The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-10-05

acted business at the Admiralty on the 18th instant
having run up 10 town, leaving his ship at Ports.
mouth. The gallant sailor was in excellent health
and spirits, and expressed the greatest satisfaction
at the result of his voyage
Loss OF THE STEAM FRrGATE Missouri. We
regret to have TO announce the total destruc on by
fire, oil the spler did American steam-irgate the
Missouri, while at anchor Ia this bay, Saturday
week. She had the Hon. Mr.. Cushing on board,
proceeding to Alexandria, en- route for China, as
Minister.
The alarm was first given at eight O'Clock pre-
cisely, and was Immediately followed by such a
burst OF flame from the engineers store-room as to
lead to the belief that it originated among the oil
and spirits. Every exertion was made to subdue 1t,
and the large pumps Were instantly put In operations
but the progress of the flames 20 rapid that il
became necessary to food the two magazines.
which was done effectually, that Il was not until
twenty minutes after A. M, that any explosion
took place, and then not TO an extent to endanger
the shipping.in the bay, the nearest of which had
already been removed by the exertions of the act
ing captain of the port. Assistance was promptly
sent from the Malabar under the personal superin-
tendence OF Sir George Sartorus; and the Locust
got up her steam andiran alongside the Missouri.
with the view of towing her into deeper water, or
rendering any other add but, unfortunately, che
had already grounded, which rendered it impos.
sible to scuttle her.
ed the waterproof gate to be opened, and proceeded
himself to the wharf, from whence he despatched
two engines under charge of the artillery and sap
pers; but in spite of the united efforts of the OF
the Missouri and her friendly auxll'aries, the pro-
gress of the flames, which at time appeared to be
got under, was such, that length Captain Newton
was forced to abandon his ship, after summonng q
council of his own officers and those British officers
about him, who unanimously decided there was no
hope of saving the ship.
The order was then given by Captain Newton for
| all TO quit the ship which was done Immediately by
the crew taking the water, and receiving the ready
oClIC fa nj hnn tG antIn afInn ~
igency, from the Maabar and from the vessels in
the barbor. Such was the state of the ship, when
the officers and crew lefther, that they saved nothing
but what they had on. Captain Newton did not quit
the ship until all had left her, about quarerpast ii
O'clock. We are happy to add that the officers and
crew are believed to be all saved.
His Excelency the American Minister, after Sc
curing his papers of Importance, reured to the ship,
and ZeaiOusly united his exerons to those oil her Of
fcers.
The line wall was crowded until very late hour
with spectators aExiousy watching the fate OF the
noble ship. The sight was awiuly grand; until the
masts at length tell overheard, the tracery of her
spars and shrouds standing in bright rriet ass list
the dark sky, was beautiful The Whole rock was
as light as day; and probably such sight has not
been witnessed In the bay since the confederation vi
the floating batteries III the memorable siege.
We trust It will not be considered presUmptuOus
to refer to the dcpne on board this Inflated vessel;
but, persons, employed alongside during Inc pro-
gress OF the calamity. ard whose verac.'y we can
place the utmost reliance, have beeu DESTROYS OF
bearing undenable testimony on this most important
subject, beg to inform our readers that they de-
scribe the discipline and order on board as most ad
mirable; the several orders were given and obeyed
as il thes vessel had sheen perfect safety, and
nothing had occurred to excite alarm confusion.
Gibrater Chronicle.
Correspondence London Times
CADlz, Sept. l.
here from Gibraltar yesterday, confirming the INTEL
gence which had previously reached the consulate
OF the total destruction by fire of one of the fine 81
vessels Of which the United States navy could boast
The following is the official notification forwarded
to her Majesty's Consul at Cadiz:--
Port OF Gibraltar, Aug n, 1913
"The American steamfrlgate OF war Missouri
unfortunately caught fire in the course of the past
night, and burnt down to The waters edge, between
the Orange and Montague batteries, in four fahoms
OF water; and as it is impossible TO her now
che having gone to the bottom, and being anchored
rhere all captains of vessels who NAV enter the bay
at night are thus advised lest it should happen that
through bad weather any other incident the light
should be extnguished, which will be fixed over
the place where she is sunk.
"W. I HoMPsON, Acting Captain of the Port"
The Opportune arrival of the Bentnck enables me
to forward full additional particulars. The ssouri
rrled twentyeight guns, and pierced for forty
Iour. She was admirably equipped, and in all re.
spects OF the most perfectly appointed ships in
the American navy. The crew was entirely saved
through the active intervention of her Majesty's
steamer Locus', which Immediately repaired to the
SPOT, attracted by spe tacle OF such extraordinary
and disastrous brillincy The burning vessel threw
glare over the entire rock. Illuminating in the midst
of the night the various points and batteries and
throwing its reflection over the bay far as Agesi-
ras. The black hull and dark spars aud rigging
stood out in the midst of the intense glare flight
with ine but portentous ee CT, and the roar of the
fire intermingled with the discharge of guns of
distress, which soon. however, ceased in the despair
created by the awful rapidity with which the flames
increased their ravages, and made all human efforts
unavaillDg. The Locust got up her steam imme-
dIatey and arrived just in time to rescue the crew
from the fate which awaited them. So rapid was
the progress of the fime from the moment il burst
FORTH that by the time the Locust reached her side
she had burnt down nearly to the waters edge
The Missouri had on board very large quantity OF
gunpowder, and TO prevent the dangerous effects of
an explosion, it was Judged advisable to scutle her.
which was successfully accomplished without delay
when she immediately disappeared
The Missouri was bound for Canton, with the
new Ambassador sent from the United States to the
his embassy and suite. The Ambassador will thus
De compelled either to return to the United States
or to proceed as he best by an indirect course
to his destination. The fire was occasloned by
combustion OF the large cargo OF coal which the
Missouri was obliged to carry This combustion
had been going on for a considerable time
and upon Its discovery quantity OF water was
rently exiingsishng the fame. Bat it was, in TACT.
merely smothered; and upon its breaking out Sc.
cond time, II was found to have gained such he ad
that no forts could arrest its progress. How the
fire was first communicated to the mass of coal ha
not been ascertained The fire engines were work
ed with great vIgor, and other means resored 10
10 throw quantity OF water on the flames, but in
vain. Ii communicated itself RAPIDLY to the remais
ing parts of the magnliceotve vessel BY dot of con
siderable exertlons many valuable eff cts were saved
and put board the Locust, including 50 600 dol.
lara of specie. The vessel was OF immense cap,ei
ty, her register being of nearly 1000 TONS and her
crew was very numerous.
Correspondence London Standard
81 was alongside OF the Missouri from half past
to Ii o'clock the ght OF the rs lust land earIy
saw that all our united efforts would not save her
no not even II the river Missouri had discharge
itself into the waist OF the rigats; for the heries
burst out from bow TO sern on the middle deck 81
simultaneously, az If train had been laid whici, a.
most bears me out in my suspicion mat she was
purposely fired; at all events, the crew were luke