The age-herald., 1900-07-01


 At o'clock one Of the big Steamers drift ed by with its bow upstream against the pier occupied by the Peoples Albany Line. A number of tugs were trying to get her out in the stream. Before the flremen could get to work the blazing steamer had drift ed along the pier occupied by the New York and Hudson River Railroad. The steam boats Dean Richmond of the Albany Line, loaded with passengers, was just about to leave the pier when the burning steamer blocked the path. There was some excite ment among the passengers, but it sub sided when the vessel drifted away. By almost superhuman efforts, the tugs which swarmed about the burning steam ships and the flaming cotton barges man. aged to get one of the steamers out in the center of the river where it could do no harm.
 From what can be learned tonight, the flames started among large pile of cotton bales on pier No. of the North German Lloyd Steamship Company. and spread with such remarkable rapidity that within fif- teen minutes the entire propery of the company, covering over a mile of water front and consisting of three great piers, was completely enveloped in flames. The people on the piers and on the nu- merous vessels docked were unable to reach the streets There were great gangs of workmen on the piers, and these, together with number of people who were at the docks on business and visiting the ships, scattered in all directions. As all means of exit were cut off by the flames, they were forced to jump overheard, and it is believed a great number were drowned. At the docks of the North German Lloyd were the Saale, single-screw passenger snip Of 4,965 gross tons; the Bremen, a twin-screw passenger and freight ship of 10526 tons, and the Maine, a twin-screw freight and passenger ship of 10200 gross oil 6ra l to the waters edge The Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse. which had just come in, was the only one of the four big vessels at the docks that escaped.
 The loss of the crews of the vessels is said to reach 100.
 At D. watchman saw a small streak of flame shoot from bale of cotton on pier No. 2. at which was docked the steamer Saale, and sent in an alarm.
 Flames Reached the ships In a few minutes the flames had extended to the steamships, and were communicated to the adjoining pier on the north. Here were docked the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse and the Maine. Tugs were immediately ma'S- Fast to the big Kaiser Wilhelm and she was gotten out into midstream with safety. although badly scorched at the bows. The steamship Maine, however, was doomed as the flames had become so fierce
 
 could approach the vessel. By shift of the wind the flames were sent in the direc- ton of Pier No. l, which was to the south of Pier No 2. To the north of Pier No. l was the dock of the Hamburg American Line, at which the steamship Phoenicia, twin-screw passenger steamer of 6,761 tons, was docked The flames got good hold on the Phoenicia and she was lowed out into midstrcam ablaze.
 The fire had by this time become so fierce that the officials of the Hamburg American Line decided that the only way tol prevent the total destruction of their gre pier was to blow up the side of the dock at which the Phoencia lay, and this was done. A number of barges docked at the pier also took fire, but in the effort to save the other property no attention was paid to them, and they were allowed to burn. It Is feared that the loss of life in the hold of the vessels was frightful, as it is said that many of the crews who were asleep at the time were imprisoned there. The worst tale will come from the steam ship Maine, which could not be lowed from the pier.
 Had Arrived This Morning
 The vessel had only arrived this morning and some of the passengers were still on board, and when the cry of fire" was raised a number of them were seen to run to the bridge decks. Most of them jumped overheard, and save for the few who were picked up by the tugs not one has been heard from, although every hotel and hos pital in the city of Hoboken Is crowded with the injured. Some of the passengers of the Maine tried to escape to the pier