The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-08-30
From the Journal OF Commerce..
DISTINCTION Of the Steamship Cherokee.

The steamship Cherokee, owned by the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company, Claw. Roberts, Arpinwal, &c..)
discovered to be IRE about "a o'clock last even
ng. able lying at her dock at the loot OF Warren street.
North river She was filled TO repe,ion with rich and
valuable cargo including rch INVOICES OF sks and was
sail o'clock to-day for New Orleans, via Havana
Every available foot OF space occupied BY freight,
even eRcroaching on her passenger cabins. large
amount was refused for lack OF room TO receive II
10 judge that the tire originated from drugs or some
other substance contained in her cargo The Waterman
Of the dock. we learn from him personally hrst per-
ceived the FIRE through the sideghs OF The after cabins
his attention having been previously attracted by an unu
sual smell He Immediately shouted TO the watebmen OF
the deck who happened 10 be directly over where the
FIRE noticed and upon opening The cabin door, the
FIRE seen coming up the companion way. An e6ori
10 advance repused by the overpowering heat and
smoke. The FIRE was already beyond control The
alarm given, vocaly, and by the bells oil The adj
accent ships and steamers and the hrc companies speed
lily arrived from both The upper and lower districts
report having become current that there was powder on
board evident reluctance 10 approach within harms way
manifested but intrepid fellow rushed 10 the
supposed OF danger, and seized upon The ammuni
ton, which consisted however OF but ten-pound car
tridges used Tor sautes, and threw II overheard.
The flames soon enveloped the vessel am'dshps there
being an intense beat in the vicinity OF the engines
Streams of water directed upon the hrc without any
percep,bls Iesut. and the destruction OF The ship was
seen TO be Inevitable. Everything movable on deck,
that could be reached, was thrown overheard, and the
surface OF the water lighted M to silvery bright
ness was covered with articles which rous boats
s0Saged in securing. The flames next caugh, the
nanmsst rigging The spectacle presented was grand
Ia svery direction the piers, steamers, and roofs Of
dwellings, presented OF hsman beings which the
light OF the burnog steamer brought TO view with the
dsnctoess OF daylight Dense columns oil smoke rolled
OF 10 the eouhwes ntermiDged with hsrce flames va
r,ossy eoored by the consuming drugs spirits. &C, oil
which the cargo comprehensive the ngGing, now
in hames, resembled network OF hery lines stretched
acroes the heavens.
Two s,eamers took hold OF the burning vessel, with a
view 10 remove her no the stream, where she might be
scuusd and sunk; but II was fonDd that she wac I'm
movably fast on The bottom u being low tIAe, and The
haweers parted consultation was held BY The olcers
Of the steamship company and The CHIEF o me nle De
parlmen, when it was resolved 10 direct all effort TO I'LL
The steamer with wser, both through the hose playing
through the sdegh,s and open spaces IN the deck, and
through holes in the bows OF the ship al The water
line. BY this means hoped 10 NJ least save tha
portion oil The cargo, in damaged state, which NIGH
be submerged also the enginea Ii ascerianed from
the engineer thai the boiler. were filed with waller,
that they YES, liable 70 injury, and that all danger
OF explosion WAS obvaled by the adjustment OF the
valves, which would blow or with twenty iour
pounds OF steam U#
Nv ten O'Clock the decks had mostly fallen in IN,
vb,elbouses and buwsIks amidshps were partially
eonAuned though the mass were still standing fierce
i,sa OF hss were Issuing IRON The stern and aide lights
forward And aft But l,ule promised to be left sbov.
vs,ef- marx besides a backened and charrea hulk.
The Cherokee was hoe cleaner OF 1.244 tons. bull
By WIN. N. Webb for The government line OF steamers
hut wns Afterwards porcbssed BY the Z, NJ ), y Co
About one wear ago she rebuilt and put in complies
order, with new boilers &c She was valued A. pretty
near $4,000 and, il ~ customary With this COMPANY
TO nsars the,r vessels, the insurance otnces hs
no riSka on her She ol0 feet in length, bad 3
feet breadth Of beam. and ~ depth OF hold. and va