DESTRUCTION OF THE CONSTITUTION, AMERICAN SHIP, BY FIRE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XV, Issue 8, 26 April 1856, Page 2

DESTRUCTION OF THE CONSTITUTION, AMERICAN SHIP, BY FIRE.

One of the most fearful conflagrations that perhaps was ever witnessed on the Mersey occurred yesterday morning (Dec. G), on board the American ship Constitution, Captain Britton, and up to the hour at which we write (9 p.m.) there is every probability the vessel will be totally destroyed with the whole of her valuable cargo. The Constitution was a splendid vessel of 1,600 tons register, a regular packet ship between Liverpool and New York, and her brokers at this port were Messrs. Bowman, Grinnell, and Co., a well-known firm. The unfortunate ship only arrived in the Mersey on Tuesday last, and it may perhaps be deemed fortunate that she did not go into dock on the day of her arrival, or the fire might have possibly taken a more disastrous range. The fire was first discovered about nine o'clock in the morning as the vessel lay at anchor opposite Rock Ferry, and although no idea of the impending destruction of the ship seems to have been entertained when the Constitution entered the Mersey, there is reason to suppose that the fire must have been smouldering for some days, and it may be regarded as exceedingly lucky that it did not break out earlier, or a lamentable loss of life might have been added to the destruction of the vessel. The cargo consisted of 700 sacks of wheat, ■ 4,989 barrels of flour, 10 bales of rags, 329 barrels resin, 401 barrels turpentine, and sundries. The fire occurred between decks, supposed from spontaneous combustion, and when first discovered prompt measures were adopted to subdue, if possible, the fearful element. The hatches were quickly removed, and the ship's pumps employed iv pouring water on the burning mass below. As soon as practicable, too, the steamers Jackall and Satellite were despatched to the Constitution, and in a short time, by the aid of their pumps, poured continuous streams of water into the doomed vessel. Meanwhile, several vessels being near the ignited ship, it was deemed advisable, as well as with the prospect of saving the vessel by scuttling her, to run the Constitution on shore, which was accordingly done, and she was beached a little to the south of New Ferry, on the Cheshire side of the river. Here she settled in 20 feet of water ; and this act was also the more advisable to prevent the fire reaching the powder magazine, an event which would have been probably attended with a sacrifice of life greater than we wish even to conjecture. After the Constitution had been beached at New Ferry, and notwithstanding the exertions of her crew and officers, and the powerful assistance of the pumps of the two steamers, it became too evident the fire was increasing in intensity, and extending to every part of the vessel below. The smoke rose from the unfortunate ship in dense volumes, and it being apparent that all attempts to save the

Constitution would be hopeless, it was considered prudent to leave the vessel, as the flames were issuing from the hatches, and there was imminent danger from the expected falling of the masts. At two o'clock, the fire had consumed the lower parts of the masts, and they went overboard with a fearful crash. Had the depth of water where the Constitution was beached been sufficient to reach the region of the fire, as was expected, it might have been extinguished, but such unfortunately was not the case; and after the masts fell, leaving the once stately ship a mere wreck, she presented the aspect of a huge furnace, the fire cracking and roaring in an awful manner. As evening approached, the flames rose higher from the burning ship, and the increasing darkness made her fate still more evident. The intelligence had now become circulated in the town, and numbers of people flocked to the various pier-heads or wherever a distant view could be obtained of the burning vessel. The sight was a sublime but melancholy one, as the Constitution appeared a livid mass of fire and flames, in which state she continued at the hour mentioned above. Latest Paaticulars. — As we assumed above, the Constitution is a total loss, with the whole of her valuable cargo. She has burnt to the water's edge. The turpentine floated down the river. We have not heard of any loss of life from this calamitous event. The . loss of the vessel and cargo will be heavy.