The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-08-11
CONFEDERATION
IN PORTLAND, MAINE.
LOSS OVER 100000.

PORTLAND, Ne, August ga large
FIRE broke out On Galtzs wharf in this
city, about two o'clock this afternoon.
The fire, which commenced on the
steamer Dirego, OF the New York line,
gained rapid headway and speedily
communicated to other vessels lying at
the wharf. A strong westerly wind
prevailed and caused the flames to ex-
tend in the direction Of the freight sheds
OF the New York line, which being
highlyinfammable, burned like tipder.
Within half an hour after it's discovery
the fire spread SO rapidly as to excite
the greatest alarm. Nearly ali the en-
tire fire department of the city were on
the spot. Despite the fremen's efforts
the flames gained rapidly. All the sheds
on Galtz wharf including the Atlantic
wharves are destroyed. The steamer
Montreal, also caught in the conhsgra-
ton, together with the steamer Carlot-
ia, both OF which were damaged seri-
ously. Large grain elevators on Galtz
wharf and buildings ofthe Boston steam.
er freight line burned, together with
several other buildings. The elevators
contained several thousand bushels of
grain which was a total loss. An i'm
mense pile OF coal caught fire and is
still burning, emitting dense clouds OF
smoke. Most OF the valuable freight
in the shed on the Atlantic wharf was
saved. After about two hours hard
work the firemen succeeded in cenfn-
ing the flames and now there is no dam
ger OF the confagration spreading.
Reports are current that several lives
were los! by drowning during the con-
and excitement. No proper
estimate can be made at present OF the
amount OF the damage done.
SECOND DISPATCH.
The fire at Gal,z whar! this morning
proved very disastrous in its conse-
quences. It caught in the freight shed
of the New York Steamship Co.. on
Galtz wharf in a bale of Excelsior
Cotton. The fire spread rapidly and
soon the whole freight house, filled with
merchandise, was inyeloped in flames.
The steamer Dirego was lying at the
wharf, having arrived from New York |
this morning. She was on fire in every |
part, her crew being cut off by the
flames and were obliged to jump over
board. There were ten or twelve men
and boats at hand, and the heat was go
intense that they were obliged TO ire
Quently dive to keep from being burned.
AS it was some were fesrluIly burned.
The two women, Mrs, Miller, of New
York, and Nellie Mccarthy OF this city
were taken out Of the water in "a ex-
bausted condition. Mrs. MIller's daugh |
ter, aged l3 years, has not yet been found.
Mrs. Miller was stewardess 1t is also |
rumored that two men were drowned,
but the report cannot be relied on. As
soon as the Dirego caught fire the
Portland Steam Packet Company's |
steamer Montreal, valued at 5000, 900, |
attempted to swing into the stream but
swinging around against the burning
vessel, she soon was on fire and totally |
destroyed. The Carlotta OF Halifax
WAS lying near the Montreal and che
shared the same fate, thus making
three fine steamers, valued at over
100000 and insured Tor less than
500, 900, which were burned.
On Galtz's wharf large elevator be-
longing TO the Grand Trunk railroad
company, valued at $4,000, was to-
tally destroyed. 1t was fully insured. |
In it were 100000 bushels OF grain val-
ued at $4,000, which Was partly iu-
sured. A United States Bonded ware
house filled with merchandise and two
large store houses on the wharf were
burned. The flames then passed 10 the
Atlantic wharf, where were the Offices
and freight house Of the Portland
Steam Packet company, and HALIFAX
line, and an immense quantity offreight, |
coal, and wood were stored here, and |
it was all burned. A large building |
at the head OF the wharf also burned !
Here the fire stopped. The total loss
will not fall short OF $1,000, 900, on |
which it is impossible to learn the in