New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-26
"THE BREAKERS" BURNED.
CORNELIUS vANDERBILTS NEWPORT MAN.
SION DESTROYED.
THE FAMILY BARELY HAVE TINE TO ESCAPE
FROM THE gLAMES-CoSTLY TAPESTRIES
AND OBJECTS or ART LOsT-THE LOSS
ESTIMATED At $500 900.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1


Newport, r. l., Nov %" The Breakers" the
summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt, situated on
the cliffs at Ochrc Point in the city, was totally
destroyed by ire late this afternoon. Mr.. Van
dcrblt and his family were occupying the house
and expected to remain in Newport at least until
after the holidays, and during the recent cold
snap had numerous CRATE fires well as the
furnaces in operation. 1t is likely that the forcing
of these fires in a house not originally intended
for winter use, though it had often been occupied
| before in much scverer weather than has
been experienced this fall developed
some defect in the fucs Of the main chimney
that resulted in the loss of the handsome villa.
About hall-past 4 o'clock this afternoon Mr..
Vanderbilt's attention was attracted by noise
in the large hall, and stepping from his room, he
noticed a small flame Issuing from mantcl. lie
at orcc reused the servants and had telephone
message sent to the Fire Department. The house
was we'll supplied with fire extingushers and
water pals and these were quickly used by the
large force employed about the place. but to no ef
feet. The flames spread almost with as
great rapidity as though the place was saturated
with oil. The woodwork in the large hall, n
magnificent and costly piece Of work. was soon ali
in flames, while the blaze, running up inside the
partitions, quickly communicated to all the upper
part of the large house. Almost in less time than
il takes to tell it, the occupants were compelled
70 hy. seeking refuge in the handsome little ivy
covered lodge which has been the admiration of
thousands In few minutes tie entire interior
Of the main building was abaze, and be-
fore the fire department could reach tho
place the fire had gained such headway and wlS
40 favored 10y strong northwest breeze that all
hopes Of SAVING the house were abandoned.
ONLY TIE SERVANTS QUARTERS SAVED
The frcmeu srt 70 work with a will. and for
hours poured streams of water on the flames aud
TIE ruins that followed their course The only
portion Of IN" fine building saved. however. was
the wooden wing on the north. used rs servants
Quarters In less than an hour from the time
| Mr Vanderbilt discovered the fire the roof ard
the east side, fronting the ocean, had
fallen in, and the remainder of the
building protected by the brick walls of the lower
story. was 50 near vast furnace that the streams
of water thrown in II made no apparent lmprcs-
sion The flames shot high in the air ana were
visible for upward of fifteen miles In all direc-
tiois and the wind filled the air with smoke ani
hying cindcr-. \ great crowd gathered TO view
the splendid. thou-h costly spectacle among the
multitude being nearly the entire colony Of sum
nci residents who sill remain here
The tire sprc.d rapidly that tle servants
and the volunteers. who were promptly on hand,
were unable 20 save any Of the valuable furniture
hric-ahrac. etc, with which the wealth OF Van
lerbil, hal filed the place. and Tie members Of
the family felt glad to escape in what clothing
they stood in AZ the time. There was considerable
COMPLAINT NJ tie slowncsS of the fire department
in reaching hn scene. This was duc-iirst. 10 n
misunderstanding of The telephone MESSAGE sent
from Mr. Vanderbilt. il being understood that The
ire was one of those so-calcd chimney fires 50
frequent on the arrival Of winter weather, and
which REQUIRE only the presence Of an emergency
WAGON with few skilled hrcmcn in the second
place. the Grcalam box first rung in failed 70
strike the ALARM and when another was pulled
in the fire has gained such hcadway that II was
beyond control Tie fire had. However. gained
such a hc1dway before being discovered that 1t
is n question if anything could have been done
more than was done. in fact, Mr.. Vanderbilt
states that. had the fire broken out late at
night. he doubts if all his family could have cs
canod from the building. Besides Mr.. and Mrs
Vanderbilt there were in the house their four
Younger children and the large rctnue of servants
il require. to run such an establishment. TIC
servants quarters escaped injury. and the fur
niturc ard effects therein were saved
m.roEY or THE BURNED VILLA
The bouse WAS built by Pierre Lorilard about
| 1850 on the most eligible portion OF the Nli'lah
Beach Lawrence estate on Ochrc Point ana was
~ thc time considered one of the best in New
400, In th. fall of ISs5 Mr.. Vanderbilt pnr-
chased the estate for 100000. and since then he
Inns sp,nt large sums improving, decorating anu
furnishing the house, which was, in the INTERIOR
work of art. The loss cannot be any way
definitely stated. but Is estimated a' a"o"'
| 900. 900.
Mr. Vandcrbilt's family will leave mere ior
v.,, yorl, to-morrow morning. he remaining Tor
order. While he would say nothing about any
ulons for another building it Is sal" to assume
| hat he will quickly begin new villa that VIII
.cmparc favoribly with the palatial and costly
.diGce recently built by his brothers, trelcrlcK
" Vanderbilt and William H. Nandcrhllt, ana py
others Mr. Vanderbilt is great lover OF New
,ort and is pcrnaps the most popular ani best
hlcI Of the many who pass their summers her"
The fact that the frcmcn were unable to work
10 advantage was partly due to the small huin"ri
If hylrans in that section of III" city, where 'hc
.6nscs occupy large grounds and are scat'cl'"
,hout At considerable distances. II WIS also
aartlv du, 10 u lack Of sufficient water pressure
a.. owing 70 n bad brcal, in the mains, the water
works had reduced the pressure onehali "ithi
uyo hours previous to the breaking out of the
ire However. il is probable that nothing could
havc saved the house. the fire having got Such u
hoaIway. To-dav's experience bnt confirms thlt OF
r-cvious years that when fire gets wei strdleo
| II one Of Newpor;s large summer VlIIaS o"'9i''
eomracf section Of the city the building "Hd o'"-
tent, are certain TO be total loss. The house was
Of irregular shape about 100 by 30 i'e' Ill S"''
from one TO three stories in height the lower P''
Of brick and the upper Of wood with numerous
| towers and gables. The character OF the iurhl-
turc and decorations may be judged from the i'cH
that in Il single hall were hung tapestries eS'i-
mated to be worth $4,000 or more
Mr.. Vanderbilt and family found temporary
refuge in the gardeners cottage on the premises
and were entertained during the night by nos
ptabr ncshbors Mr. Vanderbilt ana family nave
been here only since October |, having spent tho
| gay season elsewhere this year because ol tle re-
| cent death Of their oldest son. -