at work the outside Of the cy
Under; we heard something dripping down, and we
sung out to Sutton not TO be dropping his water here
for there was usually bucket Of water kept in the
store room above j he said you need not be afraid,
more would be coming down; went on in our
work, and the first thing heard Cum sing out fire
at the time saw the flame burst up suddenly
from the felt and canvass which was around the
steam chest Jumped with Clum to the steam chest
and pipe and endeavored to haul the felt off, which
we were not able to do | then went TO work to try
and extingush it,
e.4fred Clum states l was at work putting on the
cover Of the cylinder; l something like water
dripping down. and sung out to Sutton, who in
the store-room above he sail something which did
not understand had light me, and the water,
as supposed it to be, had nearly wet through the
felt and canvass which around the steam chest,
when it fell down upon my lamp which was below !;
Immediately the whole felt and canvass was in a
sheet of fame and, together with Williams, tried to
haul the felt off, but could not succeed the fame
bazed up, and caught the boards which made the
flooring of the store-room Immediately above; it was
INN OH he If no cylip-
ders with lantern.'
There is no doubt on my MUD, sir, as to the
correctness Of the above statements, and'to that
circumstance alone must we attribute the dread
ful calamity which has overwhelmed myself
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 in my power to bear testimo
ny of the zeal and firmness Of all the officers ::
they evinced on this trying occasion a GOODNESS
which does them infinite credit, and is alike no.
norable to themselves and 10 the service.
The crew also did their duty like men, and
deserve well of their country there are three
or four who were particularly distinguished for
their Jealous efforts and good conduct, and of
whom will speak again in another communi-
cation.
have the happiness to inform you that all
the creu of The Missouri were sared aoiHtout a
single accident occurring to any Of them.
If. on review of all the circumstances con-
nected with this disastrous occurrence, you, sir,
should deem it expedient that Court Of In
qury should be directed 10 investigate the facts
in the case, should be much gralifed 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,