The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-22
ANOTHER FIRE In ERIE.
All the Buildings at the Long
Dock Consumed.
Tho Passenger Depot, the Ferry Buildings and
Two Freight Houses in Ruins-Lou
$l75,c00-Travel Not To Be Impeded.

For the third time within six years the Erie de.
pot in Jersey City has been visited by most de-
structve fire. That which broke out yesterday,
shortly before one O'Clock in the afternoon, was
the least destructive Of the three, though the
Migration swept over an area Of three acres.
leaving scarcely landmark OF one half the passen-
ger depot on the eastern side and reduc-
ing the two immense east-bound freight
houses. with their contents, as well as the
ferry house, to heap Of cnders which noated
away with the tide. No wonder the expression
"That Eric is an unucky company was heard
from more than one individual as the playful flames
that sp0rted Tor few moments on the roof over
Aspens restaurant In the passenger depot new to
the embraces OF a naughty and unruly northwest
ern wind, and then skipping along In lively
dance shouted and laughed in devilish
glee as the fabrics Of puny man melted be-
meath their unholy tread. The structures, 1t is
true, were frail and offered no resistance
to the devouring element Yet within the brief
space OF TIVE hours four immense ranges of build.
ings crumbed into mass OF black debris.
1t appears that the fire originated in that part d
the passenger depot In which Aspes saloon is L.
Gated, and rapidly did it spread that the clerks
and employees within the Offices could barely escape
with their lives. They LETT behind them not only
the archives and documents of every kind but some
even left their Overc0ats. The front of Offices
comprised on the ground floor the Northern Railroad
office, the telegraph office ana baggage room. AT
right angles to and connected with either end OF
this row ran two wings, forming with the front
three sides Of a paralelOgram. One of these wings
contained a ladies' waiting room and the ticket
Ofaces Of the Northern and Erie railroads. The
other wing comprised the boiler room, the gentle
mems dressing room and the restaurant glance
at these positions will convey at once to the reader
how readily a fire originating in either wing
would extend to the others when the
structure was entirely of wood and q strong
wind prevailed. The upper story Of the front wing
contained the office Of the superintendent, Of mis-
assistants, clerks, conductors and Othor employees
on the STAFF OF the Eastern Division. In an almost
incredibly short space OF time these apartments
which had recently been erected spanning the
space between the depot and the ferry buildings,
formed q most desirable connecting link Tor
the fire nend. strong current OF air swept
through this space as the fames spread, and soon
the fiery current had crept along not only the roofs
the one side and the eastern freight depot on the
other. Now the battle commenced in earnest.
Inc bremen, uader command o. Ghei Engineer
fury of the wind cOunteracted their operations.
The White Star wharf, with several hundred
bales OF cotton piled thereon, and the steamship
Baltic alongside the shed, was several times In
imminent danger. Had the wind been blowing in
an opposite direction nothing could have saved 1t.
The Jerry boats were all taken safely Oh, and
during the progress OF the fire they landed their
passengers at the Jersey City and Hoboken ferries
excepting three cars in the freight depot. Jere.
miah Sweeny, the baggagemaster, had the con.
tents OF his ONCE taken away on trucks, and was
so solicitous about the effects committed to his
charge tnat he and his assistant Libby narrowly
escaped with their lives.
Mr.. Brown, superintendent OF the Ferries, hnd-
ing that all efforts to save any OF the contents OF
the buildings In his charge to be useless, turned
his attention to the passenger traffic, that travel
should not be impeded. At the same time ne EN-.
ployed an extra force Of laborers to assist the re
men wherever necessary, He found valuable
sway over both hremen and labOrers, though not
officially, than any other man at the scene. Mr..
Tunis T. OnderdOnk never retrcated from the
burning depot till the last passenger car was re-
moved out OF danger.
The police arrangements were admirable. Captain
Van Ripper, with a squad from the Second precinct
swooped down upon che thieves, who were besieg.
OF these pirates were arrested ana locked up.
The losses Will not exceed $4,000. or this
amount the ferry buildings are set down at $4,000
each Of the freight depots at and the passen
Insured ''i for 5000 Mr.. Aspeil's loss viii
not exceed five thousand dollars The remaining
loss is on freight consigned TO the Erie Company,
consisting OF 800 bales OF cotton, large quantity
OF tobacco and oils, besides sundry other articles.
The amount OF the insurance on the Erie Buildings
cannot be ascertained. A reporter OF the HERALD
called at the once Of Mr.. Barlow yesterday after.
noon and ascertatned that travel will not be
at all INSTRUCTED. The ferryboats win ply a.
usual and the trains make their ordinary
trips; The Delaware and aack sS 1 Company
Erie Company, but they were informed that this
would lot be needed.
It seems to be rather matter Of congratulation
that the rickety depot was DESTROYED as It was
structure would give place to building worthy Of
the name. handsome and costly structure will
be erected as soon as possible.