Republican Compiler (Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania)
March 17, 1824
Destructive Fire
A fire broke out in the principal work shop of
the United States Arsenal, in Springfield, Mass., a spark from the forging
shop is supposed to have lodged on the roof of the long and spacious
building which stood at a right angle with it, and was appropriated to
various departments of work. The wind was very strong from the North and
drove the flames with irresistible fury, lengthwise of the building. All
efforts to save it were unavailing and the destruction of it was complete.
It has not been ascertained what proportion of the contents of the
building, such as tools, muskets finished and unfinished, and the various
parts of arms, were destroyed, but the building itself was valuable and
its loss will throw a large number of persons out of employment, a least
for a season.
[Submitted by Nancy Piper]