New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-07
From the Boletim de Govorno, Nov. l6
The Blowing up Of the Portuguese Frigate
Donna Maria II.-Conduct of the Officers
of the American Corvette Marion.

In fulGlment of duty incumbent on as, it is in
deed painful to give, in this place, an account OF
a dreadful catastrophe on the Goth ultimo
That day being the anniversary Of the birth
day of nis Majesty the King Consort, was one OF
national festivity. At noon, the men'otwar, gaily
decorated with flags, joined with the Monte Forte
in firing the customary sautes. But all these
cheerful demonstrations Of loyalty and JOY were,
in moment changed TO sadness and lamenta
ton. At half past O'Clock a loud report-a sud-
den crash-shaking almost the whole town, drew
the attention of all toward the Typa
After few moments of anxious gaze, on the
lifting up of dense cloud overpowering was the
sad spectacle of burning hull in the place OF that
fine frigate the Donna Maria III. The ship had
blown up, and but a small part OF the stern, In
possession of the flames, was left to indicate the
spot where so shorty before she had Hosted IN
brilliancy and in apparent safety. Her destruc-
ton was complete.
1t is impossible to describe exactly the horror
and CONSERVATION Of all who were present at this
disastrous scene; it is not in to depict faith
fully, and we will not hazard the attempt-to re-
size such feelings they must be experienced.
The Donna Maria ii. was q teak built ship,
about forty years DID, strong and capable fmueh
service but great as is her loss. It IL nought to
the grief and pain for that of nearly the whole OF
her gallant crew. OF 224 men, lss persisted IN
the explosion, among whom were her commander,
Francis de Asss Silva five lieutenats Placido
Jose de Souza, Louiz Maria BordallO, Francis
Xavier Telles de Mello, Francisco Cypranio do
Santo Raposo, and the native lieutenant Samgl,
one midshipman, Joso Bernardo de Silva; the
assistant surgeon, Jose Matthias Lucas D'Aguiar,
and the purser, Manuel Marques.
These officers, were, for the most part, young
men, well known to possess superior talents, and
who had promised, at future day, to add luster
to the royal navy of Portugal
1t is impossible to explain the cause OF this hor.
rible catastrophe. From the strict discipline and
proper order maintained on board the rigste care
lesSness at the time of firing the salute could not
have caused it, more especially as the explosion
did not take place until more than two hours al
terward, and no signs Of fire were heard OF by the
survivors neither were they observed on board
the L. 6. ship Marion, anchored close TO her, nor
at the Typa fort. These circumstances lead 70
the belief that the explosion was effected by the
means of fire purposely placed in the magazine !
but by whom, or how, God only knows and Il Is
probable that it will never be discovered.
We may not fnish this article without making
honorable mention of the officers and crew OF the
American corvette Marion who. having happily
got rid of the immense danger TO which they were
exposed by their proximity to the burning ship,
gave the most prompt and effectual asSistance
which il was possible to give Jas suoh con3ao-