BURNING OF THE SHIP CITY OF MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Issue 895, 7 February 1868, Page 3

BURNING OF THE SHIP CITY OF MELBOURNE.

I (Prom the Age, 27 th January.) ! At about two o'clock yesterday morni ing, the inhabitants of Williarastown , were aroused from their slumbers by the . clanging of the Marine-yard ball, denoting that a fire had broken out, and a fewminutes afterwards it was plainly discernable tliat the fire emanated from the : magnificent Black Ball ship City of Melbourne, lying at the Williainstown Railway Pier. It is now just fifteen ■ months ago we had to chronicle the burning of the ship Result, and since then no steps have been taken by the authorities to provide a floating fire engine. The City of Melbourne had a large and valuable cargo of wool, &c., on board. As to the origin of the fire, it is supposed to have arisen from spontaneous combustion, the following being the particulars as far as could be gleaned. At about half-past one o'clock a strong smell of fire was perceptible round about the ship, and the watchman shortly afterwards noticed smoke issuing from the chain locker. He immediately called Captain Jones, who, together with his crew, were promptly on deck. Endeavors were made to extinguish the fire, but finding that it had attained a strong hold, a general alarm was given, and orders were issued to cast off the warps holdiag the vessel to the wharf, and she was allowed to drift clear of the pier and the shipping. By this time Captain Campbell, of the Harbor department, together with the Victoria's and other G-overnrnent boats' crews, had arrived at the scene of the conflagration, which had up to this been kept under. The captains of the ships Niagara and Canterbury, with their crews, were the first on board, and rendered every assistance that lay in their power, obeying with alacrity the orders coolly and deliberately given by Captain Jones. Mr Elder, of the Marine-yard, with his gang of men, attempted to scuttle the ship, and as the flames were rapidly gaining ground the rigging of all three masts were cut away, and the foremast and mizenmast went by the board, but the mainmast did not fall until midday. The work of scuttling was effected after much labor. Captain Fullarton, of the Government steamer Pharos, at about seven o'clock, gave orders that one of the Breakwater battery guns should be brought to bear on the vessel, and after six well directed shots had been fired into her, the apertures effected thereby greatly assisted the scuttling of , the vessel, and by 8 o'clock she sank in ; twenty six feet of water. Her top sides and 'tween decks cargo being above water, continued to burn, and up to late hour last night was still consuming. The wool on board was stowed at both ends, the midship section of the vessel being kept clear for her deadweight of copper ore, which was daily expected. The City of Melbourne was a fine ship of 1828 tons register, sailing under the Black Ball flag. It is not known whether she was insured or not. She was formerly named the Black Warrior, but on being purchased by her present owners, Messrs Barnes. Taylor and Co., was raised on and materially strengthened, and is about 11 years old. The cargo on board when the fire occurred consisted of leather and tollow, and 3256 bales of wool, which may be estimated at about £49,000.