New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-06-28
san FRANCISCO.
Steaming in the PaciGc-A Picture Of the Fire
Extent of the Observation-Disclosures sc.

Steamins in the PaciGc-A Picture Of the Fire
Extent of the Observation-Disclosures SC.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
OK BOARD STEAMER NEW ORLEANs
IIarbOr Of Acapulco May &c, 1851
The Steamer New-Orleans with over three
hundred passengers and all well, arrived Is this
harbor at O'Clock this morning, having had a
smooth but unusually long run from San Fran
cisco, which We LEFT on the evening OF the 18th
At o'clock. Our coal has been unfit 70 make
steam. The Northemcr had several hours the
start OF us and reached here on Saturday
evening oath The McKin lies here coalng,
bound up the coast
Had not our coal been OF the poorest sort, We
should also have been here two days sooner,
with all This disadvantage, the vessel has made
very good time, and has fully sustained her
reputation as the fast boat of the Panama line.
have never been to sea in a vessel which
carried herself so stedily and comfortably.
send YOU this letter by Mr. Prince of Flushing,
who leaves us here with a party TO 60 by the
way Of the city OF Mexico and Vera Cruz
also dispatch boy him a message to 60 by tcle-
graph from New Orleans, conveying to You the
sad particulars of the conhagration of San Fran
p be so fortunate as to meet a Steamer at Vera
Cruz. he will reach New-Orleans ahead of the
regular mail.
The ravages Of the fire We're 50 sudden and
wIde-sprcad-the desolation so awlu-the ruin
so universal and heart-crushng to'the entire
business community, the mind Is oppressed at
ITS bare contemplation and the pen ialters at
It's description Scarce a business house OF any
importance has escaped the general wreck, and
thousands who, few days since, were secure
IN the possession Of uncounted wealth, are to-
day BANKRUPT The sccnce as viewed from the
hills back of the burning town. or from the
masts OF the shipping IN front, was grand be-
yond conception. strong gale was blowing
from the northwest, at the time the flames
burst out on the north side OF Portsmouth
square. and by the time the fire had travelled as
far south as Bush and Pme-Ss., the wind hauled
TO the southwest, driving the consuming blast
eastward 10 the whaVes, and southwark down
10 ClaTk'S point, sweeping everything before It's
consuming breath The almost superhuman
efforts OF the tiremen were OF no ayal IN arrest
ing the progress of the fire, and by half paSr
two o'clock Sunday morning the whole city
seemed doomed TO destruction FOR a distance OF
mile north and south by hall mile east
and west, San Francisco was one burning ire.
The streets of Benicla, 90 miles distant, We're
Illuminated to MONDAY brightness, and vessels
even greater distance at sea saw the hight
plainly
The thought of saving property was forgotten
IN the all absorbing idea of seli-preSeryatlon
forgetting their most valuable goods which had
been thrown INTO the streets only to be con
sumcd men and women could be seen rush
ing bcwlldered through every burning avenue,
covered with blankets and wet garments 10
ward OIL the flames, which lowered heavenward
ON every hand. Several alas fell overPowered,
and were consumed IN sight OF their trends,
hut beyond the powerot human rescue. others
were ovcrtaken so suddenly they had no time TO
escape from their own dwellings, and their cal
cined bones were mingled with them as
tley fell SIX persons persisted IN Iaalie
NcCahlIs IRON store alone they were Capt
Welsh Edward McCahill and four others
James King, of Baltimore, was badly burned,
but his houses escaped Wells was also con
slderahly burned IN his efforts to save his build
ing he had so far recovered as To resume busl-
ness; he lost many OF his books and papers
Mr. Randall a eWeller well known IN New
York was badly burned IN his face ana hands,
I'M efforts To save his yaluableS, but he Is re-
covering.
While resolute and manly energy nerved
the hearts OF many to withstand the invading
flames others gave themselves up TO despair.
One person who Is SAID 10 have experienced a
succession of heavy losses on seeing the haneS
AGAIN approaching the house III which was ms
All of this worlds goods, COOllN invited MS vic
10 walk out and see the FIRE when they had
/ passed into the street, IN a moment OF mad
/ phrenZy he drew revolver and SHOT her through
/ the head and then instantly ended his own NE
+ with another shot. The hOarSe shouts OF are
mcn-the roar and cracking OF haheS-the
/ crash of falling houses mingled dreadlully with
] the low moan of distress and despair while
momentary explosions OF gun powder shook the
adjacent hills, and seemed like minute guns
over the funeral of a departed city. The strong
wind carried deluge of burning brands out mo
/ the harbor, which set several vessels on hre IN
their sails and rigging, and the greatest watch
fitness and eXertion only saved the entire meet
from destruction as they were too compact 10
have been separated and moved
As the FIRE approached the wharves the large
warehouses threw immense quantities OF meT-
chandise into the water 10 save 1t from the IRE
r What was not consumed was thus spoiled o.
carried of by thieves who thronged the shores
/ IN boats
After working until exhausted, repaired 10
my hotel on Central Wharf and IN an hour had
everything carefully packed and put INTO
liabter by tins time the whole lower tier was on
+ 6ye and the wharf also Getting all my house
held INTO the ark, cut admit amidst whlrl-
wind of blazing brands which set the loose bed
ding on fire several times, and dropped out into
the bav here We lay until morning, spectators
OF the grandeSt c0nhagraton since the burning
! OF Moscow As the sun arose ana shed us
lurid light through the drifting clouds OF smoke
stn hnperlne over the place. rare scene OF
devastation was presented TO The eye OF Iue oe-
1 hol8er There stood the naked hills with thelT
whole outline from night to LETT and from summit
IN base developed 10 the eve the stately edihceS
D OIL had dlSapDPaFeQ, AMI while