The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-28
DUKES CASTLE ~ FLAMES.
Burning OF the Ancient seat OF One Of scot
lands Great Peers


EDINBURGH Oct. ia serious fire took
place this morning at Invcrary Castle. the mag
niicrnt Highland nome Of the D9ke of Argyll.
The building il about 40 years and is con
structrd Of chlOritr slate. II consists OF two
stories and sunk floor. ilankcd with round
oVrrtoppng towers ana surmOuniri wth
tween and o'clock in the morning. and was
not subducd until midday: The central hall is
completely guttcd. but no lives have been lost.
and the living rooms and pictures have not been
DESTROYED. The family have taken refuge at
the Inn Of 1nvcrdry. and will go To- kOsncath,
their residence in Dumbartonshire. tomorrow.
The first trace of fire was observed by n fish
ernan, who was ON his way 10 his boat in In;
yerary harbor. and who noticed an unusual
light in the highest windows Of the castle.
Shortly aitcrward fire burst from the top of the
central tower the Gothic easements OF which
light tie castle interior. Tho alarm was in
siuntly given, and in a short time the occupants
Of the caste-bcing the Duke and Duchess Of
Argyll the Princess Louise. the Marquis Of
IOrn". and other members OF the Argyll family.
with a large numbgr Of domcstirs-w re got out
and Lord I.prnc assisted in seeing the ladies
conveyed to the Argyll Arms Hotel, and the
Marquis then returned to the burning castle.
and helped IN removing IN" more valuable Ell
ircts such as paintings. books. and hcirloOms.
tn" puhr lire engine was brought w 10 the
scene. ana str"am 81 water from the Array was
directed upon the building. The fire had. how
ever. obtained too firm a hold on the hall tower
Tor the cNertions made % save II being Of any
effect and it had to he allowed to burn itself out.
Attention waS then directed to two bedrooms
adjoining that of the Princess Louise. into
which tie fumes had penetrated and were
forcing their way through the wind0ws. Luck
iy the stnircasrs and galleries are OF stone. and
to this circuw-tanc" 1t Is in great part due that
the mansion was not completely llid IN ruins.
liy persistent Efforts the fire ia tho bedrooms
WIS rNtnlgli-hnd and prevented from spread
I'M. 10 adjoining parts ui the oa-tlc Most of the
iutnitur" So lu the portion y! inc ch~ll' Wlich
WIS burned was removed. Within the central
tower all ia" wopdwork and mouuiines nav"
been consumed. nothing remaining rom nH~'-
~ mt To- ROOT except a few smoui,iD ring heans.
Many articles Of re'it' ana antiluiics have boon
destroyed. fine organ that stood IN tho north
gallery has been reduced 60 ash together wth
2lo ilmt-llck mu-.,t- tht haJ hrrn U.s.. a,
which hnd been art -tigally arranged along the
wall. The coor- " tn Ninety -ilrSi t'rnr'ss
I1ui-e'- own llighlundcrs. which wore -ou"
years ago han led over o. thc buk" of Argyll
custody. are also DESTROYED Altogether many
thousands OF pounds must be- expended ere the
cliilre can ic restored To IT, ivrncr ph'h oi clr-
.ancc, and ia some respects the damage il ire
Tn lire il supposed to have commenced in
TIA root ~ th" tower. either from an - aye %
, gUs-a large ga-rli"r being suspended from lie
c.il.At-or -.iun oven fh.uE the .,yer may have
haeu struck Ns U-htpiu... IL W~ ln, ~ PROVED Hu-
tul THAT tND fire was nHti '.i from tie uui- 'u',
a.. Tiles l,sldng apartments dil beng arranged
ON the outer i.'es oi the building tine ~ az" ui
/ ueo'. ulamt- might have boon cut n before
tA'v cuui haN" been mad" aware oi tne irc--
F eli'e of the contagrttlun ia their midst. I've
minutes iat'i. anu u Woul nave u'th l'', l".' .
IT. tn burning beams began 10 crash down
il..ng cios" o. LORD l"inc ana hr. Mh"duhali
IT, they were passing out after 'ting the Ia
dies clear away. Great excitement prevailed all
lay at lnyerary. A. the nrwS of the calamity
spread throughout tho district. thu tcnnntry
Hooked totIc castle III the hope of giving assist
Au.'
Tho Princess Louise was pr,s"ui % the lawn
. for several hours along with her hush nj. SIZE
T prr.ntcniing the removal NJ tho III ''ur's iur-
/ niture. Nc.. and during tn day the Duke and
I Duchess called IA several ut ~" fpwnSp"opln 10
thank them for their ~ crtIons ut the Arc. The
ducal family Will proceed 10 RuS meath. his
/ GrlecS lumNartOn-hre estate. Inquiries 10y
/ telegraph wrre riad" 10y the Queen during the
! day. and her Majesty was assured that none II
| the family Were in amy material degree the
| Mor.e l-r tMo shunk and nXcLlemlnMt.