The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-02
FROM NEW YORK.

FhOM VIEW IOIIhs
FIRE ON THE EAST RIvER-BURNIEG OF THE
PACKET SHIP HIBERNA-PoLIcEMAN SERIOUSLY
INJURED-HEROIo CONDUCT OF THR CoJORED
sTEWARD-Loss ABOUT 100000.
At half.past7 last evening the packet ship
Hibernia Captain Jansen, was discovered to
be on FIRE. The alarm was Immediately sounded,
and in less than fifteen minutes the active fire
department were on hand at the Black Ball
dock, foot of Beekmsn street, where the Hi6er-
MIA was moored, and fifteen streams OF water
were directed upon the vessel.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE
Is not known, but Captain Jansen reports that
II first broke out amidships; that number of
caulkers had been working upon herduring the
day, and It is probable that the fire originated
from some matches or combustible matter
decks AZ the PPu time the Vessel @ ' took fire the
Captain was absent at his residence, and the
vessel was in charge of the first mate. The
flames burst forth amidships and forward
aim ost simultaneously, showing that the 6re
must have attained considerably headway be.
fore its discovery.
THE ExERTloNs OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
to save the vessel were all that could be ex-
pected. Ladders were thrown from the wharf
To the bulwarks, and the brave ehosemen
mounted her decks and directed the water into
the hold, in the vain hope of extinguishing the
fire and saving the ship. For an hour hopes
were entertained that they would be successful,
but NJ half-pastS O'Clock the noble craft sud
denly "leered" and careened ever on tue st tr-
through the hatchways, and enveloped the
deck.
HEROIC CONDUCT OF THE CoLoRED STEWARD,
AT this time several members of the Metro
politan and water police we're on the vessel as
sisting the officers and crew TO remove their
personal effects. Among the number was PO-
liceman Whithall, WI who was thrown down and
rounding him, and few moments later he
would have been beyond the possibility of
escape, had not he fortunately been discovered
by the steward of the ship, Smith Sawyer,
a gigantic colored man, whose pre-:
sence of mind, even at this trying moment, did
not desert him. Lifting the wounded policeman
in his arms as he would child, he hurled him
into the water, and jumping after him, seized
him and swan with him to log, where he
cured him until the 1remen rescued both men
from watery grave. Sawyers bravery was
docks, who witnessed his gallant feat in behalf
of the life of one of their number, and they de.
clare that they will give him "a more substan-
tial proof OF their appreciation OF his services.
ACCIDENT TO A FIREMAN. ..
When the vessel leered and injured Policeman
Whithall, a number of hremen were on her
James Mckay, of Engine No l, who had his lex
broken. and was otherwise injured, but it Is
believed not seriously. ..
A FIREMAN MISSING.
BENJAMIN Dunlap, OF Engine No. 4, was seen to
fall into the water, but whether secured by the
police and firemen who were near, or drowned,
conveyed home, but at a late hour last night
from death.
HISTORY OF THE HIBERNIA.
The Hibernia was built at Thomaston, Maine,
in 1861, at a cost of about Sl25, ,OOO She is 1916
tons register $50 feet long, 81 feet beam, "a feet
depth OF hold, a welI-puilt ship, and ranked AL.
She is owned by Tapscott & Co., and has been
employed in the New York and Liverpool
trade She stood well emigrant and
freight ship, and has done prosperous busi-
Originally her name was the E Pluribus
UnuTn, an American vessel, but her owners
sci, and and named me- her the Hibernia, to avoid the
ravages Of the Shenandoah and other Confede-
rate pirates.
APPEARANCE OF THE SHIP THIS MORNING.
At one o'clock this morning, the lremen were
still putting forth almost superhuman efforts
TO save the hull, and conhne the fire TO the
Hibernia. At hat hour she had settled over on
her starboard side until 1T was on line with
the dock. All her masts and rigging were still
| standing, but the fiery element had triumphed
| over the large volume of water that for six
| hours had been directed upon 1t, and burst out
| through the decks and surrounded the masts
| and rigging. Much anxiety was felt lest the
| flames should extend TO several small craft
| lying alongside, one of which is loaded with
coal oil Should the falling masts of the Hber.
mia communicate the fire TO this vessel which
| is Immediately under her bow, all the efforts OF
| the Fire department cannot prevent The fire
| extending to the adjacent wharf and store
THE INSURANCE.
II was impossible last night to learn the
| amount in which the Hibernid is insured. The
| Captain processes ignorance on the subject.
| From appearances presented by the vessel at
one this morning the hull Will be saved.
| THE LOSS
cannot fall far short of 100000. Fortunately
| the ship had been unloaded, " ith the exception
| of fourteen hundred tons of pig iron and four
teen bags Of salt, or the loss would have been
| much more serious
The officers and crew lost everything they
possessed, including their clothing. 1t is said
| that some indiscreet person cut the hawsers on
the larboard side, which was the immediate
cause of the burning of the ship, which made 1t
! very difficult for the nremen 10 dlrecC tne wafer
into the hold.
The police of the Second Precinct, under Ser
geants Blair and Latty, assisted by reserves
| from First and Fourth precincts, are deserv
! ing of praise for the efficient manner in which
| they performed their duty.
| Officer Doyle, of the HaTbor Police, wa
| Slightly Injured by a plank.-N. Y. Herald.
LARGE FIRE IN CHARLESTON, S. C.