History with ‘Hud’: Reflecting on Wilmington’s destructive fire of 1886
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington has experienced several major fires since its incorporation in 1739. But a multi-day blaze in February of 1886 was especially bad.
By the time the final flames were extinguished, more than $1 million worth of property was destroyed (around $33 million in today’s money) and the lives of residents were forever changed.
The fire began on February 21, 1886 aboard the steamboat Bladen which was passing through from Fayetteville. The initial flames were discovered around 150 yards offshore, with the fire quickly growing in the lower deck near the boiler. The boat was loaded with cotton and naval supplies and was quickly engulfed as it was steered to shore. All the passengers escaped without injury but lost their luggage in the blaze.
The burning boat quickly sparked fires on land at the foot of Chestnut Street. Flames continued to sweep north along the riverbank until wharves, warehouses and other waterfront buildings were completely overtaken with fire.
The volunteer fire companies were overwhelmed. But the majority of the telegraph lines were destroyed, making it difficult to send for help. Telegraph operator Clem Brown was forced to climb a telegraph pole to contact the Goldsboro and Florence, South Carolina fire department for help.
Florence crews began loading equipment onto a train 20 minutes after receiving the call and were in Wilmington three hours later to assist fighting the fire.
Hot embers caused the fire to keep spreading despite the efforts of numerous volunteer, with all properties in the area of Red Cross, Third and Princess Street being destroyed.
At the time the local volunteer department consisted of 200 men, three second-class steam engines, a horse hook and ladder truck along with 2,600 feet of hose.
As nightfall approached the Wilmington Light Infantry were requested by the mayor to assemble at the company’s armory, as special policemen and other volunteers were positioned around the burned area to protect property of the buildings.
The company turned out with thirty five muskets, which swelled during the night to forty-five. The group in several instances drove off pilferers and stopped disturbances among clumps of drunken men, gathered on the streets.
Many of the firemen were also on duty throughout the night, extinguishing the burning debris and preventing other fires.
The Great Fire of 1886 brought to the attention of the Wilmington citizens and government the importance of having a floating fire apparatus on the Cape Fear River equipped with the latest fire- fighting equipment to combat waterfront fires and those occurring on the many vessels which visited the port of Wilmington.
While a fire can break out at any time, the blaze of 1886 taught a lot of lessons which keeps the residents of Wilmington safer today for it.
Meteorologist Matthew Huddleston (‘Hud’) has always had two major loves – weather and history. While you can watch him talk about weather each morning on WWAY, he looks forward to bringing you a little piece of history each Thursday on WWAY’s website.
To read other History with ‘Hud’ segments, click HERE.
