The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-08
DISASTER.
Four Steamers and q Barge Destroyed
Fire.

The Cincinnati Gazette of yesterday Says
About O'Clock yesterday morning, gentle
bury's ship. yard. discovered that the steamer
Delaware, laid up opposite his residence, on ac-
count of dull times, was on fire near the stern,
on the larboard side. He Immediately gave the
alarm, but before assistance could be rendered,
and almost before the watchman on the boat
could escape to shore, the whole boat was en-
veloped in flames, and her total destruction
unavoidable
The wind being from the west within three
minutes the steamer Ezra Porter, lying next
above the Delaware, was also burning furiousy
as well as the barge Sunshine, fastened to the
stern OF the Ezra Porter, and lying outside the
Delaware. The fire then communicated to the
steamer Potomac, lying above the Ezra Porter.
The Potomac was cut loose, swung round, and
1oated down stream q short distance, still
burning. When just below the Delaware, she
municated the fire TO the steamer Pine
Grove, swung round again, and lodged against
a logway below Leatherbury g yard.
All the above steamers were so nearly de-
stroyed that not good timber remained In
either OF them when we visited the scene of
confsgration few hours afterwards. The
barge Sun nshine became loose from her fasten-
ing and hoated past the City Wharf and TO
point near Sedamsville where II sank. In its
course II rubbed against and came near setting
Which most Were partially loaded with freight.
The tow boat wild Duck was cut loose and
second clerk of the Pine Grove, seeing the dam
ger of that boat, seized an axe, jumped ashore,
In the exciiement of the moment cut that OF the
steamer Bostona instead, when she fiOated
hll, anu WAS JOWcu W u pidC6 VI bhIoJy ny u NOW
p p)rt fsIry-boat. Captain Kyle's new steamer
cheyenne was pulled short distance further
no stream for safety. The side of the Wild
Duck was scorched somewhat. but no serious
damage done. Tho carpenter of the Pine Grove,
Mr. George g. Fields, lived in a little boat called
the Young, America, lying near the Pine Grove.
His boat caught fire, and all its contents were
destroyed, including the tools with which he
worked. All he possessed in the world was
thus swept away, and that while he was direct
ing his energies toward saving the steamer on
which he was employed.
The Delaware was sternwheel boat. built at
PittsbuTg about five years ago; was insured tor
$1,000 in Pittsburg ofices; had carrying capa-
city of about $50 tons.
The Ezra Porter was side-wheel boat ab nut
Two years old: built at PlJtsburg In October
1866; had carrying capacity of $50 tons was
owned by Captain j. H. and M. Porter and
others. IL OF Pltsburg; was offered for sale last
week for SZS4 90, and was insured in PiItsburg
Offices tor S25,UUU
The Potomac was stern.wheel boat, finely
furnished; was owned by Captain Muhleman
Mr.. Chris. Young the clerk). George Pepper
(maiel Theo; Fink, ESQ. Booth. Batelle q o.,
and Others; she was built In February, 1865, at q
cost of $4,000, and had carrying capacity OF
500 tons
the Pine Grove was also a stern.wheel boat
She was built at Cincinnati in September, 1854,