New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-25
Is Million Pier
Fire Damages
The Leyiatl1an
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began to gain Captain H. S. Wilbur,
ofncer of the day, turned out the entire
army personnel of several hundred
men. Detachments Of soldiers assisted
in fighting the fire while others aided in
the removal of bodies from Pier 4. At
night 1T was announced that 1000
troops were being held at Governors
sland for immediate transfer if they
became necessary to maintain order,
but no police request for assistance
was received
Shortly before 10 o'clock the roof of
Pier 6 fell in with a crash that shot
showers Of sparks hundreds OF feet in
the air. During the time in which the
pier had been ablaze troops and fire
men had removed much property Of
value, but large amount Of valuable
Material had to be abandoned. When
the crash came it was at first report
ed that five men Of Engine Company
1 had been caught. This rumor proved
to be unfounded.
Hoboken Post Office Saved
Fire than threatened to consume the
Hoboken postoffice building just OPP
poste Pier in River Street was re-
ported at 10 O'Clock under control. Dur
ing the period in which the building
was endangered fifty tons Of mail mat
ter and other material were removed
IN army trucks. The business Of the
postoffice was carried on by the office
force in three emergency offices.
The loss to the military forces was
severe. More than 1000 soldiers were
made homeless and kitless by the de-
struction Of their mess halls and sleep
10 o'clock it was said that the flames
would be confined to the barracks.
When the guardhouse was threatened
with destruction thirty prisoners await
ing court martial were transferred to
the Hoboken Jail. The roof of the 18th
Infantry barracks collapsed and the
walls caved soon after this precaution
had been taken. The guardhouse was
declared at 10 o'clock to be out of
danger.
A spectacular feature Of the con-
cases of ammunition stored in the bar.
racks began to explode. The constant
rattle Of machine gun bullets and a
dropping fire Of rife cartridges added
to the excitement and caused the
crowds that had been hampering the
firemen and police to fall back.
Bodies of All Soldiers Saved
An indication that the fire had been
placed under control came at 1925
when word was received at tho
american Red Cross headquarters in
Manhattan that no aid would be re-
quired in handling the bodies of SOL
der dead. There were 1000 bodies
ready for removal on Pier 4 when the
fire began. The ransport Wheaton,
which arrived few days ago with
5000 dead, still had 1000 on board.
and lay on the far side of Pier a.
Preparations were made to shift her to
mid channel in case she became en-
dangered. Later orders were issued
to remove her and she dropped anchor
not far from where the Leviathan lay.
One reason for the order was that the
Wheaton had on board q considerable
quantity of explosives.
At the height Of the fire, when it
appeared that it would get beyond con-
troll 800 longshoremen marched into
the thick of the fight and volunteered
for work. They were asked to assist
tive work throughout the evening.
Failure Of the Hobolsen water supply
constituted serious menace to the
safety Of the town. One message re-
ceived from Inspector Hallock, a wire
less to Police Headquarters, declared
that the Hoboken Fire Department was
out Of water and helpless. Orders
were at once sent by radio to all New
York fireboats to stand by close in
shore prepared to render assistance
wherever possible.
The fireboat captains we're ordered
to take positions close inshore and re
main on call. The Duane and New
York stayed within close hailing dis
lance Of Pier to provide against a
further outbreak there
Leviathan Damage 100000
W. F. Gibbs, chief constructor of the
international Mercantile Marine, who
was aboard the Lcvathan when the fire
attacked her, said last night that she
had experienced very fortunate es-
cape. Mr.. Gibbs. who has been in full
charge Of the huge ship for more than
a year, said that while all the starboard
ifeboats were gone and all lights out
Of the starboard side, as we'll az much
damage to her superstructure, he con-
sidered it providential that the ship