The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-27
ST. JOHNS DEVASTATED.
The Centre of New FOundland's
Capital Swept by Flames.
All the Principal Buildings in the
City Laid in Ashes.

A dispatch from st. John's, New Found
land, says: A southwest gale was blowing
over'the city during the afternoon when q
fire broke out in building on Longs Hill.
The city of st. Johns is built on the side
Of steep hill. The harbor runs east and
west, and the heart Of the city is comprised
in the section from the Allan Line wharf in
the east to the dry dock at the head Of the
harbor in the west, distance Of mile and
half
The principal business houses are along
this stretch. The residences and public
buildings extend up and back over the brow
Of the mountain for nearly mile. Longs
Hill runs southwest from the English Cathe-
dral up the mountain side to LIE Marchmopt
road, upon which the Catholic Cathedral is
built. The same street leads TO the harbor.
and the whole distance is through the heart
Of the city.
The houses at the top of this hill are of
wood, very old aud an easy prey to fire.
The water at such an altitude was naturally
defective, and notwithstanding the tre-
mendous exertions Of the fire men, the flames
were carried down towards tbs city with
appalling rapidity.
The high wind, carrying live embers in
every direction, ignited score of conaa-
grations at once, so that within half an hour
from the first outbreak the Fire Depart
ment and people were utterly helpless, and
the centre of the city was abandoned to its
fate.
Tne first large building to become prey
to the fiery flames was the new Methodist
College and boarding hall recently erected
at cost of 100000, and the educational
neaduuarters of Methodism iu the colony.
From here the flames leapea to the mag
niicent Masonic Temple, erected at a cost Of
sf0 900. and a portion o. which was used as
the general Protestant Academy. Sweeping
down the hill, the flames next licked up the
Cover Street Methodist Brick Church, the
oldest and largest in the city.
Then, across the street to the superb
cathedral of the English Church, 10 feet in
length and fifty-si1 feet broad. This was
designed by Sir Gilbert Scott and was con-
ceded to be the finest pisca Of Gothic archi.
lecture on the Continent.
Next the Orange Hall and the Palace of
Bishop Jonas were consumed. Continuing
its swath, the next victim of its prey was
the Supreme Court House, on Duckworth
street; the Polics Headquarters, the magnif-
cent Athenaum Building, containing the
Government officsz, law Offices, Government
Savings Bank, large public hall and read
ing-roon.
Proceeding along Duckworth street, tho
Union Bank building, the Commercial Bank,
tho fine brick and stone Presbyterian
Church, and the Telegram newspaper ofics
were quickly destroyed.
Then the flames took complete possession
of the great business establishments and fish
warehouses on Water street, SOON extending
to the wharves, from which the shipping
had to haul out into the harbor for safety.
But long before this aud while the fire was
rushing with irresistible fury toward the
water front, it was also spreading easterly
from its original starting point, and before
the people were aware of it the majestic pile
of freestone with its twin towers, the Cath
olic Cathe1 1ral, was ablaze.
Two-thirds Of the population OF st. Johns
are Catholic and worshiped in this vast
structure. 1t was one of the largest and
most magnificent places Of worship in the
New World, and was built OF cut limestons
and Irish granite.
There was little hope Of saving the con-
vent and the College of st. Bonaventure.
At 8 o'clock the operators were driven from
the telegraph and cable Offices by the flames,
which soon claimed those buildings.
At that hour over 500 buildings had been
DESTROYED, including all the principal struc-
lures in the city, and the flames were spread
ing in all directions, being carried with great
vs,ocity east and south.
Itwas feared that the Governors palace,
the Parliament Buildings and Colonial
offices would be also swept away.