TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE SHIP SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1621, 27 September 1861, Page 2

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE SHIP SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS.

This unfortunate calamity commenced on Tuesday evening, September 10th, and is the third vessel which haa been destroyed by fire within 18 months — the Chatteanx Wattel, tlie British Merchant, and the ill-fated ship, the loss of which we have to record. She arrived" hero on Saturday, the 31st ultimo, from Liverpool, with 104 immigrants and a full cargo of merchandise. The immigrants and their luggage were all landed and the ship commenced discharging cargo on Saturday last on the west side of the Cove, at Campbell's Wharf. She was the property ol Messrs. J. and W. Wright, of St. John's, New Brunswick, by whom she was built about three years ago; aiid registered 1226 tons. Captain Cruikshank, her commander, had also an interest in the vessel; and she had been chartered hy the Messrs. Baines to convey coals from this port to Bombay. From circumstances which transpired when the alarm was first given, there is great reason to believo that tlie vessel was fired by an incendiary, and most completely was the intent accomplished, if it should be proved that such was the case, for she burnt to the water's edge, and fiercely for 20 . hours. The Sovereign of the Seas had on hoard 1800 tons of dead weight and measurement. She com. menced discharging on Saturday la*t, and between then and Tuesday evening had landed about 15C tons of salt, and 50 tons of machinery. The remaining 1600 tons are under water, and consist oi a number of packages of soft goods, salt, several hogsheads of brandy, rum, and whisky, 30,000 slates, 000 casks, and 200 hogsheads of beer, oil stores, a large quantity of railway machinery, pig iron, and ironmongery ; a la*ge amount of which will probably be saved. If the fire had, however, reached the spirits, tho entire cargo, with the exception of the ironware, would have heen lost, besides the destruction which must have been caused from explosion. "We understand the vessel is insured, but to what amount is not stated. It is somewhat remarkable that her namesake, the clipper, which graced our port some years ago, was deitroyed at Bombay, by fire. The coroner will hold an inquest on the fire today, at the Observer Tavern ; and the two men charged with setting the vessel on fire have been remanded, in order to give time for the collection of evidence. — S. M. Herald, Sept. 14.