New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-06
DESTRUCTION OF THE AMAZON
Narrative OF n Survivor.

Mr.. Nelson, one of three passengers
picked up 10y the brig Marsden, on the morning
after the burning of the Amazon, has addressed
letter, giving the fullest connected account of
the calamity yet published, to the editor of The
London Times. We copy the essential parts
Of it
The wind was right ahead but she proceeded
steadily on till about o'clock, when the bearings Of
the cranks of the paddle shaft became hot that she
was stopped, until by pumping water upon them for
an hour, she was enabled to proceed. This opera
ton was repeated during the night and following
morning, and Saturday, at 10 o'clock, our position
was lat 40 IL, long a 81. Toward evening the wind
increased, sill ahead-our west and by south
half south. Between and O'Clock was walking
The deck with MIR. Best, of Barbadoes, speaking of
the state OF the engines, on which they were then
pumping. "You appear very anxious about those
engnes, said he " is there any danger ~ None,"
sand as long as there is plenty of sesroom out
With our engines stopped, on lee shore, would
not give much for our chance of escape In sucn
night as we are likely to have from the appe arance
of the weather" 81 hope" said he, there IS no
chance of fire, as should have two elements 10
contend with ~ hope not" replied "for we
should have three, as u is evidently gong TO DO"
gale and must then look 10 the fourth for our re-
iuge" "God forbid W said he, " three to one are
fearful odds. Good night" and he went below. L
then proceeded 10 the engine room, and found the
L
Ieers my appreheDsions for tie night, and recon-
mensed to slacken speed; while we we're yet speak.
the bearings became so hot that the contents OF
the grease cup burst of like SO much steam Mr..
Apeus the chief engineer, who had been most con.
slant in his attentions was immediately on the spot
stopped the engines Stacked the caps, and applied
the pumps for TWO hours before We could proceed
i had several times during the day conversed with
Mr. Angus on the state Of the engines, which, he
told me- he did not expect would get settled TO their
bearings for at least week.
Ef0O no keeDlnp bearings
stantiy fabricated very large vessel OF grease
stood at the door OF the storeroom, which was IN
der the galley. At about Iii, the engines were
sgain put about, and l went on deck and Joined
Captain Symons, who stated his apprehension of
heavy gale before morning, when he expected rain
and a change OF WIND to the noItnwaTd. We con-
versed till midnight when he went below.
Beng partially conveIsant with machinery, felt
anxious about the state OF the engines, AMI walked
the deck until l2, when again went TO the engine
loom, leaving Nh Vincent, midshlpman OF the watch
On Geek.
The engines we've then going at three-quarters
tpeed, and The engineer In attendance, putting his
fand the bearings, told me all was going on co u
fcrable. ard accordingly retired to rest.
kbs0 10 minutes after had lett the deck Mr.. Vim
cent YfCce eded below 10 set the time by the captains
dlecuoIs, when he perceived smoke and nre CON
Jog up The fore.hatchway past the ships galley lie
Immediately gave the alarm to the officer OF the
vsieh, and ran aft to inform the captain, who In
s antly came on deck and greeted his who!e eLer
eies 10 the suppression of the Ere.
hac not been in bed for five minutes when hrit
heard the alarm bell and the cries of Fire " which
were accompanied by the shrieks of several OF the
female cabin passengers. and rushing from my berth
] the sparks and flames ascending the main
hatchway above the engines, and many OF the pas
te1geiS hens on se.R In ,ne Io,hes
when the increasing confusion warned NE TO loose
| 70 tine IN reaching the deck.
The first person saw on reaching the deck was
MIR Burnett of Trinidad, standing in his nighsnlrt,
| with a hie-buoy round MIN, which brought TO my
nlA6 that had Left life belt 10 nav cabin, which
might ptrhsps recover II had yet time. looked 10
ward the flames which wererisiDg from the main and
fore haichwoys III bright mass as 70 convey the
impression that the hre had originated in or ne ar the
on stoIorcom, and thar there might be time TO re-
sain my cabin, which succeeded In DONG, though
ine windows were swapping right and LEFT with tae
heai OF the flames.
could not a, first lay my hand the oel., II being
dark Just as had found II tremendous crash OF
the glass panels Of the division a. the end Of the
cabins announced the approach OF the hre eft.
On leaving my cabin To fegsin the deck, several OF
the cabin passengers, appalled, at the approach OF the
Te, dared not ssIemp. the approach OF the compan-
ion-salrs urged them forward II VAN, aad draw.
iog a long breath, gained the upper deck unhurt.
No description could convey any adequate i'm
preston Of the scene which tneIe presen'ea i;seh
With the exception Of the officers and men Of the
risht-wsich, WAS the only one even partially
/ clothed.
WDa,.Ye1 human exeItion could effect was at.
terrted y Capt Symons, regardless OF himself, 10
itduce the assistance of others 10 extmgulsa me
flames bal in vain, for so rapid was thelr progress
INA! al communication, fore and an, was already
cbsnUcted. The last orCsr | heard him give was,
For Gods sake, Mr.. Rossis put her bs.ore tse
Nnd
THIS Mr Roberts Immediately attempted, and
Ncung Vincent, no was lowering down the dingy,
Jumped TO the helm aEc put Il hard up, until tho shiP
I iN't on.
In the msan;ime the ateru ost boat on the port.
zee q mink the mall bOat) Was lowered do.Ta, With
| Fooaby twenty five people in her but he mo.neIt
ne 'ou'hec The water she swamped, and ali hands
'st we're IN htf ortea astern, all chngng together
With dreadful shriekg.
Ihe next boat forward lhe pulnscc} was also
lowered iuli but by some accident the after tackle
sicne to1 unLo9 zee, ana she dragged ior ward
hy ne fore tsckle With such raaiaisy that the sea
swspI round her sides, and washed every soul on; Of
her
The IeXt boat OF The same side was y No , IL r.
boa, Al which ! observed several hauas trying to
get her INTO The Ualog while NE kis - fapiaiy