The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-04
FIRE AT FORT HAMILTON.

DESTRUCTION OF THE OFFICERS QUARTERS IN
THE cAsEMATEs-ALARM IN THE VILLAGE
Shortly after seven O'Clock last evening fire
broke out in the officers quarters IN the classmates
at Fort Hamilton, In the apartments OF Major Hess
the commandant OF the garrison The oficer
named was absent from his quarters, being az
dinner when It occurred. The flames had gained
considerable Roadway before they were discov.
cred by the guards. The men were I'M
media'ey summoned to quarters, and
the hose being attached to the nv
drants, several streams were brought
to bear upon the fire. The cold northeast storm
OF seet was beating furiously through the sally
port, and the wino driving In formed an eddy and
famed the flames with fearful rapidity. A
squad or men were set at work IN re-
moving the powder from the magazine
to safe distance from the threatened
fertilization. Judge Church, OF Fort Hamilton
was the first citizen TO arrive on the scene, and
with his usual intrepldity and forethougnt.
and set about reinforcing the military
IN their labors 10 save the property
to BrooklSn by the western Union line for a ire
engine. The despatch, as soon as received
by tine ,o e,ns wal
Pohce George Waddy at Headquarters, cor
ner of Court and Livingston streets. Tina,
Official sent messe niger to PRESIDENT Massey, ol
the Board oil Fire commissioners, who sent word
to Engine Company No. l. lying IN Seven
teenth street, GOwanus, that being the nearest
company TO the scene OF acJiOn. TO repair 10
the Tort. The summons was promptly ooeyed
and at ten minutes past nine Engine No. was al
ITS destination and at work. Calef Engineer
Nevns also on the scene, and in conjunction
with Captain McKeer, OF the Eighth precinct
and Sergeant Hail. OF the Eighth suo-precinct
rendered Invaluable assistance, saving the
interior OF the classmates, so far as the combusti
BILE material was concerned, from entire destruc.
ton. Engine No. was also summoned ana rem
dered valuable service in staying the connagra.
ton. General Getty was present in person
ana directed the movements OF his men. Major
Burbank sustained the loss OF all his furniture ana
many valuable papers. Majors Hess and Knower
property in the flames. Great excitement
side the fort, whose fears OF an explosion were
intense, and the scenes attendant upon the
memorab BILE burning OF the quarters In Fort Laay-
cite. which occurred about Tour years ago. were
repeated. The timely precautions OF the oincers
OF the garrison IN the removal OF the powder from
the magazine, however, becoming known, had tue
effect OF allaylng the lears OF the timorous. Al
eleven O'Clock the fire was nearly out and fully
under contrO. The thanks or the garrison were
returned to Chief Nevins, Captain Mcclellan anu
sergeant Hail. ana to the hremen, who in the
almost incredible space OF one hour, made
the distance OF seven miles over heavy road,
IN the teeth OF the storm, to succor the dis.
tressed garrison. 1t Is difficult to estimate tn0
loss that Is entaied 10 the government. The ON.
GERS and their families are the heaviest losers.
Deing driven out OF their comfortable shelter ana
suffering the loss OF their effects.