From the Richmond Sentinel, 5/16/1863
Disastrous Fire. - Soon after 2 o'clock yesterday
morning a fire broke out in the extensive factory building of the Crenshaw
Woolen company, situated on the south side of the Canal, nearly opposite the
foot of 3d street, and spread with such rapidity that the building was destroyed
in a short time, together with a portion of the Tredegar Foundry, owned by
Anderson & Co., adjoining on the West. The flames lighted up the whole city
and the country for miles around. About 3 o'clock the interior portion of the
Crenshaw mill, five stories in height, fell with a tremendous crash, leaving the
bare brick walls standing. The entire machinery of the mill, together with some
manufactured goods, ready for delivery, and doubtless a quantity of
unmanufactured stock, were destroyed. The fire was accidental, having, it is
believed, bee caused by friction from the picker, in the rear portion of the
mill. This machine was kept going day and night, and it is stated that the man
who attended it left the room for a moment for the purpose of procuring oil, and
when he returned the room was in flames. The watchman immediately put the force
pumps of the mill in operation, but it was found that they had not sufficient
length of hose to play upon the spot where the flames were raging, and the mill
had to be abandoned to its fate. By the time the firemen arrived upon the spot
they could do no more than prevent the destruction of valuable property in the
neighborhood.
The mills were owned by a joint stock company, and most of
the work done was for the Government. About one hundred and fifty operatives,
male and female, are thrown out of employment. The company were insured for
$171,500, in Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama offices;
not over $10,000 in any one office.
With regard to the losses at the Tredegar Works, the
reporter has obtained the following particulars: A portion of the machine shops
and blacksmith shops, and also one of the buildings in which gun-carriages were
finished, were destroyed. The fire also consumed a large number of old patterns;
but the gun patterns were saved, together with the new building for casting and
the machinery for boring heavy guns, and this operation will be resumed in a few
weeks. It is gratifying to know, further, that the rolling mills and spike
factory, as well as the foundries for casting shot, shell and car wheels, and
all the ordnance on hand, were saved. The property was partially covered by
insurance, in the Mutual Assurance Company, Richmond Fire Association, Virginia
Fire and Marine, Old Dominion, Merchants and Alabama Insurance Companies.
It is impossible at present to give a correct estimate of
the total amount of loss.
Page
last updated on
07/16/2008
|
