New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-23
FIRES.
DESTRUCTION OF THE STEAMSHIP KNOX
yILLE-LOSS ABOUT TWO HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS.

yILLE-LOSS ABOUT TWO HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Last evening about 8 O'Clock the private watchman
engaged on the steamship Knoxville, lying at pier No.
North River foot Of Morris street. discovered smoke
issuing from the engine room, and upon hasty ex-
animation found that the vessel was on tire. Tho
alarm was promptly given and in short time there
after the fremen of the lower districts were q the
scene Of action q. spite the snow storm that was rag
ing. and the almost impossible condition Of the streets
Several streams Of water were immediately poureA
into the hold but without avail The steady volume OF
.moke which for half an hour or more continued 70
ascend from the hatchway, now gave way, to - large
a body Of fame which soon euveloped the mssts and
rigging The dock at which the steamer lay wss filed
with fremep, while the neighboring piers and vessels
in the vicinity were crowded with spectators.
Al an early siege Of the fire Q boy about 10 or "
wear, of sge appeared aft near the helm and CON-
MERGED coing quantity Of rope with view 10 save
Il, Regardless of the gaze of the hundreds OF people
about tie burning vessel whose notice he hsd o.
tract, he continued at his work, until large cloud
q. ,mok. waited over him. aud the loud shouts OF the
dr,uep warned him of his danger. Leaving bis poet
he made his way along the space between the CABIN
aud the bulwaiks and at length gained port hole
through which large hawser passed, securing the
vessel TO the pier. This hawser was covered with Ice.
but the brave little fellow chung TO ii and thus made
bis way to the pier where he was greeted with LOAD
che. ~ BY the fremeu.
The scene now became of great brillisncy, tho
flames eliminating the river and opposite shores for
considerable distance. The effect Of the light upoa
the falling snow was beautiful, and the atmosphere
seemed filed with sparkling jewels.
An attempt was made to save the hull BY scuttiog,
tha from h
shaowness Of the water in the dock, soon grounded
She was burned to the waters edge, and may be Gee
.idered total loss Her engine aud works will be
worthless except for old iron.
The Knoxville was built about two years aso BY
William H. Webb, and cost, when completed, upward
Of AGO eco. She had no cargo on board, and was in
the hands Of workmen from the Novelty Yard, who
were oyerhaulng aud repairing Der machinery. The
Ere originated in the vicinity II the boiler, and IL
thought that the workmen may have accidentally ieh
lighted lamp in the hold upon terminating their dsys
work which being upset by the rocking Of the vessel.
iepiied .ome light material lying about.
The Knoxville belonged to Nitchells Savannah
Line and ran between this port aud Savannah, In con-
pee,iou with the steamships Alabama, Florida and
Augusta, She was considered the finest steamer N
the line.
| The Company, we understand, have IN nsuiascs
on the Knoxville of about 5000 but in what com
pspes we could not ASCERTAIN owing to the stsnsss q
| the hour end the absence Of the agent.
FIRE IN FULTON nARxEr.
About II o'clock last night fire occurred In IN
oce attached to one Of the fsh-ssnds in Fulton Mar
ket. but, being discovered at early moment It was
soon eItipguished. Damage 90. No Insurance
IT. fire is supposed to have originated from email
stove in the Office.
The ssfe Of Messrs. Hewitt & Co, No. - Stone
street o.e OF Herring salsmanden, was got out %
Saturday night aud On the papers and books tsund 70
be uniniured.