Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1901-11-22
STEAMER RICHMoND.
She is Burned TO the Waters Eax,

She Is Burned to the Waters Edge.
A few minutes before the steamer
Richmond, of the Weems Line, Capt.
James ID. M. Burroughs command
ing, was to leave her wharf at Fred
ericksourg last Thursday evening a
volume OF smoke burst forth from
the forward cabin which was first
seen by Mate James b. Sanford and
Assistant Engineer Andrew O'Don-
nell. They rushed to the door and
tried to enter, but were driven back
by smoke and flame. An alarm was
sounded at once, the fire apparatus
OF the steamer brought into play and
the city fire department summoned.
The flames gained such Roadway in
few minutes that it was soon real
lied that the steamer was doomed to
destruction. The passengers were
hurried OIL the boat and an attempt
made to save their baggage and the
personal effects Of the officers. No
time was given to save any of the
cargo, except one horse, which was
carried to livery stable. The steamer
was lying alongside the wharf and
Agent w. ID. Scott fearing the large
warehouse, which was filled with
freight, would be burned, ordered her
cut loose, and she swung across the
river. Her rudder grounded on the
Stafford side, while her bow was
pointing towards the city gas works.
This position placed her beyond the
reach of the water of the fire depart
ment and nothing could be done to
save any portion of the steamer.
There she burned fiercely for three
hours until the tide caused her bow
to swing down the river, and what is
left of her lies on the Stafford side
of the river fastened to the trees on
the shore by heavy ropes. The
steamer later sank to the bottom, and
nothing is now visible but her smoke.
stacks and walking beam.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The origin of the fire is unknown,
but it is supposed to have been
caused by a lighted match or cigar
thrown down or a pipe. Only few
of the officers saved their personal
effects and portion of the passen.
gers baggage was burned. The
steamer was heavily loaded with
freight for the river and Baltimore.
The Richmond was valued at about |
$150,OO0, and it is said there is an |
insurance on her of 100000.
The Richmond was built in Balti- |
more in 1890, by William Skinner & |
Sons. She was 205 feet long, Sc feet
beam, and IL feet depth of hold.
She had 925 horsepower engines, and
registered SOS gross tons. She had
accommodations for 125 first, and
175 second-class passengers.
A SPEEDY CRAFT.
On her trial trip shortly after the
launching she developed a speed of
16 miles an hour. She has ever since
she went into commission been on
the Rappahannock river route.
1t is extremely fortunate for the
Weems Company that the new
steamer, the Calvert, now under con-
struction at Philadelphia, is so near
completion. She was to have been
launched on November 81, but Mr..
L. w. Forbes, of the Weems Line, has
gone to Philadelphia TO hurry up the
event. The new beat will probably
take the place of the Richmond.
The steamer Westmoreland, which
was on the Patuxent route, takes the
place of the surned steamer for the
present.
SHIPPERS NOT TO LOSE BY FIRE.
1t is usually the method for ship
pers to have their own cargoes in
sured, for steamboat lines issue their
noting exemption from
liability for loss by fire, dangers of
the sea, etc.
President Williams, however, SAYS
his company always carries insurance ,
on cargoes, in all instances protecting :
the shippers, so that in the case of
the Richmond the insurance COM ,
panies will, through the Weems
Steamboat Company, indemnify con-
slgnors for actual loss on goods.
INCIDENTS OF THE FIRE.
A negro stoker, who said he had I
left his money on the steamer,
attempted to jump into the river and !
swim to her but was restrained.
Daring the burning there was an
explosion, and piece of iron, weigh
about 10 pounds, was thrown over
to the Stafford side very near where c
Mr.. Lindsay Roach was standing. G
He was quite surprised at this unex.
pected visitor which was promptly
picked up. 1t was nearly red hot :
and ne dropped it quickly. After it
cooled he carried it home.
AS the fire did not break out till
nearly three o'clock all passengers for
The trip were aboard, momentarily
the steamer to leave. The Il
smoke was discovered quite little 4
while before it was thought any n
serious damage would accrue, and .
Efforts were made to extinguish it
md not to save the freight, until it =
vas seen that the fire could not be
checked. Then it was too late. DR..
q. Fisher, of Richmond county,
vas one of the few males embarking
or the trip. The Doctor gives some
Imusing incidents of the occasion.
)ne was his solicitade for an elderly
nation. who after getting out on the
wharf !. started back aboard. The
Doctor restrained her and informed
Ter he would get her satchel (Which
vas the cause of her disturbed mjndl