DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVERPOOL SAILORS' HOME.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIV, Issue 1444, 7 August 1860, Page 5

DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVERPOOL SAILORS' HOME.

(From th* European Times) This magnificent building, one of the most beautiful specimens of architecture whioh graced our town, has been completely destroyed by a fire which broke out on Sunday morning, May 13, and in the course of a few hours left little more standing than the outside walls. Shortly before one o'olook a police officer, on duty at the post-office, observed flames issuing from a wiudow in the top story, and immediately ran across to give the alarm to the Superintendent. He had, however, been anticipated by the night porter, who had informed Mr. Williams of the fire, and & hose within the build* ijlg was at once got into play. The alarm was promptly conveyed to the various fire stations, and in a comparatively short space of time the constable Hardacre, (384,) arrived with the reel from tbe Salthouse Dock, followed soon afterwards by Mr. Hewitt, with the engines and brigade from the central station, by the West of England fire brigade, and the reels from Seel-street and Essex-street. But before even this short time had elapsed, tbe flames had spread so rapidly that it was evident no humau exertions could save the building from total destruction. The principal efforts were then directed to the saving of life, In all there were in tbe institution when the fire broke out upwards of 120 inmates, most of whom had retired to the dormitories, and were in imminent danger. They appeared at the windows of the upper stories, aud, so far as can at present be ascertained, were all rescued. By means of about twelve engines, and between twenty and thirty hose, an immense volume of water was poured upon the burning pile, but, notwithstanding this, the flames extended with grent rapidity, until at length tbe whole of the immense building was in flames. Constable Hardaore, the man who was first upon the scene, had ascended a tall ladder for the purpose of passing a hose into tbe building, when the ladder upon which be rested broke, and he fell wilh great violence to the ground. He was at once conveyed to the Southern Hospital, where he died sooq after his arrival. The exertions of the fire brigade were continued without intermission, but with very little success. About two o'clock Mr. Hanmer, the secretary, determined to make an attempt to save the books aud money in the seamen's bank, and employed several men for this purpose One of them entered the building in spite of the warning of Mr. Superintendent Hewitt and several others, and while he was inside the upper roof fell, bringing with it all the other floors, and buried the poor fellow beneath. A number of men volunteered their assistance to extricate the man, and a jack-sore w, which the men of her Majesty's ship Hattings had brought with them, was employed to raise tho debris, but this, after several hours had elapsed, not beiug successful, Mr. Divisional Superintendent Quick sent for four more jack-screws, by means of which the poor fellow was extricated, after being under the ruins for four hours. The ultimate success of the praiseworthy exertions to rescue the sufferer from his dreadful position was received with a cheer so general and spontaneous that its effect was most thrilling. i Long before this the fiie bad exhausted itself, and about four o'clock bad as it were gone out for the want of fuel. Mr. Hewitt was heard to say that in his experience of thirty years, he had never beheld such a scene as that which he witnessed at this fire, aud that he had never known a conflagration to spread so rapidly as it did on this occasion. There is one circumstance which should not be omitted on this occasion — the presence of Captain Mends, with a body of fifteen men belonging to H.M.S. Hastings, whose assistance was most valuable. The origin of the fire is, as usual, involved in mystery, but there is no way of accounting for the rapid spread of the flames, but by supposing that there was an explosion of gas.

A circumstance adding much to the feeling of regret at the destruction of this magnificent building is that it was only insured to about a third of its value. The cost of its erection was £30,000, and the amount for which it is insured, £10,000. The interior fittings were insured for £3000. Tbe foundation stone of the Sailors' Home was laid in July, 184G, by Prince Albert, who contributed a handsome sum towards its erection.

Hardacre, the man who lost his life in the discharge of bis duty, has been in the force muny years, and boro an excellent character.

All the boarders on the books cf the institution at the time of tbe recent fire have now come forward and answered to their names, Any fears as to a further

sacrifice of life beyond what we have already recorded are therefore removed.