The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-07-17
SPECTACULAR FIRE
 OCCURS IN NEW YORK
Loss at Steamship Pier Is
 About a Million Dollars
BIG STEAMER DAMAGED
Entire Water Front fin Lower End of Manhattan Island Is Threatened But Fire Is Finally Stopped
 With Heavy Loss

New York, July 16.-Four hundred thousand spectators witnessed this aft ernoon the most spectacular pier fire since the Hoboken disaster 10 years ago in which 15 lives were lost
 As far as can be ascertained two men perished during the onfiagration of today. The monetary loss will run between $75o.OOO and s1,OoO.0oO.
 Pier No. IA of the Metropolitan steam ship line on the Hudson river at the foot of Fulton street was practically destroyed. The structure covered a cost of $3O0,000. The freight steamer was lying alongside the pier. caught fire and drifted on fire into the river, where fire boats and tugs extinguished the blaze. Twenty-eight of the crew jumped overheard and two are missing. It is believed they were drowned.
 The upper works of the vessel were destroyed, her cargo was soaked and scorohed, and the boat was otherwise badly damaged. Six barges lying be- of c. A. Yard of the Metropolitan line was barely lowed away in safety.
 For time 1t was feared the entire water front north of Fulton street was in danger of destruction. The blaze was one of the most stubborn that f1remen have contended with in years, and 22 land engines, fire boats and water tower were pressed Into ser vice. ss q
 As the flames swept through the pier to the close-lying harges the crews were forced to leap into the Wa ter from where ropes and boat hook pulled them to safety. Two men re- mained aboard a barge too long and were badly burned, but aside from the missing members of the Dimock crew no casualties have been reported to- night.
 Chief Croker said that the fire was the hottest he had ever handled. For time he was doubtful if his men would be able to face the heat. but when the wind shifted to the north the flremen, like they did two years ago. got a chance to play their streams effectively on the blaze. The police arrangements were good and notwithstanding the great crowd there were no street accidents of consequence.
 During the blaze the adjoining piers to the north were several times threat ened and pier Ia, occupied by the Bruns- wick Steamship comrany, caught fire more than once. Sparks flew to the Del aware. Lackawanna and Western ferry house beyond. igniting the cribs several times and suspending ferry service. A host of fire craft on the river and the massed land forces kept the blaze from sweeping these structures.
 At least one lighter between the two lower pieres was burned. and several others were damaged. Two men on one lighter were badly burned before they jumped and were rescued from the water by a fire boat.
 Accounts of how the fire started vary. falling case of matches on the pier caused the blaze. according 10 one rumor Another report was that the fire started on the steamer Dimocl and continued to the pier The Dimock was hauled out into the river by tugs. her upper works on fire all over. A fleet of fire boats and other craft gathered around her and deluged the decks and forehold and the steamer gradually drifted down the river The clerk of the Dimock jumped over' board with his ledger under his arm