Page:True and correct narrative of the dreadful burning of the steam-ship Amazon.pdf/3

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BURNING OF THE AMAZON.

P, January 6.— It is our painful duty to report the particulars of a most appalling accident. The new Mail steamship Amazon, Captain Symons, which left Southampton on Friday for the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico, has been totally consumed by fire; and of 161 persons who were on board of her when she left, it is feared only 46 have been saved.

The Amazon left Southampton on Friday afternoon, and inthe Channel experienced strong head winds and rain. At a quarter before one on Sunday morning, when the ship was about 110 miles west south-west of Scilly, a fire broke out suddenly, forward on the starboard side, between the steam-chest and the under part of the galley, and shortly after the flames rushed up the gangway which is in front of the foremast funnel. The alarm bell was rung, and Captain Symons rushed on deck in his shirt and trousers. Wet swabs and other things were placed on the gratings of the spar deck hatch, and a hose was brought to play on the main deek, but quickly abandoned in consequence of the excessive heat. The deck pumps were also kept at work until the men were forced to retire. The wind was blowing hall a gale from south-west, and the vessel was going 8½ notes, which was her average rate from the time of departure. Captain Symons ordered some hay, between the engine-room crank gratings, to be thrown overboard ; two trusses were hoven over the ship’s side; but the fire igniting the main body, the henhoops on each side, and the paddle-boxes, tho men were obliged to abandon the deck, and those who could leave were all finally driven from the ship. Many were burned in their berths, others suffocated, and