The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-10-28

At first the firemen could make no
headway. Famed by a strong breeze, the
smoke from the burning hemp prevented
the men from approaching one section of
the fire. while the blaze In the burning
cotton and In the holds OF the steamships
could not be affected by the water
The known dead Policeman Patrick
Cushing of Brooklyn. caught at the end
OF pier 6.
The injured Benjamin Walsh, fireman,
skull fractured in fall down a hatch
way. Walsh lay in the hold of the Citta di
Palermo for two hours while the Arc on
the vessel was all around him.
AS to the fate OF the crews Of the ships
nothing definite Is known. The vessels
were the American, Arizonian and Ne
braskan, OF the Americanand Hawaiian
Steamship company, and the Citta Di Pa
lermo of the Italian line.
They were warped tightly tn the pier
and tugs could not get alongside owing to
the intense heat.
That the fire is of lncendiary nature is
the belief OF two private detectives and
two watchmen. Last Tuesday morning a
fire in one OF the many piers OF the COM
pany also started mysteriously destroyed
$4,000 to $4,000 worth OF cotton.
Much III feeling Is said TO exist between
the terminal company and some OF the
residents OF the neghborhood because the
company desires TO close certain South
Brooklyn streets
After Tuesdays fire, the company en-
ployed private detectives.
A few minutes before midnight. the de-
tectives and watchmen were halfway
out on pier No. Z. 13i0 feet long and 1iO
feet wide. Alongside this pier fay the
American Hawaiian ships.
Between them were lighters laden with
cotton and hemp. on the pier was ton
upon ton OF general merchandise from
China and the Pacific. Nearest the men
Law the Nebra sksn, on the point OF sail
ing for the Pacific.
From the lighter Victor. according 10
the men almost on the stroke OF mid
night. came a shaft of fire which shot he
tween them and the end OF the pier and
almost simultaneously between them ana
the shore came another bolt. In an I'M
stant the men declare. the flames had
spread apparently in every direction.
Escspe was cut of and within five min
utes after giving alarm 10 the watchmen
ana crews aboard the different vessels,
the watchmen jumped into the water
from which they were pulled soon after
wards by the hremen.
In 10 minutes the long pier was blazing
caught the Nebraskan.
The calls Of the men aboard were heard,
but they could not be reached from land.
Steps we're at once taken TO save the
rest OF the piers with the millions OF
dollars OF shipping and cargoes. Tho
Citta al Palermo diScharging at pier No.
6. was the best safeguard. for the great
iron sides OF the ship acted as guardian
wall TO the flames.
Cushing lost his life, IL is believed, when
he made dash on the pier 10 give alarm
10 persons aboard the ships.
The fire cut OF his return and a moment
later a square OF roofing fell over the
spot fireman. caught I'm the same
manner. jumped into the water. His
fate Is unknown
The vessels were all new except the
Citta al Palermo OF the Italian line.
Belonging to the American Hawaiian
Steamship company were the American
the Nebraskan and the Arizonian. among
the best I'm the Atlantic and Pacific trade
The Arlzonian was launched only-last-
year. having been built In the Union Iron
Works yards I'm san Francisco. Her gross
tonnage was SI62.
The Nebraskan, built I'm Camden. n. j..
was launched In iaoo Her gross tonnage
was ii0aN
Tho American built in 1870. came from
tSs Yards of the Delaware River Com
pany. Chester Pa. Her gross tonnage was
,Sal
Each Of these ships Vss of steel con.
str1cticn and equipped With tvin screws.