The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-20
NEW YORK IN DANGER.
MILES OF WOODEN PIERS AFFoRDING MATERIAL
FOR GREAT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES CIR


MILES OF WOODEN PIERS AFFoRDING MATERIAL
FOR GREAT CONGRATULATIONS CIR.
cULAR FROM THE UNDERWRITERS.
The recent disastrous fires in this city and the
emulation of great wealth in narrow limits are
matters attracting and receiving the attention OF
the underwriters. The comparative immunity from
great CONGREGATIONS in this city has led many
to think that such disasters overlook Boston
and Chicago would be impossible here.
The fire in the "dry goods district last week. how
has dispelled that idea for all who witnessed it
recognized the fact that had moderately high wind
prevailed the fire could have been stayed until it
had swept through the block and perhaps extended
still further. committee of the Board of Under
writer's has been engaged for time past in max
ing examination Of tho lower portion Of the
city. with the view of discovering which
may make great connagraton possible and suggest
ing remedies. This committee has just issued a
port which contains facts of rather a startling char
acter. The attention of the Board has been partic
ularly directed to the piers of New York. Brooklyn
Hoboken and Jersey City. The report states that
the North River front of this city there sxtytwo
piers of wood and of this number fifteen have either
stationary boilers upon them boilers upon wheels
many there grist mills and elevators using
tionary power, and ten there blacksmiths'
shops in full operation. From the Battery to the
foot of Charles street there upon these piers four
and half miles Of wooden sheds. In few the
roofs OF corrugated iron, but the sides and Of
course the foundation are OF light wood.
PROTECTION FROM
Eight of these piers have absolutely no protection
from fire, not hydrant or an extinguisher.
Nineteen of the piers have no hose upon them, and
only seven of the entire number have watchmen pro-
vded with watch clocks. Tho committee discovered
that on the piers where hydrants placed there is
no water at night, it being the custom to shut of
the water for fear OF It's freezing III the pipes The
keys locked in the Offices and water could not be
procured without great delay. Upon these piers
they discovered not only the valuable, but the
most inhammable goods in the city stored in i'm
mense quantities awaiting shipment. A fire
starting amid such surroundings must necessarily
be serious and likely to lead to general conaagra
ton.
superintendent Harrison. Of the Board Of Under
writers, says that it is pretty generally UNDER
stood that there is certainty OF combining fire to
prescribed limits even with surroundings OF brick,
stone iron. aided by formidable Fire Depart
ment. 'If then" says Mr.. Harrison. "there is such
insecurity under such surroundings. what may be
expected from fire among our line of piers con-
structed they are OF frame OF great length-some
OF them 700 feet and most OF them over 500 feet
in .ength--with narrow fronts, only to be reached
ehectualy by the aid OF boats If these
sheds were entirely constructed of corrugated
IRON on iron frames some hope might be enter
tanned of combining the fire to the pier shed in which
it began. but the wooden supports being burned
away, the whole mass tumbling into ruins would
probably spread the desoatng effect of IRE on every
side"
These piers the Board of Underwriters consider
constant menace to THAT is known the "lry goods
district, where is gathered greater aggregation OF
values than i'll any other part OF the city The piers
from rs to Al fringe this district and between them
and the great dry goods houses there chiefly moth
ing but frame buildings. inviting conhagration
which, with a brisk northwest wind could not be
stayed.
The report says mo one doubts the possibility
of pier being wholly or partly destroyed by hre
without injury to its neighbors, but il is to
close minds to the conviction that the elements
OF large and serious conhagration far ap
parent than those which caused the fires of 1885, 1S45
Chicago and Boston,"
1t must be remembered that a vast amount Of mer-
chandse is at all times less exposed on
era piers the line of the river, tor instance
the buildings the pier and bulkhead at the foot OF
Thirty third street, North River occupied fragile
depot Tor the Hudson River Railroad Company
There is at all times immense amount OF general
merchandise stored in these sheds, and yet appl
ances at hand for the extinguishng OF fire.
There is time when the risk of loss is not great
or when all of the piers entirely empty. II any
means can be devised plans adopted to render our
river front safer than present they should once
be suggested and adopted.
This report has been forwarded to the Fire Com.
missioners, and the underwriters consider they
performed manifest duty to citizens and hope that
something will bedone TO abolish the existing dan
Gel