The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-09-14
THIRD EDITION.
= DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
srhe Delaware Iron Works at Now Cas-
tie Almost Totally Destroyed by Fire
on Saturday Night.

Whe Delaware Iron works at Now Cas-
tie Almost Totally Destroyed by Fire
ON Saturday Night.
Shortly after z O'Clock last Saturday
evenlng the watchmaq at the Delaware
Iron Works DISCOVERED fire in the flue
mill, and Immediately gave the alarm.
The flames spread rapidly, and Lsfore
The hremen could reach the place, had
gained considerable Roadway, and it
VAS evident that but little could be
done beyond trying to save part of
tho buildings. The Lenape Fire Com
On the bank Of the river, and 1t did
splendid service In throwing thous-
Fnds OF gallons Of water on the build
tngs that had not caught.
Their small engine was also In ser
vice, as we'll as their hook and ladder
equipments. There were many bar
Fels OF oil In the building, and these
caused the fire to burn N the most
stubborn manner.
Word was sent to this city for assist
ence and as the chief engineer could
Z not be found, Captain Francis, who
received the telephone message at DO
lice station, assumed the responsible
ity of ordering the Washington engine
and the Fame Hose com pAfiies to re-
epond. They hurried to the freight
depot Of the p, W. d B. company, but
as there was some trouble about get
ting them loaded they did not reach
New Castle until their services were
not needed. 'I
In the meantime the New Castle
firemen were working like heroes, but
were frequently driven back by the in
tense heat Many of the men had
their mouths bandaged but notwith-
standing this were almost sulfoeated
by the volumes OF black smoke which
seemed to settle toward the ground
After nearly two hours hard wo rk the
fremen finally had the flames under
CONTROL, and 1t was evident they
would be able to save part Of the
buildings, and prevent the works
bang totally destroyed The fire.
men however, continued In service un.
81 yesterday morning, and there piles
81 waste and other material are still
burning.
The loss Is estimated at $500, 900
which is fully covered by insurance.
but tho worst feature of the fire il
that 1t Will throw 700 men out OF EN-.
piOyment at q season OF the wear
whom they should be In a con dition To
make some preparation for the com.
ing winter.
There are many statements as to the
causes OF tho fire. One version Is
that sparks few from red hot pipe
into yentilator that runs along the
roof Of the flue mill, that the sparks
smouldered three until tho burned
pieces OF wood dropped down into the
oil and grease in the machinery and
on the iloor of the big mill Superin
fBndent Bran r. Borie believes the
story uts lie watchman, who says
that II broke out inAtle ball shops, and
that he lelieves tie lire to lncendlary
origin.
The Delaware Iron Works were built
In 1873 and are the largest pipe manu-,
featuring works in this section OF tho
country. The plant Is valued at 81 :
100000 and is insured for about 81 900,
600 In score of home and foreign
companies. The president OF the com
pany and principal stakeholder il
Stephen z. NJ. Tasker OF PHILADELPHIA
Hiram X. Borie of this city, who Ii
general superintendent, Is also mem
her OF tho firm. The works and yards
cover ten acres of land and is on thu
shore of the Delaware river, where con
aiEnments of raw material are r6
eeive.i from vessels.
IL Is said that the work OF clearing
away the debris preparatory to re
Duilding, will be commenced at once
but there Will no doubt be cOnsiderabl,
suffering among some of the hands
I'll the works are again In operation
~ Some OF the men have expressed thei
Intention OF removing from tie town
but there are others who will b. con-
PEELED To remain for the want of mean
to 20 elsewhere.