Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-02-02
Explosion of n War Steamer in Malaga

Correspondence of the Charleston News
Extract from letter dated st Malaga, De
cember %
dreadful catastrophe has occurred here
| -uPpose shall never again witness such a
-ight. l was on the way to my hotel at
clock, and while stopping moment TO OBJ
,rTve the numerous steamers in port detOna-
lion, surprising that of either thunder or can.
non startled Inc, and o cloud Of smoke arose
from among the steamers thst were riding a,
anchor, awaiting the embarkation Of the Sd
corps 'armee. AS soon rs the smoke had dis
pe-se1, raging FIRE was seen streaming from
the deck OF the magnificent steamer GenOva
belonging to Victor Emanuel and chartered
To the Spanish Government for the service o
the war. The air was filled with shouts and
cries from those on board.
The steamer had just arrived and had not
entirely mOored, her main anchor only being
out. In the space of a minute hundreds Oi
rOH-bOats were alongside to receive the passeh-
gers, and take in those who had jumped over
board. Shortly they arrived on shore, but
many awfully injured-so seriously that few
days after they died in the hospital Some
landed without shirts, others without pants
having been Obliged TO tear them of on account
Of the fire, msny of the poor creatures had nc
hair left ON their heads. In the space of five
or ten minutes not a single person remained on
board the burning vessel, and an order was
given to the thousands Of spectators present,
"a we'll as 10 the inhabitants OF the adjacent
houses. to escape. for there was imminent
danger.
The detonatiOn was caused by the explosion
If grenadoes placed in the stern, where there
we're yet remaining many more: and 8tt OF
them were hundreds of loaded bombs and over
twelve tons Of gunpoWder. Two Spanish steam
,.rs were ordered to attach lines and tow her
out If possible, at least free her from amongst
rfy in ,hnr lac. IL.
many more sailing vessels. After much trouble
=he two steamers commenced towing her, but
rOuld only get her out 20 the distance Of about
fifty yards or the length Of the main anchor 5
cain. During all the time dreadful explo-
sions of other grenadoes were taking place
The two steamers that were propelling found
si their efforts useless to drag the anchor and
we're obliged to abandon her in the very middle
# tho hsrbor
The fire wss raging intensely and fast making
Is way aft to the bombs and twelve tons OF
gunpOwder. After some loss Of time Spanish
maD-Ot-Esr was placed at a short distance
from the wreck and commenced heavy dis.
charge OF cannon ball to sink her, buE nearly
an hour passed before the steamer appeared to
feel in the least any effect. and as the danger
vas increasing from minute to minute foul
fInnOns were posted on one end Of the Mole
and another man-Of-war assisted, when finally
the wreck settled down. The mainmast had
already been consumed, so that the fire had
Nut short distance to reach the magazine.
In hall an hour more the great danger had
nearly passed, for amid the tremendous ex
piosIOn of grenadoes that had not ceased from
the commencement, another sound was heard
that occaSiOned by the struggle between tht
two elements; but the fire was soon after sub
,lued, and the waters covered the decks. Al
wac over; she ha gone down, showing only
he end of her bowsprit snd foremost Beside.
much material of war, there were 2a0 mules
belonging to the government. There is a com
plete loss of everything, not even any of the
baggage saved Searches have been made By
diving machine, and not q vestige of any.
:hing Was found
have seen numbers OF the wounded; there
ara D00 in he hnSDital- Of NoIopo