The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

A most dreadful fire broke out at the Crane, or New-Stairs, Wapping, which burnt with great fury for four hours, before it could be stopped, and consumed all the houses from New-Stairs to King James's Stairs, and from the river-side back to the garden ground, which includes both sides of the street called Wapping-Wall, and part of New-Gravel-Lane; it ended in consuming Mr. Wilson's large and fine cooperage; The number of Houses burnt are computed at about 170, besides Shops, warehouses, &c. and it is reckoned 1500 persons, Housekeepers, lodgers, &c. are burnt out. The loss immensely great.

In the dock by Craine-Stairs was the Mary Galley, Capt. Clarke, a fine ship, in the Wet-India trade, almost ready to come out, which was entirely consumed to the keel, with all the materials about the dock. It is said the fire broke out in a small beer brewery, which immediately communicated itself to the ship alehouse; and the wind blowing strong from the south, carried the flames to the dock yard, and other houses adjoining; and the street being narrow, greatly impeded the working of the engines. Two men are said to be buried in the ruins, and a fireman had his skull fractured by the falling of a wall. When the fire was burning, even men who were got into a loft full of sails, and handing them out to be put on board a lighter, were so intent on what they were doing, that they forgot the danger they were in, by the building being on fire; and were called to by some people to save their lives, by timely getting out of the loft, but they not regarding the advice unhappily staid till the flames surrounded them, and they all perished.