Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-03-21
Engineers Reborf.



ment. passed july 25tl,, le49, reeuia ling tn.
Fire Department for the city, i, j. made in
cumbent on the CHEF Engineer. to>report to
that Government, the state and condi,ion oil
the Fire DebHrtinetf, and OF all casualties by
hres, and the causes thereof, during the pre-
ceding year, with the number and descrip-
lion Of the buildings destroyed or injured
thereby, with MI estimate OF the damage, or
loss OF properly occasionetl, and the names
Of the sufferers.
In compliance with said ordinance, have
the honor to present this, my annual Report,
for your consideration.
On the S3d day Of May last, was BY your
favor placed al the head of this brunch OF
the City Government, and on assuming the
responsibilities of the Office, my first effort
WINS TO ascertain its condition, which am
compelled 10 say, was very far from what
might have expected from the well known
readiness OF the city government 10 foster
and encourage every branch of the under
Departments, especially the one under con-
sideration. Immediately communicated TO
you til. dIlapidnied state OF the Department,
and the outlays iha, must he made, to make
il what il should be, TO answer the require
ments of the city. mud the jusr expectations
OF the inhabitants, and nm happy &c state.
that it NET with ready response, and the
Department was Immediately put in con.
dirion, perhaps not inferior for its size. to
ANY 10 lie found, as must he admitted by all
who have observed its operations.
| should, perhaps here st ,te, that the order,
passed by you at my instigaIion, for remodliDg
the Hook & Ladder Company, and which
believe 10 he of essential importance to the
safety of the city. has not progressed with
that alacriIy that might have been wished
and which fenred might be needed, but
understand il is now in state of forward
ness.
The several Engines are believed 10 he in
pcrfecr order. aud the companies who have
charge of Them, am well persuaded, can.
mol be surpassed by any Others, and am
happy 10 shy, that no INSTRUMENTATION when
on duty. has 10 my knowledge AT any lime
existed, and | must here be per" rted to
acknowledge The same to all Of the Officers
ard Companies in the Department.
As lear as ! have been able 10 ascertain
the losses by fire the past year, have not ex-
ceeded, $500 90
And which are MS folows:-
w. V. g. o. Moses wooden store,
damage Qnsurrd,) SIS 90
Mr.. FenIey's Cabinet Furniture, dam-
age, (Insr,red $40 90
C. T. Greenl~af's House and shop
Furniture, damage, (lnsured.) $50 90
Cause, stove OF funnel.
July 10Th. Owners North Steam Mill
Co., al North Steam Mill Wharf.
Loss in lumber estimated at $500 90
Cause unknown, no Insurance.)
July l7lh, S. V. Harrison. dwelling
House, damage, Qnsured.) $40 90
Cause, supposed from The funnel.
Aug. 3lst, B. o. Weeks, coal in store.
damage, mo In.urance) $500 90
Cause, spontaneous combustion.
Nov. 9th, North Steam Mill Compa-
ny, damage, (no Insurance.) SIS 90
Cause. hent from furnace.
Nov. 18Th, Mr., Winning, Soap House.
damage. mo lnsurance.) $50 90
Winning s. Godirey's stock and TOOLS
damage, (no Insurance.) $3.50 90
Cause mt n>certaiiIed.
House and Furniture, damage, Un-
sured) $500 %
Cause, supposed spark from an
open FIRE.
Feb %. Davis Hatch. Brick store dam
age 10 store. Insured. S3UU w
Crcwell s. HathorI,. Merchant Ta.lors
dsmage 10 STOCK aud fixtures, In
surely $500 90
Cause, supposed 20 be from stove
or funnel.
II NAV be worthy of remark, that during
the pasI year, not a fire has occurred, over
ohIch The Department has not in a very
siiort time had entire cOntIol, which fact If
known TO the public, should have the ten
dency TO lessen tile rates of Insurance.
To retain The present efficiency OF The De-
parrnlent another year, an outlay for AT least
600 feet Of new hose will I've required at an
early day, more especially when il is re-
mem cred that We have no reservoirs As yet
commenced. ] will however, take the lib
crry TO suggest to the City Coun'iI, the pro-
prety of building halt Tide Dam, from
Col. Rohinsons garden, across the dock,
southeasterly 10 ihe shore, which woult form
a pond of healthy water, and would answer
for the Engines at fire, for quite lnrge
pro;turion Of the city, and may be built It is
thought. al a lr;;iang expense. il is under
stood ti.nt the number .H"gine House is to
be moved to another part of lie lot. 1t the
wooden School house should be substituted
for the one now in use, it is thonghl that a
very convenient building may he made of it
at small! expense, and the present Engine
House sold for price not mu IN less than
ghe School house.
IL nust be obvious to every one acquaint-
ed with Engines, that the present houses
are quite 100 SMALL, and cold to he convent
ent ard r>mfortable for winter service e.
Numbers two and three are situated on hired
laud. and u is ior YOU 10 determine how long
II will he for the Interest OF the city, 10 de-
lay the purchase OF suitable lots tor these two
machines.
Although the Joint Committee on the Fire
Department, are entitled 10 much credit for
their promplness the past year, in providing
every facility for repairs, yet it is believed
that saving might be made, if some person
was Individually authorized TO make special
contracts Cor this Department, ms in others of
the City Government. feel it my dury 10
state TO you that The faithful performance of
the duty OF carefully watching the stoves and
tunnels the past winter, which was done by
your order, has undoubtedly saved the city
from fires. and shouIi he continued.
IT the outlaws Il e past year have exceeded
your estimates, ] trust that nothing has been
done. hui what WINS absolutely necessary for
the safety of the CITY, and for which individ-
ais ifnot the public have been fully compen-
saied.
In conclusion permit me 10 acknowledge
that am persuaded that every member of
the department, when present, has perform
ed his duiy faithfully, and to the Engineers
and Assistant Engineers, am under great
obligation for their prompIness in carrying
into execution all orders given, as well as
their willingness to advise, as % what should
he done ea