The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-04-29
FIRE THIS MORNING.
The international Steamer Fal-
mouth Badly Damaged.
One OF Her Crew Burned to Death and
Two Others Missing.

About 1890 o'clock box 43 was pulled, and
in few moments second alarm was sent in,
which called the entire department to the
wharves of the International Steamship Com
pany where the Falmouth Of that line was
found on fire.
The Iengineer of the shifting engine in the
Eastern railroad yard discovered the fire and
sounded an alafm with his engine whistle.
Mr.. Scales, telegraph operator, ran out into
the yard, ascertained the cause of alarm, after
which he telephoned the engine houses.
The Falmouth ia owned by the international
Steamship Company, and runs from this port
was 1861 tons, Of 1000 horse power, and
was built in New York in 1872. Her valuation
is estimated to be between $4,000 and $780,
900 and is insured in different fire and marine
insurance companies in the agencies OF
Sterling Dow and Dow, Coffin Libby.
Sleeping on board the steamer were First Mate
Timothy McCarty, Second Mate Daniel Har-
vey, Quartermaster John Cox, Fireman VIM.
Morrison; deckhands, John ellis, John Muir
ply, John Olson, Thomas johnson and Fred
Pike.
Thomas Nickerson, the night Waterman Of
the steamer was walking along the deck when
he smelt smoke and saw the fire. He hastily
ran and called up the first and second mate;
then he opened the door below and called out
to the fireman and two of the men who were
sleeping in the freman's room. The officers,
quartermaster managed to get ashore. The
latter, who was sleeping on the hurricane
deck seized his clothes, and, running to the
stern jumped off upon raft which was tied
near by.
Fred Pike was one of those sleeping below
in the fremen's room, and when he heard the
noise above he grasped portion of his cloth.
ing and started up the stairs to the deck. The
flames scorched him on every side and the
smoke blinded him. On reaching the deck he
leaped toward the railing, fell twice, and
the last time dropped unconscious upon the
gang plank he was struggling SO hard to get
at. Then the night Waterman ran up and
dragged him ashore. Pixies forehead and hair
were burned and some Of his clothes, but he
was brought to consciousness in about fifteen
minutes.
m0duWHIio buo uEo dENlfods AAO
flames continued to leap higher and higher
amongst the rigging and emerged from the
hundred small windows. The northern side Of
the city was enveloped in dark cloud,
while the southern side was bright. Masts of
the neighboring vessels came out in bold relief
upon the sky, and hundreds of people crowded
the piers, wharves and bridges.
The steamer City of Richm ond, and the
Lewiston which were at the same wharf steam
ed far out into the stream. At about l o'clock
the fire boat Mary W. Libby came in sight and
soon had out line of hose. At 2 o'clock
when the flames had nearly died away the
body of one of the men was found among the
ruins. II was discovered to be that of Will
liam Morrison, one of the fremen. His face
and body were badly burned and disfgured.
The body was carried to the flag station where
physician pronounced him dead Morrison
was apparently about 50 years of age, resi-
dent of this city, head fireman on the steamer
and was to have been married next month.
The water main on Commercial street near
the Eastern depot burst during the fire. Two
more men are still missing and both belong in
St. John, N. B.