New Orleans, LA Fire Sweeps River Front, Feb 1905

RIVER FRONT AT NEW ORLEANS FIRE-SWEPT.

SEVERE BLOW TO THE CITY'S EXPORT TRADE.

ELEVEN BLOCKS OF WHARVES DESTROYED.

SEVEN THOUSAND MEN ARE THROWN OUT OF EMPLOYMENT.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL'S VAST FREIGHT TERMINALS BURNED.

TWO MAGNIFICENT GRAIN ELEVATORS AND A HUNDRED LOADED FREIGHT CARS DEVOURED BY THE HUNGRY FLAMES.

New Orleans, La., Feb. 27. -- A fire which started at 5 o'clock last night was not gotten under control until this morning. It completely wiped out the river front, destroyed the Illinois Central's vast freight terminals, a dozen squares of modern wharves, two magnificent grain elevators, a hundred loaded cars containing vast quantities of freight, including 20,000 bales of cotton.
When it became known that the Stuyvesant docks were gone the fire tugs hastened to remove the ships, which were pulled out into the river to a place of safety.
The flames spread down the river before a strong wind.
The spread of the fire into the residence section of the city was checked by Louisiana avenue, which is very broad.
The river boats and emplyes of the Illinois Central fought desperately, but the flames drove them back and the elevator suddenly burst into flames.
The fire is said to have started from the journal of a shaft in the elevator that had not been properly oiled.
While the fire that destroyed its immense export terminals was still burning, the Illinois Central railroad announced that as soon as the ruins cooled forces would be put to work to clear away the debris. The Stuyvesant docks and elevators will be promptly rebuilt on a more complete and substantial scale than before. In the meanwhile, the officials have begun the formation of plans to handle the traffic now on the way to New Orleans from the west, so as to avoid any material diversion of freight from this city.
The fire has dealt a severe blow to the city's growing export trade, having destroyed eleven blocks of wharves, freight sheds and grain elevators. Seven thousand men are thrown out of employment.

Bluefield Daily Telegram West Virginia 1905-02-28
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!