Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-05-25
THE STEAM GRANITE STATE
BURNED.


HARTFORD, Conn.,, May 1s.--The steamer
Granite State, which runs between Hartford
aud New York, was destroyed by fire this
msrning, while approaching her dock at
Goodspeed's landing, Al miles below Hart.
ford, on her way 10 this city. She was com.
ing into the dock when the fire broke out
forward, and the flames spread so rapidly
that nothing was saved. Five lives are
known to be lost-four by burning and ore
by drowning The drowned person was
Mrs. d. c. l.. Maine of New Haven, who
with her husband Jumped overheard. Her
husband reached shore. An effort was made
by the steamer TO reach the dock but the fire
spread with such rapidly that 1t was i'm
practicable. Her stern was swung in how
ever and most OF the crew and passe myers
Jumped from the burning steamer to the
wharf, while some jumped into the river
and swan ashore. 1t Is not known how the
fire originated. The bodies of the persons
burned Can not all be identified. One BODY.
however, has been recognized as that Of
the second cook Jackson. Two bodies
arc supposed to be of emgrant passengers
Nine horses were also burned. The cargo
was mostly freight billed 10 this city. Tie
steamers hull has floatcd down the river
about half mile below the landing. Nothing
is visible above the water but her gsllow-
frame and walking beam. The Granic stat.
was owned in Hartford by the Hartford an I
New York Transportation Company. Sin
cost the company $50 900; insured for $40, &.
900.
Terrence Campbell, late of the Mutual
Union Telegraph Company, and one of the
passengers, saidH II was aroused from sleep
by loud rapping on the door, the Officers
shouting, THE boat is on fire. but take your
time as We are at the dock l saw on open
ing the door dense volume of smoke rising
forward. Quickly dressing myself crawled
out of the stateroom TO the rail, jumped into
the water and was soon rescued. The shreks
OF the women in the water were heart
rending and the scene was terrible. The OIL.
GERS acted with great promptucss and brave
ry and had 1t not been for their GOODNESS
many lives would have been lost" Only one
boat was lowered as the flames cut them off
One theory is that the fire started on the
forward deck among the emigrants.
NEW YORK, May 1S.-'The agent Of the
steamer Granite State has been informed that
the fire caught somewhere about the engine
room. The boat was well equipped with life
preservers and fire extnguishers, and fire hose
attached TO the pumps and worked by donkey
engines. If the fire broke out in the engine
room the men must soon have been driven
from the pumps The agent says the passen-
gers baggage was saved.
A Later Account OF the Disaster.
Silowsy, clerk of the boat, when the
whistle for the landing at Goodspeed was
blown proposed to send the shipping paptrs
ashore that belonged there. No passengers
were to b. landed and but little freight No
fire was discovered until the boat was within
few feet of the dock. Silloway las ened
to awake the passengers and meantime the
agent on shore had the head and amiishlp
lines fastened, but the boat was few feet
away from the dock. 1t was not TILL this
time that those on shore disc Ivcrcd the
| smoke, but in very short time flames burst
out Soon after when most of the passen.
gers had gathered tue boat began
to swing away from the dock aud
power to handle her from the pilot house
and engine room was lost, for the fife
had driven the engineer from his post where he
| remained till the bell wires no longer worked
and the vessel was at the mercy Of the tide.
The hawscrs was seized by 90 men who put
their whole strength to the task of pulling
the boat to the dock, aud after steady pull,
which at first seemed TO be of no avail the
boat began omove inward and planks were
got off and the passengers went ashore il
reasonably good order There had been
much fear and excitement during the stru,-
| gle to reach the dock, but no loud demon.
STATIONS. All bore themselves well in face
of such appalling danger, though thcr,
were occasional exceptions among til,
few emigrants on board, who become
| very much excited In pulling the
hawscr TO reach the dock Z he forwarC
hawser broke, as it had been scorchcd aud
weakened by the flame that began to break
out in that part of the boat. There wer'
some passengers who became confused ant
did not understand Sideways directions an,
remained in the forward end. These in SOM
cases dropped into the water while other
took hold of the hawser before it gave wa.
and went hand over hand ashore. Tw
small boats were brought up but were 500
occupied by the struggling persons in TIL
water. Then the ferry boat was towed u
aud upon this all in the water were taken o
board.