The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-10-01
DOCKS SWEPT BY BLAZE
GALVESTON IS SCENE OF
GREAT. DAMAGE
Two Piers Consumed and Several
Vessels Are Believed
Burned
Associated Press Dispatch ]

-
Galveston, Tex, September 30
Fire, which broke out on the Calves
ton waterfront early today, destroy
ed Piers 30 and SO and considerable
adjacent property, damaged several
steamers and consumed large
quantity of cotton and other COM
modities.
At six a. m, the fire was still burn.
ing, but the belief was expressed
that 1t was under control.
National guardsmen, on duty in
connection with strike OF dock
workers here, were thrown about the
permitted within quarter OF mile
Of the scene. Military officials de-
clined to discuss details. Conse-
Quently 1t was impossible to ascer-
tain the exact amount OF damage.
| Unofficial estimation however, plac-
ed the loss in excess of 100000.
Start In Sulphur Plant.
The fire, according to best available
reports, originated in a sulphur
coinpany's plant near the waterfront.
Famed by a thirty mile wind the
flames spread rapidly and within
| few minutes were beyond control.
Every piece ola fire fighting appara-
tus in the Oity was called into serv-
ice.
The fire became especially menac:
ing when 1t swept toward several
large oil tanks. A sudden shift of the
wind, however, turned the flames.
Spectators who were on the scene
before fire lines were established re-
ported they saw one steamer tied up
at Pier 35 burning and another catch
fire.
It was not known early today
whether it had been possible to save
| 10 OF
and two American.
The Galveston Construction COM
pany was said to have lost one steam
err and possibly two. but the report
lacked confirmation.
Blaze Under Control.
The fire is satill burning but is un-
der control. The Italian steamship
Etna with cargo of wheat Is still on
fire. Several streams Of water are
being pumped into the ship. II is be-
, lieved that the cargo will be a.total
loss and damage to cargo and ship
is estimated at $l.000,000..
Ships Move to Safety.
The loading devices of the sulphur
plant, where the fire originated and
I bins In the neighborhood Of Pier 81
were destroyed. Some OF the sis1ph i
u storage bins have escaped destrpsk q,
so far. The firewall o. tha<l
of the Pier Is prevents 4 8 z
or the 6amep q tha1
steafnshipB eeR4 1163 81 NJ l.! 80
soon as 1t bec1ane apbafenk thnk 81
fire would be B serious one.
e Railway switching crews were ab1i
It to take large number of freight CIR.
: Ito safety. It Is reported that fisteel
O Tcars of cotton were destroyed. All FIR,
d fighting apparatus, the fire boat
q Charles Clark, and severa; tugs re-
q sponded to the alarm. Great difficult
II ty was encountered In fighting the fir,
n because of the high wind.
Two Million Loss.
1t is impossible yet to estimate tn,
:; total losses. 1t seemed certain, how
: ever, that the losses would exceed tw
y million dollars.
Forty freight cars on tracks at tn
j, sulphur plant were completely de
u stroyed. Several firemen were over
: come by fumes from the burning sui
J, phur but none was in serious con
ID dition.
The plant of the Anchor Millin
N company, cotton seed cake grindin
: lTlant, north of Pier IS, was total
Re d stroyed.
\ Fire chief Ryan received a lette
/ yesterday postmarked from city
,, Canada, warning him that you ar
~ going to be destroyed"