The
Daily Press.
HONGKONG, FEBRUARY 17TH, 1874.
THE BURNING OF THE “COLUMBIA.” Yesterday morning we gave a few brief notice concerning the fire which broke out on board the above vessel, and we are sorry now to record the total destruction of the vessel. Sbe arrived bere from Manso, and took in a cargo of rice for San Francisco; ber crew was shin- ped, and she was about to sail in a day or so. About 6.30 pm on Sunday, the 15th instant, she was discovered to be on fire in the forehold, where tar, rope, and other like combustible substances were kept. The crew at the time were at dinner. The alarm was not given lor Home time, when a gun was fired, and Inspector Grimes, who was on the Praya, at once took a boat and went off. On his arrival he found that some of the crew had deserted her, and the rest were making preparations to do the same. By this time Sergeant Wassenius, from the police chop, with a force arrived, and he found only four men on board and these would not do anything towards subduing the fire, although several casks of water were close to the batch ready to throw down on to the Hames. As will be soen from our police reports, he found the mate of the vessel going about threatening to shoot any person who came near, alleging that bis oil paintings had been stolen, and being theu drunk got more obstreperous, so that those who would have helped to subdue the flames did not care to assist, when they found the officers and crew indiferent The flimes spread ann siguals were again given by guns and blue lights, but all to no purpose, as the fire had got too great a bold. Captain Thomsett, the Harbour Master, Mr. Tonnochy, and Mr. Craigb were on board; a fire engine was sent off to render assistance. but the fire having gained as much ground, this was use- less. By eleven o'clock, the flames burst above the deck, when all on bourd had to take shelter in boats. Captain Thowset, however, remained behind some time after, and was very nearly being left altogether as no person knew he was there. By one o'clock, the ship presented a most imposing sight, the flames having m unted up to the yards on which the sails were already bent for sea. This lasted till about 2 o'clock, when the masts began to fall over the side, aud ake then continued to burn fore and aft till 9 a.m. yesterday, when the steam tag Fame took her in tow Kowloon, to the beach, inside the spot where the ill fated Dunmail lies sunk in the bay. Sho was still smouldering last night, ¦ The vessel was formerly the American ship Congress,
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