The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-22
The Burning OF Sloat's MIL I'm Phtlnl II phla
[Frem the Phllxde phia Dule!io, Angust 20

Shortly after one o'clock this morning fire was
discovered in the extensive saving and planning
mill and sewing machine manufactory of George b
Sloat d Co., extending from the wharf to Beach
street, above Shackamax street in the Eighteenth
ward. The building, which was three and four
stories in height, was externally fire proof all the
doors and window shutters being of boiler iron;
while the roof was of slate. The fire must have
been smOuldering for several hours before it was
discovered and the flames had attained great head
way before the alarm was given. 1t was soon made
evident that the entire contents Of the building
The steam fire engines and other apparatus in the
neighborhood were taken upon the ground
promptly, but they could operate to very
-as nearly an hour after tho fire was frs
discovered. Meanwhile the flames attained sucl
furious Roadway that the doors and window shut
tiers had become red hot When the roof tinall,
went down. the flames shot far up into the air, ant
clouds Of sparks and blazing fakes were showere,
down upon the surrounding property.
When this breach in the building was made tn
steam fire engines-Of which there were six in ser
vice, general alarm having been sounded-poure,
deluge of water into the structure; but the fame
had obtained such a mastery among the combusti
BILE materials that everything within the four wall
was destroyed despite the torrents Of water.
and sheds and other combustible structures were
at hand, while in the docks lay several brigs
and other craft which could not be moved on &C
count Of the lowness of the tide. There was also
schooner on the stocks at Fisher & Warmers ship
yard. .fs,..-. ...
All this property was frequently on fire, but the
streams from the apparatus in service speedily ex-
tinguished the flames, and no damage worth speak.
ing of was done outside the mill. The latter was
very substantial structure Of brick, covering lot
of ground So by l04 feet in dimensions. The first
story was used for saving. planning turning, &C.,
and it contained large quantity of lumber and
other combustibes. The second and third stories
were appropriated to the manufacturing Of sewing
machines. and there was large stock on hand. In
all parts of the large structure there were large
quantities of valuable machinery, most of which
was destroyed The machinery in the building was
valued at ss 000 and the building itself cost $50 O0C
when it was put up it 1859. The firm estna their
loss at from s75 900 to 100000, upon which there
is an Insurance Of s30500 in the following oices:-
Royal, $1,000; Lycoming Mutual, $4,000; Exchange
Mutual, 81 500; Spring Garden, $4,000; Quaker
City, $4,000 Girard, 81, 900; Hope Mutual $500:
Kensngton $500; Commonwealth, 81 900: Phia,
delphia Fire and Life, 81 500; Safeguard 81 600:
Equitable Mutual, $500. Total, s30,500.
There were about one hundred and sixty hands
employed in the mill, most CT whom will be thrown
out of employment by the calamity.
The fire is supposed to have originated in the
boiler room.
The mill which formerly stood upon this site was
destroyed by fire nine years ago. The late structure
was erected in its place. The fire this morning
completely Quilted it,
This destructive fire affords another evidence of
the immense superiority Of the steam fire engines
over the ordinary hand apparatus. Some of the
steam machines took their position upon the wharf
at the breaking out of the fire, and they drew a
supply Of water from the river and poured it upon
the flames without nternisson until after daylight
Some Of the steamers did not cease playing for an
instant during several hours, and the service they
rendered was beyond estimate.