The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-10-05
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE LOSS OF THE
UNITED STATES STEAM FRIGATE MIS-
GmRAlrAn. August 2s, 1913.

UNITED STATES 1 EAU fh"hiH WIS
SOURl.
GmRALrAR, August IS, lS43.
Sir: II has become my painful duty 10 report
10 YOU lhat the United States Steam Frigate
Missouri, under my command, has been almost
entirely destroyed by fire. | arrived here on
Friday night, the 18th instant, in seventeen
DAYS from Norfolk, and Ave from Fayal. The
next day commenced taking in coal, filing up
The water, overhsuling the machinery, and max
ing the necessary arrangements prior 10 leaving
here on the Sunday following. After paying
the customary honors TO the Governor, by sa-
lutes from the ship, the Hon. Mr.. CUSHING and
myself came shore to pay cur personal re-
spects first TO our Consul, Mr.. Sprague, who,
afterwards, accompanied US TO the Governor,
Sir Robert Thomas Wilso'.
We remained on shore and spent the after
noon with our Consul, intending TO retu TO the
ship in the evening, and had ordered my boat
10 be on shore for us by 8 O'Clock. AT about
O'Clock a message was brought to that the
Missouri was on fire; | repaired, wi,houta mo
ments delay, TO the only gate through which
could pas the walls of the city, the
others being, as is the custom, closed al
sunset: q learned afterwards, however,
that they were all thrown open, by direction
Of the Governor, the moment he heard Of the
fire on board The Missouri. | am pleased 10
mention here that every assistance was render
ed TO US by that distinguished gentleman, as
well as from Sir g,iSartorius, commanding
Her Brilanic Majesiy's "a, the Maabar, as will
be seen by communication from me TO those
gentlemen, copy Of which, have the honor
herewith to enclose) my boat, fortunately, had
been sent as soon the fire broke Out,
and | found her at near the landing
place, when | arrived on hoard, which was
In about twenty minutes, perhaps, from The
momeut / received the startling intelligence,
| found the fumes raging with violence,
and the officers and crew exerting them
selves to the utmost 10 overcome them. Every
person on board was so disposed OF, or stationed
in such position, where he could co the most
possible good.
The powerful pumps on board had with alac-
rity been rugged, with their hoses attached, and
were in operation 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, dis
covered tAe prudence of flooding the after maya
zine, which was INN, dialely done the forward
one having already, very prudeny been ordered
10 be flooded before ] reached the ship; soon
after did so, two engines in large boats, w,l
manned, came alongside. These were sent of
by Sir Robert Wilson the Governor, and by the
able and energetic exertions Of Sir George Sar
torius aud his officers, with the seamen from
his ship, that at one time | was in hopes the
devoufng element was conquered, but alas the
fattering hope was soon dissipaied by its break
ing out again with increased violence this only
increased the energies and jealous efforts of the
officers and crew OF the Missouri, and our friend
ly auxiliaries, until they were driven from their
stations by the flames.
When saw there was not ray Of hope left
TO save that noble ship, summoned council
Of the officers, and those English officers who
were near me, TO ascertain their views; they
quickly and unanimously decided, there was no
hope left OF saving q! ship; therefore gave
the order for every person to quit her without
delay, and without confusion, for by this lime
there was very little space remaining. for those
on board TO stand clear of The flames and smoke /;
the wind Lad increased, and the ship was in
flames fore aud aft the crew immediately took
to the water, and received the ready assistance
Of boats, anticipating the exgeney from her Bri-
tsnnic Majesy's ship Malabsr, and from the
vessels ia the harbor. Such was the stae Of
the ship, when the officers aud crew were com
PEELED to give her up; they saved nothing but
what they stood in.
After had seen every person out Of the ship.
lowered myself down by rope from the star.
board wheel-bouse, and was taken on board one
Of the boats in waving. This occurred al half
past II o'clock. The immense number OF boats
surrounding the burning ship al this time, were
directed TO pull out of the way as fast as posi-
bic, fearing lest the magaz mes might not have
been efIec ually flooded, an explosion mi zht take
place; d in that event, the loss of life would
have been great. Fortunately, however, the
magazines d not explode until O'Clock in the
morning, so completely were they flooded and
as they exploded under water, the shock was
not severely felt. At The polite Invitation Of Sir
George Sartorius the crew were sent on board
bis ship, the Malabar, and have remained there
until to day. | have had them removed to
ship chartered for the purpose of conveying
them and the officers to the United States
As the officers and crew have, by this unror
tunate AID unlocked for event, been rendered
COMPLETELY destitute Of clothing, and every
thing else, II has become absolutely necessary. |
for the preservation Of their healihs and com |
fort 10 have them supplied Immediately viii |
comfortable wearing apparel, and have d |
recled the Purser to make the necessary mr. |
chasrs