The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-12

Noble Services or the Officers and Crew OF
tho Braxislan Corvette Isabella, the Re
vsaue Cutter McCleliand, and tho Aar-
bor Poaice-LOas Estimated at SsO,OOU--
The Cargo Aimoss Totally Destroyed.
About three O'Clock yesterday afternoon the alarm
given that the packet ship Jacob A. westerveIt lying in
the North river was on fire. We immediately despatched
one OF our reporters to the scene on arriving at the
Battery the ship visible about ono mile and half
distant anchored between Bedlows and lbbet islands
with dense volumes Of smoke issuing from her stern and
floating far away to the southwark Taking boat. we
reached the OF disaster possible The ship
rounded by number OF craft Of all sizes, and
dashed to her sides were the steam lighter Alpha, be-
longing to Vim Ford Of Brooklyn. and the steam tugs
Mercury and Sampson, all OF which were pouring in
streams Of from their respective pumps and doing
eecus service in checking the progress Of the flames
The fire blazing herceiy throughout the whole stern
OF the vessel but the black clouds of smoke which Issued
from the crevces OF the closed hatches forward aud
anidshps indicated that II was rapidly extending and
unless arrested would result in the total destruction OF
the ship The sails had been seat down such the boats
could be saved had been cut away much Of the COM
busble material removed far it possible to
do So the fire kept between decks Every individual
on board working brayely-the crew, under the
command OF their captain Melvin Williams, the Harbor
Todd the of the Revenue Gutter McCleiand under
IAeutenans Delaguel ana Tompxns and last bot not
least, taree ooa@ crews numbering some nfty men be-
longing to the Brazilian corvette DOnDs Isabella, a,
ent Ia our harbor the in mediate of
Captain, Don Bsuto jose Carvaho
FIRE.
AS near as can be ascertained, the fire originated be-
tween decks ait, but in manner Of which sasActo-
~ account as yet has been rendered. The car
penter. it appears, had gone down the
" BOBBY or main hatch, Tor the purpose
of procuring stores for the steerape o whom
aR he gpvp
the smell that something burning Looking around
he found that smoke issuing between two bales
OF cotton. and Immediately jumping upon deck called Tor
the chef mate This officer hurried the spot rapidly
possible but quantity Of loose cotton lying around
the innAmmabie nature OF the material had al
lowed the element TO make such heacwsy that in
spite OF the efforts OF the crew, who had been ia
the meantime called down from aiot, the ire hal
become beyond control Finding their efforts unavaing
the union jack TO the mast head with the union
down as signal Of distress The steamboat Magnolia,
on beard which detachment OF fifteen har5or
lice under Sergeant Brevoort engaged in Drawing shad
poles being by, Immediately repaired the spot,
and the policemen transferred her decks the passen.
GERS portion Of the sails and rigging, snip Stores cap
tans charts, sexans, quadrans AND barorleters aud
such other articles Of value could be ay secured
Captain Austin, who had commanded the ship previous
ly was also board passenger, but in such poor
health that he unable to leave his and had
to De carried ashore in almost exhausted condition
When the fire was FIRST discovered, the Jacob A Weser
welt was lying in the stream ou during the OF
the Magnolia one or two tugs came alongside and her
captain ordered her to be owed between Bedlows
and Gbbet Islands She was accordingly grounded tho
Jersey Flats cables Icing from the Island
with her head to the wind to prevent the fire working
forward with great rapidly land here scut.ed the
water found to be 80 shallow that this operation
OF little avail, and the ship continued TO ourn on as fierce
ly before is believed that had the ship been sunk
on the spot where she was first discovered " be fire.
1t might have been easily extnguished and much Of the
present damage prevented; and while were board
many severe structures were passed upon this apparently
pjuocous management of the captain. 1t is but just
been promoted from the office frat his present
position within the last two daysso that this would be
mis- first voyage throughout the whole
trying circumstances by which he aded
haved with cooiness bravery and discretion that showed
he was not unaccustomed 20 danger unequal to the
emergencies II created.
ARRIVAL OF THE BRAZILIAN OFFICERS AND CREW.
One Of the most interesting and gratifying incidents Of
the occasOn-and which should call to the faces of
certain class Of officials in community the blush OF
shame, that they had been tardy in extending hosp
ality to these strangers, which ID deserved by them
hundred times over-was the prompt arrival and assis
lance Of the officers and Of the Brazilian corvette
Donna Isabella at present in harbor Hardly had the
signal Of distress been raised before three cutters
tanning over fifty men, were under way TOWARDS the
Of disaster under the personal command of her
| chief officer, Captain Bento Jose Carvalno.
They also brought with them hand pumps and in
the early stages Of the fire did excellent in staying
the progress of the flames Afterwards when the large
Of thu ferry and tugboas had been brought to
bear, they made themselves useful in various ways rush.
ing bravey into the very midst OF danger-down into the
hold up in the rigging saving cargo, cutting away Sails
heroes wherever their officers thought their services
might be valuable AT later hour in the day, when En
CINE Company No. 20 alongside, with only few
men to man their machine (the foreman with an esprit
de corps having assumed the responsibility Of leaving the
city without orders from his Chief, the Brazians ranged
themselves along brakes for more than three
bours, though probably in novel position to them kept
steady stream upon the fire, doing some Of the best
service that was rendered during the day
The following the Of the officers of the Bra
lillian corvette who rendered their active services this
accession
| Commander Bcnto jose Carvalho.
Lieutenants:-
Antonio Moreiva das Neves,
jose Marques Gnimares,
Jose d Ararjo Goes,
,Ioao Caitano da Silva Junior,
Guilherme Rodrgues Villares
| Manuel Marques Mancebo,
Jose Carlos Pereira de MAeedo.
Master, Antonio JOAQUIN
Under master, Manuel Ferreira Gomez.
Besides two carpenters, several engineers and from
The officers and of the McClelland the revenue
cutter this station also early the spot-some
twenty men having been detailed for the purpose under
the command OF Leutenants Delagnel and Tompkns-and
like their Brazilian comrades, worked faithfully and
cheeruly in saving property and battling the element
which they were so little accustomed.
The harbor police boats Nos /, 9 4, and s. under
Sergeant Todd, were hand after the alarm and,
owing to their admirable arrangement and familiarity
with duties both land and water, aided not little ia
preserving the system necessary upon occasion of
this kind. Individual members from several fire com
panies, including some from Jersey City, were also pre-
sent.
Much credit due to the Union Ferry Company for the
promptness with which they sent OF the steamers
vessel Her pumps kept up steady stream from the
time of her arrival until the fire extnguished
conduced than anything else prevent the total de-
struction Of the ship and cargo.
Capt Merritt agent Of the Board OF Underwriters with
gang Of twenty men, WAS also on board breaking out
and dischargng cargo
The Jacob A. Westervelt built IN 1349 by Jacob A.
Westervelt. rates Al Of l418 tons burthen, and