The Portland daily press., 1883-04-12
Ero The ssoclated rressl

f'ro the Associated Pressl
BooTHBAY, April 1.-THE extensive build
ingso the Kniekerbooker Company, runs, en-
gines and engine house, hay and store houses
at North Doothbay, were totally destroyed this
| morning and 60,000 tons of ice ruined The
wharves were also destroyed, The stables aud
offices were saved. Several vessels were al
one dock loading ice, and being in great danger
were hauled ont with great difficulty In the
heavy wind. Schooner Julia A. Berkley, Of
New Haven, Capt. Crosby, was at the wharf
and in hauling out her hawser parted and the
vessel went ashore ON tho ledge, where she
now lies in a dangerous position with hole in
her bottom. All the other vessels were got
iuso the river without damage, II the wind
had moved to the east all the vessels would
have been certainly burned
Great excitement prevails. A rumor that
one of the firemen was killed by the falling of
wall is not confirmed. The wind is still
blowing gale and the wharf and coal sheds
are burning fiereely. The cause Of the fire is
unknown; probably incendiary. The loss il
estimated at Si50,o0o by the manager. Proba-
bly, partially insured.
[LATER.
The Knickerhocker works, which we're To-
tally destroyed by fire this morning, were 10
Gated at North Boothbay, about five miles from
the village, ON Sheepscot river. This is a
branch OF the Kniekerbocker Ice Company OF
Philadelphia, and was established here in 1875,
and has been every year enlarging its works
until the storage capacity of its buildings here
was over 5000 tons. There were extensive
docks connected so that several vessels could
receive cargo at the same time, and the ma
chinery was sufficient for the loading of three
vessels at one time, besides sending ice into the
bnildings. The works were as large as any in
the State, and with very valuable privileges, as
shipments were made in winter direct from the
pond.
The works were running yesterday, and
three vessels receiving cargo. The firs was dis
covered about o'clock in the morning, and
when the fire company got there the buildings
were mostly consumed. The engine did good
service in keeping the fire from the offices and
stables.
How the FIRE caught cannot be learned, as
there were many men at work bout the place
The FIRE broke out about half way from the en-
CINE house to the pond in the main run, and
spread both east and west very.rapidly. Some
OF the workmsn say they were repairing ma
chinery in the run yesterday near whore tn
fire broke out in the morning, and that they
had fire for that purpose, but the superlD-
tsndent, Mr. 7. ID. Loring, suspects the FIRE was
Of incendiary origin; that it could not have
caught any other way with the care always
taken to prevent fire.
There were twelve large storehouses, a
trussed covered run about quarter mile long,
two engine houses. ssorehouses, hay aud dun
mage houses, coal sheds. &C., and capscioul
docks destroyed.
The works have employed large number Of
men at all seasons. as they shipped the year
round, and great many mer will be thrown
out Of employment. 1t is understood, how
ever, the works will be rebuilt as soon as posi-
BILE, but decision on this point must come
from headquarters at Philadelphia. The com
pany has two ether large works in this vicinity
GARDINER, April 1.-THE insurance on the
property Of the Knickerbocker Ice Company
destroyed by fire at North Boothbay this morn
ing amounts to $685. 800, in the Phoenix Of Hart
ford, North British, Royal Springfield, Hanc-
yer Of New York, Niagara Of New York, and
the Fire Insurance Association.