New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-26
Narratlv. of Fire on Chinese River.

Narrative of Fire on q Ch1nese RiNeT'
The missionary reports from China as quoted
in the K0lniSche Zettung, describe the terrible
ravsges of fire which took place on the LIST
Jan, 1s4s at Houquang, during the prevalence OF
an inundation The 7ribunetranslates some por-
tons of the account. The fire, which broke out
among the shipping was of unparalleled horror.
Ia order to form an idea of it, we must imagine
the scene of it's devastations. Along the shore of
tie Xii ng, for the distance OF several mlles, 30
many vessels are usually lying at anchor that
when Feen from the opposite bank they resemble
a thick forest, but regarded from a near point they
look like an ilmitabe, popIlous city floating upon
the water. At still greater distance, though not
so crowded together, many other vessels lie at the
same anchoring ground. The whole forms a long
harbor extending many miles, filed with an inn
mense number of ships, and presenting spectacle
of which no one who has not seen it can form
conception. On the night in question furious
gale struck this mutitudinous feet, and in the
fusion that ensued one of the vessels was found
to be on FIRE. Increased at once by the wind, and
fed by the tar and other combustible materials
with which great number OF the vessels were
loaded the fire spread like lightning to the neigh
boring vessels The violence Of the storm and Of
the Ere parted the cables which had thus far con-
fined the burning ships. Scattered by the raging
hurricane in every direction, these everywhere
spread devastation turning into fame whatever
they touched and kindling the devouring FIRE in
moment in the other vessels In the midst of this
terrible sea Of fire were heard the shrieks and
groans of an immense number Of men, who, given
over to despair, tossed by the storm, pursued by
the flames and encompassed by the raging waveI,
were at last burned to crisp by the FIRE, or swal
lowed up in the wild abyss of the stream. The
KiaDg for great distance resembled sea of fire,
and in the space of three hours ali those vessels,
with the unhappy men on board, miserably per.
ished. 1t is agreed on all hands that the number
of vessels according to a moderate estimate
amounted TO more than three thousand. The
Chinese boats, as is well known, even the small
est, are inhabited by the family of the captain
together with the crew. Indeed, there are whole
households, whose members are born on board
where they live and die without knowing to what
country they belong They come into the world
wherever the floating abode Of their parents hap
pens to be found. Among the vessels burned were
several large ships. Many OF them contained from
forty to fifty and sixty persons. The bodies, mu-
tuabCu anu uAhh6N4Ou ny buC hISi WnlCu WClO
drawn ouHof the stream, amounted to sixty thou
sand. These vessels were loaded with freight,
and belonged to Chinese from different provinces.
This may show the great loss and general bereave-
ment caused by the FIRE. Such terrible conha
grafton was never known we will not say in
China, but in the whole world AS native from
Ham'yan.fee was surveying the scene of desola.
tion, he was so impressed with the number Of the
victims that he ordered at his own cost ten thou.
sand cofns, for the interment of the bodies which
could be afforded for FIVE or six francs This sum
is paid by the poor for their collins; usually they
coat them from thirty to forty francs, and the rich
pay several thousands, for the poor idolaters ina
CINE that the more is done for the body the better
it will be with the SOUL