Part of the
Acorn Archive
Hearts of Oak
SS Amazon
Destruction of
the Steamship by Fire with Great Loss of Life
Southampton
Friday Evening - 9th January 1852
The excitement in reference to the disastrous and
appalling loss of the magnificent steam-ship Amazon so far from subsiding in
Southampton appears to be on the increase. The relations and friends of those
on board are but just beginning to appreciate the reality and severity of the
losses they have sustained by the dreadful fate
that has snatched away their husbands, brothers, sons, or
acquaintances, as the case may be. Most of the crew, although not natives of
Southampton, had fixed their residence in or near the town, and their families consequently
reside here, dependent upon their efforts for subsistence and for a position in
life.
Some idea of the terrible results of this frightful
catastrophe may perhaps be formed when we mention that it is supposed that
nearly 60 widows in Southampton have to mourn the loss of their husbands, and
nearly 150 children are left as orphans to miss a father's care and protection.
The intelligence received in London on Thursday by
submarine telegraph from Paris to the effect that 25 of the passengers and crew
of the unfortunate ship had been taken into Brest by a Dutch galliot was
speedily transmitted to Southampton and spread with the greatest rapidity. The
news was circulated in handbills, and the
utmost anxiety was manifested to learn the names of those
25 persons who have been so providentially, rescued from the horrible
alternative of perishing by fire or in the sea. The London papers of this
morning were eagerly sought for by a great crowd in waiting for the arrival of
the train.
Great was the disappointment, amounting in many instances
to poignant anguish and grief, when it was discovered that no names could be
given, and it was felt that several hours would have to elapse ere the list of
the saved ones could be received.
Shortly before 3 o'clock this afternoon a telegraphic
message was received, communicating the names of the survivors. This was
instantly printed and distributed gratuitously. It would be difficult to
picture the sensations of joy and gratitude that were experienced by those who
found the name of a friend or relative amongst the long-expected and at the
same time dreaded list, or, on the other hand, to picture the despondency and
grief into which the more numerous persons were plunged, the names of whose
connexions do not appear in it.
It is now hoped—although the hope is almost a despairing
one—that some other boat may eventually be heard of, and that several others of
the officers, passengers, or crew of the mighty ship may yet survive to swell
the number of those mercifully saved from a disaster almost unparalleled in the
suddenness of its occurrence, and
surrpassing in horror most of the disasters which, since
the burning of the KENT East Indiaman in the Bay of Biscay, have been made
known to the world.
It is a matter of considerable importance to distinguish
among the list of the survivors landed at Brest on Monday last the name of
Jacob Allen, the foreman of Messrs. Seaward and Capel, the makers of the
engines of the Amazon and who was sent out by the firm to superintend the working
of the machinery during the first voyage. The evidence that can be given by Mr
Allen will be most valuable as it will no doubt tend to dissapate the absurd
rumours that have been originated relevant to the oriogin of the fire,
connecting it with the heating of the bearings. Such an idea could hardly be
seriously entertained by persons practically acquainted with the engineering
profession, and with the mode adopted on all occasions of cooling the journals
and bearings of new engines, which it would be remarked, are scarcely ever
within several feet of woodwork of any description, but are surrounded by, and
attached, to the most massive parts of the framework of the engines.
We have much pleasure to announce that the directors of
the Royal Mail Steam-packet Company have contributed 100 guineas to the
subscription for relieving the unfortunate sufferers by the wreck of the
Amazon, and for rendering substantial aid to the widows and orphans left by the
crew. Mr Thomas Baring MP, chairman of the RMSCo, has given the sum of 100
guineas; these, together with other subscriptions from the inhabitants of
Southampton, bring the fund to now stand at around 400 pounds sterling.
Raymond Forward