The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-13
DESTRUCTIVE CONFEDERATION m BOSTON.
Large Number Of Houses Destroyed.
Mariners Church, Sailors Home, and Boyls-
ton schooI.hsusc In Ruins-UPwards of
One Hundred Families HOmeless-Loss
Estimated at $500, OOO-Full Particulars,
From the Boston Herald, 18th inst.l

From the Boston Herald, 18th inst.
FIRE broke out on Saturday afternoon, at bali
past three O'Clock, which proved to be the most OK
tensive and destructive eonaagration that has visit
ed our city for years.
II was krst discovered in an unoccupicd stable in
the rear Of the large building known as the Sailors
Home, in Purchase street. Owing to some misap-
prehenson in sounding the alarm, the fire had made
could be brought to the scene and into action.
From this fact, coupled with two other adverse cir
cumstances,-the excessive heat Of the day and the
exceeding dryness of the buildngs-the FIRE at first
got the mastery, and Afterwards ragged with uncon-
trollable ferceness.
1t is due, however, to the department to say that
they worked with energy and effectiveness, when
they got fairly underway. Every ono must APP
Precate the services they performed aboring under
the oppression Of such excessive heat Their labors,
too, were retarded by the crowds Of men, women
and children, who surrounded them, crying, aud be-
wildered from the smoke and excitement or frantic
for their children. Stairways were blocked up, and
confusion prevailed in some houses, so rs to COM
pletely nullfy all the good that well directed
efforts Of the firemen would have accomplished
These things are to be taken into consideration in
passing judgment on tho disaster and the labors of
the depaI tment on the occasion.
The fire spread from the stable in which it origi-
mated to the outbuildings of the Sailors Home,
large brick edice, six stories high. Hero the fire
ragged furiously, and communicated to the main
building. 1t spread with great rapidty, and there
was opportunity to save furniture, or hardly
clothing. The building and furniture were totally
destroyed. From its elevated position the burning
of the :" Home" could be seen at great distance
down the harbor, and towards Lynn on the one side
and Dorchester on the other.
The Sailors Home was under the patronage of
the Seaman's Friend Society, and under the direc-
ton of its board of managers, and the Boston La
dies Seamen's Friend Society, committee from
whom visited the Home once a week. 1t was fur
nished with library and reading room, and was
important auxiliary in the cause of seanen 1t was
under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Cheny, and was,
as it was designed TO be, truly home to the home
less. The loss of an institution that disseminates
so much good to q worthy and noble class of men,
will be severely felt. There was an insurance Of
$4,000 on the Home" and $4,000 on the furni-
ture. Mr. and Mrs. Cheny, with their family, at
the time of the burning, were on an excursion down
the harbor.
Several stables on Belmont street, owned by J.
w. Bodget & Co, and others, were levelled to the
ground in n few moments
We are indebted to the Gazette for the most of
the following particulars :
big three story dwelling house adjoining the
house owned by Mrs. Amos, and occupied by
John Morrissey, soon caught fire, and was totally
destroyed.
Mr.. Morrisscy informs US that his daughter, girl
of eight years, persisted in the flames. We trust
that this may prove untrue. He, however, expresses
his firm belief that she was burnt. There were
seven families in this house.
The next was owned by Mrs. West, and was oc-
euped by large number OF Irish families. Totally
destroyed.
The next house was owned by Geo r. Smith, en-
graver, and occupied by Irish families Totally de-
stroyed.
The flames continued to spread on both sides of
the street with destructive rapidity. We continue
our account on the side Of the sailors Home LONE
by John Davenport, and occupied by Irish families.
This was also totally burned.
Next was a large brick house, occupied in part by
policeman Mark Hinckley, which was soon en-
vol in thn Nv i'm lau' ga q
$500.
A block of wooden houses, owned by Henry
Grey, was next destroyed.
The preserve factory of VIM. X. Lewis was soon
swept down. The building was owned by Samuel
Sanford.
Several storehouses adjoining were also destroyed.
On the opposite side of Purchase street, near
the Home, was the Boardman block, of six houses,
occupied by Irish families. These mostly con.
sumed.
The flames soon enveloped the building known as
the Benis heirs estate, occupied by Irish, which
was entirely destroyed.
Next was block owned by the heirs of -
Minis, and occupied by Irish families. Entirely
destroyed
The IRE now continued to rage, and so hot was the
atmosphere that j: was impossible to pass through
the street.
The Mariners church, to save which almost SUI
perhuman efforts had been made, next caught on
FIRE, and in a few moments this famous structure
was sheet Of rolling fire. The roof fell in about
crash, followed soon after by portion Of the mas
sve walls. The scene was fearfully sublime Flame,
cinders and smoke rolled up in mingled fury, and
the Fire King seemed to revcl in his destroying
clement
From the church, the FIRE extended up Mariners
place. carrying all before it. All the houses in the
place were consumed
As near as could be ascertained, the following
John Crafts, who occupied q large brick house,
Mr.. Burke, do; the family of Mr. Benedick, wooden
house.
There were several tenements occupied by Irish,
the names Of whom it was impossible to ascertain
From the Mariners place the flames extended to
the large building known as the Boylston School
House The fremen here, as elsewhere, rushed
most CALAMITY to check the raging coniagration,
which now threatened to embrace the whole hill;
but it was found impossible to save the building
AS soon as it was certain that this could not be
done, the attention Of the fremen was directed to
the adjacent buildings. The wind now subsidized,
and BY throwing immense quantities Of water IN
A primary school house in the vicinity was saved,
although much exposed.
On Broad street, the junk store Of G. o. g..
Newcomb was entirely destroyed. This store was in
immediate proximity to the fire, and was among the
first levelled to the ground Adjoining the store, in
the same block, was the Marine Coffee House, which
also entirely destroyed. The upper stories were
occupied by Timothy Doolen, as boarding house.
A Mrs Powers also kept boarding house in part
of the building.
The flames continued to spread, and in a short
time the jnnk store of G. Hill 4 Co. was destoyed.
In the same building was the shipsmith's establish
ment of John Loman & Co. At this point the fire
was subdued, though it extended on Broad street in
another direction, as we shall presently state.
The above buildings were owned, the first by
Samuel Sanford, the second by James Otis heirs.
Partly insured
Just below Mariners place, in Purchase street,
opposite side, the FIRE extended rearwards TO Broad
street. At No Is5 the Junk store of Mr. Ring wa:
partially destroyed The upper stories, 1871, were
occupied by Beers Clark, merchant tailor, VINO wa'
a large sufferer.
The oil store of +. g. Alden was much damaged
by fire and water. The upper stories were occu
pied by f.. G. Lock, as q mandatory Of oil cloti
clothing. A large quantity Of clothing was burnt
tie flames at this pyint were checked.
The fire was raging from 81 to o'clock with una
bated fury. The duties of the Gremen were exces
siyely laborious