The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-09-27


which caused Orleanians to believe
the entire Algiers section was in dan
ger, fire destroyed the lumber yards
and part of the plant of the Algiers
Manufacturing Company Monday
night. 1t also damaged part of the
plant of the Johnson Iron Works and
destroyed the blacksmith shop Of
John Laskey The loss was estimat-
ed at $4,000.
The damage to the Algiers Manu-
featuring Company was estimated to
be between 100000 and 100000, that
TO the Johnson Iron Works at $4,000
and to the Laskey shop at about ST.
zoe. Two horses and two mules in
the stables OF the Algiers Manufac-
turing Company were burned TO
death. Roofs of cottages and build
ings were singed by flying sparks,
but quick work by the fire depart
ment prevented a spread. The office
and warehouse of the Algiers Manu-
featuring Company were saved by a
| fire wall.
Although a strong breeze was blow
| ing it blew directly upon the river as
| if directed by the kindly hand Of fate.
! Had ii taken another course the fire
area undoubtedly would have been
extended.
| The fire began in the shaving vault
| in the boiler room OF the Algiers
| Manufacturing Company, where the
shavings were kept for fuel. 1t broke
out suddenly and with an intensi-
/ =, 4; oh, IN -rln 4
| Der piles in flames with startling "a
| pidity. Ed. Ousset, the Waterman
said he was on the second floor Of
the machinery department when he
noticed the flames below. He said he
was in the boiler room less than five
minutes before, but there were no
indications of fire at that time.
Ships were anchored around and in
the drydocks less than a hundred
yards away. The Johnson Iron Works
is repairing some of the ships and
there was talk of the fire possibly oc-
curing from German Vaccinations,
w. II. Ward, president of the Algiers
Manufacturing Company, and Warren
Johnson, president of the Johnson Iron
Works, both expressed the belief,
however, the fire was accidental.
The loss to the Johnson Iron Works
is cvered fully by insurance. The
loss to the Algiers Manufacturing
Company will be quite heavy, accord
ing to Mr.. Wards estimate. He said
his company carried sl2,500 insurance
in various companies, but that only
about $4,000 was applied to that part
Of the plant destroyed. Two double
cottages at 226-S and 1924 Morgan
street, whose roofs were damaged
we're covered by $500 and $500 in
surance, respectively.
The fire burned in the square
bounded by Morgan and Patterson
streets and Seguin and Bermuda SITS.
directly upon the river front, acros!
the river from Canal street. 1t burn
ed in a natural amphitheater behinC
the levee, which served as a grand
stand for thousands of spectators.
The big fire tug Samson of thu
Dock Board, also took position clos'
to the levee and did splendid work.
The almost instant discovery of thu
fire gave the fire department a WORK
ing chance. The scene of the fire Il
directly across the street from thu
headquarters of the Eighth Precinct
: Clerk H. w. Clark was looking out o
the window when he saw the flame
spouting up. He yelled to others il
J, the office and started to turn in TIL
t alarm. DOorman Godfrey Moll wa
just ahead and turned in the alarm
e from box No. 3. In less than fiv
! minutes the firemen were fighting tn
flames.
y Assistant Engineer Timothy DAILY
. chief of the Algiers Division, sent il
r a call to the other side of the rive
Immediately upon his arrival, realil
4 ing his four companies could not har
q die il alone.
The two ferry boats operating fror
Canal street did a rushing bushes
: for three hours handling the larg
d crowd which came as sight-seers. TIL
i crowd took a willing part in helpin
:. the firemen get their heavy vehicle
onto the ferryboat. The river is a
k low ebb, giving a sharp decline
e the gangways from the docks to tn
e ferryboats. Ropes were attached
d the rear of the fire wagons and sci
e ed by a large number of men VIII
d checked the speed of the wagons
g the descent to the boats.
:. The two double cottages in Morga
street were quickly emptied of the
l. contents by the large crowd which a