INDIA.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 613, 18 June 1851, Page 4

INDIA.

[From the Britannia, May 19, 1&51.J Papers have been received to the 4th February last,,rom which we take the followingDestruction of Rangoon.—“ I resume the pen surrounded by a fearful scene of deav Ran an SUfferiDg ‘ 1 ma y in trutb say-Raugoon is no more! Yesterday, at 11 a.m., a dreadful conflagration broke out in the heart of the town, utterly defying every measure put in force to check it/progress! The custom house, main wharf, Armenian churcj, and the principal merchants houses are totally destroyed; whole streets of great length present to the view heaps of ashes and so complete have been the destructive effects of the fire, that old inhabitaats have difficulty m pointing out the site of their former residences. It is estimated on a rough calculation that at least 2000 houses have been utterly destroyed, and the loss of property at the lowest estimation amounts to fully 30 lacs of rupees, while that of life is incalculable. 1 he fire extended about two miles in length and one in breadth, and in its fearfully rapid’ progress communicated to a number of country cargo boats loaded with inflammable goods

of considerable value ; from these the fire extended to the shippping in the river. Nine vessels, of which five had completed their lading, were burnt to the water’s edge, and the remainder barely escaped destruction by slipping their cables and anchoring on the Dolla side of the water. The schooner Thane, the property of Messrs. Crisp & Co., had a most narrow escape ; but by the skill and coolness of her commander and officers was extricated from her dangerous position. Surrounded by burning vessels, her foresail and top gallant sail took fire and were speedily burning from their respective yards, her bulwarks also caught fire in several places, but the flames were soon extinguished, and I am happy to say she escaped in safety. In the neighbourhood of the Armenian Church the fire raged with inconceivable fury; scarcely an article of any description could be saved, so rapid was the progress of the flames. A large portion of the natives saved themselves from destruction by rushing into the river, where they remained deaf to every entreaty made to them to strive to arrest the progress of the devouring element. At 10 p. m. the custom house, in which was stored a large quantity of gunpowder, blew up with a tremendous explosion, causing death and destruction far and near ; in fact, with the exception of a few mean huts in the suburbs, scarcely a single house remains of what once formed the large and thriving town of Rangoon.

It is out of the power of language to express the misery and destitution that meets you on every side; the eye beholds whole families crouched in abject despair under the still smoking ruins, and thousands who have saved scarcely sufficient covering for the purpose of decency. A visitation so terrific in its nature has never before been experienced in this town. Whichever way you turn, the half consumed carcases of dogs, pigs, and other domestic animals, meet your gaze ; it is altogether the most complete scene of misery and desolation that can be well conceived, and it will be many years, I fear, ere Rangoon again assumes its former importance as a trading port.

The origin of this dreadful conflagation is somewhat remarkable. The Burmese ship Yathna ye Mahon had just dropped anchor on her arrival from Calcutta, when a native induced by curiosity to see her, left a handy of oil on the fire in his house, and betook himself to the Main wharf for that purpose. During his absence, the fire by some unaccountable means communicated with the oil, and in an instant the house was in a blaze, which speedily communicated to the adjoining habitations, and in an incredible short space of time the whole town was wrapt in one body of flame ; a strong easterly breeze blowing at tne time greatly aided the progress of the fire and rendered its extinction hopeless. The Catholic Church was saved as it were by a miracle. Already had the devouring element consumed the enclosures by which it was surrounded, and its fate seemed sealed, when on an instant the breeze shifted to the opposite quarter, turned the course of the flames, and left the church a solitary monument of this most dreadful conflagration. I am happy to say that the two splendid vessels building for Captain Potter and Aga Saduck are uninjured ; the rigging of the latter vessel has however been destroyed. The safety of these two vessels is entirely attributable to the presence of mind of Capt. Potter. On observing the fire advancing towards the ship-yard, he caused his people to commence pulling down ail the adjacent sheds and outbuildings, thus leaving nothing for the fire to feed oh ; had it not been for this verv wise .l ... . . pieuuLiuu, - mere is little doubt but that these vessels would have X 2 e general fate ’ The building yard of Mr. F. Lewis has also escaped destruction. brom what I have stated in the early part of my letter relative to the Government of Rangoon, you may well judge that the lightfingered gentry °f the place were anything but idle during the whole of this dreadful catastrophe With shame be it said, the most oaring of the miscreants were servants of the Governor, and if not acting immediately under his eye, were to all intents and purposes following out his secret instructions to the very letter. The panic struck inhabitants, unable to make resistance, were deprived bv these scoundrels of every article of value they might n ave saved from the general wreck* and I have no doubt in my own mind his ship has reaped a golden harvest from this P u bhc calamity. The British portion of the inhabitants, to preserve whatever may be buried beneath the ruins of their dwellings, are compelled to keep an armed watch day and night until the ruins can be removed ; this is their only security. Neither time nor space will permit my wri"g mare a ‘ P res eiit ; but at a future oppor- , I * be happy to communicate further intelligence connected with Rangoon. Since the above was received, we have seen another letter, which mentions, that the same inuiiterence to the sufferings of the people as

the Governor exhibited, was displayed by the officers of the King’s ship above named. She was the only vessel at Rangoon that did not send her crew on shore. The same letter mentions that many lives were lost by the rushing on board of boats to escape the flames, and the boats being overset, many perished, especially women and children.— Englishman, Jan. 15.