New-York tribune., 1900-10-30
OTHER FIRES IN TEN YEARS.
HoBOKEN, WINDSOR HOTEL, HOTEL
ROYAL AND PARK PLACE DIS
ASTERS RECALLED.

The accident of yesterday is the second disaster
of wide scope and terrible loss of life that New
York City has experienced this year The other
and the greater of the two occurred Saturday az
ternoon, June So and Is commonly known as the
Hoboken fire. This in many ways is the most
unique and terrible disaster in the history Of New
York 1t has no equal among fires for loss Of life
and damage to property far as this city is con-
cerned. While the fire really occurred in Hoboken,
across the river, 1t Is nevertheless put down as
New-York fire, as it devastated some of the most
valuable piers Of the port OF New-YOTh, burned
three big ocean liners to the waters edge badly
damaged the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse. one of
the biggest and finest ships in the world, and
caused the death of more than three hundred per-
sons. The full number killed will never be known
actually.
This fire broke out Saturday afternoon in one Of
the piers of the North German Lloyd Steamship
Company in Hoboken. The fire spread rapidly.
The steamships Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse the
Main, the Bremen and the Saale lying at the
pier. They all caught fire. The SaaIe burned and
sank at the side of the pier carrying down num-
ber of her and others, including Captain
AIirow. The Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse backed
out into the river ablaZe, but the fire subdued.
The Main and the Bremen were also cut loose and
allowed to drift out into the river. burning
beyond control. The disaster is that
nearly all the details are recalled 1t will be
membered that the fire started suddenly that
hundreds were hemmed in the ships. Some es-
capped by jumping into the water and others
fought their way through the flames the piers.
Others were not so fortunate They caught
like rats inside the steel hulls of the big vessels.
With the flames roaring above them, they could not
get on deck and the port holes were too small TO
get out of. Many were either burned or drowned in
this way. The fire recorded many deeds of per-
sonal heroism. and it was heartrending to the
poor unfortunates caught in the vessels stick their
heads out of the port holes and cry for help while
persons stood close they could almost reach
out and touch them and yet could not help them
1t estimated that at this fire the property loss
list
hundred
WINDSOR HOTELS DESTRUCTION
The total destruction by fire of the Windsor Hotel
on March H. 1899. accompanied as it was by large
loss of life. was one of the appalling disas-
ters that New-York has ever seen. The fire broke
out early in the afternoon. This was fortunate as
nearly all the guests of the hotel were out of the
house. As it was, the flames spread with terrific
rapidity. Many people jumped from the windows
before ladders could be up. This huge hotel
which covered a whole block front at Fifth-ave
and Forty -siXth-st., absolutely wiped out The
financial loss was estimated at 81 100000 About
twenty-seven persons were killed. Several of them
were so badly charred and mangled that they were
never identified. Warren F. Leland proprietor Of
the hotel was so badly prostrated by the shock
fire occurred
HOTEL ROYALS LOSS of LIFE.
The burning of the Hotel Royal at 5 o'clock on
the morning of February T. 1892 caused the death
OF seventeen people. This is Of the most
hotel, which stood at SiXth-ave. and Fortieth-st
crowded. Many persons were badly injured
by jumping from the windows. The hotel was COM
/ pletely destroyed or the seventeen people killed
| ten remain unidentified.
THE PARK PLACE DISASTER
The Park Place disaster which in many WAYS
resembed the terrible catastrophe of yesterday oc-
CURED shortly after on Saturday August -
1891 Sixtyone persons. several Of them never den-
thed lost their lives. 1t hve days before the
debris was finally cleared away and the full death
list known,
! The Park Place disaster occurred at a time when
the street was crowded with people. 1t was about
1880 o'clock on Saturday afternoon in midsummer
and nearly all business houses had Just closed up
and people in that neighbOrhood rushing to
get the elevated train at the Park Place station.
The accident occurred at Nos. 6 90 - and a Park
Place, The first warning was a small whitish
/ cloud of vapor that burst from the ground floor.
This was followed by deep sullen roar, terminal
! ing in terrific explosion. which hurled masses Of
/ brick, mortar. steel framework and other debris
| into the air 10 height of thirty feet. The cries
| or fright ana pain from those In the street who
/ were either badly hurt or badly frightened fol-
| lowed
Horses squealed with pain and excitement and
dashed of madly the debris fell with crushing
force 70 the street. The front OF the building al
Nos. s., 20, " and "a Park Place bulged out and