The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-31

wrought excitement on the shore contributed to
make up this most terrible and grand panorama
Lying south from the Roslyn, about half block,
be- ss Of Norwegian nationality ait but this had burned
so effectualy and SO fast that assistance could
be rendered to 1t, either from the water or the
ACRES OF OIL SEPARATED IT FROM AID
on the land, and the intensity and extent OF its
preaching It with safety from the river; SO stern
necessity compelled the reluctant alternative OF
% the Se Ron WITH assn
flames on the vessel had been subdued,
are on fire ourselves. Get the boat out, or we viii
be destroyed without chance OF escape. Every
ons s sh to tine stern Of the to
1t was found that the peril was not in the least ex-
The fatal canalboat, the source OF all the mis-
Chief and which seemed to be the presiding genius
OF destruction, had burned down to the water's
edge. When 1t began to sink in the water the oil
poured out into the stream, and scattering all
around, sent q sheet of flame up the sides OF the
police boat near TO Its stern To add to the danger
In which 1t was placed 1t lay 80 close to the Roslyn
that it had become entangled in the sides OF the
latter, and when the engineer went to take 1t out
IT was found to be so fast imbedded as to be almost
Captain speight, who was on the side next the
Roslyn, called out, "All hands this way" COM
mand which was instantly complied with. and more
than a score of strong arms went to with will to
give the Roslyn shove or, and, II possible, save
every craft around. Strength, perseverance and
presence Of MUD carried the day. The Seneca
lurchcd, the wheels turned and 1t steamed out In
safety, amid cheers from the crowds on the Shore
The deverance was not effected an instant too
soon. moment longer and the Seneca would
inevitably have caught, and its light frame and
delicate timbers would not have o1ered much re-
slstance to an element which for time was
MONARCH OF ALL 1T SURVEYED.
After lying for . few minutes in the middle OF the
stream another charge was made upon the Roslyn;
more water was poured. on IN torrents, and IN
sa
The proximity OF the Roslyn, however, to the
rendered 1t necessary that she should be further
removed from the scene Of destruction, and a rope
was made last to her bow by the deck hands OF the
effort was made to haul the brig out, but the rope
slipped OF and she continued to stick fast. sec.
ond attempt was made, and this time everything
went lOvely the anchors were not able to hold the
burning vessel and she was hauled out with ease
and taken TO point Of safety.
All this time the Eddy was being rapidly con
sumed. The Catalpa continued to pour its one
stream upon the bark, but, II as In mockery, the
stream, which was kept bravely up. Relieved OF
the Roslyn which, to all appearance, was entirely
to the assistance OF the Catalpa, although
annoyed at the manner in which his chances OF
swimming the Eddy had been spoiled by the tug.
The dense smoke rendered 1t impossible to
approach the brig from the side nearest the shore,
aud in consequence both tug and boat were forced
to operate from the same point.
THE INCREASED SUCCOUR
made no change in tho result, the fire had gained
Of OF Water seemed for moment ' 20 hold the
flames In check the shortved hope was
speedily dispelled, and q fresh fire unexpectedly
appearing on the R0slyn, Captain Speght again
steamed to its aid, to find more difficult job than he
had anticipated, as the bottom and hulk of the
vessel in which the fire had been only smoulderng
had again seriously caught. After an hours hard
toiling the vessel was finally pronounced out OF
danger, and as the smoke from the boat far up
the river continued
.t TO INCREASE IN VOLUME,
Captain Speieht, fortunately, determined to pro-
coed 10 where IL lay and ascertain II there was any
danger threatened by 1t to the surrounding ship
ping and shores. While the boat was steaming
Ssco which lS Ss partially aSa
canal boats, by number OF men on the shore, who
made rope fast to it and hauled it up the canal
out Of danger, at the same time extinguishing the
When the Seneca passed through He'll Gate the
floating and burning canal boat came in sight. 1t
was lying In the centre OF the stream, near to
where sl0op was m0ored, directly opposite Port
Morris, and in sight of Flushing. large number
the hope OF plumber, lay thickly around, but very
| prudently
| KEPT AT SAFE DISTANCE
| as the danger Of \ too near approach was plainly
manifest. Every inch Of the boat wascovered with
fame, and not one foot Of her remained above
water but the quantity OF oil on board great
that the fire would every moment shoot up to the
height OF more than forty feet. It was evident that
the Seneca could render no assistance, and Captain
speight directed her to be moored to canal boat
which was unloading coal at the Port Morris dock
| AZ this time the bell rang for dinner and the
their eirorts washed themselves and were about to
proceed with their meal when q new ana more
Incident e ok ce me boa
caught by the tide and the wind, slowly continued
be apparent but watching il attentively Tor a mo-
ment 1t could be distinctly seen to move.
On the docks OF Port Morris, which Is chiefly used
In warehouses for coal and wood, immense quanti-
ties OF lumber stand, ana, II the floating notilla
OF flame would but once touch the banks Of the
river, power could them from total destruc-
tion. Lying mooled TO the coal warehouses were a
number OF canal boats laden with coal, which were
being unshipped from them and being placed in
cars for transportation. The police boat hurriedy
~ LET 60 THE ROPE THAT HELD 1T FAST,
the men had to defer the consumption OF their din.
first alarm fastened to the scene ofthe disaster The
and the boat was beaded towards the acre OF name
the ryer Wisely giving it a. Wide
became rapid, aud the destroying element rapidly
advanced to the shore, which was lined wiz:
entire population had turned out-womcn with
babies, old men and children, young men and maid
| ens-all impelled by the same fear, but animated
by the same terrible fascination were crowded
upon the piles OF lumber and coal, watching with
terrible anxiety the approach Of the canal boat.
| EXPECTATION WAS WROUGHT TO A HIGH PITCH.
The boat came closer and closer TO the part of the
| shore where the largest portion Of the lumber was
! piled and Captain Speight had ropes made fast to
the canal boats ana was proceeding to haul them
| aground" And so she seemed to be, as she struck
| within few yards OF the shore, near to the
only heap OF stones in the river, lying
with her stern, or what was left Of
IL, pointed at the shore. The ropes
were let go, from the canal boats farther mp. but
In an incredibly short space Of time the doomed
boat was anoat again. Turning completely round,
She an9fa (nT!hsl ap bs ssa% SeS9g & p
little creek, which ran Into the stream, ON the
right side OF which jutted out wooden gangway,
which the drifting boat must inevitably strike
XII ioTTE " s.y,s ss'r THE LITTLE PLACE
now seemed to be abandoned. The police boat was
completely powerless, In the circumstances IN
which il was placed, and could render no assist
ance. The shore presented no obstacle which could
obstruct the passage Of the burning element and
preserve the docks. The Inhabitants were panic.
the ruin by which they were threatened had com
pletely stupefed them; and 1t looked as II, by
common consent, the devoted spot was tobe given
desirnctiOn. All thai the police cOuld do was