Eastport, MD shipyard fire, Aug 1918

PLOT FIRE IN SHIPYARD.

Subarmine Chasers Imperilled at Plant Near Annapolis.

Special to the New York Times.

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Aug. 24. - Prompt and vigorous efforts of the Annapolis Fire Department assisted by sailors from the Naval Academy, saved the hulls of three submarine chasers and two government tugs from destruction by fire tonight. The boats in course of construction were on the ways at the Chance Marine Construction Company's plant at Eastport on the Severn river, directly across from Annapolis.

An investigation of the blaze, the origin of which is as yet undetermined, undoubtedly will be made because of many circumstances indicating that the fire may have been the work of enemy agents. The fire started in the laundry and in a few minutes the office building of the shipyard, a considerable distance from the laundry building, was ablaze.

Members of the Severn Boat Club, who first saw the flames, assert that the fire started simultaneously in several places, and that what appeared to be a torch was rapidly carried from the laundry to the shipyard. Several motor boats were close to the yard when the fire started and one of them put out swiftly toward the bay as the flames tore through the buildings.

Eastport has no fire fighting facilities and the balze had gained considerable headway before the Annapolis apparatus could reach it.

The New York Times, New York, NY 25 Aug 1918
__________________

Transcribed by Tim Taugher. Thanks, Tim!