New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-01
ALL FOR FIREPROOFING.
CITY'S NEW SAFE PIERS.
d., L. and ". Likely to Build
WharUes Protected from Fire.

Public comment on the advisability and neces-
sity Of protecting the waterfront with ireproof
steel and concrete piers has increased since the
burning Of the piers OF the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western Railroad in Hoboken last
Sunday. The general opinion among men who
are familiar with the problem OF fire fighting
on the waterfront is that the first step is to
reduce the possibility of fire by building fire
proof piers.
Fire Chief Croker says that steel piers are
the only safeguard. The North German Lloyd
Company realized after the destruction by fire
Of its waterfront property in June. 1900. that
it was imperative to rebuild its piers with steel
and concrete
Gustav H. schwab of the North German
Lloyd. said yesterday with regard to steel fire
proof piers:
After the terrible disaster Of four years ago we
and concrete. We went to the expense of putting
genius and engineers devise. We built them
primarily TO protect human life The safety or the
tween % Pg9p and f Europe 8as our rst con-
On he SAFETY OF Jhe 6r 4 %a5 er
sailed from pier there were about two
or otheF the eop Ae er had been delayed 8 after
noon venture TO say that not 10 per cent OF the
two thousand would have been saved In seven
minutes the fire swept the entire pier system
ana there was no chance 70 stop 1t; 8. 49,, 90,
The building OF freproof freight piers is one con-
sIderaon and the building Of firePr9of passenger
piers Is quite anotner II does not lollpW lIId It
same amount OF expenditure should be put forth
in freProohng freight piers as passenger piers.
noulcal way. The steel and concrete Withstand
the effect OF the elements and the necessity Of re-
pairing them is reduced to a minimum
E. f. LOOMS vice-president Of the Delaware,
Lackavanna and Western. said yesterday with
regard to the rebuilding Of the burned piers:
It Is rather early say just what our plans are
for reconsJructing the piers We intend TO put up
modern Ictures that will be freproof. but 70
what extent cannot say. We have used and shall
use, the sheet steel covering the buildings as
protection against fire our old piers We're wen
equipped with fire extingushing apparatus. but the
hre was blown so rapidly over the entire pier SIS
hydrants on the piers connected with pumps at
trbu P ove ali con r places We have two
tugs always at call. and each is equipped with TWO
water Steam is always kept up in the boats. and
az night thew are connected always with shore by
Telephone.
Dock Commissioner Featherson was asked
what plans, If any. his department had in con-
temptation for the construction Of freproof
piers avoid fire similar 10 that on tho Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western piers. Mr.
Featherson said that the piers built by the city
within the last seven years were practically
hreproof. as they had steel sheds A fire could
be easily confined 10 the merchandise stored on
pier In the construction of the eight new
piers in the Chelsea extension. he said IN en-
tirely new idea had been introduced, which
"ouL0 make me possibility Of the destruction ~
piers by fire almost nothing. In two Of the new
Chelsea piers al Eighteenth and Nineteenth
SITS the pier piles had been covered with flooring
or wood Spread along this wood was layer
Of concrete six inches thick on top OF the con
crete was placed another covering ~ wood or
creosote wood pavement, the latter a ron-in-
fammable material AS the sheds including
the roofs and upriEhts were Of steel the dan
ger OF fire. according 10 the Comm. ssio-er waS
reduced 20 a minimum. As the H. could not
penetrate beneath the concrete or AXE head
way against the steel parts or the pier fl would
burn itself out IN the stun stored Even this
last. he added. might 10 avoided with quick
action by the Fire Department and the use NJ
hrehoats- The Chelsea scheme. said the Com
missioner. would be carried out with the x
other piers 10 be built In that locality and with
al other piers planned by the city.
In Jersey city II was reported yesterday that
the Lackawanna Railroad Company would build
freproof piers. their superiority was demon
strated by the flying emb@rs and sparks falling
harmlessly the roof Of the corrugated iron
covered pier full OF valuable merchandise
The wreCkinR crews We're AT work YESTERDAY
clearing away the debris and gathering articles
OF value that had escaped the flames.