The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-19
RAVENOUS FLAMES.
Burning Cotton in the Hold Of the
City of Dallas.
THE STEAMER SUNK AND SAVED.
Tweny-third Street Ruins-losses and
Insurance.

ore van Uncovered last evening, at about half
pasr eight O'Clock ON board the steamer City Of
Dallas which arrived yesterday from Fernandina,
Fla. and was lying at pier No. 20 East River Henry
MARSHALL the quartermaster OF tho vessei, was ID
pharRs Of her. and sitting In tho galley, close oy
the engine ROOM at above hour, when ne noticed
smoke issuing from tho chiuks round the door Of
locker He Immediately opened the locker, ana
finding It filled with smoke, al once ran to tho door Of
thu engine room from which, In slant he opened
IL dense volume of black smoke rolled forth from
The nre which had evidently started somewhere in the
rsoesses Of tho vessel Tho quarcrmaster rushed on
deck and gave IN alarm OF fire, in response to which
several engines promptly appeared. Ladders were
ou,ckv reared against the vessels sides, and several
streams of water were directed into her hold and en-
CINE room.
DESPITE the utmost efforts OF the remen the steadily
increasing volumes OF smoke which poured from tho
matches and the entrance of the engine room and
cabins showed that the nre was gaining
headway among the bales OF cotton which
formed the cargo. second alarm was sounded,
and soon alter q third one. that in a
few minutes twelve engines were posted In the
Streets throwing water with their utmost
power into the hold Of the Dallas, while the hreboat
HAvemsysr. which had hurried to the spot from her
moorings at the foot OF Pike street, contributed
several streams the that flooded the decks
sf the burning vessel.
number of fremen boarded the vessel and en-
deavored TO reach the location OF the are by cutting
through the decks with their axes, but in this they
we're unsuccessful, as the flames spread rapidly
through the cotton, anu. In short time, extended
through large portion OF the hold that the only
hope saving the ship lay sinking her beow tho
water level, SO entirely drencn the innammable
cargo. This was effected BY pumping water into the
hold Of the vessel till she sank from it's weight
REMOVAL OF GOODS.
In ADDITION to the force who fought the fro on the
steamer large number OF men were employed In re-
moving from pier the goods that stored there
Tho root was wet thoroughly and ali other
precautions were taken to prevent the fire from
spreading TO the shore In case OF its gaining
possession OF the upper works OF the vessel Some OF
the engines returned to their stations alter
short time, but the rest continued till two
O'Clock this morning pouring water into the hold At
about hall past ten O'Clock the keel OF the Dallas
touched bottom in TWEEN y-four feet OF water, which
LETT her lower deck just on level with the surface.
The fro might be considered al end at this point
the cotton bales. In which 1t had its principal hold,
being thoroughly soaked. Another source OF danger
TO the vessel however, arose from the pressure OF the
floating bales against The deck, and great fear was
matches, or even force up the planking OF the deck
APPEARANCES OF THE FIRE.
Meanwhile II would be difficult for any approach.
ing front by any OF tho streets leadng to
TO believe that considerable fire was raging at ono
merely among the cotton bales, and though
Ihe fierce glow lit up the portfolios OF the vessel TIL
they looked ike the open doors Of boiler iur-
was huge mass OF smoke which rolled over the
alter part Of the dock. Oace some OF the upper
woodwork caught IRE. ana for a moment the masts
ana smokestack and deck houses were wierdly dis
tinct the uncertain light but the sheet OF water
that literally deluged the decks soon exneuished this
base, the only lights visible tho vessel wero
those OF the police boat and the lanterns
tho n,Sss ,Ss s ssss ss nSs
crowd which is usually found at large fires
was entirely missing At this one, for few cared to
stand the bitter cold where little to I've SEEN
Besides q rumor gained some currency that there
many barrels Of turpcDtine lying in the hold.
varied, and fear OF danger elt by those
stood near. THIS report was, however, entirely un-
founded
THE oUARrERMAsrER's STORY.
Mr. Henry Marshall, the quartermaster, was the
6rst TO discover the fire. He said he was sitting In
the galley adjoining the engine room, and was
engaged IN reading when no perceived smell OF
smoke ON looking around he discovered that the
smoke came from locker on the engine room eide
OF the galley. he Immediately opened the locker
and the smoke rushed forth in great volumes, almost
sunocating MIN. He next went to the engine room
door cnier, but the smoke wos too Dense
snd he could where the fire orig mated, he
left the galley rushed deck and gave the alarm.
On board the vessel the body OF Frank Bean,
son OF an officer OF the vessel He had died al
Fsrnandina, Fla, and his body was brought home
Tor burial Humphrey Bean, the father oil the young
man, board ut the time the fire was discovered
he knew there was no one else on board besides
himself and Henry Marshall He run ON deck and
seeing the smoke fastened TO his room, where ne
snatched hurredy some of his personal elects Tor.
bsnslss near his berth. He next ran to whore the
coffin containing his sons body lay aud carried on
deck whence he received assistance 10 bear 1t safely
from the flames.
WHAT TIE OWNER SAYS
Mr. Charles Il. Mallory, oil G. H. Mallory Co.,
merchants, of No 1853 Maiden lane, the agents OF the
FLORIDA lime oil steamers was AT the scene Of the fire
about half hour alter its discovery, having been
srooeys Rs s SsSfa apa, Ss os Of Dallas
lett Fernandina on Thur5dsy lass and arrived
here yesterday afternoon At one O'Clock. Her cargo
consisted Of 800 bales OF cotton, which was only one
third oil her carrying capacity. Mr.. Mallory thought
that the loss would be very hoavy as most Of the ma
chinery would probably be ruined by the comoined
assaults OF Ore, water and smoke.
The vessel was only insured Tor $50 o0o little over
Captain Hiuos did no, arrive at the pier until some
time after the began and unable to do more
than repeat the stories OF the other witness.
DESCRIPTION OF THE
dou was built in Mystic. Conn, in october, 1872, and
nist ran on the Galveston line OF steamships, but
for the last Two years has belonged 10 the
Ternsndna line. Shc was considered first class
vessei being rated A No l. Her cost was sl24 900,
inoIuaing $4,000 paa Tor her machinery, which was
all new ana constructed by tho Dslsmater Iron
Works The length Of tho steamer was 100 feet, Al
test In width and II feet Ia depth oil hold.
ANOTHER EXCITING FIRE.
The occupants ofthe ave story tenement house No.
l14 East Twentythrd street noticed at twenty min.
10 six last evening that the IRON shutters the
windows OF Tho four story brick building in the rear
occupied by Israel J. Salamon a cane chair and
rattan factory, were red hot. An alarm thore
upon given in o few seconds AFTER the toncmenli
Noa Az ala aud 4l6 East rweniy-thir street wer,
the OF the greatest excitement. The occupanti
became frantic, and In the excitement they hurled
their furniture out OF tho wi ndows tho street be
icw In ANNA placos tina windows "A and hin d