The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-06-23

side of kearny to Jackson down the south side Of
jackson to Montgomery; along the east side Of
Montgomery to Pacific; down Pacific to San
some across Sansome to Broadway at this point
it took norheasterly direction to Vallejo thence
across Battery to the Bay. After striking the Bay
It followed its shores southsry along the west side
of Battery to Long Wharf, which it burned down
to Whitehall; thence along the west side Of Bat
along Sansome to Pine; up Pine to Montgomery; !;
along Montgomery to Sumner; up Sumner to
kearny; along Kearny to Sacramento up Sacra-
mento to Dupont; along Dupont to Clay; thence
down Clay to the place of beginning. The burnt
district within these limits is about three fourths of
mile from north to south, by one third Of mile
from east to west-includng eighteen entire
squares, and parts Of five six others.
Every newspaper office in the city, except the
Alta California, was destroyed. The Balance,
News, and the Herald, however, saved portion Of
their materials.
The Wharpes.-The wharves present melan-
choly array Of charred posts All the sleepers are
burnt Oft, and in many instances the piles are burnt
down to the waters edge. Immense quantities of
the water that were burnt helping to fill up the
lots beneath. 1t is probable that the water-lots
will not be built upon again unless filled up, as
the water in many is so low and the old
piles so numerous that the pe-drvers cannot be
used to prepare the substructure. The lower end
by cutting the connection. The wharves left
standing, viz Pacific street, Broadway and Cum
ninghams, now present the same lively appear
ance that characterized Long Wharf, as the
various river boats have changed the berhs along
side them.
The following reflections the calamity are
made by the Herald, under the caption;
The Doomed City.-The calamity is more over
whelming. than ha. ever befallen city by fire
since the burning of Moscow. The great fires in
New York consumed but small potion of the
business part of the city. The loss to that place
was trivial compared with the loss to San Fran
cisco from the fire Of Saturday night. II lines had
been drawn upon map, and the business portion
OF the city marked out, it would not vary by ten
buildings from the lines made by the eonfagra-
ton and from this fact the terrible nature of the
Of destroying angel had swept the city out of ex-
istence and left its site barren and desoate US be-
fore the enterprise and industry of our citizens had
adorned it with noble buildings and monuments of
their energy and toll. A few scared and black
ened walls are almost all that remain of the COM
mercial portion Of fourishing city.
The Fire Department was without its head.
The chief and one of the assistant engineers were
unfortunately absent from the city, and the efoss
which, if directed with judgment and experience
might have succeeded in arresting the progress OF
the con1agration, proved under the circumstances
former occasion exhibited more gallantry, daring
or perseverance-a perseverance, and daring which
the melancholy fate of more than one poor fellow
has sufficiently proved but the want of some con-
trolling influence to direct their efforts properly
and the fury of the wind when once the confia.
grafton got headway, baffled all their labors.
The chief wonder of this confagraton was the
total insecurity of what were deemed fire proof
buildings Walls Of solid iron were cured up like
SO much paper, and masses of solid brick crumbled
few of the strongest and most substantial ediices
withstood the fury of that hot breath. This fact
has tended more than anything else to shake con-
fidence and deter people from attempting in future
to render themselves secure. This, and the absO.
lutte inpovershment of thousands, will it is to be
feared, deter people from putting up costly build
ings.
We need scarcely say that some measures should
be Immediately adopted by the authorities to anne.
lorate the condition of things in the city. 1t is
almost hopeless task, but an attempt should be
made. The citizens should likewise meet and
agree upon what system or understanding an at
tempt is to be made to carry on business. To say
that debts should be cancelled would be going too
far; no honest man can desire that; but there
must be forbearance. Many are hopelessly and
irretrievably ruined Many more are but Just in a
condition to commence another struggle with the
world, and their efforts to retrieve should be un-
impeded. Lat there be a feeling of mutual en-.
couragement, and we may all yet breast the storm.
advantage of the msfortunes of our fellows-will
not only dishearten those who are already suffi-
clently dlsheartened but it will defeat the efforts
already in progress to rebuild our desolate city.
The Principal Banking houses in the city ara
| among the few who escaped with comparatively
trifling loss. Argentis Banking house escaped de-
| struction Page, Bacon e. Co., Burgoyne g. Co.,
and others lost their buildings deemed fire proof
but the gentlemen engaged in them made remarka.
Bile efforts to their valuables while the fire was
raging all around them, and their efforts were in the
main successful In reference to one banking
house vault, the Herald says:
This sterling banking house, nothing daunted
BY the burning of their former establishment, imme
dately engaged the Socedad building for the trans
| action of business On opening their fire proc
vault they found all their books, papers, and gold
to the amount of Sl,50O, 900, unscathed-not even
scorched. Their banking house was fully insured
| in New Orleans. With commendable zeal they a
once went to work, while the fire was still burning
on on their premises, and bought the adjoining lot OF
washington street, and contracted for the erection
of the largest banking house ever built in San Fran
cisco, in such style that hereafter i, will be i'm
possible for fire to hurt them. Such was the conf
dence of the community in the security of thei
vault, that on Monday upwards of $75,O0 wer.
placed there on deposit by various citizens. 1t j
| their intention to build three vaults in their new
banking-hous upon which will be exhausted al
the resources of art to make them utterly mpervi
ous to fire. We have heard of several instances o
their berality, in which they have placed funds a
the disposal of those who have been unfortunate il
the recent confagration. Such acts justify tn
confidence the community feel in this house, Thei
| banking house was open yesterday, paying Of
checks and receiving deposits.
The importance of large establishment bein
always provided against fire on scale commensu
| rate with its size, was shown in the saving