The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-25
Destruction of Fort Hamilton Hotel
rtzry

ABOUT FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF PRO-
PERTY pEsTRoYED.
The well know and popular hotel at Fort Hamilton
which of the most pleasant and attractive
resorts in the vicinity OF New York was entirely
destroy by fire yesterday morning. about three O'Clock
1t was about half past eleven O'Clock Sunday night
when the fire broke out but it is not known from what it
sinated Mr. Clapp, the proprietor is Of opinion that
il commenced in the Kitchen he discovered hole burn
ed through the foor Immediately it during its early
progress When first it could have been extinguish
ed with dozen pals OF water, but there hose
in the building and the water had to be conveyed from
cisterns outside of the building Soon after the alarm
OF fire was given between two and hrsehunded persons
assembled around the hotel and rendered all the assist
ance in their power to sxtingush the flames, but
they spread SO rapidly to defy their utmost
exerons and in less than hours after the fire was
discovered the hotel of ruins So rapid was
the work Of destruction that than one quarter
Of the furniture saved and that in damaged condi
tion. Major VIM W Norris the commander of the fort
which is about three four hundred yards from the ho
tel sent fifty sixty Of his to the assistance of Mr.
Clapp, but the only aid they coud render in the
ing of the furniture Great confusion and excitement pre-
vailed at the time among the residents of the buildings
adjoining the hotel and it with the greatest difficult
y they saved their dwellings from the flames. Wet
pets We're thrown over ths roofs and the walls we're sau
rated with water repe the deyourng element All the
DululBgs escaped destruction with exception OF
small one Immediately adjoining and belonging to the
hotel.
Mr. H. D. Clapp the proprietor and from whom
we received our information, sleeping in the
hotel, WITH Mr.. Jervs Henshaw, friend, who
had accompanied h from Brooklyn in the early part
Sunday evening, and both would have pershed in the
flames but for the sagacty of large Newfoundland dog
named Casco. This animal it appears, locked up in
a in another part of the building near the place in
which the fire first discovered forced his way
to the sleeping apartment of his master. When he
reached the door he found il closed but the noble animal
inns maipGt div hnt,l
master and his friend from their slunbers in time
save them both MIR. Clapp told thasw he first
nsard ans nSlss o p the Dog it sounded to him like
having listened for few moments without hearing any
thing her. he fell asleep He had just dozed when he
sgan awakened by the nose and thinking that
there must be something serious in it, he called
10 his friend Mr.. Henshaw, who was in an joining
and asked him il he heard the noise On receiving
affirmative answer they both got up, and opening the
door OF Mr. Capps room they found the faithful Cisco
outside slightly burned To his vigilance sagacty,
they both acknowledge them elves indebted for their
yes, and is certain that he the first to give the
alarm.
The Fort Hamilton Hotel a four story building, and
built partly Of brick and partly of wood and was ca
pabe Of accommodating ary five hundred visitera The
only persons in the building were MIR. Clapp, Mr. Hen
shaw, and servant gil all the boarders having left it
The furniture valued at $25 900, about
$1,000 of which insured in the Park, Howard, and
Irving Insurance Companies of this city. The building
was the propert, of Mr. George $ Gelston who was in
another bart OF Long Island with his family when it
destroyed. We unable to ascertain anything
about its being insured but it is confidently believed that
it has been in several New York companies to the amount
OF $4,000 $50, ,000 Mr. Capp has rented it for the
last four years, but bei, re that it occupied as
boarding house by Mrs. Ripley Part Of the buildns was
erected in 1751 and about ten years extensive ad
clifton made to it by Mr. Geson 1t is probable that
it will be rebuilt by next summer as It was one of the
most popular New York. Its situation was
not surpassed for picturesque beauty. Erected on the
brow Of hill which overlooked the bay it commanded
magnificent view OF the cenery for many miles ,und
The tort with its frownng oat ements lies at depth
Of several hundred feet below it, and every vessel that
leaves or comes into our port can be with the great
est from its elevated position To these it was
landmark, for it Of the first objects by
them entering waters. Yesterday morning the
81 ectaee presented by the buraing building grand
and imposing in the extreme The reflection of the fire
discernibe at the Battery and by it thought
that the whole village was in flames Nothing
mains OF the hotel but OF ruins the walls have
all fallen in and the lawn in ront is srewed with broken
furniture.