Back to Home Page
It is with much sorrow we announce a dreadful event, which is laid almost all the town of Port Royal in Jamaica, in Ashes. The following account is extracted from the Jamaica Royal Gazette; --
Kingston, Jamaica, July 15.
"We have this day the melancholy and distressing task of recording the effects of a fatal and destructive fire, which broke out in the towel of Port Royal about half past one o'clock on Thursday afternoon. It began in a negro yard in Callan Street, and was occasioned by a negro woman's making a fire in an improper place. It quickly communicated to the adjoining buildings, and among the first, to Miss Finnan's fine lodging house; from thence it is spread its ravages to the adjoining and opposite houses, and from the very strong breeze that prevailed, burning shingles, etc. were soon wafted to others, which, being remarkably dry, quickly burst out in a blaze, so that by two o'clock three or four parts of the town were burning in a most horrid manner. -- the consternation that now prevailed in the town, as we are informed, surpasses description; every minute fresh flames were issuing forth; the principal street in which the courthouse, Tarrant's Tavern, Mr Bassan's and Mr Jackson's stores, are situated, became a volume of fire and smoke, and from thence it is spread to the whole of the streets and lanes towards the harbour, the wharfs and the Naval Hospital, Mr R. McKowan's house and wharf, and all adjoining, to within a few houses of the officers quarters on the parade. The fire having communicated to Mrs Whittaker's house towards the West corner of the parade, it was suggested to pull down the houses opposite, so as to open a passage between those on fire to those which it had not yet reached, which, being affected by very great exertions, was the means of preventing the flames from continuing their fatal effects along the row of houses on the parade leading to the Artillery Hospital, which were thus fortunately preserved from the dreadful element. The dockyard has been miraculously saved: nothing but the extraordinary exertions and skill displayed on the unhappy occasion could have secured it; as it is, some of the buildings near the wall, close to Mr Jackson's door, have been demolished, partly by the fire, and partly by pulling them down, to prevent the flames from communicated to those of more value, situated further in the yard. To attempt to estimate the loss sustained by, or particularise the individuals who have suffered on this melancholy occasion, would be absurd. Suffice it to say, that, of all classes, some have lost much, and some their little all! The fire was not completely got under until early yesterday morning, and of ill-fated Port Royal all that now remains, besides the dockyard, is Fort Charles, the Artillery Barracks and Hospital, the Church, the street in which Mr Peter Duffus's is house is situated, the street at the back of it, in which Mr Henry Beer's liquor store is, and also from about 14 to 16 houses on the parade, commencing from Mrs Clark's old lodging house, and running each way to about six or seven houses.
"We regret to state, that several lives were lost on this unfortunate occasion.
"An alarm of fire also given in this city yesterday, which, however, was
soon extinguished: it proceeded from a small house in Matthews Lane, and it
was discovered that a parcel of rags had been stuffed under the shingles, which
had taken far. Indeed, for appearances, it seemed as if they had been wilfully
set on fire by some incendiary."