Page:True and correct narrative of the dreadful burning of the steam-ship Amazon.pdf/9

 The petty officers are

George Angus, 34, chief engineer, Dunbar. William Angus, 32, second do., Dunbar. Four other engineers succeeding in rank. Debray Theophite, 30, cook, France. Three other cooks. Joseph Kirby, 36, the baker, Southampton. The rest were seamen and fireman.

The cause of the destruction of the Amazon is unknown; she was under steam from the time of her departure to the period of the accident. As is usual with new machinery, water was kept almost continually playing on the bearings of the engines. On account of the heat of these bearings, the ship was stopped off the Bill of Portland on Friday night between the hours of eight and twelve, and about the same period on Saturday night she was stopped for two hours and a half; however, the necessity for the operation of wetting these parts was decreasing, as the main centre bearings were getting more sweet, and the engine altogether in better order. The position of the fire rendered it impossible to get at the engines in order to stop them. When the ship’s head was to windward the flames swept the after-decks, where the passengers chiefly were. Before the wind, she was going at a tremendous speed; and it is marvellous how any of the boats were launched under such circumstances and in such a sea. The escape of the little dingy is no doubt due to the calmness and intrepidity of young Mr Vincent; who, though a mere boy in years, proved himself a thorough man and sailor on this occasion. He not only guided his small boat in safety till he joined the life-boat, but there he took  immediate command as superior officer, and did everything in his power to sustain the courage of the crew throughout that dreadful night.

The value of the Amazon when ready for sea was about £100,000. The loss of that sum falls entirely upon the insurance fund of that company,—a fund exclusively devote from annual grants derived from the profits of the Company towards such casualties. The value of the specie, quicksilver, cargo, &c., when added to the value of the ship, will give a total loss of property by this melancholy occurrence of little less then £200,000 sterling.