Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-11
DESTRUCTIVE LUMBER FIRE.

municated to the lumber yard and spread in
every direction with lightning rapidity From
the lumber yard the fire spread to the vessels,
and, notwithstanding the efforts made by some
tugs, which hastened to their assistance, six
barges, one schooner, and one ship were soon
is now raging wildly, and
it appears beyond the control Of fremen.
Several burning vessels were towed into the
river, and have drifted with the tide toward
Blackwell's Island, enveloped In sheet of
flames. The fire is spreading in every direo-
ton. and no estimate can be formed as to its
probable extent. The scene from the river is
one of indescribable grandeur. the flames
rising in every direction, and devouring every
thing in their path.
The Euening Post says the stock of the ex.
port lumber company, mostly Canada pine,
was valued at $500, 900. About half of it is
already destroyed, fully insured. About $780,
600 of the insurance of the burned lumber has
been placed within the week. The insurance
is placed chiefly in foreign companies. Chas.
Watroua' stock Of lumber, Canada pine, valued
at 1900, 600. burned, insured. The total loss
is expected to be half a million.
At first many persons in the shops about the
fire began to make preparations to abandon
their abodes, but after the fremen were we'll
at work, every one, including oil the lumber
yard workmen, boatmen and many outsiders,
lent q helping hand and pile after pile of lum.
ber was moved away with remarkable swift
ness. At II o'clock a wide open space half
around the fire was cleared and was drenched
with water, streams were poured upon the
lumber bordering this open space and thus the
wider spread of the fire made less probable.
The greatest danger was from burning piece
of wood carried by the wind.
Fire alarms were sent to some Williamsburg
companies, and later general alarms were sent
out calling all the fire companies of the west
ern division of tie Brooklyn fire department
to the place. In addition, three Blissville
companies, two from Hunters Point and one
from Dutch Kills and the jackson Hose COM
pany worked at the fire. An alarm was sent
to New York and two FIRE boats were sent i'm
mediately to the scene. Towards afternoon
the fire departments obtained the mastery over
the flames, and later very heavy showers mate.
rally assisted in extinguishing them.
The Lumber Export company are making
up their list of insurance risks preparatory to
q meeting of underwriters tomorrow. They
can only say that all losses are fully covered in
city companies, and the risks very from $2,50O
to $40, 900 in each Office. Neither of sthe COM
panies can even approximate an estimate of
less, as they do not know what remains of the
stock. The Export company believe two-thirds
of the entire lot are gone. Losses of shipping
and canal boats will be light.
The Tribune this morning ooutains the fol.
lowing partioularsof the fire st Hunters Point.
The water supply of Long Island City being
insufficient to furnish the steamers with water.
engines were placed along the creek and East
river, ard were supplied with water by nu-
merous tug boats. The steam tugs Havemyer
and other tugs poured water on the burning
lumber piles all day. At one time the heat
wasl SO intense the fireman couldn't get within
four hundred feet of the flames. At the dock
schooner Northern Light receiving
a cargo and the sloop Harriet, all
totally destroyed. The canal boats were insured.
The export concern lose from 15,000,000 to
10000. 900 feet of lumber stored in the yard, of
an approximated value of S500.000. Nearly
one. half the lumber was burned, making the
loss about $780, 900. The lumber yard of
REEVES & Church, near by, was several times in
peril.
STEAMBOAT OFFICIALS INDICTED.
NEW YORK, Aug. 10.-The grand jury in the
United States court to-day made presentment
in the Seawanhaka disaster case. They say they
believe the accident was due to the criminal
carelessness and negligence of certain govern
ment officers, and officers and owners of the ves-
sci. There were indictments against Austin
Kayne and Andrew Creft, inspectors of life
boats, etc.; against Jack Mathews and Alexan-
\
against Charles B. Smith, ca plain. and Edgar
Weeks, engineer of the Seawanhaka; against
BENJAMIN G. Kirk, l.. L. NJ. Barlow, Stephen
Tabor J. Udell, Edward Morgan, Silas Mott
and Stephen 81. Townsend, directors and own.
ers Of the Seawanhaka. The ofense charged
is manslaughter. Bench warrants of arrest
have been issued and certified copies of the
presentment have been forwarded to President
Hayes, the head OF the Senate and House of
Representatives, the attorney general and the
secretary of the treasury.
The grand jury say the inspection of steam
vessels and licensing of engineers and other
officers of such vessels has not been and is not
conducted in a careful and intelligent manner.
There is no form or system of examination
through which applicants are required to pass,
but inspectors simply view the man physically.
His testimonials Of Thiral character are ex
hibited and then he is asked such few and SIM
pie questions as suits the conven-
fence and momentary intellectual grasp
of the inspector. That not one
of the seven licensed engineers examined by
the jury could answer the question, "How to
ascertain the amount of steam in a boiler if for
any reason such boiler had no steam gauge"
but in several instances engineers admitted
that they had not got the education to figure
it out.
In allowance of certificates to officers of
steam vessels, other than engineers, more con-
sideration is given to the question of the ap-
plants availability for Especial place" than
to his general qualifications. The form of
inspection of boilers and machinery of steam
vessels is observed each and every year
nece ssarily. Legislation to remedy existing
evils and correct Irregularities are strongly
urged.
Capt. Smith received great praise from the
public and commendstion from the news
papers for his conduct at the time of the
disaster in remaining in the wheelhouse until
the boat was reached. Although the flames sur
rounded him and he was badly burned the
grand jury say that by his feloniohs miscon-
Duct, negligence and inatteution to his duties
and his failure to provide the steamer with
such life saving apparatus as would best SECURE
,he safety of all on board in case of disaster,
,e was guilty of manslaughter. The other in
lictments are similar in their nature. All
,harge the indicted persons with manslaughter.
MURDERER GONE MAD.
CHICAGO, Aug. 10.-Daniel E. ONeil, |
he young man arrested charged
Nth the murder of John McMahen, went mad |
his morning. He has torn all his clothing in. |
% strips and continually asserts he is going to |
,e hung. He was examined by physicians |
his morning, who detected no evidences of |
pNeirs shamming. The action of the police |
n the case is severely condemned. great |
lumber of prisoners we're arrested on mere sus- |
,icion, kept close prisoners and not allowed to |
zee any Of their friends.
FIGHTING THE eoLLERY FIRE.
PoITsyI1LE, Pa, Aug. 10.-Night and day |