Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-18
Unknown.

one of the most destructive fires
which has occurred in the navy yard
in recent years, was discovered at
O'Clock Sunday afternoon in building
NO. 81. The loss will be almost ire
parable. as it includes all the books
and accounts. plans and drawings,
models, correspondence and records of
the naval construction office, which
was located in the north end of the
building. AS yet, 1t is impossible 10 es-
innate the damage. burt when 1t is
known that many of the plans and
drawings were not duplicated in the
navy department in Washington, that
the loss of books, accounts and CORE
spondence will cripple the department
for months and perhaps for years, the
magnitude of the thing is easily appre-
ciated.
Waterman Charles Mcdonald dis
covered the fire while making his
rounds, and turned in an alarm which
brought out the fire department of the
yard, seconded by q guard of marines.
AS the flames steadily gained head
way, the entire marine force in bar
racks was called into service, and
Captain Watson, executive officer OF
the yard, assumed direction of affairs.
The fire apparently began about
midway of the building beside a bulk
head which divided it. All of the lower
floor and the south end of the second
story were filled with equipment
stores. the constructors Office and the
apartments of the clerical force being
in the north end of the building, sec
ond floor
NO one knows on which side of the
bulkhead the fire started as the
flames had almost demolished it when
discovered. The fire worked its way
rapidly toward the north end OF the
building in defiance OF the tiremeu, and
a brisk northwest wind. This feature
of the confiagration was q mystery to
the firemen until it was remembered
that between the peak of the roof and
the ceiling of the hallway was q large
triangular space which acted as q
fiue. 1t spread the flames with sur
prisins rapidity, and before any one
suspected the danger the whole north
end of the building was wrapped in Il
solid sheet of flame. An effort was
then made to save the constructors
most valuable papers, but it was more
than mans life was worth TO enter
even the hallway leading to the Offices.
At one stage of the fire a party OF
marines climbed through n window
INTO room in the second story, when
the floor. having been weakened by
the burning of the joists. gave way
and precipitatcd fifteen of the men to
the floor below. All made their ps-
cape through the windows, and four
teen of these who fell were taken to
the dispensary 10 Ire treated for in
Juries. None of the men were seriously
hurt MIR. Augustus Broughton, of the
Portsmouth Hook and Ladder Com
pany, received a severe fall while help
ing the men to get out of the build
ing.
Seven streams were playing on the
building from engines and tugs. but
produced little effect About 6 o'clock
the independent Engine Company and
the Hook and Ladder Company We're
sent to the scene of the fire and were
in service for two hours. and did not
subdue the flames entirely until 8
O'Clock yesterday morning.
Naval Constructor Stahl said yester-
day that 1000 drawings had been lost,
many of which could not be replaced.
1t was altogether impossible. he said,
To estimate the damage just now. Mr.
Stahl was in his office about an hour
and n half before the fire broke out.
and everything then seemed to be in
fact. No one else was in the building,
so far as known during the day.
The building was heated by steam
pipes running from the electrical
building. where the steam was gener-
ated. No stoves were used in the
building and no combustible mater
ials were stored there Except for the
theory of defective electric wire insu-
lation. and there seems little ground
for supposins that this theory is we'll
grounded. the authorities are abso-
lutely at sea as to how the fire orig
mated.
Admiral Cotton made a detailed re-
port of the disaster. so far as could
be learned yesterday morning, to the
naval authorities in Washington
Admiral Cotton has also sent the
following letter to Mayor Baird:
To the Hon. j. Thompson Baird,
Mayor of Portsmouth,:
Sir-Permit me 10 thank through
you, the chief engineer and members
of the independent Fire Company, and
the Hook and Ladder Company. of
your city, for The very valuable serv-
ice they rendered the authorities OF
this navy yard. in assisting to ex-
tinguish the fire in building No. 81
last night. the 10th inst.
The promptness with which they re-
sponded 10 our call and the work done