Property Destroyed to the Value of £25,000,

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 325, 24 January 1871, Page 2

Property Destroyed to the Value of £25,000,

Scuttling of the Ship.

It is not exaggeration to say that a very unusual and general sorrow pervades the community at the misfortune that has befallen the beautiful and favourite ship that bears the name of this city. The qualities of the good ship herself, and the popularity of Captain Ashby, have produced a kind of personal feeling for her welfare ; and her present position, sunk off the breakwater, has been contemplated by crowds of people during the day with warm expressions of regret. The City of Auckland is owned by Messrs. Smart and Simpson, of London, and Captain Ashby, we believe, had in her an interest to the extent of £5,000. This interest had been insured for the outward voyage, and for thirty days after arrival, and the insurance, we regret to say, had expired eleven days. Captain Asbby had sent the renewal by last mail, and it is just possible he may have been :n time, before the intelligence of the fire is telegraphed from San Francisco. The City was launched in July, 1870, and was on her second voyage. She was lying at the outer T of the Queen-street wharf when found to be on fire. The fire originated in the fore-hatch, where some flax had been yesterday stored from Mr. Buckland's yards, btlt whether in any way connected with this cargo or not, it is impossible to discover. The cargo on board was to the value of £20,000, and the ship would have been ready for sea on Saturday next. It was intended that she should have been hauled into the stream, and servo as a flagship for the Regatta. The first alarm of fire was given about 2 o'clock, by Mr. Legs;, night-watchman on board the Golden Crown, and immediately Caplain Logan and the crew of the Hero weiv on the spot, assisted by the crews of the other ships in harbour. M>. Ashor, superintendent of the Fire Brigade, was quickly in attendance, and about half a dozen firemen, who certainly did their host, but as there were never more than some six or eight members of the fire brigade present, wo cannot say that the display was very creditable to the zeal of our firemen. Sergeant Jeffrey, Constable Carrigan, and other constables worked well and effectively ; but no water could be got from the waterpipes till about four o'clock, otherwise, it is believed, the fire would have been reduced, and the cargo and ship saved. At about five o'clock the fire appeared to have takeu a strong hold, and a blaz-j ran from the fore to the main hatches. At this time a number of people left the ship, including the gallant Fire Brigade. The vessel was then moved off the wharf by the Harbourmaster, Captain Ellis, who had everything ready, shortly after the alarm was given, to moor her dear of the shipping in case of need. Captain Ashby obtained some volunteers, including Captain G-albraith, of the Ocean Wave, Mr. Wood, two or three of the police, and several other gentlemen, who worked hard at the engines for several hours, keeping the fire under. At 9 30a.m. the fire was stilJ gaining ground, and after a consultation between Captain Ashby, Captain Anderson, Captain Clayton, and Captain Ellis, it was decided to scuttle the vessel, there being no other possibility of saving her. The ship was then taken off the breakwater, and Mr. Beddoes and his men s .'on made a hole in her starboard side. The water rushed in at a good pace, and by twelve o'clock her decks were level with the water. Hundreds of boats put off to the burning ship during the day a'ud thousands thronged the -wharf ant? hills to watch the noble ship as she gradually sunk. A short time before she sank, Constable Carrigau ventured below. Nearly all the flax was more or less burnt, and large quantities ot gum, melted by the intense heat, was floating about.

The following is a list of the cargo on board-—3OO bales flaxaud tow, 3,000 cases gum, 100 tons guano, 35 tons oil, 20 tons tallow, 300 bales wool.