The times., 1897-04-23
FIRE At THE NAVY YARD
A Three-Story Frame Building
and Contents Destroyed.
VALUABLE RELICS CONSUMED
The Loss to the Government VIII
Not BE More Than SIS 200, Bat
the building Contained Rare Col
lection of Curios Belonging to
Naval Officers, Valued at $4,000.

a Ilfer winch destroyed nearly SSD,-
600 worth OF property, at the navy yard
broke out shortly after / O'Clock, in the
building known as the general store :
keepers office, No. 2, and was not ex-
tinguished until the entire structure rad
been almost completely Quilted. AT one
time it appeared as though the entire row
of buildings would be consumed. but the
prompt action of the department pre-
vented the fire from spreading.
The origin of the fire is not known, but
is supposed TO have been the result of
spontaneous combustion in the attic. which
was used principally as a storeroom.
The fire vas discovered by one Of the
day laborers in the yard, who saw d
volume OF smoke pouring out from under
the gable roof and the windows in the
third-Story. Almost simultaneously, one
OF the marines Oh guard in front of the
building made the discovery, and shouted
60 Mr.. Il. I. Field, one of the clerks in the
storekeeper's Office, and upon rushing
backto the stairway leading to the attic, he
was enveloped in cloud or smoke. Lieut..
Nicholson at once ordered a general alarm
turned in for the city fire department.
Owing TO the long distance which the
engines Were compelled to run, it was
sofne time before stream was turned
upon the fire.
Chief Paris, who arrived promptly, at
once ordered a second alarm sounded
Immediately after the discovery OF the
fire, large force OF marines was ordered
to the scene, and every effort made
to save the records and valuable papers
stored within the building. The work was
done Systematically, the men preserving
excellent discipline.
As soon as the alarm was sounded the
gates OF the yard were closed, and the
crowd kept on the outside. When the fire
companies arrived the entire upper part
OF the structure was ablaze, and little
tongues OF flame were licking about the
siIls of the windows. Some difficulty was
experienced at first in securing sufficient
water TO supply the engines, and it ap-
peaTed for a time as though the situa-
ton was serious. Chief Paris ordered his
men to attack the flames from the front,
and soon the long ladders were in place
and tine men swarniing up TO the roof.
The heat was intense and the wind drove
dense clouds of black smoke and cinders
down into the faces of The firemen and
soldiers
After a half hours hand fight the fire
men succeeded in getting the flames under
control
The burned building was on the east
side OF the navy yard grounds. 1t was
three stories high and was principally
used as the headquarters of the steel in-
spectIon board, the inspection board, tie
naval examining beard and the naval re-
thing board. About thee or four months
ago the greater portion Of the interior OF
the building was completely Y overhauled and
fitted up as the office Of the general store
keeper, or, more properly, the office of the
pay inspector Of the Navy. Less than q
month ago the office was removed from
the old building near the center OF the
grounds to its new location in the building
burned yesterday.
About twenty clerks were employed in
the office. but all escaped safely, some OF
them, however, losing a portion OF their
personal effects.
The offices OF the pay inspector of the
Navy were located on the second floor,
while the third floor or attic was used
as 4 stCreroUm. All of the cid files, rec
ords and papers pertaining TO the depart
ment prior To two years ago were destroyed
and can never be replaced. The remainder
OF the attic was used as a storeToOm for
the personal effects Of naval officers who
have departed On long voyages, and il was
here that the greatest losses viii be SuS-
tained.
Among the principal losers are Lieut.
Dunlap, who is now cruising upon the
Great Lakes. He had an immense quantity
of valuable relics which he had brought
from all parts Of the world, including
curios which were valued at more than
$1,000. Paymaster Stancliff, who is also
secretary and treasurer OF the A rmy and
Navy Club, also lost $4,000 worth Of
goods, principally band-painted china and
decorated ware, which he greatly priced.
Other officers who had large quantities
of household furniture and relics stored
in the building were Lieut. Nicholson,
Lieut.. Alny, Admiral Washington, Pay
Inspector Putnam and Chief Clerk F. c
Adams None of these goods were re-
moved from the building and their loss
is complete, aud will aggregate upward
of $50, 900, Upon which there is little if
any insurance. The damage TO the build
ing is estimated at $4,000, and about
S3, 600 to the office furniture and fix
lures. which viii bring the total loss
close to $40, 900.
Capt. o'Nei's residence, which adjoins
the general storckceper's office, was bad
ly scorched, and the entire contents w.,re |
moved out to a place Of safety, but the |
building was not greatly damaged
About three months ago the fire engine at |
the navy yard was ordered rem )yed TO Nor |
folk, and for this reason the buildings are |
now left unprotected from fire.