New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-22
A CITY IN ASHES.
HALF OF ST. JOHN DESTROYED.

FR,L PR SONS MISSING.
The early reports of the FIRE at st. John,
New Brunswick, published in THE TRIBUNE
Yesterday, appear not to have been eXagger-
atcd. The spread of the flames was so rapid
that the efforts OF the firemen were nearly use
less. buildings, of whatever material buIll, going
down before the flames as soon as touched.
All the city south of King-st. is reported IN
ashes with the exception of one building.
This includes nearly all the business section.
Thirteen lives are reported to have been lost,
and some persons are missing, who 1t is hoped
Will yet be found in safety. The loss in
money is estimated at from $10,000,000 to
s12,OO0,O00, and many families are in desti-
tuition. Efforts are making in many cities to
send aid Immediately.
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE FIRE.
A SECOND CHIcAGo-RArID SPREAD OF THE FLAMVs
LIST OF HE PRINCIPAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
or LIFT.
ST JoHN, n. B., June 21.-Yesterday was the most
calamitous ever known in the annals of st. John.
Nothing could have burst more suddenly on the un-
suspectlng citizens than the fire which destroyed SO
many valuable lives, wasted property by the mil
lious worth, laid an arrest on many ana Va'led
forms Of industry, and spread not only desolauoh
but terror ana CONSERVATION all around. fuohc
buildings palaces of commerce, temples OF reiigon'
bauks paatial residences newspaper anu telegraph
Offices school-hou almost everything OF whch
citizens of St. John felt proud were III few hours
laid in ruins. The loss OF our hotels, churches,
school-hUuses, banks, etc., was made thousand
times more painful by the amentable destruction OF
life accompanying it.
The fire was discovered in building owned by
Mr. Fairweather ON the south side of York Point
slip. next TO McLaughlins boiler-shop. TO the lat
fer building the flames had spread before the fire
men had reached the sceLe. The engines arrived
and did their best to stop the flames. hut all efforts
were in vain Nothing could be done. Tie flames
then spread to the various buildings HaVC's
Wharf. which were also quickly consumed aud be-
fore the fire could be checked il broke out with
roar into Smth-st., carrying everything before It,
From there the flames spread into Drury-lane
and Mili-st., following that into DOck-st. tax
ing both sides. Before this, however, the rear
of the London House and adjacent buildings had
been attacked, when it was seen that the first fire
would inevitably sweep along either Dock or Mill
St Aid came FROM Portland III the shape of the
town engine and firemen. The tinder-bOxes on fire,
aided by the wind, proved a combination too much
for the gallant workers. and almost in despair they
saw the flames advance upon them, not slowly, but
with a rapidity that appalled, the stoutest hearts
The Carleton engine IN the ferry-bOat and lent
its aid in the fire. One engine had been sta
Toned at the corner of Mill and Union
sis. while the men with branches were down on
Union-st., opposite Drury-lane. The buildings were
maSs Of flames at the end of Smitl-st aud Drury-
lane; and while the workers were valnly endeavor-
ing 10 have the fire end there, momentaTy gale
took the flames across Umon-st TO the opposite
houses and taen they rcceded; but their touch had
frI tlsrf tprttp
ings we're doomed to destruction. Both sides of the
street were soon in the grasp of the devouring ele-
ment. aud the men were obliged to drop their branch
pipes and run up the street. after which they dragged
the hose after them. Another body Of men were
working at the foot of Union-st., and by placing
boards in front of their faces managed to battle
with the flames until their clothing became snged
RAPID SPREAD OF THE FLAMES.
Proceeding along Smyth-st. in a southerly direc-
ton the fire soon reached Nesou-st., then Robert
sois-place, then extended to Robertson's Wharf
and then up the South Wharf. As it gained Nelson
st. on the south, 1t there met the flames coming up
that street, aud tine combination made a terrific
heat that could not be borne. Allied with the
strong wind from the northwest, it did not take
long for the entire wharf to be in blaze. Half
dozen wOod-boats were at the head of Market-slip
and at the end of tue wharves there were about the
same number of schOoners. Before the fire had
assumed a formidable shape on the North Wharf the
men ON the vessels began TO pour pals Of
water OH the decks. Tie water was low
Just them and something like this was
necessary to extnguish the sparks that were con-
tinually shOwcred down them. Those at the head
of the slip in quarter Of an hour on IRE IN SO
many places that it was impossible for each out
reak to receive attention before the vessels were
well on fire. 1he flames caught their masts, and
Al cfa eto IN he
Wharf Not one of those west of Ward-st was
capable of withsanding the intense heat and sparks
all being of wood, and they went down if felled
by a hurricane. The schOoners in rOnthaving been
hauled out to place of safety, many of the occu-
pants of the stores off helping their unfortunate
brother merchants and arrived just in time to
save their books Others were just enabled 10 wit
ness the destruction of all their stock. Some of the
embers lodged in the steeple of Trinity Church,
Germain-st and with nothing to save it, the fire
being so high as TO be almost beyond reach, the fire
was left TO pursue its own way.
As the news spread that some wooden houses IN
Horsefe DIST as well as Others on Duke-st., near
the Victoria Hotel, were on fire, thousands were
alarmed as il was that the fire was spread
ing north. south east and west to German, Char
lotte Duke and Horsefeld-sts., with not an engine
10 be had and everything going down before the I'M
relentng flames. building Charlotte-st. had
hardly become prey to the flames, when Others on
each side followed, and in half an hour all except
the Germain-st side of the square i'll ashes. The
Victoria Hotel and St. Andrews Church were III
great danger and the hotel guests well as the
employees, began to make preparations for seeking
quarters.
Very little time was given them to collect their
valuables and in the majority of they had TO
leave with scaDty wardrObes. About the same time