Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-23
FIRE AT THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD.

ABOUT SIX o'clock on Sunday morning fire was dis
covered IN the paint loft the timberhouse at the
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York; The fire is supposed
10 have originated from spontaneous combustion The
building was three hundred feet in length and was filed
With timber the whole Of which was entirely consumed
Among the stock thus destroyed were the frames of
seyentyfour fgate, sloop Of war; Of Southern pine
which had been stored for twelve years. and the frames
of three other vessels besides large quantity Of other
timber large amount in paints and varnishes we're
also destroyed The estimate of the loss is set down at
building S20,Oo0 timber 100000 paints and varnshes
$4,000 and the contents of the gunners loft SIS 900
During the fire two bombshels exploded in the gunners
room, but luckily person was injured from this cause
Several fremen injured by the falling walls The
Journal Of Commerce adds the following particulars;
The origin of the fire is unknown but it have
been of those misortunes against which human
foresight guard II probably caused by sponta-
combustion and it appears strange that the Gov
eminent should not have provided separate and distinct
place. far removed from any valuable property for the
storage of such nhammable materials those used in
painting
The amount Of loss it is impossible to estimate with
precision The timber stored in the lower part Of the
structure mostly of live oak (knees, &c, and
procured cost to the Government of about So per
foot. sufficient quantity contained in the stores
for the entire frame of frgate; enough perhaps was
saved in charred state for sloop Of The
in which it was piled beng placed so as to admit the
w
ton, and became thoroughly gnited to be
beyond the control of water
In the gunners loft were the gun breechng side tackle
hammers, ponges &c., newly fitted for the indie
pendence also for the ship John p Kennedy, ire
Gently purchased for the Surveying Expedition The
gun gear of the soreshp Lexington also destroyed,
and quantity Of grapeshot strapped and prepared for
use The loss in this department alone is estimated
high as $4,000 The entire value Of building and
contents may be stated in round uumherss about
$3.50, 0O0
number Of explosions occurred during the progress
of the fire, and current that they pro-
duced by shells. This is impossible, loaded mis-
sies of this kind allowed within the yard The burst
ing of cans Of spirits may have caused the report
The great heat thrown out by the burning of tim
Der placed in imminent hazard number Of adjacent
buildings These the mould loft and storehouses
the left the oiners shop sc. in 'front.' and large shed
with single roof filed with bituminous and other coal
and hydraulic cement. This last saved with great
difficulty, the wind set strongly in that direction.
The officers Of the yard and of the receiving ship North
Carolina indefagable in their efforts to preserve
property and order. Capt BoARMAN the Commandant,
remained constantly the spot and ably assisted
by Commander Hudson, the executive officer, Mr. Brady,
the Master, and Mr. Ritter the governor Of the yard
and by Lieutenans Wake Middleton, and Ring of the
North Carolina Lieutenant Glasson, and some other
officers not duty the station, also present
render aid