Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-12-27
taHt y 4 d . . H
/ IMAGE WILL AMOUNT
10 NEARLY 100000
Disastrous Fire al shIpyaPd Christ
mas Day Loss Partially
Covered by Insurance.
FIREhEA DANGEROUSLY INJURED
Eddie Eddlnss HoverIns Between
Life and Death at Hospital, Rccov.
cred Consciousness Yesterday AT.
ternoon-Bls Building Destroyed and
Steamer jefferson Damaged.

In the most disastrous confiagra-
Ton In the history of the Newport
news Shipbuilding & Dry Dock
company, a great two-story. metal
covered frame. building, located be.
tween dry docks, Nos. / and 2. was
completely destroyed; the Old Do.
minion liner jefferson. being
heightened in dry dock No. 1, was
damaged to the extent of several
thousand dollars; about $4,000
worth OF tools owned by work1nen
were ruined and the destruction
OF the entire southerly portion of
the big plant was threatened about
o'clock Christmas afternoon. The
total loss is placed at about $780,.
ooU which Is fully covered by in.
surance This does not include the
damage to the workmen's tools, on
which, 1t is understood no Insurance
was carried.
Fireman Terribly Hurt.
While heroicly fighting the flames
on the north side OF the burning
building, Eddie Eddings, a volunteer
member of the Eagle Engine Com
pany No. 8. was struck by falling
mass of burning timbers and sus.
tanned Injuries which may prove
fatal. The unfortunate fireman was
hastily carried to the west end of
the blacksmith shop, about 100 feet
north of the burning building. and
DR.. Aaron Jeffrey, who was at the
hre was summoned. The physician
mad the injured man put In the
Central Fire Company's combination
wagon and taken to the General
hospital.
Eddlnss May Recover.
Upon all examination the physician
found that Edding's hip was frac-
tured, his leg broken and his skull
injured. He now lies in the Gen.
eral hospital in precarious condi-
ton, suffering from concussion OF
tho brain. The young man was
rendered unconscious by the blow
and he did not regain conscious
ness until about o'clock yesterday
afternoon. Slight hopes for his re
coyery are now entertained by Dir.
Louis Loeb, who was called to at,
tend the young man last night.
Friends of the injured fireman tele.
graphed the news of the accident TO
his parents In Richmond early Christ
mas evening and Mrs. Eddings came
down to this city yesterday morning.
She went to the bedside of her son at
the General hospital and expects to
stay with him until his condition i'm
proves.
4 John Wilson, member of tho
Central fire company, had his left
Knee cap knocked out place while
lighting the fire. He was moven
TIC the General hospital g.gl
Origin of Fire a Mystery,
The origin of the fire probably
Will never be learned. The flames
apparently started in the extreme
easterly end OF the building and, as
the plant was closed down and no
workmen were around, they had
gained considerable Roadway before
Waterman discovered them. He
ran to the powerhouse near by and
gave the alarm and a short time
afterwards, at exactly L. minute be-
fore&4 O'clock, the shipyard whistle
sounded the fire signal--ilfne sharr
quick blasts. After giving the
alarm to the men In the power
house. the watchman telephoned to
the man on duty at the main gate
and an alarm was sent in to the
city department.
Thousands Flock to Yard.
lurluE fInl6 time ~ the Shtpyard
whistle had been continually blow.
ing and hundreds of men, women
and children focked Ito the plant.
Scores OF men and boys leaped over
the fence and the main gates were
thrown open and thousands OF ex!
cited people rushed down into the
yard. 'rlie fire had been steadily
eating its way through the big build.
ing and dense clouds Of jet black
smoke were rolling heayenward and
from Washington avenue It appeared
as u half of the great plant was
in flames. 3
Before the Eagle Engine Com
pany responded TO the first alarm,
eager hands brought forth reel afi
ter reel OF hose, from the shipyard
hose house. and dozens OF men.
began taking boxes of tools, be-
longing to ship-carpenters, out OF
the west end of the burning struct-;
IRE. Up to this time no flames
were visible through the volumes o.
smoke that poured from under the
caves of the building and out of
the windows.
All Three Companies Out.
NttI,ar LrI,. ,(tl,sor w fr' II Slt,..,,