The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-09-04
Blaze Last Night Destroyed
Staunch Little Packet at
Paducah Wharf.
Started in Engine Room With
Doors Closed.
DEPARTMENT DID GOOD WORK

Fire OF unknown origin burned the
packet boat Gracey Childers, OF the
Tyner line. TO the waters edge wee
terday evening at ts moorlngs at the
foot Of jefferson street. The boat
was valued at $4,000, covered by
only $4,000 Insurance.
IL was the second fire on the boat
In two weeks as last week fire was
discovered on the boat when she was
tied TO the bank near the foot of
Ohio street. The fire started In the
engine room. The blaze was discov-
cred In time. and bucket brigade
extinguished the blaze after II had
burned a hole through a wall.
Deckhand Loses Lantern.
One OF the deckhands of the boat
was carrying one OF the brass Ian
terms OF the fire department last
night, when he fell through hole,
into the river. In the excitement he
dropped the lantern. valued at 81.
The firemen were not anxious TO lose
property and they made the deck
hand dive after the lantern. but he
failed To get IL. This morning most
OF the lantern was fished out OF
twelve feet of water. and this after
noon they hope to recover the rest.
The boat Is practically a total loss.
although. Il Is believed. the hull may
be- utilized. The machinery sank
with the stern of the boat, while the
/. iarboard side Of the hull Is sunken.
The flames were seen to shoot from
tevoral places by deckhands on the
towboat Condor and an alarm. which
called out companies Nos. and 4.
was turned In.
Watchman Charles Wood had left
the boat a short time before the blaze
for his supper.
Lines OF hose were strung by the
finemen and a deluge or water poured
on the burning boat The FIRE had
spread with great rapidly and was
well under way when the water be-
gss Rowing al TIE high pressure and
IN the course OF one hour the cabin
had been consumed and the ere was
eating It's way along the workings of
the deck. The flames were finally
subdued. although the boat was prac-
tically destroyed.
Several craft tied 10 shore near the
Chllders were In grave danger OF
being set on fire. The sand digger
was cut loose and drifted down
stream. while precautions were taken
against sparks igniting the J. n.
Richardson and Reuben Dunbar.
Ryman line boats. moorcd several
yards distant below the wharf
Charles Gilmore. in charge OF many
gasoline boats made fast near the
burning vessel. were placed IN safety.
The Childers was formerly the
Rose Hite. running out OF Louisville.
A year ago the Tyner line purchased
her for the Cumberland river trade.
between Paducah and Nashville, en-
tering last January. She had two
decks and was $50 feet long by 81
feet wide. She ran without opposi-
ton for several weeks. when the
Ryman line entered the Bob Dudley
In the trade In opposition. later sub
shutting the j. b. Richardson. The
Childers was owned by Capt. James
Tymer. Sr, of Nashville. but was said
never 10 have proven a satisfactory
boat. Several months ago she drop
ped out of the Cumberland river
trade and tied up In the Tennessee
river. she was dropped down below
the wharfboat Wednesday on account
OF the rapidly falling rivers. II was
the intention to have a new hull built
for her soon and have her fitted out
In good shape TO resume her old
trade this winter when high water
came.
Capt. James Tyner, Jr.. arrived In
the city few days ago to look after
the repair work. Last night he noti-
fed his father. who left for Paducah.
The origin OF the fire is not known
and no lights of any nature are
known to have been burning on the
craft. An investigation Is being
made.
News of the fire spread over the
entire city and hundreds focled to
the river to witness the destruction
OF the boat. The flames rose high
and the smoke was thick, making a
"A.