New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-09
OIL VESSELS BURNED.
DESTRUCTION AT HUNTERS POINT.
FIRE IN THREE BARKs, A BARGE AND A scow-THE
MANHATTAN RAILWAY PIER FNDANGEaED-

FIRE IN THREE BARKs, A BARGE AND sCow-THE
MANHATTAN RAILWAY PIER FNDANGEgED-
TOTAL LOSS $104. 200.
The Waterman on duty at Pratt's Oil Works,
foot OF North Twetbst Brooklyn, T.. D.. and the
cents OF the vicinity, startled by heavy explosion
just before O'Clock last evening, and almost immed
atey aerward there shot up vast sheet Of fame from
the Nova Scotia bark Nctaux lying at Pras Por bieh
had finished loading with Naphtba Saturday evening
An alarm was Immediately sent out TO the
Fire Department which was followed by three other
alarms In quick succession, and brought twelve fire.
engine companies and three hook and ladder trucks TO
the scene OF the fire. Almost at the instant Cap
tain Woglam, Sergeant Haett and the platoon from
the Fifth Precinct arrived They found IL difficult 20
keep back the surgtng thousands Of men and women
who had already collected scene and blocked up
the thorOugbfares sheds and piers.
Added to the twelve streams OF water from the fire
engines were those from the hose OF the oil works,
which had been brought bear upon fire almost as
soon as those from the fire engines besides streams
from the company's tugs Brilliant and F. w. Devoe.
The fire had within ten minutes spread all over tho
bark and had communicated to the italian bark
Antofnetta C.. lying at another pier with 1000
cases Of refined oil on board also to the bark Cyclone
with 1000 barrels OF crude petroleum on board tho
barge Nameess with $500 empty barrels and the scow
b." with 1.O7i empty barrels. With these five YES
sels on fire at the streams OF water had
upon the flames, except to deaden them slightly was
grand pyroecnic display, which lighted up not only
the entire river, but also the entire neighborhood In
Brooklyn.
The bark Cyclone tOwed into the stream ia order
to save other property. and there left un she
was almost totally destroyed The loss upon vessel
was estimated at about $500 and upon the cargo
$4,000. both OF which nearly by Insurance.
Inc scow ~ getting admit against The Manhattan
Beach Railroad COmpany's steamboat pier aud
set II on fire; and there seemed to DE danger tho
elaborate railroad station. car-house supply building
cara npx fall vie ina N fha "A
superintendent l. d. Barton arrived from
Manhattan Beach the first train and
with hs large force Of station men, conductors brake
men, etc. saved the property from being destroyed
The passengers coming from Manhattan Beach were
furnished accommodation and passage to New YORK on
the GreenpOint ferries under the direction
OF superintendent Barton. Several streams OF water
were brought TO bear upon the burning pier and tho
flames under control within fifteen after
ward. The cOmpanys also hauled place OF
safety. Mr. Barton thought that the pier dam
aged beyond 5000, and that the repairs would be made
early to-day that there would be interruption to
travel this branch Of the road.
The greatest attention paid 10 tho Are
Oh the bark Nictaux, which had spread from stem
to stern. and the sheets OF fame were shooting up
to the mastheads The fire the Antoinetta c. seemed
to more the of the iremen as it was
confined to everything above decks. i,
was finally discovered that the Nictaux
was burning through the port side,
aud, lest the sheds the oil wharf shonld catch fra
md drive the iremcn from their only vantage ground
concluded to tow her into the This could
rot bs done unless tow-nes made fast on board
md the lines by which she moored to the pier
,eing too short fer tho purpose II was
lecessary for make the lines fast on board
As there appeared to be great danger OF violent and
explosion OF the uRburncd barrels at any mo-
willing risk life on board until
William DmmO. captain OF the oil barge Neptune who
assisting other employees Of the oil works under tho
harge of superintendent Cornelius Grinncl came mp
nd offered 10 go board. A ladder was
Un out to the side OF the vessel. and he
iaked out on the rounds He then walked
long the rail OF the bark, the frcmen playing streams
water ahead Of him. and then standing IN front OF the
ames he made fast n towing line. The mooring lines
ere then adrift ana the Nictaux towcd mid
ream, over a reef opposite seyenth-st, New York,
here she afterward sank.
The fire on the bark Antonctta c. then got under
Ontrc without much difficulty, but until vessel
nj been damaged to tue extent OF about II 1000 Her
irgO supposed to have cscaDed unniurd 4. The
he'd was damaged about $1,000. Scow u. barge
amelcss belong to Fnitt & c., and were insured
The fire ls suppOsed 10 have Orringt,d thronch the
irelessneSs OF Of the sailors who alone
q board OF the bark Nictsux. and nothing was
HE'D by the explosion. The captain Of the
ark believed thar the man must have been
at It came IN contact with yapor from the oil
The fO.ywng are the estimated losses, ~ nearly as
ud be asccrtaned md are in part covered by insur
ark Nictaux ard argo..................... $4,000
ark Cyclone and cargo. O.................... 3G 600
ark AntOnetta &. and cargo. go............... $4,000
arge Nameless and arg0.................... 300
ow p hud l,J00
Tatt CO.'S sheds ..................-........ 1000
anhattan Beach Railroad Pier. 200
Total 200