The Fire in a New York Dock.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11503, 4 July 1900, Page 3

The Fire in a New York Dock.

FOUR STEAMERS DESTROYED,

FRIGHTFUL LOSS OF LIFE.

TERRIBLE STRUGGLES OF THE

VICTIMS.

DAMAGE £2,000,000 STERLING. United Press Association. — By Electric Telegraph — Copyrieht. , , Eeceived Jnly 4, 1.30 a.m. New Yobk, July 3. — Details of the Ere at Hoboken Dock show that it was caused "by tie explosion of a carboy of acid, which ignited a number of cotton bales.' There "were 1500 visitors and workmen about the docks at the time of the outbreak. The flames spread with incredible Rapidity, burning three piers belonging to the Nord-Deutcher Lloyds, and destroying their steamers, the Saole, Maine, Jsremen,'and Thingualia. It Is estimated that between 200 and 400 r *&*£° aB perished. q| J»e same line, the steamer Kaiser Wilhelm x <^ CT 'Grosse was jusb saved through t> splendid exertions of the captain ani. &w« . The Hambu/«- A » jencan Company dynamited one ot"" *&«»* P ierB > thereby saving their vessels. , . , , „ People on the piers ymptd-wto the Hudson Eiver by hundreds! Similarly all who could do f® }ovpped from the vessels. Boats 'and barges rescued nun.'WM of them, one lighter having 100 on .Hoard. Scores, however, were drowned. While, the Saole and Bremen wei'e hauling into the stream, men, women, and children below were seen through the port-holes. Bhrieking for assistance, but the flames rendered help impossible. Seventeen men were imprisoned in the Maine's coal-bunkers for hours, and had a marvellous escape. They were rescued after the vessel was beached, by ■cutting through the steel bulkhead. Fifty unrecognisable bodies have' been recovered from the Saole, while a number of stokers perished in the hold after indescribable horrors. Twenty-pine escaped by climbing on each other's shoul•ders. ' Aboard tho Maine a terrible struggle was witnessed amongst the unfortunate" people as they mado efforts to reach the port holes. The damage is at least ten million dollars.

Received July 4, 9.18 a.m

-New York, July 3. — The deaths by the 2fow York fire are estimated at 500, including 126 of tho crews, of the vessels destroyed.