Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-07-02
GREAT FIRE IN SAN FRANCISCO.


and papers of Frank VI. Pixley, the city Attor-
ney, late of Detroit. The 9ribune's list embra-
ces about six hundred and fifty persons and firms
and the aggregate loss is set down by all the
papers at Sl200O,000. Supposing the list OF
lossess to embrace all the sufferers by the fire
1t presents the almost incredible fact, Of an
average loss of $l8,45l by each person and firm
In this country we have no data by which such
result can be brought within the range of pos
sibilties, in city the size of San Francisco
But it must be recolected that property is esti-
mated by different rates from those which gov
ern valuations here. The exports from San
Francisco the present spring, have been greater
than those of New York. The latter city re-
ceives nearly one-half of the current revenues
from customs, while its exports do not reach one
sixth Yet the amount of exports at San Fran
cisco are prodigious, and such result could not
fail to have an effect upon real estate valuea-
TONS
The papers are full of accounts of the fire, and
among other items it is stated that Messrs. Hew-
EFT & Harrison, for the want of water, used
$4,000 gallons of vinegar in preserving their
warehouse.
In blowing up the Sacramento Hotel, Broad
way, the first explosion was Intellectual, and it
vas thought that only one Of the casks planted
had ignited, and yet, in this uncertainty, dar-
ing spirit was found, who walked into the build
ing already in flames, with two more casks of
powder, fired the fuse and retreated coolly. In
less than minute after, the huge building crum-
bed into fragments upon its own foundation.
The mass of shipping that crowd our harbor
was in imminent danger of taking fire on Satur
day night Had one vessel caught the flames,
so close together are they all anchored, and so
hopeless the idea of moving, that the entire fleet
would have, in all probability, been consumed.
As it was, the captains and crews had to be con-
stantly on the alert TO preserve their vessels
The ship Susan Drew, Capt. Holbrook, took fire
three times from the burning brands that were
driven upon her by the wind, but by prompt APP
plicatlon of water, she was each time saved
Several others were also on fire at various times,
but none, we are happy to say, were burned.
The Editor of the Alta Californian gives the
following vivid picture of the couhagraton:
Iron and zinc curled up like scorched leaves,
and sent forth their brilliant flames of green,
blue and yellow tints; mingling with and mod
flying the great red tongues of the fires which
flashed upward from thousand burning h0u-
scs. The hill sides were lighted US if the sun
were above the eastern mountains, and their
trees, shrubs, heritage and houses were as dis
tinguishable in the bright light as if it were
noon. Darkness hung over large portion of
the shipping, where the broad and heavy ocean
of smoke lay down in impenetrable gloom over
the bay. People became paralyzed. Many re-
moved their stocks of goods, or portion Of them,
four or five times, and had them overtaken and
destroyed at last. The streets were crammed
with masses ofhuman beings and rushing teams
only giving way before the advance of the ele-
ments, rs the smoke and heat and crashing walls
pushed them back Men became mad some
rushed headlong into the flames Weeping wO-
men and prattling infancy were wandering amid
ashes and destruction. Every few moments the
earth and air trcmbled, as great buildings were
torn into fragments by the explosions of gun
powder, and the atmosphere was filed with shat
tered timbers, brick and mortar. The multitude
hung upon the borders of this "vast sea of fire."
few comparatively knew, or could know, what
were the dangers and eXertions of those who
were within the range of the stifiiing smoke and
scorching flames. In less than nine hours from
the beginning, more than twenty squares exist
cd only in memory and in the ascending col
,lmns Of smoke and flame which covered the
city's site.
But the saddest sight of all was the desruc-
ton of brave, but bewildered men, who sudden
ly surrounded with fire, rushed, staggered and
uHcerlalIl, III hopeless elOrtS 10 escape, unui
strangled and scorched, they writhed and fell in
full view Of hundreds, who were completely
powerless to save them. Others, after battling
inside of what they had considered fire proofs,
finding their efforts, to save the buildings vain,
endeavored to escape but too late The doors
and window blinds were red hot and could not
be opened in some instances, as their last chance
of safety failed them.
We cannot express our sensation of yester
day, while looking upon the blackened remains
of poor humanity, as they still lay burned to
Goals, amid the fire which filled the cellar of
building on Montgomery ST., still beyond the
reach of all who gazed upon them. May we new
er again sec so horrible a spectacle.
SAN FRANCISCO REBULDNG.-The whole
city is alive with workmen, engaged in rebuild
ing upon the burnt district. The Alta Ca lifor-
mia gives Che following astonishing instances
From Monday, 9th instant, when the fire
ceased, up to the present time, May, 18th, an
interval of ten days, three hundred and fifty
seven buildings have been commenced, Of which
the major part are finished and occupied This
is exclusive of the many that are going up in
other parts of the city not touched by the fire.
Including them the total number of houses just
completed, or in course Of erection throughout
the citv will MT fall Sbort Of 1kO Of oorrsa