New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-22
THE FIRE RECORD.
DESTRUCTIVE CoNFLAGRATIONs.
IN JERSEY CITY-THE PAyOEIA FERRY HOUSE
AND ERIE RAILROAD DEPOT DESTROYED
loss %0rO 0OO


exeitedly the details of two terrible events the one
in this city and the other in Brooklyn. there were
in the sky rolling burriedly eastward from the
Jersey shcre, immense pillows Of dark yellow smoke,
readily indicating the fact that new chapter was
about to be added to the days eventfnl history.
Very soon many of the morei inquiring persons be-
gan crowding down the narrow thoroughfare lead
ing TO the Payonia Ferry. Reaching the piers and
looking across the water they could the source
Of the drifts of ugly clouds. The spot was easily
located, for the Pavonia ferry-bOats were fleeing
from the place, and the wild screams Of steam-car
whistles indicated the character of the doomed
buildings
The Erie Railway depot and ferry-houses have
for years escaped fire miraculously though composed
of and surrounded by the most cOmbustibe materl-
ais but yesterday the Inflated messenger Of de-
struction leveled both 10 the ground IN much
quicker space Of time than took to collect the details
and put them into tangible form. At noon yester-
day the men employed IN the depot went TO their
dinner as usual The old building was filed with
long trains of cars engines were backing IN and
out their bells changing continuously; the ferry
boats arrived and departed with accustomed regn-
larity railroad officials sat in their offices quietly
enjoying their recess and the loungers IN Iaylors
saloon were conversng unconcernedy amid the
tlnkling Of drinking glasses. But suddenly there
was heard the frantic scream Of steaIn-engine
whstle-always the signal Of alarm; shrek followed
shrek, and then second whistle more shrill than
the first rang out. Another and an
other and another Joined in inharmOnious
concert until full 30 screeching discordant whistles
pierced the air, and brought every for blocks
away TO his feet in alarm. The railroad employees
deserted their dnnertabes and rushed to the depot.
Those already inside saw Immediately that there
no hope Of saving the building, and therefore
did what they could to preserve the companys
property. The ticket agents and other officials
natched mp their books aud rushed to places OF
safety. Safes were filled, locked and deserted.
Meantime, the engineers, brakemen, and general
railroad workmen were not idle. The engine which
first gave the signal of alarm from Paterson, and
IL backed out Immediately. The other engines pulled
their trains from the depot and, through the efforts Of
the employees, who Obliged to back out many Of
the cars by hand, not remained IN the passenger
depot The FIRE broke out 10 90 p. M, and the flames
spread with rcatful raDidty The wind which blew with
exceeding velocity famed them forward causing them
o. envelope the and sweep and through
the freight sheds lying adjacent az the north The jersey
City Fire Department received the alarm, ana were
on the ground promptly The entire force was called
ont. and they worked bravely throughout under the
command of Chief Engineer Farrier The ferry
jay Gould wing the slip when the Dire began, and
after Tie fcrry-hOuse caught ire she threw strong
stream upon the building, but withdrew subsequently,
The boats made trips after The lire began but
it became hazardous finally to approach he landing
and several boat-loads landed At the White star
line wnarfs.
At O'Clock the flames had gained such a tremendous
Roadway that the saving OF any Of the Erie Railway
Company property OF that Of the Waite Line
almost despared Of on the north the nremen laDored
the freight houses, three IN number, tWo OI
which contained easternbOund freight and the other
freight western-bOund. one OF those, IA which was
stored efreght has only been finished recently
II was excellent building erected % cost Of $4,000,
aud contained previous the fire Coz bales Of cotton al
Of which were thrown into the water and thus saved
though somewhat damaged. Both u the eastern
freight houses destroyed totally but tue western
depot was saved. The contents Of al Of
them were removed. must Of the goods being
100 cases. which We're pulled cut by engines. Not over
s. 900 worth OF freight lost The western end Of the
messenger depot was saved, but 1t is worth nothing and
VIII be pulled down. When the flames had obtained fulI
possession Of the ferry houses the scene became terrific
The wooden structures consumed Ike finder, and
dense volumes OF smoke IA the air while clouds or
rehot cinders carried lar out into the river II
was at feyhouses that the grand hght Tor the mas
tery took place between the flames and the nremen The
scene was an intensely exciting Oue Every spectator
and fireman knew that the entire destruction
~ the wharves Of the White star line was inevitable
should the tire extend beyond TIylOrs, aud with that
knowledge IN view the men batted 9ravely. From tue
top the Restaurant building from the windows aud
the ground story streams brought 10 bear from the
little steamer Blue Bonuet Clrnne, aud the william
orion Every foot OF ground was contested and finally,
al $50 after two hours hard work. Tie ferryhOuse ay
smodering ruins, while TayiOrs stood barrier 70
the valuable property beyond, though scorcHed Oy nre
and drenohed thoroughly by water.
The passenger depot 600 feet long, $50 VIDE an
was one story in hight except the end. whore
fuadt Ina
ana the offices OF the division clerk. paymaser aud dis
patch clerk. H. g. Henderson the dispatch clerk lost
al his private property valued al about sjjJ aud All
the books and ms the Company IA his posses
SION All the CompauYs papers and books IN the oTlce
Of v g. Aiken division clerk, were also destroy ed anu
the books aud payrols IN the Office Of C. y White pay
master, there only being time TO close the safes ana
secure the smaller and valuable articles.
on the lower door were the waiting rooms
public telegraph Office, ticket Offices Pullman car once
and the Offices of the Northern SeWJeEsey Railroad
from which very few articles were saved. John Aspe
loses the stock and fixtures OF large restaurant valued
a about 5000 and - Person loses about $3.50 worth
Of BOOKS stationery and cigars The old freight depot
was valued at sl5.OJO. The contents consisted oil
miscellaneous freight OF hides, hemp, Hour tobacco OIL
cake cotton and produce OF all Sorts and a. tins build
ing was the last to fire. the employees wee enabled
20 much Of the contents The damage to The west
ern freight depot very slight.
During the fire. and until LATE in the afternoon, 40
trains were sent out and the immense number VI COM
muters suffered vexatous delays Infrtquent trips were
made by ferryboats the dock north Of the White
star pier, where a temporary bridge was made ana 10
the sips OF the Pennsylvania Company. Arrangements
have been made 70 run all the eastwardbound freight
over the new wharf north OF the freight
depot and the wharf known the cotton DOCK
which was leased formerly by the Tobacco Inspec-
ton Warehouse Company and was leased by The Ere
Jan. !, Will used for the transfer Of European ship
ments. No delay the transportation OF freight VIII be
occasoncd since the arrangements already effected are
considered ample for the accommodation Of al which is
expected 70 arrive temporary ticket Office VIII be
erected this morning The PavOna boats resumed their