The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-02-03
THE DAILY DISPATCH
Destruction of the Amazon Frightful
Loss Of Life.

Destruction of the Amazon = Frightful
Loss Of Life. a
The Amazon was very fine new vessel,
one of the West India Mail Steam Packet
Company's squadron. She had sailed from
Southampton on the afternoon Of Friday, the
I'd Of January. BY midnight on Saturday she
had got well clear of the Scilly Islands, and
had made about ITO miles in a w. s. w. course
from this point. At twenty minutes before
one, on Sunday morning, the alarm Of fire was
given. In few minutes the flames had burst
up the fore and main hatchways, and had
spread like wild fire along the decks. There
was heavy sea on at the time, and the wind
is described as "bowing half gale" from
the Southwest. The alarm bell was instant
ly rung, and the crew and passengers-as
many OF them as were not suffocated by the
smeke in their berths-rushed upon deck
Capt. Symons Immediately ran up on deck
in his shirt and trowsers. The attempt, of
course, was at first TO extinguish the flames
The progress of the destructive element was,
however, so rapid as TO set all human strug-
giles at defiance. The engine-room was un-
tenable, and the hose could not be brought to
done 10 the way of heaving overheard a stock
OF hay, bat the task was siaspiy hopeless from
the commencement The tragedy then in
progress was to begin and end in the space of
twenty minutes. As soon as the officers were
convinced that the fire had decisively gained
the mastery, their next effort was to get the
boats cleared away. There were plenty of
boats on board, including three lfeboats.-
Could they have been lowered in safety there
would have been accommodation for all per.
sons on board. So happy result was not
obtained. In the midst of the confusion that
prevailed, and of the wild terror of the passen-
gers. with raging sea and in gale of wind,
order and unity of action were no doubt loss.
There appears to have been the greatest diff
Guilty IN getting the boats clear of the ship;
the time allowed for the necessary arrange.
ments was infinitely small. What ever may
have been the cause, only one lifeboat was
available.
At l o'clock, just 90 minutes after the fire
broke out, three boats had got clear of the burn
ing vessels. One of these was almost instant
ly found to be useless; but the persons in her
were picked up by one of the other boats, a
Green's life boat. 1t is from those who es-
capped in the boat last mentioned that the tidings
were received on Tuesday. Nothing was
known of the fate of the remaining boat. The
survivors and spectators of the scene consider
ed it most improbable that she could live long
in so stormy a sea. Be this as it may, at l
o'clock on Sunday morning, just 70 minutes
after the fire had broken out, no man could re-
main on the deck of the Amazon and live
Her magazine afterward exploded, and by 81
O'Clock in the morning, there was no yestige
left of this noble ship. When the Amazon
left Southampton, she had on board 161 pas
sengers, and only 81 were picked up in the
life boat by a hOmeward brig, the Marsden,
and brought into Plymouth. Captain Symons
was a man well known for his competent skill,
courage and resolution.
The scene on the deck of the vessel of which
we get glimpses through the few graphic par
ticulars reported, was horribly appalling
When the flames had approached the after
companion, two male passengers came up from
the saloon. all in flames, and running aft, fell
on the deck. tall lady, supposed to be Mrs.
Maclaren, entreated some one 10 take care of
her child, but she would not enter either ofthe
boats. Dineford, the quartermaster, placed
one lady passenger in boat; but she, being ex
tIemely agitated, got out again, and although
Henry Williams and another used some force,
and begged her to go in, she persisted in re-
naming on board. The stewardess, Mrs. Scott,
with her bonnet and shawl on, and something
in her hand, first asked Steer to put her in the
dingy, and then left for larger boat. At the
time of leaving some of those who yet lived
were kneeling on the deck praying to God for
mercy, while others, almost in state of nudi-
ty, were running about screaming with horror.
Williams and Passmore had to climb the star
board paddebox through the flames and
smoke. They succeeded after three attempts,
and then slid down. hands and face, over the
paddle-box into the boat; several went down by
the tackles. Two of the watch below Twill
Hams and FOSTER had their hair burnt while
coming on deck. Capt. Symons ordered no
one to get into the boats. This order was
obeyed until the people saw the flames over,
powering the ship. He was at last seen with
the man at the wheel, ordering the helm to be
put up, so as to keep the ship before the wind.
His last words were, ut is all over with her."
Mr.. Henry Roberts, chief officer, in his shirt
only, was actively assisting the captain; he
was last seen going through the companion
down to the main deck, and is supposed to have
pershed there. Mr.. Lewis. third officer, MIR.
Goodridge, fourth officer, and the tw o midship-
men, some of whose berths were forward. on
the port side of the main deck, were probably
suffocated, as were also the chief eng ineer, Mr..
Geo. Angus, and Mr.. Allen, experimenting en-
gineer under Mr.. Seward, as they were seen
in the engine room ten minutes before the fire
broke out going forward, there being no posi-
bility of their return through the flames. The
second engineer, Mr.. William Angus, was on
the spar deck, between the funnel and the
crank gratings, pulling oars, and throwing
them out of the way Of the fire on the deck,
neai the boats.
Among the passengers was Mr.. Warburton,
the well known author, who had been deputed
by the Atlantic aud Pacific Junction Company
to come TO a friendly understanding with the
tribes of Indians who inhabit the Isthmus of
Darien. 1t was also the intention of Mr.. War
burton to make himself perfectly acquainted
with every part of these districts, aud with
whatever referred to their topography, climate,
and resources.
Not the least interesting episode in the tra-
gedy is the escape of the dingy, narrated below,
and due to the calmness and intrepidty of
young Mr.. Vincent, who, though a mere boy
in years, proved himself thorough man and
sailor on the occasion. He not only guided
his small boat in safety till he joined the life.
boat, but there he took immediate command
as superior officer, and did everything in his
power 10 sustain The courage of the crew
throughout that dreadful night. From writ
ten statement laid by him before the direc-
| tors Of the Company, on Wednesday, we ex-
| tract some interesting particulars respecting