The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-04-28

two IRE tugs were playing streams
on the doomed structure from every
available vantage point. The IRE
adde's. clinging TO the iron frame
work. edged as near as they dared
20 the blaze. and several times were
driven back BY the heat.
Shallow water prevented the nre-
boats from leaving the channel on
the Detroit side. and they concen-
trated their streams on the draw
and the spans in the immediate vi
entity
When the half OF the draw on the
island side collapsed Il set IRE TO
the dock underneath. over which
the draw used TO swing. A 50-gaL
lon tank OF gasoline on the dock
exploded with terrific force. carry.
ing away a part OF the structure and
spreading the Are over a greater
area. The nreboats literally de
iuged the dock with water and man.
aged TO save part OF IL.
Jacob herman. the bridge tender.
and Frank Martin. engineer. stuck
to their posts until the intense heat
compelled them to retreat
r. c. Drengberg. driver OF hose
wagon No. Z. narrowly escaped be
ing caught In the flames on the
draw, The Are ate It's way through
the pavement under the wagon and
the bridge had already started 10
sag before he turned around and
reached q point OF safety. A few
minutes later the span fell into the
river.
Thousands watched the destruc-
ton or the bridge from the Detroit
shore. although the dense. black
smoke from the burning creosote
blocks. soaked with oil from auto
mobiles. practically shut on the
view east OF the bridge. Over on
the island were about a thousand
men, women and children and per.
haps a hundred vehicles. mostly
motor cars. Those marooned, while
they watched span after span col
lapse and fall Kissing into the river,
wondered how they were going TO
get home.
The IRE he/ not been long under
way. however. before the Detroit a
Windsor Ferry Co. was perfecting
arrangements TO look after the ref.
usees." BY o'clock. the ferry
steamer Essex, running between
walkervillS and Joseph Campau-
ave. va smaking regulad trips 10
the island. Later the Garland was
pressed into service and by 7:30
the last Of the marooned pleasure.
seekers were safely ashore at the
Jos Campau dock.
Crossing from the island with
about 900 paseengcrs and several
automobiles on board. about $50
o'clock. the Garland suddenly sound.
ed q short. sharp foot" from her
whistle. and. 40 q small motor boat
sped from just beneath her bows.
the ferry steamer careened dixxiiy,
lurching over on her beam ends un.
I'll the main deck was awash.
The few who happened TO be look.
Ing at the boat held their breaths,
40 II appeared that the big steamer.
with her human freight scattered
about both decks a. thick a. nies,
seemed In danger OF capsizing. But
In Just IN instant the boat righted
Itself.
The Garland was hard aground
on the upper end Of Chicken Bone
reef. which lies about 500 feet west
Of the bridge. just bordering the
steamer channel
Passengers were panic-stricken AZ
the boat careened. but the crew
quickly Gained their fears. and as
the boat rishted herself the com.
motion Quoted.
II was In trying to dodge the
small motor boat tho the Gariand's
pilot swung HIS own craft on the
reef. Ford 20 minutes the Gar.
lands propeliers churned the water
into foam before she was able 10 re.
lease herself.
Msyr MARI and Secretary Edward
T. Fitzgerald -emmandeered" q mo.
tor boat when they arrived At the
scene OF On ebiare, Eddie" thrust.
ing a IS bill into the hand OF the
owner and ordering full speed
ahead They returned from a trip
around the bridge with grimy faces,
but both were smiling.