The Washington times., 1903-05-14
ONLY FERRYBOAT
A PREY OF FLAMES
Columbia, of the Alexandria
Line, Burned.
NOW AT BOTTOM OF RIVER
No Probability of Water Connection
With Virginia Town Until New
Line of Steamers is Established.
NOW AT BOTTOM OF RIVER

AS relic of ferry traffic between
Washington and Alexandria a sunken
hull lies at the bottom of the Potomac
River today, the ruins of the steamer
Columbia. In smoke and flames the sole
surviving ferryboat between these two
points disappeared last night completely
cutting off communication of this kind
The loss will probably not be replaced
for eight months. when a new line of
modern steamers is scheduled to go into
operation. The damage of the fire is
estimated at $50. 900, partly covered by
insurance. The origin is unknown.
The flames were discovered by Harbor-
master Sutton shortly before 10 o'clock.
"A thin line of smoke was seen curling
from the base of the stack, while a dull
glare beneath it told of the smoldering
flames. An alarm was turned in, but be-
fore the engines arrived fire broke out
all over the boat. and two more calls
were sounded in rapid succession.
Rapid Spread of Fire.
The flames spread quickly from bow
to stern. and within a short time had
consumed the upper deck. Then the
IRE gradually ate its way down the
sides until the waters edge had been
reached, when it died out The hull soon
filled with water and sank to the bot
tom of the river. It was not totally
destroyed
In the meantime the. wharyes and
~
tense heat from these greatly hampered
the f1remen in their work. In fact, II
was not until after the boat had sunk
that the second blaze was gotten under
control. after having caused loss OF
about $4,000.
The bright glare could be seen fol-
miles around. and brought a swarm Of
other craft to the scene. Among the first
ito see the impending danger on the Co.
lumbia was Capt Herbert Cannon, OF
the tug Sarah, of Baltimore. He imme-
diately ordered the crew to fire up
and prepare to fight the flames. 1t was
the work of only few minutes to set
the engines in motion. and hardly had
the blaze got started when a stream OF
water was thrown on it from the Sarah
Origin Not Known.
While the origin is unknown. the har-
Dor police and the company's watch
man, James McCracken. believe it start
ed from a spark. No one was aboard al
the time and there is no accurate way
of ascertaining the cause. Twenty min
utes before the fire broke cut
McCraczen inspected the boat from
h,,+
wrong.
The loss of the Columbia completely
ties up ferry traffic between here and
Alexandria. the boat having been the
only one operated by the company. John
Padgett, superintendent and manager oil
the company said today there was little
likelihood the boat would be replaced
this season.
Good Work of Firemen.
That more property was not destroyed
is due to the prompt work of the de-
partment and assistance of other
steamboat masters who saw he fire
The Norfolk and Washington steamer
was saved from destruction by the eff
forts OF Capt. John Taylor, of the tug
James o. Carter, who towed her to mid
stream.
The Columbia was built fourteen years
ago by William A. WoodhaH Co., OF
Baltimore. 1t had accommodations for
I 900 persons, and could travel at a
maximum speed of twelve miles an
hour Until three months ago the steam
er Belle Haven was her running mate
but was removed by order of the IN
spectors.
Serious Blow to Alexandria.
The temporary closing of the Alex
andria and Washington ferry is a most
serious inconvenience to the large Alex
andria wholesale houses and manufac-
tories, the bulk of whose business is in
the District of Columbia.
morning that it would take several
weeks to put the Belle Haven, the only
other steamer now owned by the ferry
company. into a sufficient order to make
lucrative a business as the ferry be-
tween Washington and Alexandria Will
be allowed to lapse even for a short
time.
Meanwhile the trade wagons of Alex
andria will be compelled to use the oil
Washington turnpike and the Long
Bridge and the Washington, Alexandria
and Mount Vernon Railway will be used
for the entire passenger transfer be-
tween this city and Alexandria.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS