THE GREAT FIRE
Of 1892

A DESCRIPTION OF THE
Burning of St. John’s. N.F., July 8^th, 1892

Like the line of march of a retreating army the thorough-fares were filled with goods, abandoned because of impossibility of conveyance, and fabulous sums were offered for carts and vehicles.  All the arteries which led from the water to the higher portions of the town were crowded with the terrorized mob, and the screams and cries of the women mingled, with the wailing of children, the shouts of men and the trampling of animals, the whole being intensified by the ever-freshening mass of livid fire and the glare of the burning buildings, contributed to make a scene, the like of which it is not often given to the lot of many to witness.  When the magnificent warehouses, stores and shops of Water-street were within the power of the fire, the flames fed by the accumulated contents, consisting in many instances of most inflammable materials, such as kerosene oil, butter, lard, gunpowder, and alcohol mounted to immense heights, and the whole horizon was one mass of lurid light surmounted by a thick pall of heavy smoke.  About 10 o’clock the fire worked up Garrison-hill, and along Queen’s-road, where the Congregational Church was situated, and, although a wide street intervened, it was also doomed, and its bare walls alone stand in position today.  In a spacious plot of ground, bounded by four wide streets, stood, just under the Roman Catholic Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Hall, perhaps the most spacious and imposing public hall in the city, constructed of free stone and heavy stone from local quarries covered with cement.  This building contained a large hall, four elegant school rooms occupied by the Christian Brothers, giving accommodation to 400 children, and a basement just being prepared as a billiard-room.  It was thought that its isolated situation would save it, and every preparation had been made for its safety.  A length of hose had been laid along the roof, and the Brothers, who worked heroically thereon, directed all their efforts to the protection of its western front, as the fire worked its way up Garrison-Hill.  For over an hour the unequal fight continued, and at last a small patch of fire stuck under the overhanging wooden cornice of a roof window, and the water being unable to reach it, the flames quickly effected an entrance to the building.  Its complete demolition was thenceforth a matter of time, and within an hour it was a total ruin.  The safety of the Mercy Convent and with it Gorgestown [sic], Monkstown and the whole collection of magnificent structures which compose the headquarters of the Roman Catholic denomination, was threatened, but after a brave fight, the danger was overcome.  A few yards lower down a collection of buildings on Rawlin’s Cross, also jeopardised the above flourishing suburbs, where numbers of those who had been previously burned out had taken refuge, and, as the flames gradually increased, in consequence of the burning of a large liquor store at the Cross, the feelings of the multitude may be better imagined than expressed.  With the assistance of many volunteers, the firemen and police succeeded, after a severe exertion, in successfully combating the flaming elements. The flames which threatened this point had not come directly along Military-road, but had crossed Prescott-street lower down, and had then eaten their way up the hill to that portion of Military-road which lay between the bend of Prescott-street and King’s-road.  A gallant fight had forced the flames to pass the Terra Nova Bakery and the Electric Light Works, and it was for a considerable time hoped they would be saved.  But the tanks of water at hand were soon exhausted, and the water in the pipes was turned off to be used upon another locality, and soon it was seen that the long and gallant struggle had been all in vain.  Both buildings were engulfed in the flames, their contents were entirely destroyed, and the city, save for the glare of burning stocks of coal, has been in darkness ever since.  Another severe struggle took place at the head of King’s-road, where the security of a portion of Military-road depended on saving the Drill-shed, and already over-taxed energies were expended in fighting the flames.  At the same time another corps was busily engaged at the western extremity of the conflagration, preventing it extending its ravages into the west-end of the town.  Dougherty’s foundry, and several dwellings at the foot of Theatre-hill were torn down to make a firebreak, while at O’Dwyer’s cove an eventually successful struggle nearly resulted in the loss of one or two lives.  All the shipping at the wharves had to make for the stream, and there anchor, out of reach of the flames, and all the wharves, in many instances with valuable contents, were destroyed.  The coal hulk of the Coastal S.S. Co., moored near Chain-tuck, took fire early in the night. The steamer  “Sharp-shooter,” belonging to Messrs. Harvey & Co., and a large vessel lying at John Woods & Sons’ wharf, were burning at the same time.  All through the long night the crowds continued passing and repassing — those who had friends gladly availing themselves of the welcomeshelter of their houses, while those who had no better places, settled themselves with their belongings in Bannerman Park, the R.C. Cathedral grounds and even by the road sides waiting for day to break.  Few there were who closed their eyes that night — the homeless, too heartsick and too weary to seek relief in slumber, while those more fortunate found themselves burdened with relatives and friends, or gave way to the natural excitement engendered by such an occasion, and wandered aimlessly from place to place fascinated by a scene at once magnificent and awe-inspiring.

When morning broke the thick clouds of smoke still ascended from the burning ruins, and it was hours before it had cleared sufficiently to admit of a view of the track of the desolating scourge.  A walk through the deserted streets demonstrated that the ruin was even more complete than seemed possible at first.  Of the whole easterly section, scarcely a building remained.  In the extreme north-east a small section of Hoylestown was standing, protected by massive Devon Row, but the remainder of St. John’s east had vanished.  Of the immense shops and stores which displayed, such varied merchandise and valuable stocks gathered from all parts of the known world; of the happy homes, of artisans and middle classes, where contentment and prosperity went hand in hand; of the comfortable houses where laboring classes sought rest and refreshment; and of the costly and imposing structures and public buildings which were the pride and glory of the people, scarcely a vestage [sic] remained; and St. John’s lay in the morning sun as a city despoiled of her beauty, her choicest ornaments, presenting a picture of utter desolation and woe.

  Since the fire, temporary shelters have been erected in Bannerman Park and other public places, and substantial provisions provided.  From the Dominion of Canada, the United States and from Great Britain generous donations of food, clothing, lumber and money have been received, and arrangements for the relief of the people are being fully carried out.  The total number of individuals burnt out, as far as can be ascertained, is 12,400, of which 2,700 are sheltered in Bannerman Park, 65 in the Drill Shed, 190 at the Railway Station, 154 camped near Quidividi lake, and the balance in private dwellings and school-houses in the end, Monkstown, Hoylestown and the suburbs.

FIRST TO RESUME Among the first to resume business after the great fire was George Knowling, whose establishment destroyed was one off the largest in the city.  With his usual enterprise he leased the premises lately occupied by J.J. & L Furlong, and next the store of C.F. Bennett & Co.  This place he stocked with dry goods and groceries by the first incoming steamer, and it is now crowded with customers daily, though carpenters are still engaged in putting up places to stow away the large shipments of goods which continue to arrive.

During the time Mr. Knowling has been in business he has experienced much opposition to his endeavors to supply goods to the working classes at small profits.  About two years ago, when several business people failed, and Mr. Knowling sustained losses to the extent of six or eight thousand dollars, efforts were made to injure his credit and a report was spread that he would be ruined.  This was not done here alone, but in the foreign markets as well, and immediately after the fire similar malicious reports were set going.  Judging, however, from present appearances it will not be long before Mr. Knowling will be carrying on as extensively as ever.  The whole of his employees, sixty in number, have been retained in his service and these at the present moment are having a pretty brisk time; for so great a reputation has Mr. Knowling for “good quality and fair prices” that trade would follow him anywhere.  In front of the building from Water-street, is the dry goods store, to the rear of this, the grocery store; upstairs, he has a millinary and dress-making department and the offices, in which a number of clerks attend to the direction of the general business. Further down town, at 366 Water-street, in the shop formerly occupied by J.L. Duchimen, pump and block maker, and over which the “golden eagle” once spread its wings, Mr. Knowling is fitting up his hardware store, which will be ready in a short time.  His provision stores are at Browning’s premises, where he has also obtained wharf accommodations for his customers.