The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-22
A RIVER FIRE.
Steamboat Burns Up Et Oar Wharyes-A
Total WreCH.

Total Wreck.
This morning about half-past l O'Clock the side
wheel steamer City OF Brdgcton plying between
this city and Bridgeton, n. j., caught fire while
lying at her wharf, second pier below Arch street,
and was burned to the waters edge.
She had arrived last evening about II o'clock, and
passengers remained on board intending to 60
At about one O'Clock or a little after the steamer
Jersey Blue arrived at her wharf which is next
above that where the City OF Bridgeton was lying,
and after the former boat had been made fast, her
captain Mr. Summers, heard the watchmau of the
Bridgeton, who was ON duty on deck at the time,
ring the alarm bell. The bell OF the Jersey Blue
was then Immediately rung, but by that time the
middle Of the Bridgeton was entirely enyeloped in
names, SO quick did the confiagration gain head
The fire originated in the upper part OF the boat,
and not Eear the boiler, as was at first supposed.
Jersey Blue, ran on board the bridgeton and helped
to break the door OF the upper cabin open. He thus
rescued the PASSENGERS who ran out In their night
this morning, having, therefore, gotten off safely,
save one, Miss Bacon, of Brdgeton. This lady, 1T
is supposed is also safe, she having probably found
shelter in the neighborheod, though she has not
been seen since the boat landed. II she is alive
and Well it is hoped she will make that fact known
to the captain OF the boat, Mr.. James Mcintyre and
thus save further anxiety.
Thesboa was owned by company in Bridgeton,
and is worth about ,00t On this there is pot
cent OF insurance. She was loaded at the time with
a cargo worth about six or seven thousand dollars,
which is totally DESTROYED and is also a total loss
This is owned by the men who had it in charge, and
In most cases it was the value OF their entire pos
sessions.
Several of the boat hands made a narrow escape.
The wstchman was on duty at the time, and was at
tending to- his business, but cannot tell how the fire
org mated. That is at present matter OF great
mystery.
presented desolate appearance. The hull OF the
boat, below the waters edge, is still sound, and
now has sunk near the wharf. The water around Is
covered with particles and pieces of burnt timber,
ana the half-burnt furniture OF the boat and it's
cargo were floating around loose generally.A piano.
with the top burned OF, and covered with layer OF
roasted apples, was floating right side up near the
edge OF one OF the wharves. Fruit Does baskets,
and cans OF preserved fruit could be seen IN every
direction. The centre.table and chairs from the
cabin also nicely balanced ia the water nearly
The fire spread so rapidly that the fire engines
could do but little Before they had arrived upon
the ground the entire boat was in flames, and before
they could get in working order the hun had SUNK
leaving the burning fragments hoatlng around:
river travel to that point is necessarily suspended
for the present
THE NEW WATER REsERYoIR-In May last, work
men began on the new reservoir, ordered to be
structed alongside the old Kenslngton basin, situ
ated at Sixth street and Lehigh avenue ana the
work has progressed so rapidly that the top of the
emDankment has been reached. Should nothing
interfere, it is calculated that the basin will be
completed in October next. 1t will be 1900 feet in
diameter 23 feet deep, and will be capable of hold
ing gallons OF water Its cost viii reach about
$l50,OOO The Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty
water from both the Delaware and Schuykill rivers
The Schuylkill water will be conveyed from the
Corinthian basin, the pipes from which have been
already laid The water main to the Kensington
Water Works will be put down during the coming
spring.
At present there are $50 men engaged on the
work, under the direction OF f. S. McCiile, who has
been specially appointed by the city TO superntend
the construction Of this important matter When
completed it will be one or the most thoroughly
built structures Of the kind in the country.
t. b. PETERSON & BROTHERS, as will be seen by
reference to our advertising columns, are about
TO close out their retail stock at reduction OF 80,
s0 and 30 per cent below the regular retail prices,
1t being their intention to cOn1fne themselves
clusyey in the future TO the sale of their pub
catloDs- This Is rare opportunity for those who
wish TO repenish The shelves OF their libraries at
loH rates, or 10 make acceptable holiday presents.
The present retail stock OF the MessTs Peterson is
exceedingly varied, and comprises most of the
standard and miscellaneous literature Of the day so
that there are ample opportunities for choice The
advertisement gives some important particulars
with regard to this closing out sale that our readers
will do well to note.
STEAMER OvERTUREED-THE DRIVER BADLY IN
JURFD-The steamer OF the Diligent Engine Com
paDy while proceeding up Tenth street tU the fire at
Tenth and CallOWh streets little before O'Clock
this morning, overturned at Sergeant street in
attempting 10 get out OF the railwayktrack. James
Shields the driver was caught between the steamer
and tree. After considerable difficulty he was ex-
treated. and his foot fond To he horribly man
gled. lie reLlaYed w Lhe fsnnsyIValia ILOs-
Pital. The steamer sustained serious injuries.