The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-05

anu 1Azzle owned Dy John willard, Ohe
T. S. Willard owned by f. S. Willard,
the Ben Hur, owned by Captain Dodge.
Hermann Reesing, owned by N. f.
Trefethen, the schooner Lizzie and Maud
owned by &. S. Willard and another
fishing vessel the name of which could
not be learned.
In this 6ook also was the steamer Pill
grim owned by the Casco Bay Steamboat
company; the Eldorado, owned by the
same company and one or two other yes
sells.
The sparks few in perfect clouds up
this dock before the tremendous gale.
Standing on Custom house wharf and
looking towards Portland Pier the sight
was one of the most awe.inspiring and
beautiful that Portland people have ever
had an opportunity of witnessing.
The clouds of sparks and big piece of
burning wood which were flying through
the air up this dock as up the fue of
big chimney, threatened destruction of
the entire vessel property in this dock
valued at thousands of dollars 1t was
estimated that the value of this steamer
and schooner property in this dock alone
amounted to $4,000, and if the vessels
caught fire it meant the destruction of
Portland Pier and all the property there
as we'll.
| In the midst of this fleet of vessels was
the steamer F. S. Willard, Capt. Ken
nedy, commanding. The captain came
to the conclusion that to remain in the
dock meant obstruction for his vessel,
which has only recently been launched.
| Capt. Kennedy's engineer finally man
aged to get up enough steam to move the
boat and in the teeths of the gale which
was dragging the anchors of schooners in
the harbor and dashing big waves up
against the wharf.
| Capt. Kennedy sounded the whistle of
buo WlildEu du0 mOf0A o1oWiJ O0o Va eAo
dock.
He had to run gauntlet Of flames
| The air was SO filled with sparks and big
flying pieces of burning material that it
was almost impossible to see out of the
dock Through the flying cloud of sparks
the angry white-capped waves of the
| harbor could be made out towards
these Capt 5KeLnedy headed his gallant
little vessel. The spectators ON the dock
set up cheer as the Willard gathered
head way and worked her way towards
the entrance. Near3the head of the dock
where the flames were jumping almost
across and forming an arch over Ter the
Willard met the full fury of the blast
and was driven back into the dock.
Capt. Kennedy waited until his engi-
neer had gotten up more steam in the
boilers and this time tried it again and
was successful.
| The flames in the big sail loft climbed
higher and higher Moored on the wind
side of this building were the steamers
Forest Queen and Emita while alongside
Randall & McAllister's dock across the
way was the revenue steamer Woodbury.
These vessels were all in danger and their
crews were on board ready to slip their
ines if it seemed neceas sary.
Chief Engineer Eldridge concentrated
| his entire strength on the sail loft which
was blazing fercely and which in about
half an hour time fell in. The building
Just below towards Commercial street oc-
oupied by the Casco Bay company as
loffice and waiting room was badly
scorohed but at 430 this morning it
Hooked as if the dremen had checked the
progress of the flames.
The fire boat for some unknown reason
did net put in appearance and Chief En-
gineer Eldridgs was constantly sending
word to her captain to get around inside
Custom house dock and take position
to fight the flames. But undoubtedly the
skipper of theshrs boat thought the wind
was blowing too strongly for him to at
tempt this.
The estimated loss of property in this
fire cannot Is estimated. 1t viii amount
to thousands of dollars. The fact that
the vessel property in the dock alongside
Custom house wharf was saved lessons
the less from this fire considerably.
G At 430 the fire was apparently undeg
ontrol.
OCCUPANTS OF THE WHARF.
Wallace W. Allyn, restaurant
Charles Thunborg, rooms.
James N. O'Hara, restaurant.
William a. kennedy, lobster shop.
Albert Worrden, CLAIMS.
Lewis Mcdonald, HOLSTERS,
Littlefield s. Co., grocsrs.
George W. Hunt, fruit dealers.
Hamilton & Co., CLAIMS.
George "A. Hartford, shipwright.