Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-07
CAPT. STRYKER TELLS
OF FIGHTING The FIRE

Low water pressure is given as the
reason for the complete destruction Of
the Morgan Shell Loading Plant FRI
day night and Saturday morning by
Charles r. Stryker, of Matawan, who
is q captain in the plants fire COM
pany, and was on duty the night of the
blaze. According to Captain Stryker
the ell unit in which the fire start
ed was known as the Jonah unit OF
the plant, the building have blown
down while In course of erection and
severai accidents having taken place
there.
When the alarm was turned IN and
q hose line attached to a hydrant
near the blazing unit turned on, only
about ten pounds pressure could be
obtained. this small pressure would
zle, but no further. The system had
been tested for one hundred and fifty
pounds prussure and had withstood
the strain successfully and Captain
Sti yker says that the night OF the fire
the pumping station reported that
they had one hundred and forty
pounds pressure in the mains. The
failure of the water when most needed
is laid to the fact that the first hard
explosion caused q break In the water
mains. thus making the system USE
less.
Perhaps the most authentic story of
the series of explosions which shook
New Jersey and Long Island. when
the big government shell loading plant
to an EVENING NEWS reporter by
Captain Stryler who fought the blaze
until long after o'clock Saturday
morning, when he was told to protect
h,.cself, as were other firemen by the
~
dun expN turned
at the e-1-1 unit. Captain Harry.
Riley took the chemical and hose ten
der and started for the fire. started
with six men and the hook and ladder
at once. Chief J. ]. Donoho and Cap
tain Ainsworth were on the truck. We
!arriyed at the fire in about two min
utes; On the way over the second ex-
we found the 6-1-1 building fat on
the ground and ablaze.
"Chief Donoho ordered out two
lines Of hose, and under Riley and the
other under me. Riley made connec-
tions on the west end of the plant
while made connections on the
north end of the plant. About this
men that there was no use trying to
save 6-1-1. but to go around and try to
save the 6-2-1 unit. Before we could
get, men around to 6-2-1 the maga-
fine Of ell exploded. 1t knocked
every man from ten to fifteen feet, one
man went out of his head. four were
injured, one seriously. was knocked
and hung on while wood and iron fell
on every side. On my way over to
6-2-1 another explosion took place. I
ducked behind pile of railroad ties.
~~~~~~~>~~'->-~~~~-~~ ~>>~>-->~~~->~~~-~~~Ss
whom are under the military authori-
ties in South Amboy, that the three
forces will be able to accomplish the
desired result. have the city ready for
these people, ready to feed them and
keep them warm and well. by tonight.
Mr.. Staub has reported that there
are no patients among the returned
civilians in South Amboy but that
eleven of the guards in that city are
being cared for with a nurse and a
doctor in charge. He says there is a
goodly supply of drugs for present
use and that more are being sent
which will be distributed to three
stations by the main station In st.
Mary's Hall.
The dispensaries will be at ST.
Mary's Hall, the temporary hospital
where the soldiers are being treated
and at the South Amboy City Hospi-
tal They are establishing an auxiliary
hospital at the armory, where thirty
cots and an equipment for them Is
being placed, heat, light and plumbing
are being regulated and everything is
being put into shape for the reception
of the patients.
DIR. Riley says that all buildings in
that city have been inspected and have
been found generally to be in safe
condition, but that there is no heat
or light or gas available and for that
reason the cities which are harboring
refugees will be asked to retain as
many as possible. He says that it will
be very cold there today andsthere may
be fire danger If persons start fires in
ranges where the chimneys and fiues
are not in good condition.
Things are beginning to function in
South Amboy," said DIR. Riley today.
There are various activities now in
good form, whereas there was nothing
this morning. Things have taken
shape out of a clear sky and we will
soon have them in good condition"
South Amboy is still under military
law, although the damage done in that
city is not as bad as at first estimated.
A conference is being held at noon to-
day to decide what action to take
towards building the city and repair
Ing the houses which were more or
less. damaged by the blasts.
The Red Cross Is cooperating with
the government and state authorities
in looking after the property and
caring for the refugees as they return.
As the city still remains under mar
tial law It Is necessary for all those
who return to thier home to abide by
the rules as set down by the COM
manders in-charge. The city hospital
has been repaired and doctor placed