Burning of the Steamer Greenville.

(Cor. of The News and Observer.)

     WASHINGTON, N.C., September 17, 1880.

     An alarm of fire was given at 8 o'clock this morning and the entire fire department turned out promptly. The steamer Greenville was found to be in flames, and although two streams of water were soon playing upon her, the fire gained headway for several minutes. The hurricane deck, various saloons, pilot house, engine rooms, &c., were composed of inflammable material, so that the flames shot with fearful rapidity from one part to another until all the woodwork above the lower deck was destroyed. The hull was saved almost intact and the boiler and engine are not materially injured. The loss is estimated at from $2,000 to $2,500. Current report at this instant says she is insured for $5,000. I can get no reliable information on this point, her owner being absent. The steamer Greenville is owned by Capt. A. W. Styron and runs from this point to Tarboro (Edgecombe County) in connection with the Northern Clyde line.

Steamship Greenville
Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center in Morehead City, NC
https://www.coresound.com/history

     The fire is supposed to have originated by the explosion of a kerosene lamp in one of the saloons. No other loss occurred, although several warehouses were in imminent danger.

[News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) 19 Sept 1889]