The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-10-05
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE LOSS OF THE
UNITED STATES STEAM FRIGATE MIS-
SOURI,.
GIBRALTAR, August %, lS43.

UNITED STATES STEAM FRIGATE MIS-
SOURI.
GIBRALTAR, August %, lS43.
Sir; II has become my painful duty TO repor,
to you that the United States Steam Frigate
Missouri, under my command has been almost
entirely destroyed by fire. | arrived here on
Friday night, the 25th instant, in seventeen
days from Norfolk, and FIVE from Fayal. The
next day commenced taking in coal, filling up
the water, overhauling 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 on shore to pay cur personal re-
spects, first to our Consul, Mr.. Sprague, who
afterwards, accompanied US TO the Governor
Sir Robert Thomas Wilson.
We remained on shore and spent the after
noon with our Consul, intending TO return to the
ship in the evening, and had ordered my boat
TO be on shore for us by 8 O'Clock. At about
o'clock message was brought to me that the
Missouri was on fire; | repaired, without mo
ments delay, TO the only gate through which
could pass the walls of the city, the
others being, as is the custom, closed al
that they were all thrown open, by direction
Of the Governor, the moment he heard of the
fire on board the Missouri. | am pleased to
mention here that every assistance was render
ed TO US by that distinguished gentleman, as
well as from Sir GeorgekSartorius, commanding
Her Britanic Majesty's IA, the Malabar, as will
be seen by communication from me to those
gentlemen, copy Of which, have the homer
herewith to enclose, my boat, fortunately, had
been sent as soon as the fire broke our,
and found her al near the landing
place when | arrived on board, which was
in about twenty minutes, perhaps, from the
momeut | received the startling intelligence,
found the flames 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 Go the most
possible good.
The powerful pumps on board had with alac
rly been rugged, with their hoses attached, and
were in operation those men who were not
passing wafer in buckets. and pouring it upon
the flames. AT sin lie glance, however, dis
covered the prudence OF flooding the after maya
zine which was imm dlately done The forward
one having already, very prudenily been ordered
TO be flooded before ! reached the ship; soon
after did so, two engines in large boats, wei
manned. came alongside. These were sent of
H. Doh IN nd hy he
able and energetic exertons Of Sir George Sar
torius and his officers, with the seamen from
his ship, that a, one time was in hopes the
devouring element was conquered, but alas the
fauering hope was soon disspated by 1t, 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 auxilaries, until they were driven from thei'
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 tie ship; therefore gave
the order for every person to quit her without
delay, and without confusion, for by this time
there was very liue space remaining for those
on board to stand clear Of the flames and smoke !;
the wind lad increased d, and The ship was a.
flames fore aud aft; the crew Immediately took
to the water, and received the ready assistance
OF boats anticipating the exigency from her Bri-
fannie Majesty ship Malabar, and from th'
vessels III the harbor Such was the stare OF
PEELED to give her up; they saved nothing bul
what they stood in.
After had seen every person out OF the ship
lowered myself down by rope from the star
board whee-house, and was taken on board on,
of the boats in waiting This occurred at half
past ii o'clock. The immense number of boa Is
surrounding the burning ship at this time, were
directed to pull cut of the way as fast as posi-.
bic, fearing, lest the magazines might not havs
been efec ualy flooded, an explosion might TAX,
place in that event, the loss of life would
have been great. Fortunately, however, III,
magazines DID not explode unit, O'Clock in he
morning, so completely were they flooded and
as they exploded under water, the shock wa,
not severely felt. AT he polite invitation Of ST,
George Sar,orus, the crew were sent on boarc
his ship, he Mslabar, and have remained ther,
until to day. I have had them removed TO .
ship chartered for the purpose Of conveyin,
Them and The officers to the United States
AS the officers and crew have, by this unfor
tunaie ard unlocked for event, been rendered
comrI,tely destitute Of clothing, and ever,
thing else, it has become absolutely necessary.
for the preservation of their hcahs and com
fort, 10 have them supplied Immediately wiz
comfortable wearing apparel, and have d
recled the Purser to make tie necessary pur
cbases.
The ship chartered is the Rajah of 600 IONS
Of Boston, and bound to that port, and will sal
IN .;ohf lave from, this d,te I han, b,J a.,