Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-28

pected. When seen this evening GEN
eral-Manager George Stevens and SUI
perintendent-of-Term Parker said
they thought 100000 would cover the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company s
loss. This includes the piers and
the merchandise stored in them. 1t be-
ing assumed that the piles on which these
structures rested are still intact.
This does not include the loss of the tug
boat. which was valued at $4,000, but
which IS covered by insurance. Many
men have been thrown out of employ
ment, but the work of rebuilding the
piers will be commenced at once, anu 1t
is said everything will be in order IN
ninety days. The company's losses are
fully covered by insurance.
A DARING FEAT.
One Of the most daring feats OF the
fire was performed by Captain Grant, or
the tug-boat Ludenback. when he climbed
aboard the burning steamer Solvig and
cast the anchor in order to keep the
ship from drifting. He was warned not
to do It, but he ordered the firemen to
turn the hose on him and while he was
being sprayed with water he breasted
the angry flames and loosened the anchor
chain. Late this evening all three OF the
ill-fated ships were towed across the
river to the Flats" where they are
burning tonight. Before morning the
work of destruction will have been COM
pleted, as they are burning rapidly.
ELEVATOR IN DANGER.
It was after a stubborn fight that the
huge grain elevator was saved. Two
carriers projected from the elevator 10
Pier No. 5. and they soon caught fire,
the flames leaping toward the building.
Large cables were fastened TO the con-
yeyers and attached to locomotives. In
this way they were pulled down, falling
with a crash, and the building was
saved.
The local fire companies worked heroi-
cally. Fourteen streams played on the
flames all day, and it was not TIL TINS
afternoon that the fire was under control.
Tonight the Hampton Fire Company
is assisting in the work OF extinguish-
ing the embers. This company came up
on a special train.
ORIGIN UNKNOWN.
Just how the fire originated Is not
known, but the flames were first seen
coming from No. Pier, as above stated,
and in the vicinity of waste-box. 1t
is believed by some that the pier caught
from electric wires. as the piers are
lighted by electricity. The largest policy
carried by any single fire-insurance COM
pany was for si5,OO). 1t was issued by
the Virginia Fire and Marine Insurance
Company, of Richmond.
Vice-Consul Hugo Arnall, OF Norfolk,
arrived here this afternoon, and took
charge of the crew Of the Norwegian
steamer Solvg, giving them steerage on
the steamer Louise. After going TO Nor
folk they will be sent to New York. No
disposition has been made of the crews
OF the other Inflated steamers.
The principal insurance companies car
rying policies on the merchandise on
the piers are The Virginia Fire and
Marine, Richmond; Aetna; New York
Underwriters: North American Fire AS
ISOLATION, OF Philadelphia; Mutual, OF
New York; st. Paul Insurance Company,
Commercial Union. the Queen. Lam
cashire, German-American, Western
Canada, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Hart
ford Fire Company, Hanover, west
chester, Liverpool and London and
Globe, Sun Fire-Insurance Company,
Scottish Union, and Greenwich Royal.
The insurance on the piers. Is carrier
by a large insurance syndicate.