Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-09
R0ACH'S SHIP YARD AFIRE
THE Loss OVER HALF A MIL
LION OF DOLLARS,

Most of the Loss Represented by Costly
Machinery which Cannot be Easily
Replaeed-Ninety Houses Destroyed in
Little Town in France-Other On
slaughts of the Flames.
CHESTER, PA, Aug. s.-About $50
O'Clock this evening fire was discovered
by one of the watchmen in a blacksmith
shop, frame building in Roach's ship
yard. The flames spread to the punch
shed, also frame, and covering nearly an
acre Of ground. On this the flames fed
rapidly, and despite the most persistent
efforts of the fire department the fire
spread with great rapidity. All efforts to
save this immense building were given up
and attention was directed to saving the
back sheds, but the efforts of
the firemen were unfruitful. So
desperate did the fire become
at one time that kilograms were sent to
Wilmington and Philadelphia for as
slstance. The principal loss will be in
the punch shed, where there was a great
deal of heavy and expensive machinery,
such as rolls, punches, drills, shears
Dlaners, counter sinks, shafting and pull
leys, valued at $350,000. The rolls alone
cost $4,000 a piece, and there were three
Of punches valued at $4,000. The other
machinery was prOportionately expensive
and required to be in daily use
as it enters INTO the shaping or
preparation of all plates and the iron used
in ships. Much of this machinery was
new, and it Will require several months to
replace 1t. The loss in the bending shed
will be over 100000. The buildings. al
though sheds, were worth $50 1000. The
loss on both buildings and machinery is
said to be fully covered by insurance.
The ways under the Old Dominion ship
Seneca, to be launched next Tuesday,
caught fire, but fortunately it was sub
dued before any damage was done to the
vessel. Everything about the two build
ings burned was rendered worthless. The
cOnflagTation throws 500 men out of work.
and will stop the yard and suspend work
on the government cruisers for some time.
Mr.. Roach arrived here late this even
ing. He states that the loss will not be
above 100000, that the works will 90 on
in the morning as usual and that the fire
loss is confined to frame buildings
which will be replaced immediately.
No damage was done to any of the ves-
sells in course of construction. All the
men Will be employed, as there is much
work to be done at once.
NINETY HOUSES BURNED.
H. o.
A house at Willard Lurin. near this place,
was struck by lightning to-day and i'm
mediately fired, and ninety houses burned
before the fire could be stopped.
PRAIRIE BURNED OVER.
DENVER, Aug. S.-News has been re-
ceived of destructive prairie fire about
$50 miles northeast of here on the range.
The burned district extends about thirty
miles along the Platte river and back
from the river a great distance, covering
a portion Of the Jed Brush, Gov. Rautt
and Bruce johnson ranges. 1t has in
flicted great loss on stock interests in
that region.
LUMBER SHEDS BURNED.
ST. LOUIS, Aug. S.-The lumber sheds
of Schnelle & Queeri, at the corner of
Second and Angelica streets, and also two
small dwellings, were burned late last
night. The loss is $4,000. The property
is well insured