The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-10
The Ship Isaao Wright Burned.

TWO HUNDRED PASSENGERS ON BoARD-GRRAr CON-
FUsION-LOSs OF PROPERTY-LIvEs ALL SAVED
FIRING ON THE VESSEL FROM A WAR SHIP.
At two O'Clock on the morning Of the 23d ult. fire
broke out the hold Of the ship Isaac Wright, she
was lying at anchor in the Mersey river. She about
sail for New York, and had board about 200 pas
sengers.
On the alarm of fire being given great CONSERVATION
prevailed on board but as some steamtugs and ferry
boats were quickly alongside the passengers were ali
rescued, many of them only half clad, and leaving all
their property behind them Several passengers
nearly suIccated in their berths but thanks to the vig
lance of the officials no lives lost After the
c the passengers the vessel lowed up the river
she lett dry. Shots fired into the vessel below
he water line from man of war in order TO assist in
sinking her before the tide eceded Several engines con-
tnued 10 play the ship Tor hours, but the flames
not fully subdued until the following day.
Tie Of the fire had not been asCertaned neither
is the extent of the damage mentioned.
The cargo consisted of fine goods and about 800 tons Of
ron and it, together with the vessel is said to have been
fully insured.
from the Liverpool Post Dec. 23.
From one OF the passengers, an intelligent lrshman
learned that the ship into the river Saturday
and was intended TO sail on Monday but was detained
The passengers retired to their berhs at the usual time
last night when everything appeared TO be all right
Shortly before midnight the carpenter of the vessel
visited the passengers for the purpose of examining,
making an exchange of tickets when he said he smeed
strong ndioton of fire. The alarm took the passen
gers becsme aroused, got out of their BEDS and the
greatest CONSERVATION prevailed 1t not long before
smoke poured into their berhs several nearly su
located, and one or two had to be carried deck
life has been lost
from the Liverpool Times Dec 251
The emgrant ship Isaac Wright, of 800 tons, and be-
longing to Messrs. Barring Brothers, was on Thursday
partially destroyed by Gre, while lying in the Mersey
bound Tor New York. The fire observed about Two
O'Clock IN the morning, when report raised on the
landing stage that large Ship at anchor in the river was
on fire. and the officers duty the south landing stage
at manned boat and put of to tugs, for the
purpose of giving the information and sending assistance
At this time the Woodsde passenger boat Prince, Captain
passed the boat, informed Of the calamity, and
after landing his passengers, at once proceeded 70 the
ship which was lying at anchor in the river between
ksrcmont and New Brighton That something was amiss
on board the ship became apparent there ascend
cd from her blue lights, rockets &C. in rapid succession
On reaching the vessel ascerained be the Isaac
Wright outward bound for New York, with flames issuing
from various portions Of the hull
There were between 200 and 800 passengers board
and the CONSERVATION OF these may more readily ina
gned than descrbeda considerable portion of them be-
ing females many with infants in their arms
One or two other steamers quickly arrived alongside
the vessel including the Conqueror and every assistance
was afforded The passengers were got board the
tugs, large proportion of them scarcely half dressed
with nearly naked children in their arms and conveyed
10 the north landing stage where they found shelter for
the time beneath the ample shed Some of them managed
to save portion Of their clothing but by far the largest
number preferred 10 risk Of their lives and quit
the burning ship they stood leaving their property
chance II is stated, however, that the passengers had
been little more cool and collected they might have
saved the whole Of their wearing apparel and other pro-
perty tina. at all portable.
Mr.. HodRson, the Harbor Master, on being made &C.
quanted with the facts Immediately procured tug and
proceeded to the Isaac Wright after making inqui-
RES directions that the fire engine from Hatton
den should be brought alongside This was done with all
possible speed but the efforts TO extingush the flames
were almost irutcss. Seeing this be the case tho
burning vessel was lowed up 10 the Soyne Of the
way ot the river traffic, and anchored in shallow water
At nine o'clock Captain Mends commander of her Ma
esys ship Hastings with his officers and about eighty Of
the crew, proceeded to the unfortunate vessel and
dered very valuable assistance. email gun was placed
on board boat and forty twelve pound shots were fired
at intervals OF three or four minutes the hull of the
| Isaac wright Only twcnty-one shots however took
effect and even then the vessel made water very slowly
| owing to the cargo being packed exceedingly close.
VI course II is yet impossible to estimate the damage,
understand that the ship der cargo the latter consist
ing principally of fine goods and about 500 tons of IRON
certained.
The Isaac Wright belonged TO the "Od Black Ball line
OF American packets and we understand that the agents,
utssrs Barring Brothers, will forward the messengers 10
New York by the ship Great Western, which is Intended
to leave the port today.