New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-18
GRAIN ELEVATOR DESTROYED.
DUST EXPLOSION CAUSES FIRE WHICH
CONSUMES THE BUILDING-LOSS
ESTIMATED AT 100000

Boston. April 1.-THE roof Of the grain elevator
at Hoosac Tunnel docks Charlestown. was blown
completely off by dust explosion at o'clock this
morning. and the fire that followed 1t not only de-
stroyed the remaining portion OF the Immense
structure. but consumed nearly the entire contents
OF four hundred thousand bushels OF grain
mostly wheat. The steamer Cambreman. which
had just finished loading at the dock was towed out
without injury, but OF the small tenements
adjoining and a building used as dlstillery by
Chaplin & Trull were damaged more or less by the
wreckage from the roof.
The loss Is estimated by the fire underwriters at
nearly 5000 0Oo making fire loss that has not been
equalled In this city since 1893 The explosion not
only shook up the entire section OF Charestown
but felt in the city proper and In many OF the
suburbs. Coming at such an early hour, the ire
mendous jar aroused half the city and the flames
which followed. shooting two hundred feet In the
air were sufficient not only to cause a great rush
of fire apparatus but attracted thousands OF spec
tators
Four alarms were turned In with rapdity and
additional engines sent for. until three-quarters or
the Fire Department. including the two horseless
engines and the freboats were massed about the
building but not before the entire structure was
seething with smoke and flames.
When the first hremen arrived they found some
OF the streets impossible. for portions OF the ROOF
strewn in every direction. Great timbers had
been blown a hundred feet in the air by the force
OF tho explosion. ana many upper stories Oh HesH-
boring property were crushed and pierced by the
great beams.
Fortunately, no person near the exterior OF
the building when the explosion came. except
Archibald Golden, the night Waterman who was
on the ground floor He was hurled against the
side OF the building. and. although fearlully man
gled managed to crawl to place OF safety Defore
the fire enveoped the structure.
The fire burned fercely for nearly four hours,
and when IL extnguished there was only
shell OF the structure left. while bursting from
every side tons and tons of wheat and oats
Practically the whole of the grain was so thor-
oughly soaked with water that the loss VIII be
complete
The elevator was built hundred feet from the
Charlestown Navy Yard and many persons. near
ing the explosion and seeing the bright nght, Al
once concluded that another Maine affair had oc,
Cured. The marine guard at the yard was ordered
out. and took every possible precauton against the
fires spreading in that direction. The Department
was however successful In keeping the flames con-
fined to the elevator and by o'clock had the nre
under control a.,
The entire loss Is covered by insurance which
falls alike fire and marine companies. as much
the grain In process OF shipment from the
West to Europe. The individual losses cannot yet
Do estimated. but the grain itself was valued az
about $4,000. The loss on the structure is sl0Vo
and the damage to the pie- and adjoining property
is about $4,000. The building of Chaplin Trul.
the distillers. damaged almost entirely by
water and flying timbers. and their loss VIII be
about $1,000.
Boston. April l7-Of the four hundred thousand
bushels OF grain In the elevator the elevator OFF,
Gals stated to-day that over half OF II wheat
awaiting shipment 10 Europe and was owned by
J. V. Letter, or Chicago. The balance consisted OF
oats and other cereals the property or various
Western dealers