New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-05-30
DISASTROUS FIRE ~ WILLIAMS
BLRGH
Loss OF LIFE AND DESTRUCTION or
PROPERTY.

PROPERTY.
Yesterday, the Eastern District Of Brooklyn mar.
rowly escaped destruction by fire. AT about 2
o'clock ia the afternoon as lighter discharging
her cargo Of petroleum at the storshouses Of Mess
Schicfelin Brothers g. Co., at the foot Of North
Second street, WillismsbuTgh, explosion occurred
from spark ard tie vessel was instintaneou-y
enveloped ia flames. Like gunpowder, the lighters
cargo caught the fire, and explosion followed explo-
son electrically. until the craft had been shattered
and her contents had been spread over tic river and
far up on the Tier.
The flames communicated with the extensive
warehouses which extended from North Second to
North Third street and from Water street 10 the
river. In these buildings six in number, and COW
ering more than two acres Of ground the DIessrs.
SchiefeIM and others had stored more than 1903
barrels OF petroleum and kerorene and here the
explosions were nearly simultaneous with those on
bosrd the lighter.
This disastrous work of an instant-an Unforeseen
disaster againtt which 10 human agency can forty
city-at once bailied the fTcmen, who were with
great proniptnoss at poet Of ddy Tie flames spread
rapid, from Tie burning buildings aud piers to the
shipping which lay moored at neighboring rers, and
I r,
forcinp tie Grcmen back to the street. The smoke
rose in dense black volumes, covering tho entire
city, az it were, with y pail, and forming cloud
was mistaken by many at a distance for rising
storm.
The inhabitants and property owners ana even
the policemen Of The ncighborhood, were unable at
late bonr last night to learn the names of owners
and amonpts Of losses-it having been found utterly
imrossble TO reach the piers until long after night
fall.
II known that Patrick Mclaughlin, brother OF
Mr.. Hugh Mclaughlin, the Register, and - Thomp-
con. and 49, Doiy, employees on tho lighter, ana re-
sident. of Pennsylvania dead and It 10 rnmored
tina, others also were burned and some drowned,
wbose bodies have not been recovered. A current
rerort. which WAS widely credited last night, gave
twelve mis.ipe men who are supposed TO have been
cnnloyed either on board the shppinga' the wharvcs
or in the storehouse. Beside these persons only
Mccarthy ard Woodruff by name-are now known
TO have been seriously injured, both from being
overrun by the fire engines
Six buildings and three vessels were entirely con-
sumed. and two piers were very seriously burned
with Losses IA nearly as couid be ascetaned IN the
confusion which prevailed last night, as follows;
Dsrk Silver Cloud owned by Messrs. Jewelt a
Co.. valued at 1000; utter Tors; Insured Tor w.
900, bu, by what companies at present unknown.
E;,b,ep thousand barrels Of petroleum, owned by
the Messrs. Schieelin and Others Also the exlen'
sve sorehouses, the property Of the same sA'a 10
hay, been insured. Loss entire.
Lumber, property of Mr. Ralph Kenyon valued AZ
q, ,oO desiroyed. Insurance Of g, 800 in tho hngS
County and Williamsburgh Insurance omeeS
Two pier the damage on which Is ''''m nnsS ="
&,O 600. and several sheds, which were burned 10
the ground, valued at 500. ,u....
Lumber, value unknown, the property Of me''''
Flou. & Hail. destroyed insurance. s2,'oo,
Lath, property of Mess Fisher k''ka,a 80 Tp,
ship-knees belonging to Messrs simonson a fo"'ke'
and timber, owned by Mesms. Mahen Co.
The undergrad Of Mr. james heig' concerning
,bs loss and insurance on which the reporters were
unable to gather any particular
Tie entire loss was roughly estimated last night nj
100000. -.
II may be said to have been Provden'iai-and II
may not 10. inbuInAns .hus 10 sac IT, sHee nom