The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-19
THE NEW STEAMER JOHN P.KING BURNED.
Tho Vessel Almost Totally Destroyed -Thr
Steiner Vanderbilt b Great DANGER
fetal Loss Estinated n $l25,.
OOO-The Insurance,
&c,

Shortly after four O'Clock yesterday morning, hrc
broke out on board Of the steamship John King,
lying at peir No North river, and owned By Sponord,
Tostou Co. When the ire was discovered there was
board except the private watchman The flames
were frat In the vicinity Of the engine ROOM but
what the fire its origin is unknown at pre-
sent. The vessel entirely She was built by
Jacob A. Westervet Sons and cost about $3.50 900.
On Monday party of gentlemen accompanied the vcs
sci down the bay trial trip They returned this
city at about O'Clock everything having worked well
and satisfactorily both her owners builders Captain
Richard Adams, who was in charge. The engineer LETT
the ship at about eight O'Clock which time all APP
peared TO be safe board. Tho first and mates
had also upon the return Of the vessel to the dock made
inspection Of her. in accordance with their usual
TOM and found everything he right. She was moored
.; pier No g. AMI the officers after giving her into the
charge of the watehman left be-. for their homes.
shortly after four O'Clock yesterday morning the watch
perceived strong sme of smoke and proceedng'o
the engine found the place in blaze He mmed ately
communicated the alarm and promptly
the spot Several hook and ladder companies At once
thor appearance tho dock and the gangptnk
wss out Of reach their LADDERS we're thrown from the
wharf the buiwarks the burning vessel, and the
FRI men by this obtained passage board. Her
lines At loose and BY the aid OF steam
tug, which was Summoned to the spot, the vessel
towed out into the stream.
The magnificent steamship Vanderbilt, Of the Havre
line 10y the opposite side u the Slip within nifty
feet Of the burning ship, and great danger. The
pain. her sarboard side her boas and her pad
dlebox i burned or but otherwise she has suffered
damage. An admirable efficiency i maintained on board
the Vanderbilt II al times and had that efficiency
in any way relaxed her total destruction By the tiro
would have been inevitable steam Is sept her pow.
fra vii hos he'd lay mi
night and from alarm the exposed parts Of the
ship were kept wotted down With immense continuous
streams Of water, served BY nor own engineer depart
board aud the ship eiectusiiy prevented from
taking nrs-thorgh the flames from the Jno T. King
actually licked her sides
When the King had reached The stream the tire lsd
spread with great rapd!ty, and the flames were burst
ing forth from the hschvay and from al tia space
around the fire room endeayor made to seattle
her By pcrforatlng her side at a distance Of
few feet above the water mark the weather
slice but the effort proved unavailng, The auta
ton Of those board then directed 10 the
rol side, aud after considerable diculy entrance for
The water was here effected bus OWING u the light AL
dry material Of the hulk she did not sink rapidly
desired In this condition she noa.cd about Tor
considerable time and as IL evident from the tardy
manner III which he settling tha the hanes weull
almost entirely consume her before the upper deck would
be submerged aided they were by Thu strong wind
which blowing freshly from the north, twas deemed
mos prudent 10 run her aground near the BsteFy, aad
bring tie Efforts Q. the lrenen 70 bear upon hsr from
the shore She accordingly hauled round 70 point
a little southwest Of the Castle Garden Emigrant Depot
grounded in about lfteen feet Of water Before this
time, however. the smoke stack having been under
mined by thu rayages u the lire, had gwen way and
came topping the side, crushing through the wheel
l,orse and brsaking down the bulwarks The topmsst
followed, carrying with IL portion Of the rigging,
falling clean into the water, where by the aid 81
boat securec and tcwcd % he shcre. Several
s.antugs now to the aid Of the burning vessel
ana number az streams were directed upon the lamos
steam Engine Companies ~ and - hastcnei 10 tho Bat