The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-31

Another Great and Destructive Fire at Sc,
LOuis-Destruction OF Steamboats, ana
decentralization OF Llfe-Great Riot
Military Called Out.
ST. LOUIS, July 40, 1S49
We much regret to state that dreadful fire broke
out this morning at o'clock board the steamboat
Algoma, which Immediately communicated to tho
steamers San Francisco, Dubuque, Mary and Phoenx,
all OF which were entirely consumed to the wsters
edge. The steamers San Francisco and Algoms, had
but just in loaded from the Missouri river Their
reghts consisted of tobacco hemp, grain bale rope,
bacon and variety Of produce The Mary was near
y ready for starting New Orleans having freight
beard consisting Of -four and cattle. The Phoenix
was going to Cincinnati, and had freight on
board but we are ignorant Of the amount. The Du-
huge had already been discharged, and therefore was
empty 1t is considered that the loss sustained by the
burning OF these beats cannot be less than $50 O0O
though the greater part Is covered by insurance.
large mall containing letters from the California emf
grants, destroyed the Algoma but most Of the
papers and money on that boat were saved with the
exception Of $4,000. The whole Of the papers aud
money the San Francisco were fortunately pre-
served. Unhappily two lives supposed to be lost
one, Capt Young Of the Algoma, and the other pas
sepger the same boat
After the fire, terrible fracas ensued between tho
hremen and party of Irishmen, by whom it is sup
posed, the provocation given. Captain Grant, Of
the Missouri fire company during the npeiee received
pistol shot which slightly wounded him. The houses
of the Irishmen which resort for boatmen, were
then assailed and Of them severely stabbed in
vera places The disturbance continued till IL o'clock
when quiet somewhat restored by dispensing the
rioters.
The Mayor, fearing a renewal of the disturbance
has very properly ordered out company of St. Louis
volunteers and fearing this force would be insufficient,
he pro mptly despat n request o comm
officer at Jefferson barracks for the assistance Of the
United States troops.
The fire and subsequent disturbances, coupled With
the recent calsmties endured by our city from the
epidemic, and the former sweeping and destructive
fire, have cast gloom over all our citizens
There hundred houses in progress Of erection
the burnt district, and many Of them will shortly
be finished. This will tend to enliyen streets and
give an impetus to business.
SECOND DESPATCH
SIX O'CLOCK, P. NJ.
portion of the California mail lost in the steamship
Algema, has been received In a damaged condition.
The loss Of cargoes and boats estimated at $15000
The captain Of the Algoma seen to jump
beard, having his clothes Gre, and has not since
been heard OF.
Capt Cleveland the former commander Of the boat,
narrowly escaped.
Mr. Fitch is supposed to be the Of the passenger
lest from the AlBOm8.
The Algoms valued at $40 900; she was insured
for $4,000 Her safe, containing $4,000 saved the
books and papers lost The box of specie (S40O>
belonged to a Mr.. Smart, of Kaadas
The San Francisco valued at $50 600 and insured
at SIS 600. The cargo valuable.
The Dubuque, Captain Bereba, was worth labout
$1,000, and insured for $4,000.
II appears another steamer, the Garrison burnt;
she worth $4,000 and insured for sl3 00c. Books
and papers saved.
The steamers Alexander Scott, Bertran Hsder,
Highland, Emgrant, and Dan Gilman, all lying
the Algoma, succeeded in dropping down the stream,
and escaped.
There were no material demonstrations made by the
rioters last evening.
In the course Of yesterday, five groggerles kept by
Irishmen completely mobbcd
No lives lost, but several badly injured
though none seriously.
1t is stated the origin Of the disturbance that the
Iihmen detected in stealing property from the
steamer Dubuque. when the Gremen played them to
deter them from nuing their plumber