New-York tribune., 1885-01-25
BURNING OF THE ST. JOHN.
NARROW ESCAPE OF THE MEN ON BOARD.
RAPID SPREAD OF rHE FLAMEs-oAUsE OF THE

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE MEN ON BOARD.
RAPID SPREAD OF THR FLAMES-CAUsE OF THE
FIRE UNKNOwN-INsURANCE.
The "palacen steamer ST. John lay in her
slip at pier No. A. North River, yesterday. her keel In
the mud filed with: water to within few feet OF her
deck thirds Of her saloon, which had been
gorgeous in Its freso0es mirrors, and decorated Pillars
and galleries, completely gone, and the other third
scorched and blaekened and shrveed; the main deck,
from the engines tho stem tho hold con-
tanning black lake OF bilowng charcoal and rubbish
which hung confused tracery Of iron suspended
from the mass which placed through the centre from
stem to stern She seemed perfect wreck, altogether
beyond repair. The fire first discovered ut a. M
by Roundsnan Thomas Riley Of the Third Precinct, or
River Patrol, who he passing by the pier adjoin-
ing that OF the Peoples Line the SOUTH saw flame
leap from the port side OF the steamboat just forward OF
the engine. He sent officer Grogan to give the alarm
quickly down the short pier to the port main
gangway the door OF which he found locked Breaking
the glass door and rushed upstairs to the
saloon deck shouting fire, and hameng on the state
room doors. Henry H. Miller the coOred head waiter
Of the boat ont Of sateroom and dsrtng past him
ran out on the dock Riley after him asking where the
others were. Miller frightened that lie did not
answer, but continued running until officer Grogan
stopped him. lie begged Historically, Let me 80 out
l must go Out!" Riley compelled to let him 20,
and with Grogan and Captain Gastlin, who came up
Just then, went board the st. John again and ran
from end OF the saloon and main deck banging
upon doors and shouting for whoever might be
asleep to get out They saved two more OF the
walters, and succeeded in arousing the first mate
Sylvester Null the second mate David MahOney, and
assistant incer Thomas Rogers. who were asleep in
their staterOoms, and got safely to the pier.
The in the meantime had rapidly spread over the
forwarj part OF the saloon aud burning icrcely
Six tugs of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company had
come over from Jersey City and lay of the ends Of the
PIERS One OF them. the Harry, tOwed several canal
boats and barges away. One OF the crew or the tug
America said that the fire seen at Jersey City be-
fore o'clock and In less than ten minutes the six tugs
were lying Off the St. John. When. asked why they
were t playing the fire, he answered
that they had orders to interfere in
fire on the New-York side without the
request the officers OF the Fire Department of the city
Chief benjamin Gcque Of the 9TH Battalion. said that
claimed pay when they worked at u fire.
1t was 235 a. IN; according to Nichoa, Heaney; who
before the engines had water playing on the hre The
wind was blowing from the northeast and drove ths
shooting flames away from the long pier ON Tue nortn o,
vessel else there would have been small chance OF
that aud probably adjacent Psrs When INT the sdn nre
n foe stubborn to deal with as ,, hre IN IN
usvemeyar and The police boat Patrol" they kept the
hamcs the bow OF the vessel The fire had eaten down
forward gangway and the streams played through hole
cut into the deck inoa veritabe fiery furnace sni-
denly there crackllig anu
as the deck burst the spot from which the remen had
Just withdrawn. The remen returned 10 their posts
and poured "a lcluge OF water into the hold. Again as
the last Of several men descended ladder from the
upper OF the ST. John to the deck Of the Mills which
lay at her bow, there was q louder roar
The deck split from the gangwayy
the stein and the immense volume Of fame me- poured
oui and threatened to set fire to the IopLor Mills Inc
captain OF the latter quickly backed her out III the
breaking his hose but returned IN Anew moments
when the fire checked again. The flames ragged IN
the hold until a when either because or tue great
quantity Of water poured into her. or because the ire
lad burned through her hull the ST. John sank to tho
The ~ John was built for the Peoples Line at cost
built by John English n son, at their shipyard At the
foot OF Tenth-st., and her engines by l. T.
secor 4 Co Tho engines were rebuilt few
was 40 feet long and ~ feet beam 80 feet over the
guards. 10 feet depth Of hold and feet draugh She
wa. Of 300 tons burden. aud had $50 staterooms.
which with the furnished sleeping accommodation for be-
TIVE en- and 200 persons The exact amount OF loss
NOT known but some Of her owners believe that the
So badly damaged he beyond n building This can
not ascertancd until an examination be made OF
her hull which h Wholly .hdGr w mater T eapan Is
Albany When she was first opened To the pdhnc
dinner was given on board OF her to which
the city officials and all the prominent
W " Everett. president Of the Peoples Line, or the
NewJerscy Steamboat Company which IL Its corporate
boat told him that h. discovered the fire at 2:li M
Mate Mu said that he went ever great part OF the
at 9:30p III. on Friday night with globe lamp.
looking lost implement, which he found on the
main deck and that he did not smell eny smoke them
The John has been Laid since December Il. and
being rpaintcd and repaired Tor the coming season
Secretary Cpp said that the Dean Richmond which has
Just of the dock. where she has been for year un
dcrgonS extensive repairs will take the place OF the 81
John.
steamer: