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About Schley County news. (Ellaville, Ga.) 1889-1939 | View Entire Issue (July 5, 1900)
SCHLEY COUNTY NEWS. BEYOTED TO GITING THE NEWS, ENCOURAGING THE PROGRESS AND AIDING THE PBOSFERITT OP SCHLEY COUNTY. 0. E. EtLtfTT. Miter and Business Manager. OVER TWO HUNDRED DEAD Steamships and Piers at Hoboken Wiped Out by Great Fire. A LOSS OF TEN MILLIONS Flames Originated Among Cotton Bales and Were Soon Beyond Control—Ffteen Thousand Lives Were Imperiled. A New York special says: Almost $ 10 , 000,000 worth of property was de stroyed, many lives were lost, many persons were injured and at least 1,500 lives were imperiled by a fire that started among cotton bales under pier 3 of the North German Lloyd Steam ship Company in Hoboken, N. J., at 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon. In less than fifteen minutes the flames covered an area a quarter of a mile long, extending outward from the actual shore line to the bulkheads, from 600 to 1,000 feet away, and had ignited four great ocean liners and a dozen or more smaller harbor craft in its grasp. Stories in regard to the loss of life immediately after the fire were, con fleting, the number being variously estimated from fifty to two hundred. Up to midnight Saturday night ten bodies bad been recovered, but they were so badly burned that identification was impossible. The hospitals in New York, Hobo ken and Jersey City are crowded with the injured. From what can be learned the flames started among a large pile of cotton bales on pier 2 of tho North German Lloyd Steamship company and spread with such rapidity that iu fifteen min utes the entire property of th 6 com pany, covering over a mile of water front and consisting of three great piers, was completely enveloped in flames. The people on the piers and on the numerous vessels docked were unable to reach the street. There were great gangs of workmen on the piers and these, together w r ith a number of peo ple w’bo were at the docks on business and visiting the ships, scattered in all directions. As all means of exit were cut off by the flames, they were forced to jump overboard, and it is believed a great number were drow r ned. At the docks of the North German Lloyd were the Saale, a single screw passenger the Bremen, ship of 4,965 gross tons; a twin screw freight and passenger ship of 10,526 tons, and the Main, a twin screw freight and passen ger ship of 10,200 gross tons. They all caught fire and were burned to the water’s edge. The Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, which had just come in, was the only one of the four big ves sels at the docks that escaped. The loss of the crews of these ves sels is said to reach one hundred. Tne steamship Saale had been towed down the river until it was just off Fort Liberty, where she had gathered about her a ring of fireboats and tugs, all fighting to save at least her hull. At varying distances about the burn ing ship lay coal and cotton barges, all ablaze, each with one or more tugs playing barges water upon it. Some of these and lighters were loaded with very inflammable stuff, and the flames leaped high in the air, whil4 the heat to was so terriflo that it was not possible use the small hose of the tugs. Along the Jersey shore small fires from were blazing, started by the wreckage the great ships. On the New York side of the river the fire caused the greatest excitement the drifting steamships floated, all aflame, to the shore and brushed against the piers from Canal to Mur ray streets. The fire department was called out at various points, and the spectacle was presented of the fire men on shore trying to fight fires at every minute changing their situa tion. There were hundreds of men on each of the destroyed steamships and a few women. Crowds of dock laborers and also employees of the companies were 0Q all the piers. Men, womeu and children were on the canal boats, and ELLAVILEE, GA.. THURSDAY. JULY 5 . 1000. men on the barges and lighters, and when the fire made its quick descent upon them escape was cut off before they realized their awful position. The people on the piers jumped in the water to save themselves, and scores of men huddled under the piers, clinging to the supports, only to be suffocated by the flames or to drop back in the water from exhaus tion. The greatest loss of life ap pears to have been on the Saale. Up to II o’clock Sunday night only eighteen bodies had been recovered. Eleven of these were placed in a row at the morgue in New York city and numbered, this being the only means of obtaining any sort of identity over the corpses. The only way the steamship officials have of approximating the loss of life is by comparing the list of those re ported safe with the list of the em ployes of the steamships. Late Sun day night Gustav Schwab, general agent of the North German Lloyd line, gave out a list showing what men on each vessel had been missing up to that hour. On the Saale. 255 men were employed and 127 of these had only been accounted for up to 11 o’clock, leaving 128 men actually em ployed as officers, sailors, engineers, coal passers, oilers and trimmers to be accounted for. The Bremen had 204 men on board, but only 127 of these have been found. The Mam had only 137 on her at the time and of these 76 have been re ported safe. Lloyd officials The North German deny that any passenger was lost, and declare that few’, if any, visitors per ished, and that the loss of life was al most entirely among the employes of the company. The loss on the steamship proper ties and to other compies is estimated, approximately, as follows: The steamship Main, of the North German Lloyd line, cost $1,500,000 outside of the cargo, fitting and stores. The loss is placed at SI,200,000 for the vessel and about $400,000 for the cargo fittings and stores that were aboard of her. The steamship Bremen, of the North German Lloyd line, cost $1,200,000 and her fittings and cargo were valued at $300,000. The cargo and stores were entirely consumed and the loss to the vessel proper will amount to at least $700,000. She is beached off Weehawken, entirely destroyed, save her machinery. which will The Saale, the steamship have the most horrible story of death to unfold when the divers go down in her, cost the North German Lloyd company $1,250,000, and the fittings and the cargo were valued at $300,000. The Saale is beached at Ellis island. The damage to the vessel proper is placed at about $600,000. The damage done to the Kaiser Wil helm der Grosse io estimated at $25, 000 . The three docks of the North Ger man Loyd line which burned to the wmter’s edge are estimated to have cost $300,000. well filled with The docks were merchandise just received from abroad and valued at $350,000. The Thingvalla pier, which was en tirely consumed, was valued at $50, 000 counting the stores which were , on it. The Hamburg-American line dock, which had just been completed as an extension to their great pier, and which was destroyed in order to pre vent the spread of the flames, was damaged to tbe extent of $5,000. This was the only loss they sustained as the steamer Phonenicia, contrary to reports, was not even scorched. Of the warehouses of Palmer Camp bell, houses E, F, G and H were burned. Mr. Campbell said that he could not give a definite estimate of his losses just now, but the damage to buildings alone would amount to at least $50,000, andthe contents $1,250, 000. Had the fire occurred at any other time of the year, he said, the loss would have been much greater, as just at the present time the imports are very light and the houses not well filled. OREGON ON A ROCK Our Big Battleship Meets With « Aooident On Chinese Coast, THE RAW DEPARTMENT IS ADVISED V'essel Was Hurrying To Cliee Foo and Struck Pinnacle Iiock During a Dense Fog—May Yet Be Saved. The following dispatches were re ceived at the navy department Satur day morning relative to the grounding of the battleship Oregon: “Che Foo, June 29. —Secretary of the Navy: Anchored yesterday, dense fog in seventeen fathoms, three miles south of How Ke Light, gulf of Pe Chile. Sent out two boats and sound ed—least water five and half fathoms. Weather clear. Got under way and struck Pinnacle rock. Much water in the forward compartment. Perfectly smooth. Shall charter a steamer if possible at Chee Foo and lighten ship. Rock through side of ship above double bottom about frame 19. Small holes also through bottom of ship. “Wilde.” “Che Foo, June 29 .— Secretary Navy: Iris gone to assistance of the Oregon. Raymond Rogers, “Commanding Nashville.” “Hong Kong, June 29.—Secretary of the Navy, Washington: Princeton arrived. Brooklyn leaves for Nagasaki. The Zafiro, at Che Foo, has been sent to assist Oregon, reported by Rogers on a rock south of How Ke light. Iris going to her assistance. Remey.” Captain Wilde’s statement of the injury sustained by the Oregon is not sufficient for the department to form a definite opinion as to the prospects of saving the famous ship. They say, however, that the ship probably can be saved, if the weather does not be oome rough, but unfortunately this is the season of storms in Chinese wa ters. The point where the Oregon grounded is fifty miles west northwest of Che Foo. Taku is 150 miles west of Pinnacle rock, where she struck. At the request of the secretary the navy, the state department sent a message to the Russian government at St. Petersburg asking permission to bring the Oregon to Port Arthur to be docked there in the event the ship can be floated. At that point is the nearest dock of sufficient size to dock the ship, and it is part of the navy yard possessions of the Russian govern ment. Secretary Long will spare no reason able expense in the effort to save the Oregon. Her total cost was $5,575, 032. On this total the hull and ma chinery represented $3,222,810. The Oregan made herself the most famous ship in the American navy, and the best known ship in the navies of the world by her remarkable race from San Francisco around Cape Horn to join the fleet at Key W T est just fore the war with Spain was declared. It was a feat unequaled in tho an nals of naval history, and an dented test of the capabilities and power of a modern warship. The Oregon, under command of Captain Charles E. Clark, began her long race of 14,000 miles against time from San Francisco on March 19th, 1898. arrived at Jupiter Inlet, Fla., on May 24th and communicated with the navy officials at Washington. Secretary Long ordered Q aptain Clark to report to the Norfo 5V yard if his ship needed overhauling; if not, he was to go directly to Key West. Two days later, or on May 26th, the Oregon joined the fleet at Key West. She bad steamed the 14,700 miles at racing speed without the slightest im pairment of her delicate machinery, or a break of any kind. The civilized world rang with praises of the magnif icent performance of the ship and her heroic crew. * The Oregon participated in the at tack on Santiago and with the Brook lyn prevented the escape of the Colon ' in the memorable sea fight of July 4th. \ During the chase of the Colon the Oregon developed a speed of eighteen knots under forced draft. When peace was declared with Spain the Oregon was sent to Manila. Some j days ago the vessel was ordered to China, and had nearly reached her destination when the accident oc curred. COL. TRAMMELL DEAD. Chairman of the Georgia Railroad Commission Passes Away At flarietta. After an illness of six weeks Colonel Trammell, chairman of the railroad commission of Georgia, died at his home in Marietta early Friday morn ing. All members of bis family were at his bedside at the time of his death. They had been there all night, waiting and hoping for some signs of return ing strength. The beginning of the end came at noon on Thursday. Pre vious to that time he had rallied con siderably and it was believed by his family and friends that he would re cover. It was a complication of diseases that caused the death of Colonel Trammell. Chief among them was an acute stomach trouble. This, com bined with extreme nervousness and a sluggish circulation, so enfeebled bis constitution and sapped his strength that the restoratives of the physicians had but little effect. Colonel Trammell has been a mem her of the Georgia railroad commis sion since 1881, aod during the term of his service his headquarters have been in the capitol building. He was probably one of the best known men in the state, and being at the head quarters of the state government for so many years, was in touch with prom inent men from all sections in Georgia, and being a member of the railroad commission, he was known also throughout the United States. As soon as Governor Candler heard the news of Colonel Trammell’s death he ordered the flag to float at half mast. __________ lillFDJMI UUElWILLA 9 A W W A^tAKE A DC ADC Is ^ e,ng # Ad ° pted By Boers to the Discomfiture of Brit ish Tooops. - According According to to London London adviroq advices Bop- Roe. guerilla operations are reported from points on Orange river colony. q'he war office has received the fol lowing frQm Lord Koberts; Peetor.a,^ Lindley he une was zy.—ragetreports engaged ^ on June 2Gtb with a body of the enemy strongly re-enforced during the day. A con v °y 8tor ® 8 f ° r the LuxHey garrison wa8 als ° attacked on June 26th, but a heavy rear guard action, the convoy reached Lindley in safety, “ 0ur casualties were ten killed and {our officers and about fifty men wounded. “The fight reported yesterday was under Lieutenant Colonel Grenfell, not Dreiptr. Brabant came up daring the engagement. “Total casualties of the two columns, tbre e killed, twenty-three wounded. “On the previous day near Ficks burg, Boyes’ brigade was in action with a body of the enemy. “Our casualties were two officers ^ killed, four men wounded and one uian missing. “Methuen found yesterday that the Boer ^ laager near A achkop and Spitz Hop had been hastily removed in the direction of Lindley. He followed the enemy twelve miles and captured 8,000 sheep and 500 head of cattle which the enemy had seized in that neighbor hood. Our casualties were four men wounded. “Hunter continued his march yes terday toward the 'V aal river unop posed. A few farmers along the route have surrendered. Springs, the term- 1 inus of the railway from Johannes burg, was attacked early yesterday morning. which garrisons The the Canadian place, beat regiment, ofl the j enemy.” Boer official reports from Machodo dorp aver that a part of the British convoy was captured on June 23d, near Winburg. The Lourenzo Marques correspon dent of The Times says: “Both the burghers and the foreign ers who are arriving here profess a strong belief that it will take from three to six months to subdue the Boers.” Another dispatch from Lourenzo Marques says: “A consignment to a foreign firm marked ‘Dutch cheese damaged’ prov ed on landing to contain army boots for the Boers; it passed the customs nevertheless with unusual dispatch and the British consul is making rep resentatious to the Portuguese govera ment. ,, VOL. X. NO. 27. CHAFFEE IS ASSIGNED To Command Our Troops In the Celestial Empire. GOES WITH SIXTH CAVALRY New* That Ninth Infantry Goes at Ones to Taku Greatly Pleases the Offi cials at WashlnjtoB, President McKinley has assigned General Adna R. Chaffee to the com mand of the American military forces operating in China. The plans of the war department were somewhat clear ed up by the announcement. General Chaffee was at the war de partment Tuesday receiving instruc tions and will leave for San Francisco in time to sail with the sixth cavalry. This detachment sails on the Grant, which has been ordered to touch at Nagasaki for further orders. It is probable that the ship will then sail direct for Che Foo, with General Chaf fee and the 6 ixth cavalry, General MacArther, at Manila, was cabled an order directing the com* manding officer of the Ninth infantry and such other forces as may be oper ating in China by the time of the Grant’s to report to General Chaf fee on bis arrival. Unless present plans change headquarters will be es tabllsed at Che Foo. The news that the NiaU. infantry sails at onee from Manila for Taka was received with pleasure at the war department. Gen. Corbin said he reg iment will compare favorably with any similar organization sent by any of governments in The Ninth haB been rccrui t e d to its fullest possible limit of 1,170 and is provided with an ample supply of * g nns , tents and complete [ field j ment> It goe9 to Chin prepare d {or active Berv j ce an( j j s thoroughly equipped in tho matter of transporta tion and subsistance supplies for a long campaign. The regiment is com manded by Colonel Liscum, one or tne bravost and most discreet officers ia tne army< The trip fiom Manila to Taka will be made on the transports Logau ftnd Port Albert> the latter car rying ^ ® transportation r outfit and ma c iQ --— MOBILE FLOODED. Over a Foot of Water Fell In the Space of Nine Hours In Alabama City. The heaviest rainfall in the history of tho weather bureau of this country was experienced at Mobile, Ala., Tues day, when 12.57 inches of rain wa® precipitated in the immediate section, It was merely a local rain extending only a few miles in almost every direc tion, although the Mobile and Ohio railroad announced that they had rain in great volume all along their line to g t> Louis, q'he ra j n began about 4 o’clock, and heaviest fall was between the bourB 0 f 5 and 7 , the record for the two hours being five iuches. The rest G f the fall was recorded between 7 and 2 o’clock, the entire fall of 12.57 inches being withiD nme hours. Only once before in this country has this record been nearly equalled, when 02 September 3, 1893, in Donaldsonviile, La., there was recorded a. fall of 21.70 inches in thirty hours, The damage done by the fall cannot be estimated. The crops are ruined entirely, and bridges in all sections of the country are either washed away or severely damaged. All of the country roads are impassable. All of the rail roads experienoed washouts and there i 8 heavy damage, as the road beds are weakened to a great extent. The section has never before er perienced such a protracted period of heavy rainfalls, and there is no way G f estimating the total amount of damage done. The farmers, according to well in formed cotton factors and commiasiou men, are well nigh ruined, and there is no hope for them to recover their losses. The cotton ia gone to grass to a great extent, while the other farm products are receiving no attention whatever owing to the impossibility of working the field® in the rain.
