Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-10-16
BuRNiSo OF TINE LATAyErrE.--Ths
passengers by the steamship Lafayette
have communicated the following ac-

count Of the burning Of that vessel to the
editors ofthe Tribune -
Welclt New York Aug. 2s, on board
the steamship Lafayette, bound for
Chagres and Nicaragua, with 70 pas
sengers and 70 officers and crew. We
enjoyed what appeared to us evidently
pleasant passage, and nothing occur
red to mar il until the 3lsi, when one of
the fremen named Burns leaped over
board and was not rescued. On the 7th
Sept. put into Kingston to repair the
engine, obtain water, ice, &c. Lett on
the 8th at ~ NJ. and had a fine run ar
riving at Chagres at 9 A. Nj. All pas
sengers excepting tour left Immediately
for Panama.
The La Fayettc was to leave Chag-
IN few minutes Of the hour for leaving
and "all OH board" Mr.. Smith the chief
engineer, upon entering the oil room,
observed barrel of lubricating oil OH
fi.e, and Immediately gave the alarm
Every effort was made to extinguish
il, but in an instant the entire room was
In blaze, which soon communicated TO
the saloon, and in a few minutes there
burst forth a volume Of flame which it
was found impossible TO subd Ie.
The fire be ing in the vicinity Of the
magazine, the cry of "powder and the
magazine '" was raised, and consterna-
ton and dismay was pictured IN every
countenance. A great rush was made
for the boats, and in the haste Mr.. Aus
tin, OF San Juan, and Mrs. Carter, the
stewardess, we're preci pitated into the
water, from which, however, they wesc
rescued without any serious injury
Mr.. Comstsck, the purser, Mr.. J. w.
Smith, second officer, Mr.. G. X. Hoyt,
OF Berford & Co.'s express, rushed
through the flames, entered the magZine
and came on deck, to the great delight
Of those on board, with the powder,
which amid cheering was thrown over
board; the crew and others returned
and gave battle to the fiery element, but
notwithstanding the almost superhuman
exerlion OF Capt Stoddard, his officers
and crew, destruction was inevitable.
The fire continued TO rage with great
fury-the flames. now extending the
whole length o! her deck-and there be-
ing not the slightest prospect of arresting
the progress the captain ordered every
person to leave the ship. They spraug
to the boats and were rowcd some dis
tance from her-lcariul her boilers might
explode. She appeared to be deserted.
We thought no person was OH her decks.
Again we looked and observed a man
descending by a rope the side Of the
vessel" Ii il Capt. Stoddari," we
shouted and so il was. He was the last
man to leave the ship and abandon her
to the flames.
Too much praise cannot be awarded
70 the officers Of the vessel, who used ev-
cry excrton to save her. Mr.. Albcr,
the first officer, il entitled 70 great praise
for his firmness, daring and activity,
who, when ordered by the car tain to
leave the ship, replied, "Not until you
are ready to follow, captain" Also the
second officer, J. w. Smith, who. in con-
ncction with Mr.. Comstock and Mr.,
Hoyt, rushed through the flames to the
magazine and saved the powder, where
by all explosion was averted, whic
would certainly have caused great loss
Of life.
The Ere increased with such rapidity
as to preclude the possibility Of saving
the property belonging to the ship
Nothing Of any consequence was saved.
Strenuous efforts were made by Mr.
Hoyt and others to save the specie, but
without success they were loiled IN the
attempt by the flames and smoke. The
personal property OF Capt s., including
his chr r)nonieter, was lost in fact every
officer of the iIl-lated vessel lost all or
nearly all their personal effects. Capt
Stoddard, J. ID. Comstock, the purser,
J. w. Smith, second officer, Mr.. Bow
ditch, Mr.. Hoyt, and the siewardcss,
saved only what they stood in. MIR.
Bowditch had in charge $4,000 worth Of
freight, belonging to Palmer & Cos.
Express nothing Of which was saved.
Ii is impossible for US to tell or even
conjecture in what way the fire origina-
ted. An attempt was made to get her
upon the shoals, at Navy Bay, with
view of saving her machinery. The
steamboat Gorgona had her in tow, but
she burned 10 the waters edge and
sunk in fourteen or fifteen iathoms wat
er, before arriving there. All succeed
ed in escaping from her, excepting one
man, James Mcdonald, who served in
the capacity of a coal-passer. Great
credit IL due DR.. 2. Could, OF Chagres,
Tor his extreme kindness and attention
to the sufferers, by furnishing clothing,
and in fact everything necessary for our
comfort,
We al owe much to the citizens Of
Chagrcs for their kindness in furnishing
boats and exerting themselves in our
behalf; we are under great Obligations
TO the proprietors OF the Irving House,
Mr.. w. w. Williams and f. McGovern,
for the attention and hospitality extend.
ed TO us, and we cheerlully recommend
them TO the favor of those crossing or
intending TO cross the lsthmus, as gen.
tlemen whose pleasure is the comfort oil
those who favor them with IA call. We
cannot close this without expressing our
heartfelt gratitude to the u. 5. Mail
Steamship Cos through their gentle
manly agent at Chagres, w. Ii. FAIR
child, for assisting us on our homeward
passage.
The following is n list OF the officers
and passengers attached to the Lalay'
ette -
Capt. c. Stoddard Mr.. Alber, LIST Of
fcsr, J. w Smith, I'd officer; Z. ID.
Bran d, 81 officer n. NJ. Smith, Chief
Engineer NJ. p. Humphreys, lst assist
ant John Jones, I'd assistant J. ID.
Comstock, Purser n, L. Mcbride,
Steward Mrs. NJ. Carter, stewardess /;
2. ID. Elliot Surgeon.
Passengers--Mr. Austin, Of San Ju-
an George r. hoyt w. u. Bowdi,ch,