The Mysterious Burning of the Scow Bleecker
A steam scow used to haul bricks from Fog Island is destroyed by fire, fueling local rumors of arson.
The steam scow 'Bleecker' was burned today on the tide flats, the origin of the fire being unknown, although many believe it was incendiary. The Bleecker was built four years ago to carry brick from John Bleecker's brickyard on Fog Island. The National Bank of Commerce held a lien on the scow. It was insured, it is understood, for $3,000.
“The origin of the fire being unknown, although many believe it was incendiary.”
Fires on the Seattle tide flats were a common, often suspicious occurrence in the late 19th century as the city expanded its industrial waterfront. Today, the area where these wooden vessels once docked and burned has been completely landfilled and built over by industrial and port infrastructure.
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