New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-11
BURNING OIL BARRELS AFLOAT.
CARRIED INTO THE DOCK or A LUMBER YARD
CAUSING A GREAT FIRE.

CARRIED INTO THE DOCK or A LUMBER YARD,
CAUSING A GREAT FIRE.
The disastrous fire at Hunters Point Sunday
night was folio wed Yesterday morning by another,
more disastrous, which. though it occurred more
than a mile away from the scene Of the first was
directly caused by it. The burning bark Nictaux
with its cargo OF naphtha oil had oated mp the East
River to a point opposite Pottery Beach, Green
point. near the mouth Of Newtown Creek, during
Monday. and Monday night the hulk remained
where it had first grounded, while the oil continued
TO burn. The tug f. w. Deyoe on duty through
the day and night. and poured streams OF water
upon the wreck. The situation remained I'M
changed until $50 O'Clock Yesterday morning. Al
this hour the tide was full, and the oil barrels
were hoated up from the bottom of the burning
bark. northwest wind was blowing and this
with the tide caused the burning barrels to hoaJ
directly to the dock Of the Export Lumber Com
pany The wind kept the barrels close to the
Queens County side Of Newtown Creek. The
schooner Northern Light which was receiving
cargo of lumber there, first took fire. The names
then crept along the dock and communicated To
the piles Of lumber. and in short time four canal
boats and the sloop Harriet. together with the
schooner Northern Light. were ablaze, while I'M
mense piles Of lumber and yellow pine umber5
were also burning The ferry boat passengers
many buildings were burning. As soon as the lire
was disc. vered. the alarm given. The Long
Island CITY tire department quickly responded tut
found themselves inadequate for the work. and the
Brook lvu department telegraDhed % Tor assist
nnce. There was a prompt response. and III short
space of time engine companies Nos. 3. o. Z, = -
10 II. l., I3. IL. -. l., and i were at the hre
and ar work. together with Hook and Ladder Com
panics Nos -, 3, +. and q.
The water supply Of Long Island City being in
sufficient 10 furnish the many steamers with
water she Brooklyn engines were placed along the
creek M East River close to the fire. and were
supplied with water by numerous tug boats Inc
steam tug Hayemcyer was stationed mt the East
River end Of the lumber yard. and forced five
streams of wafer through 600 feet Of hose. Fire
Commissioners Van Cott and Wilson OF New-1orH'
were present giving orders. The Brooklyn depart
menr was under the command Of Assistant Chef
Engineer John smith. Besides the Hayemever,
other tugs we're employed during the day in play
ing streams upon the piles of burning lumber At
one time the heat was so intense that the tremen
couM not get within 400 feet of the flames. All
they could do was 70 remove lumber. The build
ing USED by the Export Company as an once was
almost entirely destroyc but the books an" papers
were saved At ne dock there were four canal
boats unloading lumber, the schooner Northern
Light receiving a cargo. ana the sIoOp harriet ali
of which were totally destroyed.
Tho canal boats and schooner were insured. The
soop Harriet was empty awaiting cargo. she was
owned by Richard partrill, of Gr,enpOnt.
The Export Company Is q stock concern WITH
William T. Grace as President Mr. Webster. the
manager. said Yesterday that there We're from
I5.OOO. 900 10 2O.OOOOCO feet Of lumber stored IN
fine yard, of Appropriated value of NooO,Ooo
Nearly one-half of tine lumber Wa, consumes, max
iug an. company. loss about $50 600. which Is
fulvcover,d by insurance The officers OF the Export
Company are dignaut at tine action OF the lnsur-
auce companies which have risks ou their STOCK as
in is asserted that they were Informed OF the danger
likely To follow the placing of the burning hul OF
the Nctaux SO close 30 the lumber yard, instead or
scuttling her Last evening the fire was under
control ana no Iurther danger was apprehenled.
Al one time yesterday there was slight disposition
manifested Nv some of the Long Island City ire
men who were under the Influence Of liquor. to
take umbrage the presence Oh the Broohlyh HIe-
men. 81, Co..
of Franklin-st.. Grecnpoiut was eyeral times IN
danger but was saved 0y large force OF men, who
carted away the lumber.
Police Captain Woods and Sergeant NcManus,
with a forco of police. did duty on the Queens
County size OF the Creek. Captain Rhodes OF
Brooklvn. with reserve detachments from the Fifth
and Seventh Precincts did duty on the Greenpont
side.
TIE ASSURANCES.
The Insurance upon the property OF the Export Com