New-York tribune., 1902-03-19
NEW YORK PIERS IGNITED.
LAND ENGINES AND FIREBOATS FIGHT
OFF FLOATING FURNACES.

One Of the barges. belching forth great gusts
of flame foated over TO the Manhattan side OF
the river, closely followed by the hreboats New
Yorker and Zophar Mills The hreboats tried
to grapple the burning barge, but without sue
cess. The strong wind blew the burning mass
against Pier No. Is at Chambers-st. A FIRE
alarm had already been sent in by the watch
man. who realized that the pier was in danger
of destruction. and three fire engines arrived at
about the time the barge into the pier.
Lines of hose were speedily connected with
hydrants. and streams were turned on the pier.
The barge clung to the pier tenaciously, and
dehed the efforts Of the freboats to pull her of.
After repeated efforts. the New-Yorker finally
caught her with graphing iron attached to
the steel hawser. and towed her out into the
river, but not until the pier had been ignited.
The damage. however. was slight, as the engines
succeeded in putting out the blaze within few
minutes after it started. The tugs continued
pour great streams of water into the burning
barge. and as the barge, with the two freboats
circling about her. drifted down the river. they
presented a picturesque sight.
The terrific wind was too much for the nre-
boats, and the barge again strucK against the
pier at Murray-st Here the performance at
Chambers-st. was repeated. The IRE engines.
when they had extinguished the blaze at Cham
bers-st. continued along west-st.. to be prepared
for a fire at any of the other piers, and when
the barge struck at Murray-st. the fire engines
Immediately stretched three lines Of hose and
started 10 give L pier a thorough drenching-
They unable to prevent a blaze however.
which for a time threatened 10 do considerable
damage Fire Chief Croker arrived about this
time, and sent in a second alarm which brought
out three mora engines and hook and ladder
The burning barge was pulled away from the
Murray-st. pier after considerable hard work
the part Of the the fTebOats Who
worked like demons. When the barge was again
free of the pier she was pulled out into the
middle Of the river but despite the efforts OF the
freboats the wind gradually blew her toward
the Manhattan shore. The blaze lighted up the
river brilliantly. and from the shore the hremen
on the hreboats could be seen casting their
graphing irons aboard the floating furnace. The
boats came as close to the barge as possible
without being in danger Of destruction them
| selves Their graphing irons refused to hold.
When they did get hold. the woodwork on the
barge burned away and they were compelled TO
continue throwing hawsers aboard
AS the barge neared Rector-st. she gradually
drew in toward the shore and finally ran into
the slip OF the Pennsylvania freight pier. No 4
The pier was Uttered with all kinds Of inham-
mable freight. and there great apprehension
that a fire once started. would be difficult 10
get under control Fire Chief Croker whirled
| up to the pier in his automobile and personally
! directed the work Of the iremen- Every avail
able line Of hose was stretched. and the streams
! were playing on the dock and barge as soon as
possible In the slip the time the barge reached
there there a large tug belonging 10 the
Pennsylvania Railroad. The tug attempted 70
make hasty departure, but in untying her
haWser from the pier il was dropped into the
river IL became entangIed with her propeller,
and for several minutes il looked as if she would
be compelled TO remain in the slip Several or
the crew hung over the stern of the tug as the
propeller was reversed, and the rope was got
free She got out just as the barge came IN
| The blaze the barge seemed 10 have been
got under control. but great clouds OF smoke
/ issued from her and hampered the nremen in
their work.
The New-Yorker again came 10 the rescue
and drew the burning mass into the river be-
fore any damage had been done 10 the pier
The barge was drawn out into tn river for III =
third time. and continued out into the bay with
further Camage 10 The piers. About l-4-'
a. m. she had been beached near Governors
Island. and the hrebOatS still pouring inn
! uense quantities Of water into her hulk The
blaze had started afresh and was burning with
renewed brillianoy- illuminating the harbor tor
/ about mile From the Battery the tugs couiI
/ be seen near her. Fire Chief croker went to the
Battery In his automobile TO view the blaze TIA
I said it of the most enhancing sights
/ he had ever looked upon The chief telephOned
I To Brooklyn have the frebOIt Seth Low senr
I tC Governors Island 70 assist in qUenching the
fire
/ \ PENNSYLVANIA ferryboat in crossing the
/ river and trying TO keep out of the way of th@
! British Queen when she was taken down made
/ a wide detour. IN doing 50 she nearly ran into
| a burning barge. but Veered of in time 20 es-
I cape collision.
/ Chief Croker said he could give no estimats
! on the fire since all he had 70 DO % look
out for the safety of the NewTOrk river 'front.'
/ He said the frebOats Zophar Mills and SETH Low
/ were at Governors Island. and would fight the
/ fire there on the two lighters. while the Van
/ Wyck remained down at the Jersey flats throw
! ing water into the British Queen.
The army officers quarters were greatly en-
/ dangered. The soldiers stationed on the island
4 were employed In lighting the hameS ana IN
/ few hours the danger was passed