Norwich bulletin., 1916-09-14
STEAMBOAT DOCK
 NEARLY SWEPT AWAY.
Terrific Fire Prevented by Quick Re-
 sponse of Borough Companies.
Especial to The Bulletin )

Stonington, Conn, Sept. 19.-The long, low, yellow and venera ble old steamboat dock and freight house that juts out into Stonington harbor and so often brings forth poetic cEfusions as it stands q crunbii1g memorial of times that are no more, very nearly had it's peaceful xistence brought 10 a sudden teinnination this afternoon But. as usual, the readiness of the borough laddics to fight ith fire and flame saved the olG wharf from de- structton and perhaps the Point from being swept over by the devastating sparks that threatened ruin to all buildings in their path. The firemen, however, helped possibly by the condi- tions, saved all this.
 The fire began in q heap of barrels deposited in a lightly built annex at the lower and west end of the old freight house for the use of the fisher men whose craft alone now lie moored along the aged wharves. It seemed likely that one of these, getting ready to- ship his days catch, might have left a burning cigarette behind when he got out his barrels. That, however IS only a supposition.
 The fact is that at 2 o'clock flames were seen shooting out from the build ing beth on the dock and by Henry A. Muller from his store on Gold street Now the Loper fire alarm system is being remodelad in the borough these days, and so Mr Muller teIephoned at once to the Atwood factory, where the engineer blew the signal whistle by hand. The velvet mill was similarly notified d minute later
 At the first blast Chief Ed. Teed ceased painting, Assistant Chief Char lie Main left his store, HoscIuan Man nie Clay abandoned his coal wagon in word, the whole fire department and every man, woman and child who could possibly make it, responded with the greatest aiacrfty.
 The hose wa gons were the first to appear and though extra lengths had to be coupled in to span the length of the long docks. two vigorous streams were soon abusing the roaring flames that were eating vcraciously at the dry pine timbcrs. Then the hooks came, and the first ladder was raised to the roof of the old machine shop, which was covered with burning points started by the sparks carried by a strong west wind Up it Frank R. Tracy led the way with a fire ex- tipguisher, and he and Henry Gardiner and their helpers saved this building from loss.
 The continued play of water by hose and pail directed by the clear judgment of the veteran fire fighters soon had the freight house under control, al though one side for a distance of 40 feet was burned away. Those who saw the flames at first considered it a remarkable piece of fire fightin, re : founding greatly to the credit of the borough companies, both their leader and their rank and file.
 And just as, at 3 o'clock, the firemen were ready to leave this scene of &C., tion. they were called to subdue a roof fire at the house of Robert Gale on Broad street, As this is half a dozen squares from the steamboat dock, it is not thought sparks from there were rbe cause. To subdue this was chiId's play for the firemen, and they had it out and were returning before the fire alarm whistle blew for it.