New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-22
FIREMEN GETTING WEARY.
STILL PUMPING ON THE GREAT FIRES RUfNs
epLENDID WORK OF THE BOAT WILLIAM r.
HAvEMEYER-THE RUINS STILL BURN

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SPLENDID WORK OF THE. BOAT WILLIAM r.
HAvEMEYER-THE RUINS STILL BURN
WBBcELY.
The firemen were still busy yesterday at the
ruins left by the great fire of Friday night in the
yard Of tho New-York Central and Hudson River
Railroad, and there seemed to be an excellent
prospect Of plenty of work for them for some
Days TO come Two engines had been at work
all Friday night and yesterday morning announcer
was summoned, and the three continued 70 play
upon the ruins all day. The two hre-boats also
did great deal of work, although they were
hindered by an accident which happened Friday
night to the William +. Havemeyer. Her propeller
had got out of order in some way by fouling with
some of the wreckage that still covers the water
in the slips. and she had TO be towed around to
Der pier at Clinton-st There IL was FOUND that
the injuries sustained were more serious than had
been supposed and that il would be necessary TO
put her in dry-doclS. The Zophar Mills however,
Is already out of service, because the Government
inspectors have declared her boilers defective, and
Assistant Chief Bonner decided that the Havemeyer
could not be spared just yet
He accordingly had her flowed back to the fire
and moored at the pier opposite the ruins Of
R0ssiter d. SlddmOre's storage warehouse. Her
engines and pumps were still in perfect working
order and for several hours she threw heavy
streams upon the mountain Of burning rubbish
that still remained to tell of Friday nights de-
struction. As as the officers OF the railroad
heard of this state OF affairs they detailed tug
boat TO tow the Havemeyer about and with
this help the stanch Are-boat patrolled in front
of the fre-swept area all last night The John
Fuller which has been called into service as fire
Lzas III. Anfxo nla Rf
Mills was sent yesterday afternoon to the pier at
West Thirtecnth-st, and for the present she will
have to guard the entire waterfront along both
rivers.
fHRowTNG A MIGHTY STREAM.
When the Havemeyer finally got 10 work, she
soon showed what good freboat can do, throw
ing streams that would quickly batter down q
house. or carry a hill away. AT first Siamese
stream was thrown, two 3 1-4-ineh pipes converg-
ing into one leader Of the same size, with 2-lnch
nozzle This was sufficiently powerful, but it was
completely eclipsed when all Of the four big pumps
on the tug were set to pumping into 6-inch
hose which led into another inches IN diameter,
with nozzle of . ga inches. Battalion Chief
Gicouel, who was in command, said he had never
seen such powerful stream thrown on land, and
the effect was fine.
The streams could not be directed exactly as
desired however, for the Department. had pro
yided no tripod or stand for such an emergency
and the united efforts Of half doEen men could
not suffice to handle at will nozzle through which
such mighty current was rushing. IL was est4
mated that $500 gallons OF water were thrown
each minute with this apparatus, and the bricks
and other rubbish were dashed high into the air
wherever the stream struck. Bat the little vol
eano still kept on burning, with every prospect
of continuing for some time yet.
In othep rel pects the scene of the contagration
presents much, the same appearance as on Satur-
day. The great heaps Of grain where Elevator A
had stood were very slowly consumed with in
tanse heat Even the half-submerged wreck OF
Elevator B. also, gave such signs OF bursting into
flame afresh that line Of hose was carried out
over the huge stone piles, and stream was thrown
upon the ruins for many hours The freboat
John Fuller was employed q large part OF the day
in driving the flames away from what remained OF
Pier @, at Fifty-ninth-st Holes had 70 DC cur
through the heavy plank 0ooring, and revolving
nozzles were used underneath with good effect IN
this work. The aooring OF Pier ID was entirely
burned away, and only number OF piacKened
stumps peeped up above the surface of the water
to show where the heavy piles had been Pour
boats Of the Chapman Derrick and Wrecking Com
pany were at work at this pier all day yesterday
for the insurance company, picking up bales or
cotton and whatever else OF value there was that
could be grappled.
CROWDS VISIT THE SCENE.
Thousands Of people visited the scene Of the
fire yesterday afternoon, or at least went as near
as Captain Killilea's police would permit, and the
neighbOring stations on the elevated roads were
so crowded that it was almost impossible 70 pass
up or down the stairs They were not per-
mitted to 90 west Of Eastmans sheep-house, how
ever for aside from the risk Of interfering with the
firemen, the walls of the lard refinery were In
some danger Of falling The fire still burned
briskly in the basement Of the refinery, and no
attempt could be made 70 pull down the walls.
Workmen werc busy pilng ND the bricks at the
edge Of the ruins however. and ag soon az the
fire dies out the entire wreck will be cleared
away But this may not be possible till tho
close Of the week The wind was from south
erly direction oil day. and Eastmans sheep house
was not at any time in serious danger, but lines
of hose were laid along the roof, and one or
two streams PLAYED constantly uron the walls.
The 1remen are becoming greatly exhausted, and
recall with regret The good old time when the
Insurance companies used to provide them with
lunches. There are no restaurants in the neigh
borhood, and during their long hours Of duty
none OF the men permitted to leave their posts.
John Johnson, who sustained fracture OF the
spine when he eaped from the third story OF
the refinery, was resting more easily at Bellevue
Hospital last evening. He was still in q critical
condition, however, and IL his life is saved,
his recovery from his paralysis is uncertain.
Charles Brown. who received less severe injuries
in a similar leap, is still at Roosevelt Hospital.
and although much improved, will be confined