, 1861-07-11
DESTRUCTION OF RAILROAD BUILDINGS
AT EAST ALBANY,

ltfom t1e Albany Statesman, 7th.
Since the memorable condagration of 1s48,
there has been no fire in this city, or It's sub
nrbs, Of the extent Of that Of yesterday
afternoon, at East Albany, which in he space
Of an hour and half consumed the two spa
cious brick freight houses Of the Albany and
Boston Railroad Corporation, their passenger
depot ard the business offices connected
Herewith, together with some eight or ten
canal boats tre,ghted with grain
The tre-it is ascertainGd beyon all copjec-
ture-eaught in the cupalo Of the southern
freight house, from the friction Of the MS
chinery connected with the elevator There
Tas strong southward wind blowing, and in
an almost incredible space of time, that inl~
menEe structu1s-oger 750 feetin length-was
one sheet OF flame In this WAS stored a1arge
quantity Of oil and slcohc], and the flames
shot up eighty Or hundred feet.
The alarm was promptly sounded By the
bells in Greenbusb, and quickly responded to
IN this city, bringing out our IRE department
in great force Several engines aud large
number Of citizens took the Boston and Hnd-
son river ferry boats and gained the other
side; but before the boats could make sec
ond trip, the fire had gained such headway
that It was found impossible to make land
ing. The different engines belonging in Green
bush, East Albany, as well as those from this
city, we're not Of the least advantage in stay
ing the flames, as the wind was driving the
reach Of all mechanical or human skill
1t was but very few minutes before the
flames communicated to the other large freight
house, and seemingly but an instant more be-
fore it was grand scene Of fire, lighting up
The whole eastern horizon, and Ausing feel
irg OF awe to creep over every beholder The
complete destruction OF every thing connected
" LON binaticn Of power could ayert the COM
plete engulphing Of everything combustibIe
within the reach Of the devouring element.
Everybody felt that this was SO, and the fire.
men turned their attention to the saving OF
scme dwellings, short distance from the
depot and freight houses.
In the new depot, where the fire originated,
there we're upwards Of fifty cara all heavily
laden with merchandise, and mona of these
were saved, nor could they have been had the
attempt been made The amount of freight
that lay about the floors OF the depot, ut the
t}ms Of the conttagration, WAS rery small.
Had such an event occurred during the mouth
OF May there would have been upwards Of
three or four millions of dollars worth OF
freight that would have served aa food for the
devouring element; this, too, after one hun
dred cars had been Tiled.
By the time the new depot was all on fire,
utre Whirled upward and nor1hWard with .
fearful velocity, threatening the destruction
Of all surrounding objects. The eieht iust
then was grand beyond description, but it was
fearful to behold. The manner in which the
flames were driven about by the wind, re
mindtd us 1Orcibly Of the disastrous co1Hs-
gration Of 1913 In this city. It was but few
minutes before every bridge, depot and ware
house connected with the Western Railroad
property we're in flames.
1he loss by this conhagration is set at diff
feIent sume, from half q million to one million
and ahoH. We should think that 1t will range
from $500, 600 to $500, 0,000 And what is most
remarkable, We are credibly informed that
here Was not penny Of insurance on all that
was destroyed. 1t is said that there was an
insurance on the property Of the road, but
that the policy WAS allowed to run ont. Il
this be tue, 1t will prove serious loss.
The officers of the road arrived promptly
on the spot by special train from Springfield,
Mass, and while the ruins were yet smoking
tie ground was resurveyed and proposals &C
copied for rebuilding the central or passenger
depot. Before seven O'Clock the contracts
were awarded, and men at work. Harris d
Briggs Of Springfield, are to do the carpentry
Wo1k; John Bid .eford Of this city will do
the ma: oDry work
On Tuesday next, we are informed, the con.
tracts will be awarded for the reconstruction
OF the other depots and bridges destroyed.
Although the road has met with this sad
dfaaster, they announce that no men are
throw ont Of employ ment- Also, that all
tla1ls will be forwarded as usual. Instead OF
large number being thrown out OF work,
hundreds Of idle men will be given employ.
ment.