The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-03
M. and M. Wharves, Several
Warehouses and Business
Structures Destroyed
DAMAGE ESTIMATED
AT OVER A.MILLION
Blaze Discovered in Shed on Wharf
Firemen Have Narrow Escapes.
Central of Georgia's Loss Is
Probably 100000

Savannah. Ga, February 2.-Fast
blackening heaps of ashes, a quarter of
a mile in length ard 200 yards in
width. are all that remain tonight of
the wharyes of the Merchants and
Miners transportation company. which
burned early this morning.
The fre, which originated near the
main entrance of the wharves, was dis
covered shortly after o'clock, but
spread so rapidly that possibility of
saving the wharves was soon past.
Within less than SO minutes the Mer-
chants and Miners wharves were de-
stroyed and the flames had spread to
the Planters rice mill, which also
burned. Seven warehouses owned by
Fhe Central of Georgia railroad and
tyleased to various companies. were de-
stroyed, together with their contents.
The entire loss Will reach $780, 900.
The Central of Georgia railroad,
owner of the wharves, is the heaviest
loser as IA freight cars which We're
uninsured were burned with the
wharves. The wharves alone were valued
at 100000. They will be rebuilt at
once.
A strong gale was blowing when the
fire started and the flames We're blown
with a furry to all parts. The area COM
prising about five blocks along the
river front was -utted and firemen
devoted their main efforts to saving
adjoining property.
Many high tension electric wires
were carried on poles in the burned
section, and the electric company was
forced to shut off all current. The
glare of the fire gave ample light.
Shortly before 4 o'clock the wind veered
and the wharves of the Ocean steamship
company were threatened, but the wind
changed again and this property es-
capped destruction. II was daylight be-
fore the fire was actually under con-
troll. No ships were burned.
Savannah, February 2.-Damage esti-
mated at sl,5o0.0oo resulted early today
rom a4fire OF unknown origin which
IS the szTaanah river front snr two
fiocks, destroying the wharves Of the
Merchants and Miners Transportation
company, several warehouses and busl-
4 less structures and the Planters Rice
Eill.
Fire Originated in Shed
The blaze was discovered shortly after
i o'clock this morning in a shed on the
western end of the wharves. All the
available fire apparatus In the city re-
sponded to the general alarm. and every
effort was made to check the confagra-
tion, with the assistance of fire tugs In
the river. The flames spread from the
Ogeechee canal east to within 150 feet of
broad street, threatening many business;
structures and shipping.
After fighting the flames for four hours
the fire finally was gotten under control
without loss of life. Several firemen were
slightly injured but none seriously.
The greatest loss was sustained by the
Central of Georgia Railway company.
of no Iaro oI1ot. .tc nd
terminals, and the Merchants and Miners
freight, which was stored in the ware
louses. The loss to this company Is
estimated at 100000. covered by insur-
ance.
The American Steel and Wire company
warehouses on either side of the entrance
to the merchants and Miners docks We're
partially destroyed with damage esti-
mated at between $4,000 and $4,000, also
covered by insurance.
Estimates place the loss Of the Planters
Eice mill property at 10000 The build
ing was not insured. but the machinery
was protected. Other losses include
Ccnklin Tin Plate and Metal company,
$4,000: Savannah Supply company, $4,000;
Crane & Co. Pipe company. $4,000: Quak-
er City Flour mills, S24o0. Warehouses
Snd business structures of several other
firms also were damaged or destroyed,
but the loss has not yet been definitely
determined. Much of the freight burned
tad only been discharged a few hours
previous to the breaking out of the con-
Migration.
Origin Unknown
Efforts Of Agent Erskin of the Mer-
chants and Miners company to ascer-
tain the origin of the fire have been
fruitless. The shed in which the flames
II first were discovered Is said to have
been partially filed with hay.
President j. c. Whitney of the Mer-
chants and Miners company, after a
consultation here today with w. A. Win
burn, vice president of the Central CT
Georgia, announced that immediate steps
" ould be taken for rebuilding the
vharyes.