The Portland daily press., 1890-01-28
Bio BUtLpiNcs AsLAzE.
Destructive Fire la the Navy Yard at
kittefv.

PoRTsMoUTH, N. H., January 27.-The
largest fire that ever occurred in the Kittery
navy yard, broke out this morning about
o'clock, in the boiler room of building No.
46. In an instant of time the fire extended
along the shafting and oily timbers into
building No. 45, occupied as futtock mill.
The workmen were obliged to drop their
tools and jump through the windows in or
der to escape. A general alarm was rung in
and four steamers belonging to the navy
yard department. were quickly on hand In
spite of the efforts of the department and the
marine guard the fire extended into the ma
chine shop and word was sent to this city.
Al alarm was rung in and the steamer Kear-
sarge and hose started for the yard, the COM
pany being ferried across on the steamer
Mystic. A distance of two and half miles
was made in less than 80 minutes. With this
reinforcement the fire was confined entirely
to the two buildings.
At the time of the fire Strong wind was
blowing In the direction OF the head house
and many thought the fire would extend to
that building, but we'll directed streams and
light fall of snow on the roof saved that
building.
The two burned buildings were built in
1845-46, and were constructed stilt fashion,
granite pillars being set upon heavy foun-
daton the OF the buildings being
buildings were 1emodelled, and connected
together, making building aOo feet in length
and 65 in width.
The northern portion. known as building
No. 45, used as a futtock shop, contained
patent belt circular saw, two band saws, two
patent level scroll saws, a circular saw and
two planers, and q self-feeding saw. The
nine pieces Of machinery were valued by the
inventory taken in July at 5000.
Building No. 40 was the shlp-ftting shop,
formerly the lren plating shop, and con-
talnta One double engine. two tubular fire
box boilers, 5000 feet of leather betting. 425
feet of shafting and pulleys, II large Fitch
burg lathes, one punch and shearing ma
chine, portable engine, upright drill, bolt
and small tools, consisting of drills, counter
borers, nut arbors, tops and punches, to the
value Of $4,43t
The second story of the, building was
used for a saw iiler's room and store rooms.
One of the store rooms contained the furni-
ture OF United States steamship Juniata, now
being repaired at the yard, and portions of
the furniture Of UEited States steamship
Lancaster were also stored in the building,
rs well as large amount of stores belon.-
ing to the general storekeepers' department,
the value of which could not be ascertained.
The building was burned fiat to to the ground
and the entire contents were destroyed to-
gether with many tools belongin to the
w0rkmen.
The cause of the fire is unknown. but it is
euppooou tnae IL oIisiudteu III WOoueu DOA
near the iron sfnokestack near the boiler
| room, which was midway between the ma
| chine shop and futtock MILL. The engineer
| states that shortly after Ieight he heard a
| swapping noise and on turning discovered a
brisk fire burning in the corner, and in order
to save himself he jumped through window
and then gave the alarm. In less than five
minutes time. and before the department
| could arrive; the fire had extended to the
mill and everything was ablaze. At 10
| o'clock the fire was under control and one
hour later only the smoking ruins showed
where the building had stood.
| During the fire the marine guard, under
| Lieutenant Mahoney, rendered efficient SER
| vice. both as fire fighters and doing guard
| duty. No one but employees of the yard and
| flremen from this city were allowed on the
| government property.
The losses are as follows:
DEPARTMENT YARDS AND DOCKS