The New York herald., 1874-07-11
OIL TANKS ABLAZE.
Great Fire at the WeehaWken
Docks.
SEVEN MEN BLOWN UP
Ten Mnaon Gallons of Petroleum
ConsnSoed.

At q quarter-past six last evening. after Q fear
full crash Of thunder bolt Of lightning Or o. IL II
otherwise described, ian electric ball. struck the
new oil tank at the Weehawken Oil Yards,
New Jersey, opposite Thirty-fourth street.
New York. The effect was to set the
tank in question, and an adjoining one OF
similar size, three yards distant, on fire In an In
stant, causing them both to explode with terrific
force. and blowing their roofs like plates many
feet into the air. BY chance they fell back nearly
into their places.
The fire brigade Of the yard. numbering about
thirty-six men, under the direction OF Messrs. L.
r. Cole and 0. L. Marvin, armed with Babcocks
fre extinguishers, placed ladders against the
burning tanks, mounted them and succeeded In
temporarily putting out the raging name in the
larger tank, which holds about 1000. 900 gallons
While this engaged their attention the other tank
was yet burning, and it exploded q second time,
THROWING sRvBN MBN INTO THE AIR
Their names are not known. nor Is It known
now many escaped death. One man who was
thrown up into the air landed on the tank again,
and sprang to the ground, injuring himself Sc
verely. Mr.. Marvin, the yard master, with assist
ance, carried him to Rogers Hotel, distant about
400 yards, where ne received medical attendance.
The injured man could give no account as to
what had happened to his fellows. It Is thought
to be impossible that all escaped
Meanwhile, dispatches were sent to Jersey City,
Bergen and hoboken for aid. The first reply came
from Jersey city and was followed by two Iocomo-
tives with men, and Messrs E. o. Hill, p. p Wright
and others. The first thing done, was to remove
all the cars from the yard, numbering
over eighty. which was quickly accomplished
under the orders OF Mr.. O. L. Marvin, Yard Master.
The cars were taken far up the Fort Lee track out
OF the reach of the fire. Several IRE companies
and engines soon afterward came to the scene
The Palisades at eleven O'Clock were lined with
spectators. while within few hundred yards Of
MoboEen Hason CITY, U Union H New DURHAM
and Jersey ory. Many Of the visitors came in
THE FIRE WAS STEADILY INCREASING,
the ties Of the track, and even the ground, which
is impregnated with oil down to low water mark,
rapidly approaching the cluster OF large renned
OIL, tanks The crude oil pumps, ma ma
could not reach water with suction hose.
There were thirteen ships and Eve lighters
on account OF low water. All the women and chill
dren we're removed from the shipping, numbering
about thirty. Some amusement was caused By
lady from the "Blue Nose'' district who said, in
meio-dramatic accents to Mr.. H. N. Phelps, Erie
babys" The answer was genial 'Yes, m'arm."
The babe was less frightened than Its mother.
Tne names rose 10 nelgnt OF ABOUT Sixty Ieet,
while high above curled In wreaths the inky- -oOl-
orcd smoke. The whole river was lighted as II by
the MONDAY snD, and New York was distinguish
able through blO0d-red glare
are roughly estimated at $3.50 600 on oil in the four
burning tanks, damage to machinery, &C. All the
crude oil pumping apparatus Is destroyed, sup
posed to be insured principally in New York.
Numerous oil tanks are underground, and at the
Another tank exploded at midnight underground.
There were originally thirty tanks for crude oil,
holding about 10, 600 gallons, Of which half is
thought to be consumed. The whole yard Is q
network Of pipes and tanks underground.
At ten O'Clock A. NJ. liquid fire like lava was
running out OF the large tank and spreading all
round. 1t seemed certain that the three million
tank would be alIght In q few minutes. The tele-
grapn ONCE was about to be abandoned and the
contents OF the ONCE were being hurrtedly re-
moved.
The steamer John A. Fuller, attached to the
New York Fire Marine Department., was laying Of
ready for action. but has not as yet been able to
be OF any use.
Mr. Wilham @. Bratton, brakeman, states that
while on locomotive No. $50 he saw all the men
who were reported to have been killed descend BY
1oAA