The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-01
LARGE FIRE IN HOBOKEN.

The Morris md Essex Depot Burned
poyyn-The Telegraph, Newspaper and
Express Offices and Four Freight Cars
CoHsumcd-Narrovv Escape Of the Ferry
houses and Adjoining Docks.
At five O'Clock yesterday morning officers Ham,
m ond and Slattery discovered flames issuing from
the roof OF the Morris and Essex depot. The
structure was wooden shell, 500 feet long by forty
in width, built on piles and projecting into the
waters OF the Hudson adjoining the ferryhouse.
1t was erected three years ago by the Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Com
pany after they had leased the property
Of the Morris and Essex Company. The first surges
OF the smoke we're observed by the captain OF one
Of the ferryboats and by the time the boat touched
Hobokcn the few spires OF smoke had gwen way to
an unbroken and unconquerable sheet OF flame.
Tie alarm bells were sounded, and several police
officers were soon at hand eDdeavoring to save
books and papers. This attempt they were
speedily compelled to relinqush. A brisk east
wind was blowing and hurled sparks dame and
faggots in showers along the roof me entire Fire
Department turned out; lew streams were
poured upon
THE BURNING WALLS
but without effect The flames sped now towards
the ferryhouse. ana II became evident that there
was the only place III which effective work could
be done. Chief Engineer Curran sent to Jersey
city for aid but assistance from that quarter came
too late. Two lerrybOats and two steamtugs hur-
ried to the scene and cast incessant streams
against the ferryhouse walls and on the roof In
the meantime, two locomotives entered the burn
ing depot and dragged away several passenger cars
intact to place OF safety. South OF the ediGce
were numerous freight cars--some laden with
presious merchandise and others empty-which.
ow ng to the vgor OF the employees, were likewise
removed from danger. Four cars, however, had
The fremen Of Hcbokcn worked with their accus-
toned energy, and to their efforts may be attrib-
uted the safety Of the ferryhouses and
In their desperate struggle with the flames their
new steamer proved OF incalculable advantage
Despite the abors Of the hremen, in less than half
an hour the whole building was at the mercy OF
the flames, ana tier after tier In the roof gave way
and, falling to the floor made vast ridge OF fire.
The rails and iron implements were bent like bits
OF wire, the floor itself burned away, aud then the
piles underneath became lgn'ted, and were charred
M 70 the waters edge. rhe telegraph oIace, the
ttule, were DESTROYED. Had the wind
been southeast nothing could have saved
the ierryh0use aud steamship docks. There Is q
widespread feeling against the system OF erecting
such undertook concerns In the neighborhood OF
populous city, NOT long ago the agent OF the in.
surance company objected to the use OF stoves In
the depot, while engineers were allowed TO
fire up locomotives therein. The cost or the
wooden shell was $780, 900: the piles, flooring and
other materials consumed involve loss Of $4,000,
making total loss OF 100000, fully covered by in
surance, and which VIII be shared by twenty dit
ferent Insurance rsOmpanies. Passengers land
at Hudson stree, and the trains run as
usual. Sont ueiay was 0ccaSoncd AZ tne Terry, Dut
traffic now goes on as usual The safe OF the Vest
colt Express Company fell into the water and will
be recovered The foreman OF one OF the engine
companies, while on the roef, was slightly injured,
and several workmen fell through the burned tim
bers into the water, but were rescued. There are
dozen stories as to the origin OF the fire. The
company blaInes the newspaper Office men, and
these latter deny that they used fire. In spite OF
all the statements, the probability IL that the loco
motives. which are allowed TO remain In the build
ing, threw sparks which gave rise to the confa-
grafton. IL is very unlikely that the fro originated
in any other way, unless 1t was the work Of an in
cendiary.