The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1871-08-16
Disnstrous ConGngrn1ion.

We copy the following account of the great fire
in San Francisco which occurred on the 22d of july
from the Alta of the 23d:
Our city last evening was again visited by most
disastrous confagation, fire occurring in the south
eastern portion of the city of unusual magnitude,
and which proved serious in its consequences. 1t
broke in part of the city which is surrounded
by foundries, mills, and factories, and which took
years of time, labor and money to build up, and
whenever a confagration such last evening beialls
our young city, immediate losses and consequences,
though falling heavily the proprietors shared
to some extent by the community.
The alarm was sounded about 20 minutes before
G P. NJ from box 50, at which time the entire Me
chanics Mill and buildings adjoining southwest
corner of Mission and Fremont Streets were ablaze
In a few moments the Fire Department its
way hurriedly to the scene and thousands of people
also thronged from all directions to the vicinity of
the fire. The hundreds of employees, who had been
paid off for the week but few moments previously
were the streets making their way home to their
families. But when they saw the flames reddening
the armament, and the crowds rushing at almost
break-neck speed, they too returned many of them
finding the place in which they had just received
their pay being destroyed by the devouring element
The fire originated in the large threestory frame
building near the southwest corner of Mission and
Fremont streets, occupied by the Mechanics Mill
Company Chief Scannell was soon on the ground,
and as each piece of apparatus arrived, he assigned
it position to do its work. Assistants Mooney and
Brady were each placed in charge of a particular
portion of the fire. It has not yet been ascertaned
in what portion of the Mechanics Saw Mill the fire
broke out. The material it contained-all wood
l. e r
and sides, spreading at to Freeman's stair
building shop, and when the Department arrived on
the ground, they the work they had to contend
with to save the fire from spreading across the |
streets. After they had been the ground for some
minutes, general alarm was sounded, and all the |
Companies, except the one at the Potrero, were |
called to assist in subduing the confagration
number of streams were played on the Fremont
street side to prevent, if possible, the fire from
spreading across Fremont street, but the tiremen
were unable to control the elements against them,
the wind blowing against the fire and the streams
being insufficient to answer their purposes. The
result was that the flames, despite the heroic at
tempts of the remen, spread across Fremont street.
and took hold with wild fury of all the buildings
connected with Garrats brass foundry at the south
east corner of Mission and Fremont streets Soon
these valuable shops were one mass of ruins 1t
was then believed that the fire would be carried
down this entire block, but ndefatgable Chief Sean
nell was determined to cut off the fire there, and
maintain his reputation as a fireman.
Several streams were procured, and under the
Chiefs immediate supervision they were run
through Whipples coal-yard, Immediately adjoining
Ganatt's. These streams were made to do active
service, and here the flames were checked.
rr-.. 1
was with the greatest difficulty that the iremen were
enabled to do their work. So intense was it that
the buildings the opposite of the streets were
scorched, and blankets had to be procured TO be
thrown over the fremen at the pipes Several hun
dred feet OF hose were utterly ruined. The police
under Capt. Douglas, procured ropes, which were !
run along all the streets, and the immense crowd
were kept back much as possible. Many men,
bers OF the Volunteer Department about and
rendered all the assistance they could being anxious
to see their old Chief come out victorious from so
terrible and trying a confagration-the buildings
and materials being Of such a combustible nature,
the sidewalks being even DISTRACTED by thousands
Of feet of lumber which had also been set ablaze
After working for over an hour the Department had
The fire under their complete control and the streams
were employed for hours afterward in extinguishiug
he piles and mass oflumber in the ruins
As stated above, the fire originated in the Mocha. ),
lics sawmill and Manufacturing Company. This !,
joint corporation, of which A. R. Wells is mana /.
ser The mill was large three-story frame build !,
ng, running from No. 400 to 49, The buildings :,
md machinery were owned by W. B. Bradbury. :.
obn Malon, glasscutter, also had his shop in this
'uding, and Henry Wass occupied one of the low =
r floors as turning factory. The building was en- n
irey destroyed No AIS Mission street was large
wo-story frame building, the upper portion of which
Tas occupied by Benjamin H. Freeman the we'll N
nown stair-builder. He was completely burned ar
ut his stock, plans and drawings which be had ac
umulated for years, were entirely destroyed Mr. 60
reemsn was in his Office at the time the fire broke
ut, having just paid of his men, and was making
P bis cash account Fortunately he locked his