Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-06

The following letter from Lieutenant Com
mander T. l.. Tanner, commanding the f1sh
commission steamer Albatross, will be read
with Interest as containing an account OF the
gallant action of the officers and men OF four
government vessels in fighting the flames at
the recent fire at Key West. To their exertions
Is due the protection Of q large amount OF gov
eminent property from destruction. But for
this the entire town would probably have been
destroyed:
Q. s. F. c. STEAMER ALBArRoss,
KEY WEST, FLORIDA, March 81. 1856.
Al lao am on the morning OF the Soth an
alarm of rre was given on shore, and evidence
OF an extensive conflagration was visible from
the ship. A working party, armed with axes
of Lieut. Warning, to the scene OF fire, and went
to work with great energy, pulling down frame
i Gulnnss IN the track OF the flames and assist
and found the fire to be located In the southern
portion OF the city; and rs a strong southerly
very probable that the iire would make
a clean sweep to the waters edge. The
city was entirely without effective fire
apparatus, possessing only one hand engine
which was without water, having no suction
long enough to take II from the sea The u. 8.
SPowhatan and Brooklyn landed large parties,
and number of men from the revenue cutter
DIX were also sent ashore to render assistance.
Inc nre pump at the naval station was started
AS soon as possible and with about three OF four
thousand 1eet of hose, WAS able to reach the fire
ana divert its course, saving many buildings,
including those belonging 10 the government
About noon the fire had reached the water TO
Reward, and having taken hold OF the heavy
warehouses; and large business places, began
working back 10 windward, burning up TO the
government storehouse. where by the united
efforts of the crews OF the government vessels
and the buildings saved. All the wharves In
the city are burned, excepting those belong
Ing to the government
AS soon as 1t was seen that the confiagration
was 10 De a general one steam raised the
AlbatrosS and everything put in readiness
should her services be required. The locality
or the fire was such, however, as to make IL i'm
possible to make use Of her fire hose. Captain
Matthews, with his trained torpedo corps from
the Brooklyn, rendered invaluable aid In blow
Ing up building in the track OF the fire. Messrs.
Benson and Hogg went ashore and volunteered
their services with the Albatross party, render
ing valuable assistance. No serious accidents
have as yet been reported, but quite a number
of persons received cuts and bruises while pull
ing down buildings, etc. Several of the officers
tross party fought the flames for fourteen
hours, with no accident beyond the loss of our
beautiful coil Of Italian hemp rope; It rem
dered valuable service during the day, being
the meanS of leveling many buildings.
We wilPlake in coal as soon as possible, and
ing it impossible to procure fresh water for the
boilers, supplies for the officers messes, or
money for the of the ship. We will take
the trawl between Key West and Cuba, and
having procured all necessary supplies, we will
return here, Till up with coal and proceed TO the
Bahamas.
1t is now blowing a "norther," with heavy
rain, causing great suffering among the thou
sands of homeless people in the city. The cues
ton OF iOod will be one OF great Importance for
the next few days. knowing this, last night
telegraphed the Secretary OF the Navy, In the
name of Capt. Beardslee, the senior officer pres
ent asking permission TO issue rations from the
government store-house.
Very respectfully, T. L. TANNER,
Lieut. Commander U. s. n, Commanding.
------>O>-
Boy Enthusiastically afternoon three
small colored boys stood in front Of William A.
Schubert's store, 743 9TH street northwest,
watching the movements of persons on the in
SIDE When Mrs. Schubert was alone in the
store the boys went in and wanted to look at
some penknives. While Mrs. Schubert was
showing one of the boys knife another one of
them picked up her satchel, containing S31 30
and the three boys walked out. Mrs. Schubert
missed her satchel and looked for the boys, but
they had diSappeared