The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-07-25
Destructive Fire at Harbeck's s
Dock, New York.
The Ships Lawrerce Delap, Adams and
Perseverance Burned to the
Waters Edge.
Twelve Firemen Buried Beneath the
Ruins of the Burning Pier
The Loss.
100000 FIRE.


Burning of the HarDeck Dock, New York,
and Three shtps-SeveraI Persons Killed
and Wounded.
NEw YORK, July 19-At about 10:30
@ lock this morning spark from an engine
fc II into pile OF jute, which had just been
landed on Hsrbeck's dock from the ship
Lawrence E. Delay, from Calcutta. The
dock was filled with hemp, jute and coffee.
The flames spread with incredible rapidlty,
and in few minutes the entire dock was
ablaze. The Delap was tie first vessel to
catch FIRE, and all her rigging was burned
before she could be towed out. Next to her,
on the south side of the dock, was the ship
Perseverance, also from Calcutta, which
arrived yesterday, and on the north side lay
the ship Colonel Adams, from Calcutta. To
both of these vessels the flames communi-
Gated, and the crews jumped overheard for
safety. In the meantime general
alarm had been sent out, and five
steamers and four hook and ladder trucks
were soon on the spot. When the firemen
reached the docks the supports of the roof
fell in with terrific crash, burying over
a dozen firemen and dock hands beneath the
ruins. A rescuing party was quickly formed
and the men were dragged out from the
blazing rafters, none dead, but all more
less burned and bruised. Firemsn Nc
Namara, Mcdonald and McDoueal, of hook
and ladder truck No. 3, were injured ser
iOusly. A commOtion Just then occ lrred in
the crowd and the Chief of the Battalion
gave orders to clear the dock as the ship,
Lawrence Delap, which was now on fire
above and below, contained 5000 bags Of
ssltpetre. a rush was made by the crowd
TO the further end OF the dock. While this
was going on the hosting OF derrick from
which the supporters had been burned, fell
over on the wharf with
= crasb, knocking two dockmen
overheard. Custom House Inspector Hair
adep. IN attempting to escape from the ship
Colonel Adams, was severely burned about
the face and hands. The ships Perseverance,
and Colonel Adams had by this time been
towed far out in the stream, and the tugs
poured streams into their holds. The efforts
of the fireman were mainly directed to ex-
tinguishing the flames on board the Lawrence
E. Delap, on which il was momentarily
feared an explosion would take place. at
1880 she .as still blazing fiercsly, but the
extent of the losses is unknown, but is un-
doubtedly very heavy.
Later-The DistriCG Officer at Harbeck's
dock stated that the Captain Of the Lawrence
Z. Delap with his wife and three children are
reported drowned, and one sailor killed out
right by falling timbers. The loss is now es-
timated between &, 000, 900 and 50, 100000
Three men we're seen to throw the trunk
of Captain Grove, Of the ship Of Lawrence
Delap, overheard, containing $4,000 (Sl.0)0)
worth of jeweIry belonging to his wife,
which was picked up by river thieves who
rihed it. The wife aud child of Captain
Groves was saved. Twelve fremen were
badly injured by falling in of the burning
roof of the pier, but only one is thought to
be fatally hurt The ship Delap burned TO
cargo at $50, COO. The ship Color Colonel Adams M ms
burned at the pier. The bark Perseverance
hcated into the stream and burned TO the
waters edge. The total loss is now estimated
Sl000000