The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-03

side-the Fort Hamilton side before taking the
boat we went up and looked at the fire to how It
sparks nom the chimney; made the Dire that my
self and other workmen might warm their conee;
had no idea that was going 10 set re 10 Inc roM
at all; there was fire in the same place on the day
previous, but those the only two days that res
have been made there; do not know that there IL
any h RUE which prohibits se e U tnsra 1 W
understood that the guard did not want US 70 warm
our conee on their fire; made the IRE OF cnlppngs
ana logs, pine wood; IL was not large nre; Clio
not notice anything unusual about the fireplace
when lii the fire. Ihave stated above all the factS
know In connection with the fire.
Robert Emmons sworn-I reside at Fort Hamilton,
ana was employed yesterday as carpenter ON t0r
Lafayette; was there at noon when the fire orig
mated: the nrst saw OF the fire was smoke rolling
down In the yard OF Fort Lafayette: 1t came from
the roof near the middle OF the building from fre
the fire when less than foot In diameter on the
roof OF the fort IN the shingles some men came TO
look for buckets but found none; there was nothing
TO put out the fire with; l went to take out my
tools and other property, but in less than
fve minutes IL was ten feet square; II went
ourselves by ropes because the fra was over the
stairway; when we got into the yard the place Was
we then got orders to leave by the officers who ssi6
there was danger OF the magazine exploding; "a
hands, officers included, then left the burning fort
ress and sought safety on the shore; think the orr
The Assistant Fire Marshal maze the following
statement in regard to the condition OF the fort At
gagged in the. somewhat tedious task q
producing any apparent effect Among the
ruins are several uneXpl0ded shells, which may 60
of at any time. The men are therefore afraid to
stay too near the place. and wei they may be,
Judging from the effect OF those shells that have ex
ploded Some three or four OF the shells that have
exploded made sad havoc with the immense iron
doors, bursting large holes through them as II they
were paper and passing far beyond the limits Of tho
fire. One shell came clear over the walls and lay In
broken fragments on the docks. The intense heat
may be imagined when 1t is stated that the wrought
iron gun carriages on the lower tier were twisted and
warped In oil imaginable shapes, % If they were 30
much wire rope. There Is no danger now apprehended
from the explosion Of magazine as the lire In that
vicinity is entirely extnguished. The people had
evidently narrow escape last night. One Of ths
outer doors protecting the magazine was burned
through but the sheet iron plating still protected
the place The building as 1t appears now 70 .
ruined mass OF brick ana mortar. There ID scarcely
stick Of wood anywhere to be seem The ends OF
the beams in the brick walls were still burning al
eleven O'Clock but beyond this there s no re 70 be
seen on the premises. As seen from Fort Hamilton
the ruins black and desolate. The soldiers ara
still guard there and will allow no person TO lano
without the proper authority Little groups Of cit
zens may be at intervals in the vicinity Of the
fort but the piercing winds make 1t uncomfortable
for them, and they depart after hasty glance.