The New York herald. [volume], November 21, 1872, Page 5, Image 5

About The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920

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CONFLAGRATION It! JERSEY CITY,
A Tobacco Inspection Ware
house Destroyed.
LOSS $600,000.
An Satire Block in F1 amee?Brarery of the
Firemen?What a Blander in the Alarm
Sjat?B Coit?A Gang of Thieyes
Boated by the Police?Hoboken
Bends Its Aid-An Immenio
Concoarse of Spectators.
Owing to the recollections of Chicago and Boston
the breaking oat of a fire in any of oar large cities
le rare to create unusual commotion among the
Inhabitants, as it proved last evening in Jersey
City, when a tiro broke out which kindled
Into a conflagration that struck the thousands
?r spectators with terror. A few minutes after six
o'clock a flame shot up from the moulding
?till on Fourteenth street, between Hen
demon and Provost streets. On the
vonte of this stood the large to
baooo-tnspectlon warehouse of A. S. Jarvls A
Co., of Mew York. Within the latter building,
which was 400 by 200 feet and one story high, with
a loft, were stored about forty-two hundred hogs
heads of tobacco. Before the alarm was sounded
the whole of this building had actually taken fire,
?nd when the Are companies reached the ground
the task before them was a gigantic one. Just
the first length of hose was adjusted a portion
?f the loft fell in, and twenty minutes afterwards
the roof sank with a crash.
A WHIRLWIND OP FLAMS
swept in a southerly direction, carrying the lighted
brands, which Ignited a long frame building south
?f the main one und used also as a storehouse.
At one end of this smaller storehouse
a watchman and lils family resided. The
Inmates clcared out all the furniture and prepared
fl?r the worst. At this time the boys of No. 10 en
gine were stationed along the north side of the
emaller storehouse, but when the flames
8U0T ALMOST INTO THEIR PACES
they bod to take to tho roof, where they could
operate to better advantage. No sooner would
the fire adhere to the sides and roof of the smaller
building than it was quickly extinguished. Never
did firemen work with more vigor and effect. Ten
eompanies were on the ground, including two from
Hobokeu under command of es-Chiel Engineer
Curran. ?
GENERAL8HALER,
?f the New York Fire Department, was an inte
rested spectator of the scene, and was, no doubt,
calculating the chances of the contest should the
great metropolis have to encounter tlie fire fiend.
Meanwhile,
A IIORDE OP THIEVES
were prowling around the burning building, and
?ome of them succecded in carrying oil hand lulu or
half burned tobacco that tumbled outside the build
ing when the roof fell in. They were on the
point of repeating the exploit when a posse of
police from the Sccoud precinct
SWOOPED DOWN UPON THEM.
Captain Van lliper lnstructod bis men to give no
quarter to the prowlers. The crowd of spectators
swelled Into a vast multitude, and the
task allotted to the police was no
easy one, till Sergeants McKeag and Gilkinson
arrived with twenty men from the First
precinct. Muyor O'Xeiil was here and there anil
everywhere, giving counsel wherever needed. The
flames cast their glare tar into the gloom of
the Jersey City Heights and Wes* Hoboken
and lighted up the little Dutch city at the loot of
the hill. Away in the distance of nearly two miles
the horse cars could bo seen ascending the hill.
The ever-increasiug multitude were enjoying
AN ARTIFICIAL DAY.
At one time t'.ie wind suddenly shifted and blew
a piercing, stltf breeze to the eastward, threaten
ing destruction to a pile of lumber lying en the
east side ol Provost street and placing the im
mense tobacco warehouse on tho southeast
in great jeopardy. Mr. Harold Henwooi),
the superintendent or tlie warehouses, sat in
his ofllce in this building till the work or destruc
tion was half accomplished. Had this main ware
housej caught the flames no one could tell when
the ravages of the devouring element would cease.
Firemen ascended to the root and kept it moist
ened with streams ot water. The flames
HISS1CD AND 8EETIIED
and occasionally sent forth an angry howl that, al
ways evoked murmurs from the multitude. The
lumber pile was yet safe, and all that
was combustible in the moulding mill was
ioomed. So much was gained for the
firemen. But the liquid mass of fire within the
parallelogram of brick, ?itu large doors to fan the
flames, was virtually unabated. The residents on
the west and north were
TEHRJHLY EXCITED
ttll the change of the wind orought a feeling of re
lief. "Never." said Captain Van Kipcr, "did 1 en
counter so excited a crowd. Why, ihey were
almost wild!" Anil it was no wonder. Any man
who saw that lire when it leaped heavenward iroin
its abyss alter the roof had fallen in might well
TKEMBLE POK JEU8EY CITY.
Chicago's destruction proceeded from a small, a
?comparatively insignificant lire, and here was an
llminensc conflagration burst suddenly upon an
|?we-strickcn community.
The (Ire was controlled by the hardest work, but
rlth tobacco, as witli cotton, the total extinction
?f tiie Are will occupy this entire day. The stock,
i?hich consisted ot Kentucky and Virginia leaf to
bacco, is as much damaged by water as by fire, bo
that the bales or portions 01 bales saved from the
lames arc nearly all damaged.
Til K LOSSES
111 not fall short of $uoo,ooo. No less than forty
two hundred hogsheads of tobacco were stoicd
rlthin the building, and the value of these
jed . from ninety to _oue .. hundred
fifty dollars finch. Tn6* stock Was
awned by several parties, and was fully In
sured. The insurance on stock held by an inspec
tion bond, as in this case, is transferable, and is
equivalent to a storage receipt.
The loss on the building will not exceed $40,000;
nsured in New York and English companies.
The loss on the moulding mill is $13,000; insured
for $n,o(io. This concern was owned by Abraham
"ollard, but the manager of the establishment was
. 8. Perrine. The machinery is but little dam
ped except what will result from the heat.
Before closing it is proper to state that
IF AN At,ARM UAD BEEN SOITNIIED ntOMrTl.Y
J10 damage would have been comparatively
trifling. The engine company from Lalayet te did
not move till the third alarm?the regular call lor
them?and jet when they arrived at the scene little
Bad been done to check the progress of tUc iiames.
Too much praise caunot be given to
tie Jer ey City Fire Department for its
chicvements last night. Chief Engineer Farrier
rorked even harder than any of his subordinates,
jmd even the Clerk of the Board of Fire Coni
ilssioncrs addressed himself to the' drudgery
rhile danger threatened.
Jersey City ese iped this time, and the authorities
rill do well to obviate alarm blunders beioic the
|iext fire breaks upon them.
TOE INSURANCE INTERESTS.
To Farther Suspensions*?Meeting of the
Board of Underwriters Yesterday?
Rates Increased trom Twenty to Forty
Per Cent*
The companies which sustained losses in the
ston fire seemed to leei easier yesterday on
earning that there promises to be quite a salvage
1 some of the risks supposed to be a total loss,
licre were no further suspensions reported yes
erday, aud all of those which were badiy affected
re actively engaged in making up their impair
icnt, or are awaiting the order of the Commis
lioncrof the Insurance Department to do so. Some
wmpanles have, by their Board of Directors, de
eded to make up such impairment as the Super
1 tendon I may order, but have not yet levied the
Bsessment. The Arctic and Hoffman have de
ermined to make up whatever sum the Superin
endent may require them, and have pledged
heir directors to do so. The impairment 01 the
>rmer company Is only twenty per cent, while
bey have an abundance ol asset*?$350,000?to
lay all losses, reinsure their risks and continue
InslncBs without any Intenuptlou or ernbarrass
ent. The .secretary declares that there is no n;>
jsslty for any assessment; but to place tlieui
elves beyond all chance or criticism, they
Ivq resolved to make an assessment as
igh as flity per cent. The Board of Fire Under
writers met yesterday and had a three hours' ses
[lon. The principal business was the considera
an of the proposed increase In the schedule of
jMS. The proposed increase was adopted, and
be Secretary was ordered to propare it for publi
cation. He was not yesterday in a position to give
letalls. but It is understood I hat the rates have
len increased all the way from tweut.y to forty
irccnt on the different classes and the rates of
rokerage by Ave per cent. Mr. Ilcusbaw, the
ecrctary of the Board, win to-day be in a position
1 give the details to the press.
FOUND IN THE WATEB.
Iffhe body of an unknown man was yesterday
nd in the water at the Penitentiary gate,
ickwcll's Island. The remains will be sent to
1 Morgue, where Coroner Herman will hold an
THE BROOKLYN FIRE.
BlagaUr Fatality?Falling of (h* W?1U
at Woodruff * Robinson's tWores?Two
Men Burled la the Raima.
An unforeseen accident occurred yesterday after
noon at the rulna of Woodruff k Robinson's stores,
winch were burned at the foot of Amity street on
Monaay afternoon.
THE VIM NOT OCT.
Notwithstanding the untiring efforts of the fire
men and the men employed by Messrs. Beard,
Woodruff A Robinson, the ruins are still burning,
and if left at the present time the fire would quickly
extend beyond the limits in which it has been
thus far confined. Two steamers have been kept
constantly at work and a large number of firemen
have taken their regular turns of duty at the ruins.
They have been aided by the steamtug John Puller,
which has three large streams on the fire day and
night.
?FFORTS TO SAVE THB GRAIN.
A portion of the front of the stores adjoining
storehouse "A" bad been left standing, and there
appeared to be a large portion or the grain stored
in this part of the building. The owners, naturally,
were anxious to save all tne grain they could, and
directed the streams from the tugboat Fuller to be
brought directly to bear upon this portion. TUcy
employed men, whom they term
VOLUNTEER KIKEWEN,
to aid them. Yesterday morning a gang of these
men, whose names are John Lynch, Patrick
Mahon, Michael Nugent, Peter Murphy, Thomas
Beatty and Lcverson, were s?t to work
under the direction of Mr. Hoblnson, brother
of one of the owners. A strong wind was blowing
from the river, and a man could not stand upon the
dock and hold a heavy, wet hose without becoming
benumbed with the cold. The result was that the
men were compelled to relieve each other from
time to time.
The accident was caused by the pressure ol water
and grain upon the inside of this portion of the
wall, which had been left standing and which tow
ered skyward a distance of seventy-tlvc feet. The
constant streams of water caused the grain to
become more weighty, and at last the wall
was forced outward toward the river, burying two
of the men who were in charge of the hose beneath
the ruins. Very fortunately the others were at a
safe distance. Mr. Robinson, who had charge of
the men, had
A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE
from sharing the same fate of the two men, whose
bodies are either still beneath the dtttriB of brick
and beams or in the dock. The accldcnt caused
the most intense excitement among those who
witnessed it, and for a time they stood spellbound
with blanched cheeks. Any effort to search for the
bodies of the unfortunate men would only be to
risk the lives ol those who attempted It.
Mr. Robiuson was tearful that an accidcnt might
occur, and started to warn the men who were in
charge of tne hose. He had reached within a few
feet ol the man who had hold of the hose when ho
heard a crash, and he jumped back, just in time to
escape a portion of the wall weighing about ten
tons. The sinkiug of the foundation caused the
outward ends of tne planks of the wharf to fly up
wards. Leverson, the man who had the hose,
WAS THROWN FIFTEEN FEET IN T1IK Allt,
and before he came down Mr. Robinson says the
upper portion of the wall came down upon him.
A large portion of this wall, and just where the un
fortunate man stood, was crushed through the
wharf. Thomas Beatty is supposed to be the other
man who is burled beneath the ruins, as he could
not be found wncn the men were called together
by the foreman. Some ol the men seemed to be of
the opinion that he did not go to work.
STATEMENT OK MR. BEARP.
Mr. Beard said:?Just as the wall wan falling
1 was looking towards the men on the dock.
Only one man had hold of the hose at
the time. The other man was just
turning to leave and he must have gone down. He
could not have cHcapcd, for he was only a few feet
from the other at the time the wall came down.
THE CAPTAIN OF TI1E FULLER INJURED.
The captain of the Fuller, Mr. John Rose, who
was also on the dock directing the men, was very
seriously injured. He said when the wall fell he
was walking on the dock and eoing towards the
man who held the hose. He had called to him. lie
was goiug to see what he wanted when the wall
came down, lie thinks there was only 0110
man killed, fie was taken up unconscious and
taken into the cabin ol the canal boat lying at the
pier. An examination revealed the fact tliat several
ol his ribs were broken and his head was badly
cut.
Thomas Nevins, the chief engineer of the Brook
lyn Fire Department, has been present superin
tending the firemen most of the time since the fire
first occurred, and he says that lie warned these
men frequently to keep a ca!e distance from this
wall, as there was danger of its falling. A search
will be made for the bodies of tho unfortunate men
to-day.
The Firemen's Insurance Company is not among
the ioscrs by the Are at Woodruff A Uoblnsous
stores.
FIEE IN WJLLIAM8BPBQ.
Partial instruction of an Extensive
Slalt House?Loss About Eighty Thou
sand Dollars.
A fire broke ont In the extensive malt house or
Altenbrand Bros., Sixth and North Seventh
streets, Wllliamsourg, shortly before five o'clock
yesterday morning, damaging the building and
stock to the amount of about eighty thousand dol
lars. The Are originated in the kiln house and
spread rapidly through the entire establishment,
but the Diemen managed to confine the flames to it.
The loss on building, owned by the Altenbrand
Bros., will reach $20,0uu; insured for $45,ooo In the
following named companies:?Imperial, $15,000;
Pinrnix, fio.coo; Globe, $10,000; Kings County,
$5,ooo; Williamburg City, $5,000.
The loss on grain, which was stored at the risk
of the owners, will probably reach f 00,000. The
losers are Berkenne A Schneider, 15,000 bushels;
Ebllng Hros., 10,000 bushels; Schmidt A Co., 10,000
bushels: Altenbrand Bros., 10,000 bushels. There
were av 0 about eight thousand bushels malt on
hand.
NEW YORK CITY.
Tfio Association to Administer Missionary Aid to
the Indian met at the Bible House yesterday. They
olectcd officers and appointed a committee of two
ladies in each parish to solicit ami reccivc aid lor
the Indian missions.
The coachmakcrs met in convention at the St.
Nicholas' Hotel yesterday, Mr. Kimball, or Maine,
presiding. The only business transacted was the
passing of two resolutions?one to the cfl'cct that
all carriage builders be admitted to honorary mom
ben hip on payment of proper fees, the other that
tharc be an uniform tract of road wagons through
out the country.
On the eth inst. Mr. Ilalett Odell, of 84 Willctt
street, charges he gave Theodore Hanser, an em
ploye of his, $500 with which to buy three horses
somewhere down on Long Island. Mr. Hanser, it
is alleged, got drunk and spent the money among
his Iriends?or at leust he says he did. Mr. Odell
yesterday caused his arrest and had him taken be
lorc .lusticc Scott at h'snex Market Police Court,
where he was committed in dclault ol (1,000 bail.
Lester Wasserman, a dry goods peddler living at
CO James street, was arraigned before Judge Uogan
ut the Tombs Police Court, yesterday, on a charge
preferred by James Shechun, of 08 Warren street,
Brooklyn, of assault with a loaded pistol. At a
quarter past eijiht Tuesday night Wasserman and
She?han got into a discussion at the house or the
former, anci it is alleged by Hheehan that Wiisser
man presented a pistol at lum and llrcd, the ball,
however, not hitting him. Wasserman was held
to answer in dclault of $600 ball.
Four of the vHe dens on Wooster etrect were
"pulled"' by the police under the direction of Cap
tain McCullougb of the Eighth precinct, on Tues
day evening. These pluces arc known as "dives,"
and are located in basements; a cigar etore or
some other light business being a blind to their
real character. The nfirms of the women keeping
tncni are Ororgiana Roberts, Lizzie Bcmls, Cellna
Howard and ida Sharp. They were committed in
delimit or $500 bail each, to await examination for
keeping disorderly houses.
Tne case of Charles Woods, who keeps a place at
660 Broadway, ostensibly for the saleoi tickets to a
concert, charged with carrying on a scheme or de
vice of chance in the nature of a lottery, came up
before Justice Cox, at Jefferson Market Pollcc
Court, for examination yesterday afternoon. Dis
trict Attorney Sullivan appeared for the people and
Counsellor Howe for the defence. Alter a careful
cross-examination of the complainant by Mr. Howe
and arguments by counsel Justice Cox grauted de
fendant time to submit points, and reserved deci
sion.
PROBABLE FATALITY IM WESTCHESTER.
At White Plains, Westchester eonnty, on Tues
day afternoon, James Brondage, aged seventeen,
was accidentally shot, and, perhaps, fatally
wounded, by Frank Carpenter, a boy of eleven.
The latter, it appears, was carelessly handling a
six-barrcllcd revolver, which was supposed to be
unloaded, and while pointing it at Brundage pulled
the lugger, lodging a bullet In his head. The
leaden messenger entered on the right side of the
noso, and, crushing tHrougU the skull, lodged
underneath the left rye, where It still remains.
The injured youth was in a critical condition up to
last evening, r
DOW TO PREVENT GREAT FIRES.
Suggestions and Opinions of
the Scientists.
Bait and Freeh Water aa Extingui?hert?Hcrw
Nitrogen and CarboKo Acid Can Be Ueed to
Overcome Flame#?Lettert from the People.
The following letters on the subject of protection
Against fires contain suggestions worthy of careiul
consideration.
Gai a Feeder of the Flame.
Nkw Hav.kn, Nov. 10, 1872.
To thh Editor op TBS Herald:?
The world is bound to live or die on Its own ex.
perienee, and but for calamities would make bnt
little progress. I read an article In your valuable
journal of Tuesday devoted to "Mansard Roofs,"
condemning tbem out and out and implying that
the Boston disaster was owing mainly to the in
vention of this kind of roof. 1 beg space la your
journal to correct, in part at least, the Impressions
conveyed by its errors and set lerth the Boston
disaster in its true light, for the world is entitled
to the facts and to the benefit of the sad ex
perience.
The following I cut from the Elm cuy Press of
New Haven :?
THE FIRE IN B09T0N.
Several things have been made certain by tbe fire In
Boston and elsewhere, viz. >
first?The home epidemic show* conclusively that
steamer* to bo trtin ported by horses, when the latter arc
all or nearly all Nick, is no reliance at all. Even hi this city
the engine which was sent to Boston was drawn troin
Artlzan street to the freight station by about one hundred
men.
Second?The Are hydrants, which, for the want ot a
sufficient natural head to throw their own water, are no
reliance at all.
Third--That narrow streets, such as Boston and to some
extent other cities permit. arc very dangerous In timo of
tire, tor the flames ot buildings on one side of such nar
row streets are thrown across the street Into the windows
of opposite buildings, and thus both sides of the street
are burned, when, bad their streets I.ecu of a proper
width, the nre would not have crossed them.
fourth?Gas companies. Are niar.shalit.and chief engi
neers permit the public to rest in false security by the
omission?utmost universally?of gas cut-off cocas inside
ot curb stones on sidewalks, relying upon the cut-off in
burning buildings, which cannot halt the time be reached
in the cellars where most ol the stopcocks are located.
Fi/'th?The burning buildings in Boston all contributed
their whole volume ot gas supplied to the building be
cause there was no gas cut-off in the sidewalks. When
there are no such cut-offs tho gas Is quickly let loose, and
the entire capacity of the pipes pour nut their gas Into
the building, und thus makes sure of, not only the de
struction ol the building, but generates lieat enough
to make quite certain the destruction of the next build
ing, and so on, until an entire city is liable to be reduced
to ut-hes. These blunders deserve immediate attention.
The above article has been endorsed by many
who went (torn New Iiaven to Boston on a special
train with a steamer to assist in extinguishing the
lire. The Arc in Chicago to a certain extent was a
gas fire. The lire in Bostou was in fact a gas fire
after the first beginning?which beginning, from
the very nature ol the ease, must have bceu incen
diary.
Once commenced the Arc proceeded subject to no
power whatever; indeed, ihev almost gave up Bos
ton us lost; an<t well they might, ror block arter block
of stately massive granite edifices were crumbling
one after another as though a superhuman power
was placing the torch in every building and in
every story. It is certain that omitting to put
gas stopcocks Id sidewalks has proved to New
York, Chicago and Boston that gaspipes, which
have no stopcocxs in the sidewalks do not get
shut otrin cellars and basements at fires; therefore
every building burned in boston having its names
of gas from supply pipes pouring into the fire was
sure to burn, explode, or ho heat the next building
that its pipes would explode from heat and set it
all in a blaze, burst out its windows and throw its
flames across the street into the windows of oppo
site buildings. This is the way the fire in Boston
progreFSed, and having been stopped for a few
minutes revived itscit again by heat, causing new
explosions of gas and came very near devouring
the city.
Now, what nre the facts? They arc these In part
at least:?First, gas stopcocks in the sidewalks
have been discontinued, and the only shut-olfs are
iu cellars, and cither are out of reach or unknown
to ilremcn and occupants. We see cities employing
eoorcs of steam fire engines and salaried men to
master llres, and the expenses are enormous.
They employ fire commissioners and lire marshals;
but what do these things amount to when the city
government and their array of oflkials live on,
lrorn day to day, in the face of astounding facts
without once looking or casting about for reasous
why?
Cities live under "rings"?no matter how small
the city the lact is so?and the best men are not
wanted in local olllees. Slop-shops and corner
politicians run our cities and their friends make
every oitlce they can, and they are annually multi
?licd out of disasters such as has overtaken Lion ton.
iansard roofs come in lor a black eye, and more'
steam Are engines are taUed of, more police, more
firemen with salaries and an array of inspectors of
private houses and public buildings.
Who ever knew a title to put brains in a man's
head? Whoever heard of a city managed by busi
ness men above corruption and lucapable or fraud!
Indeed fortunes are made by some who cast them
selves about and discover how property can be
saved when man's follj or crime has applied the
torch. The fact Is men in office do not understand
the business they supervise any more than do a
majority of the managers of lire Insurance com
panies the business of lire insurance. Even the
travelling adjubters and general agents do not
understand their business, for it is a fact that just
to the extent the otnclal machinery of cities and of
fire insurance companies Is extended, nominally
for safety, the greater have been the fires and
larger the losses.
How many public buildings, tenant buildings,
buildings lor congregating and the storing of
goods, wholesale and retail, buildings for oillces,
factories, Ac., Ac., have gas stopcocks in the side
walks, or in order, if there, to apply the wrench
if fires take placaf We venture the statement
that, in Hoston, New Haven and New York, not one
in twenty-live. If this Is so then we have intro
duced gunpowder (almost) in a large majority of
our buildings, which buildings, takinu fire, are sure
to have the gas pipes severed, melted, Ac., thus
pouring out fuel lor the names.
This is one reason why tho disaster in Hoston oc
curred. To deny it Is arrant uousfuse, for explo
sion followed explosion there, and the jets of blaze
from gas pipes could be seen over the whole burned
district. Tne gasometer was exhausted, and by
reason of the universal discharge of pipes
in burning buildings. How many stop
cocks, or gates, are inserted in supply gas pipes
in streets/ llow often can the gas be cut otf
entirely iron a burning district. What Chief
Engineer of the City Fire Department or what
Fire Marshal knows where gas cut otfs are in the
city he pretends to serve? Dow many 01 this
class or men are possessed of a key to shut off gas
anywhere? Dow many steamers have, among
their implements, one or more such keys rer use ir
necessary? Dow many "building inspectors" any
where see to It that gas?this deadly enemy of
safety?is properly inserted in buildings? Do they
ever see that a stopcock is inserted outside ol the
building? llut it is said the gaspipes arc ol iron.
Very well; It may be so; but all gaspipes have
meters, and these meters are connected by lead
pipes, which inelt down the instant heat reaches
them, and the whole volume ol gas from the main
pipes is poured into the building and saturates its
entire atmosphere, Mansard roof or no Mansard
roof.
We undertake to say that no one of these public
servants, or lire Insurance agents, or adjusters, or
general agents or olllcers looks alter anyone of
these things; and we add that New York will be
burned in part unless these things are attended to.
Fire hydrants which are supplied by water with
no head, steamers with horses sick in the stables,
oillcials who will not see to the control ol gas out
side of buildings, and insurance companies who
only know enough to pay losses or percentages
thereon and raise the rates, ouarht by this time to
be set aside for better appliances as connected
with public surety.
Heretofore in my official reports as Insurance
Commissioner 1 have commented on most of these
thinirs, and, now that we are losing whole sections
of cities, it is time to use stronger language.
11ENJAMIN NOTES,
Late Commissioner of Insurance.
SUtin and the Result* of Combustion as
m Fire Extinguisher.
To the Editor of thb Dehald:?
Hir?We have too long been in the habit of
searching for available agents for extinguishing
fire in the mysterious resources or nature and pro
curing them at considerable cost, when agents that
would better answer the purpose and cost nothing
are allowed to escape In close proximity to the fiery
element which thoy arc able, If properly used, to
subdue. In every steam fire engine the exhaust
steam, also Hie hydrogen and carbonic add gas,
which constitute the results of combustion, Instead
of being utilized for extinguishing Are arc entirely
lost. When we think of the vast volume of incom
bustible gases that can be produced rtom
mcl it is matter of surprise that no method
has been adopted for utilizing them. One
pound of charcoal fuel daring combustion produces
300 cubic feet of nitrogen and carbonic acid gas,
and will vaporize seven pounds of water, yielding
200 cubic feet or steam; half a ton or 1,000 pounds or
the same ruel will produce the enormous quantity of
400,000 cubic feet or Incombustible gases and vapor,
weighing together, 10,460 pounds. When steam is
mixed with a permanent gas it is more elastic aud
has less tendency to condense than before; the
small particles of vapor being held in mecnanlcai
suspension by the ratified gases, ir the mixed
gases and vapor lie forced Into a burning building,
a pressure greater thau that of the atmosphere
will be at once created inside the building and pre
vent the admission of oxygen Itseir to support com
bustion. it is well known thai are win soon exuur
gutshed Itself If deprived ol ox vjton. Thiff betng the
case, incombustible gases equal to one-fourth the
capacity of any building would effectually extin
guish a lire therein.
Most of our steamships and large manufacturing
establishments produce at least 400,000 cubic feet
of steam, nitrogen and carbonic acid gas every
fifteen minutes. This agent, If properly managed,
Is far more efflolent for extinguishing fires than
water would be, and has no Injurious effects on
merchandise. This immense volume of steam and
gas might be easily conducted through suitable
pipes to any part of the ship or factory. The pres
ent Are engine may be easily arranged with an
attachment fitted to the smoke-stack for conduct
ing the exhaust steam and the results of combua
tion into a building, without affecting their capac
ity for forcing water; or separate boilers and
furnaces might be cheaply made to extinguish the
fire with gas and steam alone.
JOSHUA KIDD, 66 Broad street.
'?}
Letter from th? Chief Engineer of the
Croton Aqueduct.
DmrARTMBUT or Public Worm,
Chisf Encimkbr's Ornos, 23ft Broadway,
New York, Nov. 16, 1872.
To Grorgr M. Van Nort, Esq., Commissioner of Public
Works
Kir?In answer to your request, referring to me a com
munication addressed to you by the Chairman of the
Committee on Public Worasof the Board of Aldermen,
dated November 12,1872, and enclosing a resolution of the
Board of Aldermen, inquiring into the "practicability of
having works erected on the North River, at
the upper end of the island, for the purpose of
raising salt water for the use of the city for
sauitary and such other purposes as it can be applied;
also the probable cost ot erecting such works and laving
the necessary pipes for distributing the water throughout
the city." I would report that the resolution is very in
definite ; but assuming that the salt water is intended to
be used for fire purposes, tor watering streets, for water
closets in houses, and for washlug sewers, gutters, Ac.,
and that 100,00(^600 gallons per day may be required for
these purposes, and that the water shall be pumped to an
elevation of 200 feet above high tide at its starting point,
I havo prepared the following estimate of the cost
To render such a svstein of water works at all times
available there should be a reservoir at the starting
point, with a capacity of at least one day's supply. The
most southerly point on the island, where land of sutli
cient elevation can be found is in the vicinity of 173d
street
To build snch a reservoir and pnmping works not less
than thirty acres ol land would be required. Two tr
more engines should be used for pumping the wattft,
which should huve nt least double the capacity of the
conduit pipes, In order to have a constant supply while
one set of pumps wore undergoing repairs. Usually at
least twenty-five per cent of the power of pumping
glnes Is lost in friction, waste, Ac.; it would therefore re
quire engines of at least 4,uutthorse power, as the weight
of water actually to be pumped would be over 3,00(Ahorse
power.
To convey 100,000.060 gallons of water from 173d street to
wards the lower end of the island in tour mains cuch fftur
feet In diameter would give a loss ol about six feet in
head in each inije, and would deliver the water In the
vicinity ol the City Hall at an elevation ol' about one hun
dred and thirty-three teet above tide.
The present system of water pipes for the delivery of
Croton water throughout the city is insufficient (6r the
distribution of so large an amount of water. This defi
ciency is owing mainly to the want of large mains to
convoy the water trom the main reservoir to the smuller
or cross mains. We are now laying an additional thirty
six-inch main, which will greatly improve the head in
tho lower part of the city. With this, with the addition of
two other large mains?one on tho east and one on the
west side, leading from the Reservoir to the lower parts
of the city, and the necessary cross and connecting
mains?Croton water can bo delivered at an elevation of
eighty feet above tide at anv point on the island, and at
many places ut irom 11)0 to 105 icet above tide.
To lay these additional mains will cost about... $3,500,000
To lay a new system of mains of the same ca
pacity as the present system would cost about 12,500,1100
To lay a system ot mains to bring 100,000,000gal
lons per day from 173d street to a point where
tho present mains start, at or near Scventy
nintn street, would cost about 4,000,000
Assuming that the land for reservoir and pump
ing works would co t $40,000 per acre, thirty
acres would be 1,200.000
Construction of reservoir 6Wj,0j0
Assuming a double set of engines and stand
pipe* for 4,000 horse power each at $100 per
horse power, they would co>t 800,000
Pipes, Sc., fTont pumping engine to reservoir
about 300,000
Making a total cost of 922,800,000
to carry100,000,000 gallons of water per day from the vi
cinity of 173dstreet and Hudson Kiver to all parts of the
city at an average elevation of about 133 leet above tide.
It would take several years to construct and bring such
a system into practical use, and would also involve the
breaking up of every street in the city to lay tho neces
sary mains.
The expense of maintaining and operating such a sys
tem after being completed must be more or less conjec
tural, as no such system lias ever been brought into use.
The actual expense in maiutalnln: and operating the en
gines and pumps in the city of Brooklyn to mimii 20,000,000
gallons per day 170 feet high Is over one hundred thou
sand dollars a year. We muy, therefore, safely conclude
tli?t the expense of maintaining and operating this sys
tem of puinps would he over live hundred thousand dol
lars a year, and that the maintaining the svs em of
mains and pipes, including stopcocks and hydrants, ex
clusive of general renewal, would be over one hundred
thousand dollars a year, making a total annual operating
expense ot over six hundred thousand dollars.
Cast iron In the best and cheapest material now known
for tho construction of pipes for conveying saltwater
under a heavy head, and there has been no chcmical or
mechanical appliance brought into use up to the present
time which will permanently protect cast iron from the
ravages of salt water, aud tlie pipes will rapidly corrode
and cannot be counted on to last more than ten vcars.
The necessity of the two additional mains aiid the ne
cessary cross mains, above alluded to, for perfecting the
present system of Croton water distribution, and placing
within reach of the fire Department such a copious sup
ply ot water under u great head that there need he no
fear of a great conflagration, having heretofore been fully
dlscussea by us, I would respectfully urge upon your con
sideration the necessity of authority, ut the earliest
day, tor laying these additional mains, and, as
a precaution aguinst any great conflagration, that
every steam vessel plying in this harbor which uses Cro
ton water shall only be supplied with wuter on the con
dition that they carry a steam lump with the necessary
hose connections, which s!iall have a capacity of throw
ing 100,00.) gallons of water an hour at an elevation of 200
feet, if their boilers arc of sufficient capacity to luriiish
steam for so large a pump, and if their boilers are not of
such a capacity the pump shall lie as large as the boiler
can turnlsh steam to pump water under 200 feet bead, and
that proper regulations be established which will compel
them to furnish their boats to perform servicc at such
points and at such time as the Kire Department may
direct In case, of u large fire. If this regulation was es
tablished it would include all the ferry and tug boats in
the harbor. Respectfully, yours,
EDWARD 11. TRACY, Chief Engineer.
Letter from Mr. Serrell, Consulting En
gineer of the Croton Aqueduct.
New Yobk, Nov. 18,1R72.
Oborrr M. Van Nobt, Esq., Commissioner of J'ubiic
Works:?
Dkar Sih?As requested by von, I have considered the
sublect of supplying this city with water drawn from the
Hudson River, lit the. upper end of the island, tor nsc in
extinguishing tires anil for sanitary purposes, and nm ol
opinion the benefits likely to result from such a proceed
ing would not he commensurate with the cost, lor the fol
lowing reasons:?
Firat?Thai the effect of water from (he Croton or the
Salter water from the rivers lor sanitary purposes or the
extinguishing of (Ires Is so similar, in consequence of the
small amount of salt In solution in the rivers, that It is
unimportant which Is used, ns not exceeding t ight or
ton per cent of saturation couM be obtained from the
rivers at any season or state of tide, and lor much the
largest part of the year much weaker brine could only
be obtained. II a plentiful supply ol brine us strong or
stronger than fltty per cent oi saturation could be ob
tained, Its effect in puttlnu out fires would be very
marked and valuable, but the injury that would result to
goods and buildings saved troin fl. c hut wet with brine
of such strength would be equal to their destruction:
while the cost of maintaining water works, pipes and
machinery supplied with such brine would be very much
greater th'nn those supplied with fresh water, in conse
quence of more active corrosion from the salt.
Bttond? That works located at the upper end of the
island would be much less efficient In extinguishing fires
in the greater part of the city than if more centrally situ
ated. because the greater the distance from the reservoir
or pumps to the outlet, when It is required to use the
water, the less efficient the supply becomes, as but little
can be obtained at a distant outlet, until the column of
water for its culirc length In the pipes has hail time to
accumulate motion sufficient to give the supply desired.
For this reason I tear that even with strong brine In a
reservoir, several miles fVom where It might be
necessary to use it, but little benefit would be
derived iroin its use In extinguiihiiu; fires, an considera
ble time would elapse lie lore an ample supply could be
obtained, in consequence el' almost the whole body of
water being at rest at the period when its use wus re
quired. Huch Is not the case with the Croton water. Its
constant use at all periods maintains a current in the
main pipes, ?ml when a greater supply Is needed it is
much sooner obtained than It would be irom a column of
water at rest.
For the foregoing reasons no system of supply of brack
ish water Irotn the rivers would be as good tor extin
guishing frcs as the Croton water Is, even If rilpcs were
laid anil hydrants get for It us frequently as they are at
present, and I believe that among well-informed engi
neers the opinion prevails that the quantity of water at
command trom the Croton River and its tributaries is
ample lor all purposes, and that the principal cuuse of
danger from extensive conflagrations in this cily is not
from scarcity of water, but from insecurely constructed
buildings; the non diseoverv of fires until they have as
sumed grent magnitude; the tardy application of suffl
cieut water alter discovery; the Insufficient supply of
water from the mains when they ure first, required to
furnish large quantities; panic among firemen from ex
plosions or the dread of them; intense cold and high
wind.
liigh wind and intense cold caused the great Arc in this
city In 18.:j; expiosit n and panic that of 184f>; high wind']
the great Arcs of Portland and Chicago, and late discov
ery and consequent tardy application of water that lately
in Boston.
1 have before remarked that the quantity of Croton
water at command appears to be ample for present nnd
future wants; the reservoirs are centrally situated for lu
ture supply of the whole city, and with a more efficient
system oi distribution by large feeder mains, as is now in
progress, I am of opinion that ail the water that can be
needed for extinguishing fires and for sanitary purposes
will be readily obtained at tar less first cost than the in
troductlon and distribution of brackish water from the
rivers would entail, and at infinitely lew cost tor mainte
nance consequent on more active corrosion by salt and
the depositor salt in the reservoirs and pipes it water
trom the North River was u?ed.
The manifest difficulty under any system of distribu
tion by pipes of getting a plentiful supply of water as
quickly 11s the steam fire engines can be ready to use It,
ronscquenton the time required to get the water in the
pipes in rapid motion, induces me to recommend the con
struction of cisterns under the streets in the parts of the
city most liable to diastrous conflagrations, such cisterns
to be supplied with Croton water and kept tnll anil ready
for immediate use, and be ot such capacity as will en
sure a full supply by suction for the most powerful steam
fire engine, until the How of water through the main is
sufficient to keep the cistern fully supplied. Such plans
would euable and ensure a full supply of water for the
largest engines whenever tnev were ready for operation;
and such could l?e built couiplctc for a sum not exceeding
(6,0>n) each.
I'ndcr any circumstances the use of steam Are engines
should be continued; fcr it i- certain that as the quantity
of water discharged at outlets from a reservoir is in
creased the effective force of it for attalninu u needed
altituila '?? diminished, and must be supplied by mechani
cal means, independent of the original source. I remain,
very respectfully yours,
JOHN J. hKRRELL, Consulting Engineer.
Salt Water tor the City?Letter front the
Commissioner of Pnttlle 'Works as to
Its Practicability..
In reply to * communication from the Chairman
of ttio Committee on Public Works of the Hoard of
Aldermen, Commissioner Van Nort has written the
following letter on the subject of introducing salt
water into the city, enclosing the reports of
Kdwartf 11. Tracy, Chief Engineer oi the Depart
ment of Public Works, and John J. Kerrell, con
sulting engineer:?
P?p*rtm?kt or Pobi.ic Won**, )
Cohhissiohkh's Ovru'K. Ml Bkoadwat, >
_ _ _ N?w loll, No* 19, 187a. 1
"P?- i?11?1 Conotm. Chairman Committee on Pub
lic Work*, Board of Aldermen
Dkah 8ia?Your letter of 12th Inst, with a resolution
adopted by the Board of Aldermen August 5, 1S72, wu
July received, and in answer to the with expressed In
your letter that I would give the committee tny opinion
in writing as to the probable cost ot erecting wort* aud
laying the necessary pipe* lor distributing xalt water
from the North River through the city froin works
erected at the upper end of the island, Ac., for
sanlUrv and sach other purposes as it can be
applied to, and also the probable cost of so doing, and tny
opinion of the advisability of such an undertaking as is
contemplated in the resolution mentioned, I reply that
immediately on the receipt of your tetter 1 directed the
Chief Kngineer of the Croton Aiiucductaiid Mr. John J.
Kerrell, (Tonsultlng Kngineer, to take the subject into con
sideration and report to ine In writing their views in re
lation to it, and tnatr reports are herewith appvnded.
The importance ol'thosubjectof increasing the supply
of water in the compactly built part of this city, as a safe
guard against large fires and lor other purposes, early
cngagea my attention after taking charge of this Depart
ment, and my endeavors have been uniemitting towards
that end; but great delays have been experienced trom
financial troubles, and tor one month the laying of tlio
thirty-six Inch main on the Kast side of the city waa de
layed ; otherwise it would now b? completed.
Investigation" made assure me that with other large
mains trom the reservoirs to the lower part of the city a
supply of Croton water equal to any emergency and the
needed sanitary purposes can be obtained much chenper
and quicker than by any other means; consequently I
canuot recommend the plan contemplated by the resolu
tions ot inquiry.
For further information I would respectfully refer the
committee to the reports of Messrs. Tracy und Serre'l
and to inv annual report for the year ending April 10,
1872. Respectfully, GEORGE M. VAN NoftT.
Commissioner of Public Works.
HEW YORK AMD THE NETHERLANDS.
The New botch Steamship Lint Run
ning to Kotterdam?The First Vcsael?
Entertainment on Board.
On Saturday afternoon, the lflth inst., the Neth
erland steamer Rotterdam, as pioneer vessel of the
first regular steamship line between Rotterdam
and New York, was visited by a number of genuine
Netherlander*, who, to show their appreciation of
the inauguration of direct communication with
the Fatherland, presented as a memento to the
Rotterdam a flag (twelve by eighteen feet) bearing
on a white field the coat of arms of both cities
Rotterdam and New York.
The presentation was made by Rud. C. Burlage,
Consul General of the Netherlands, who, after a few
remarks, read the following address:?
On the occasion of the first trip of the Netherland
steamship Rotterdam, pioneer of a regular direct
steamship line between Rotterdam and New York,
the undersigned, Netherland residents in New
York, earnestly hoping that the efforts may be suc
cess! ul and largely tend to Increase the commer
cial Intercourse between the Netherlands and the
United States and establish a more close relation
ship between the two countries, as a token of their
lively Interest, do hereby present the commander,
Jo. Mus, with a (lag beavlug the coats of arms of
both cities?Rotterdam and New York.
Signed by TWENTY HOLLANDERS.
New York, Nov. 10, 1872.
The crow liad by this time been gathered on
dcck, wb.nce, amid loud cheering# and hurrahs,
TllE FLAG WAS UNFURLKO,
which is very handsomely made. The commander,
Jo. Plus, responded most happily, und showed his
ability to act on short notice and under trying cir
cumstances by having Ills vessel immediately
decked with bunting from stem to stern, and in
vited the party into the saloon, where, alter taking
some refreshments, they looked through the vessel.
It proved in every resnect to be
A FIRST CLASS SHIP,
having the following dimensions:?Length, 265
feet; breadth or beam, 35 feet; depth, 27 feet;
and when laden draws nineteen feet of water,
with carrying capacity ol 2,000 tons; built of iron,
with five water-tight compartments. She has com
pound direct acting engines of 800-horse power,
which worked admirably on the trip out, which,
notwithstanding rough weather and heavy
head winds, was accomplished in sixteen days.
The vessel proved entirely satisfactory, and it is
confidently expected that the home trip will be
made in twelve or thirteen days. The Rotterdam
was built by Messrs. Henderson, Colburn <fc Co., of
Glasgow; is straight-stemmed, brig-rigged and cost
$225,000.
TlfE ARRANOEMENTS
for about four hundred steerage passengers are
superior to those of most steam vessels, being di
vided into compartments capablu ol accommodat
ing irom eight to fourteen passengers, making
this an attractive feature for families or friends
who wish to be housed together; while tho testi
monials of the passengers who came in tier s'aow
tint every possible etl'ort, has been made to provide
good carc ami the best of provisions. The first
cabin can accommodate about t wenty passengers.
The staterooms are large, and, like the cabin, finely
fitted.
Returning from the Inspection tour to the cabin,
which in the meantime had been elegantly doco
rated with flaps an 1 flowers, and contained a table
set with a sumptuous repast, the visitors were per
suaded to partake of the hospitality of the Rotter
dam. The dinner was composed laruely of Dutch
products, and delighted the party greatly, who ad
mitted never before to have had so Dutch "a din
ner beyond the realms of the Netherland King
dom."
The evening was most pleasantlv passed;
A GOODLY NtrMBKR OF TOASTS
were drank, among which were "The New Line,"
"The Firm of Platlc, Kcuchlin A Co.," large owners,
as the energetic Netherlander who ln>;l established
the same; "King William the Third," "President
Grant," and a number of others. The party separ
ated at about eleven o'clock, and with a hearty
cheer they bid God speed to the Rotterdam.
The Maas, sister vessel of the Rotterdam, Is ex
pected here the early part or next month, and
other vessels are soon to be added to the line.
THE JAPANESE NAVY.
The SUamer ('apron Built for (he Gov
ernment of Japan?Her Dimension* and
Machlnfry?Vhc Japanese vs. Corcanr?
Interesting Information of Their Re
spective Kavles.
The second of the steamers built by Messrs.
Polllon Brothers for the Japanese government is
lying at their yard, foot of Bridge street, Brooklyn,
and bo near completion that her trial trip will take
place In a few dayn. This vessel Is named the
Capron, and was intended as a transport, or rather
as a mcaus of quick communication between the
Islands of Japan; but her builders now acsume that
as there is a war impending between that country
and Corea, she may be heavily armed upon ar
rival at her destination. The Capron, though
not so large as the first vessel, the
Kuroda, built for the samo government,
nnd now ready for cm, is of handsome model, and
in every respect rum pi''at strength of workman
ship. Her dimensions are as follows:?Length on
water line, 12$ feet; length over all, 130 feet ?
inches; breadth of beam, Zi feet: depth of hold, 11
feet; bnrthen, 300 toil", carpeuter's measurement,
tier frames are of white oak and locust, and fas
tened with copper and treenails.
The machinery of the C'upron wo* constructed by
the Delamater Iron tvoiks, under the direction of
Mr. Charles \V. Copeland, superintending engineer
on behalf of the Japanese government, and are of
the direct acting character, havlnjr a cylinder thirty
inches in diameter an l a stroke of piston two feet
six Inches', steam will be supplied by one large re
turn tubular boiler, and the number of independent
steam lire and biltfe pumps, and another appliances
necessary for the proper equipment of such a
vessel and such an intended service, make the
engineering department very complete. She is
fitted with a spacious cabin and her staterooms,
eight in number, arc quite large and will be very
cosey. Hard wools- are used in finishing her
housed on deck, aud when her appointments are
fullv arranged ti e < apron will be a gem ot marine
architecture In every particular; and should the
Trcoon of Japan at any lime wish to make her his
steam yacht she if well adnpted for such a pleasure
craft. She will be rigged a? a topsail schooner.
Captain Alfred Everson will have charge of the
Capron. and all her oiticers will be Americans.
Before leaving this port she will be supplied with
a twenty-pound howitzer and small arms In abund
ance.
The Kurod-i, m< ntioned above, will soon sail
for Japan, being Hilly ready for sea. She was
photographed at ner dock, I'olllons' yard, on
Tuesday atternoon. nnd her commanding officer,
Captain Haukins, feels proud of his craft.
Referring to the prooahle war between Japan
and Corea, much interesting information is given by
the ?Ulcers connected with these steamers as to
the respective forces of the two countries. The
Coreans have 265 war junks or thereabouts, and an
army of over iwo.ooo men. The Japanese navy Is
very large, as will be apparent from the follow lug
Intelligence recently imparted by the commander
of the Russian sloop Boyurlne to the Cronstadt
MfSf^toer"n the 14th of July Ave Japanese
men-of-war entered the roadB of Yokohama. One
of them was a sloop of British construction,
armed with six long 24-pounders. The
second, an Iron-clad ram, the oqco
stonewall Jackson, bought In America,
witii a 300-pound gun and two 7o-ponhders in
the lore turret. The three others are English-made
screw gunboats, with thrte guns eacn. The crews
arc exclusively Japanese, dressed exactly like the
British Bailors. On the 28th of March the flotilla
was joined by a casemated Japanese sloop, the
Reou/.ockan. eight guns. In the Hay of Yokosakl.
In the Jeddo Qnif, an ars'-nal has been established
in the solid trachyte rock, which measures 360 by
100 sagenes. There Is a dock 407 feet by Mi feet, and
21 feet in depth, which can receive the largest ocean
steamer for repair. The cost of this dock was
t^oo.ooo. Thirty vessels have been repaired here.
Thero is also a ropeyard, a foundry and a machine
shop ?fhleh is now turning ont machines for river
steamboats. This establishment, although It may
never become the central naval depot, still sup
plies the want of the rising fleet."
Captain Kverson sard the Japanese government
have expended over one million five hnndied thou*
sand dollars on these works In six years.
AFRICAN COLONIZATION.
Colored Colonists for Liberia-Arrival of th?
Steamship St. Salvador Last Night with
150 Colored Georgians on Board
History of the Liberian Bepnb
lio-Expedition of the
Jasper?Crashing the
Slave Trade.
The steamship St. Salvador, Captain Nlefcerson
In charge, was moored last night about ten min
utes after eight o'clock at pier 8. A Hkrald re
porter Immediately boarded the freighted vessel
upon Its arrival at the dock for the purpose of
learning all particulars relative to
TUK COLORED KMUIRANT3
which are at preaent en routs for the young African
Republic, and whom the St. Salvador had the merit
of transferring as far as New York city docks.
After pacing In the gloomy dock rather cat*
tlously and up the gangway to the vessel's deck,
the writer came face to face with Captain Nlcker
son, who held a lantern In his left hand and waa
feeling his way Into the cabin with his right hand.
The Herald reporter introduced himself briefly to
the veteran seafarer, and, after doing ho, waa
quietly and formally introduced again to Mr. Win.
Copplnger, Corresponding Secretary or the Ameri
can Colonization Socioty, under whose charge the
colored passengers were in search of their native
Liberia in ?APBlc,g 8UNNT land."
Mr. Copplnger and the Herald reporter then
entered into conversation about the progress of
African colonization and the advancement or the
Liberian Republic under its present patronage,
when the following Items relative to the work in
progress and coming under Mr. Copplnger s obser
vation were elicited from htm
? THE COLONIZATION OF" LIBERT A,"
he said, "commenced with the founding of Mie
organization In 1816 in Washington city. After
wards explorers wero sent out, who purchased ter
ritory; but the Republic was not founded until 1820.
Liberia continued under the control of the Colonl?
zatlon Society until 1847, when it declared Itselt
n free sovereign. Independent Republic, and has
slnce been acknowledged as such by the leading
powers of the world. The society has sent emf
irrants thither every year since 18*20. The Republic
con tainshalf a mill lo n of Inhabitants; has about
fifty churches, with schools attached, and a coUega
attended by lllty students, l'he Amcrlran govern
ment maintains there a Wnlnter Ke?t?lent
r on mil General?viz., Hon. J. Milton lurner, ?
prominent colored citizen of Missouri. Liberia
a COASTWISE TERRITORY
of some Ave hundred miles, and as a frco
and independent, has been the great means ol
breaking up the slave trade by planting settle
ments along the coasts, so that the only slaves novr
being shipped rrom Airlea arc those belonging to
the east coast, whom Dr. Livingstone has been
pleading so zealously for.
THE l'KESENT EXPEDITION V?,A
to Liberia will be on the bark Jasper, of the ?ates
A I'orterflcld Company, who have made every de
sirable provision ami accommodation for the
transfer of the emigrants. One hamlrcil and flrty
colored passengers In all came by the H^amsMp
fit Salvador. They are from various P?1^8 of
Georgia and nearly all In families. They are being
transferred under the auspices and at Hie expense
of the society. Many of them mean to join rtla
tlves and acquaintances in the old land, and aro
A SELECTION FROM OVER THREE THOUSAND APPLfr
CANTS .
for the nassage. Tills is the first batch of colored
emigrants brought, into New York harbor lor sevc
r?l vcars Almost all of them are lalrly educated
and brought up tolerably well In the tenets of the
Methodist and Baptist churches. So much so that
the llrst mate declared their
PRAYER MEKTINOS ANI>
during the voyage irom Savannah since Saturday
list were exceedingly enjoyable affalis. Mr. Cop
plnger resigns his charge of the 1 'c>{*a"will
oraln-dav and l)r. Lewis, an African by birth, will
bo the /Eneas of the expedition until all reach the
itherian coast. The passaRC will occupy from
thirtv-flve to lorty days, sixty tho emigrants
will hind at Monrovia, the capital ol Liberia, and
the rest will sail further ou to Cape 1 almas. Let
tors already received irom
MR. ROBERTS, PRESIDENT OK LIBERIA,
nnd also from other prominent citizens to, Mr. Cop.
nlnaer give umplo testimony to the rapid atlvancc
ineut of agriculture and commerce there, since the
foundation of the republic. Each family on land
ing receiws twenty-five acres of land nee, aud
that d.rln,
the naswe of the St. Salvador from Savannah
{he emigrants were very kindly used at, the hands
nf Cantain Nlckerson. The reporter on beiu^ con
, ,i ] i ? the steerage. where all were asleep,
could see that they were as comfortably fixed as
could be expected.NTnBjAspERt
which will Ball within a few days (being already
fitted out and provisioned), It is said they will
not be crowded in the hold of the ship, but
roomy houses on deck. The food Is promised to be
B?^cse'aro'Uon\y''the advanced guard or a little
armv of more than three thousand colored Geor
Rinnn who wish to go to Afrlca.ii soil and build up
a near? republic there, which shal be said
;n have sortinc from the freed men or the South.
On landing they will be placed under the care ol
Mr H W. Dennis, the society's agent, who Is also
Secretary or the Treasury or Liberia. Kev. John
drcutt P. I)., the travelling secretary, has taken
much Interest in the present expedition, and will
be present at their embarkation oil theJaspcr.lt
in said the emigrants, alter their arrival In Liberia,
have to pass through au acclimatizing fever, which
proves ratal only a? the rate or Uve in every hun
dIMessrse Yates k Portcrfield, the owners of the
vessel with whom the contract has
tmiifln'ort these emigrants to that land, have made
excellent arrangements for heir accommodations.
Not onlv have they lurnlshed a good quality and
snitlelent quantity of stores for their support
on the vovagc, but houses have been built for tliein
oS the main deck which arc spacious, airy and
comforlalile.^ coymajji)er 0f the vessel
ts John F. Webber, a competent ofllcer, There win
also be on board, to take care or the emigrants.
Or John N. Lewis, a Liberian, who has just been
graduated at one or the medical colleges or New
LVn addition to all these provisions for the welfare
or the emigrants on their passage, the Colonization
Soeietv has bought and shipped stores at a cost of
thousands of dollars for their nse and support after
their arrival. It has also ?hWPejl a ?u MM? of
school books, presented by A. S. IJaintsA to., lor
the use of its schools In Liberia. . . T.
The cost of transportation irom this port to Li
beria Is $50 per head lor adults and $26 i01" chil
dren It Is cxpecteAthe colonization will continue
tohave numerous friends and supporters In the
future as in the past, recent explorations living
opened to all a wide field for enterprise within
African territories.
MEETING OF ASSISTAHT ALDERMEN.
The Steam Street Car Proponal?Kvperl*
mental Jonrney Proposed To-Day.
The Assistant Aldcrmanlc Committee on RalW
roads, to whom was referred the amended resolu
tion of the Board of Aldermen giving the street
railroad companies permission to run dummy en
gines or steam street cars, met yesterday for the
purpose of hearing any objections to be urged
against granting such permission.
The words "horse epidemic" and "thirty days*'
were stricken oat of the original resolution, and
the words "three months'' substituted.
Mayor Powell and Alderman Klchard?on, of
Brooklyn, and several other gentlemen interested
in railroad matters, were In attendance.
Mr. Peck, as representative of a steam street car
company, explained to those present ttieuvorkings
of ilie car. It is economical?more so than the cost
of a horse car; can be stopped within six feet;
there Is 110 noise except a little pumnir, perhaps,
going up hill; the coal used is anthracite, and there
is no smoke or disagreeable smell therefrom; the
englno has a nominal power of five horses, which
upon a grade can be increased to twrnty horse
power; the ordinary track la adaptable for the use
of the stram car.
Mr. Camp also spoke In favor of the use of the
steam car. He had, he said, travelled on one at
the rate of thirty miles an hour, and It was "braked
up" a* quickly as any ordinary street car. The
steam car is entirely free from smell of coal or
eiuoke or soot, aud travels amootlily. The steam
may be utilized for heating the car In Winter time.
All the machinery lies under the car.
There were no objectors to the plan present.
The committee then adjourned. To-day the
committee Intend to avail themselves of a ride on
the steam car on the Bleccker street line.
THE JERSEY POLICE WAS.
In the New Jersey Supreme Court, at Trenton,
yesterday, the case of the Police Commissioners of
Jersey City was taken np. Mr. Dl'xon, counsel for
the defendants, made a motion to dismiss the pro
ceedings, on the ground of Irregularity, and after
the matter had been fully argueo on both sides the
Court refused to giaut the motion. On further
application of Mr. Dixon for a postponement of the
final hearing of the case, in consequence of the ab
sence of one of the defendants? Ezeklel M. Prltch
ard?from the Btate, the Court decided that the
final hearing will take place on Monday next, at
?even o'clock P. M. Messrs. Abbett ud Ransom
appeared for the relators?the new Police Con*
mlMlonera.