The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-09-20
THE FIRE ANNmLAToR


This il the name OF new machine for ex-
dnguishing ares, which is creating great GA
citeinent IN the community, '----
The yapor which Is emitted from one OF
these little machines has precisely tho same
effect upon flame that is produced by damp
in a we'll. Flame cannot sNist second ln
this vapor And yet IL can be brealled with
out tho slightest Inconvenience. Dickens, IN
his "Household Words" deyotes several pa
ges 10 this invention. We make the follow
ing extract from his description of the burn
ing Of a house, got up exprrrsly to test the
powers Of the Fire Annihilatori
"Mr Phillips assured tbem thero was no
danger, As he had perfect command over the
tiamesi at the same time, ho requested th.
company 10 observe that he had purposely
arranged that every disadvantage should bs,
against him. The house was fill Of cOinbus-
tibtu materiuis--ttTo vhufu-buiisiius a
thorough draft, Cit was, indeed,) and they
would observe that the commenodm of tho
full force OF the fire would be almost imne-
diate, and without any Of the gradual adyah-
ces which we're usual IN alInoat all conaagrA-
tons. Lasty, he called upon them % take
note that the fury Of tho flames would be
such that no life could exist near them for
a single instant
Without further words, lighted match 4.
applied 10 one OF the tArred aud tur-
pentine shayinga that hang in the ground,
iioor Of the honse.
ut sparkles-blAzes--an in one moment
the lower room Il in full flames In the nest
they have risen 10 the do0r aboye-they
crackle, roar, and leap about, springing up "a
lhaf Il
20 the right and lett OF the building, while a
dGnse hot cloud OF smoke. full OF red frag.
menis OF ahAyings and other embers, comes
dancing over the heads OF tho assembled com
pany. Everybody has risen from his seat
-gentlcmen-and now all tho visitors
are crowding toward the other ond OF the
building The whole place Was filed with
the roar OF tho flames aud the noise OF voices,
hurrying feet, and rustling garmenis--tho
clouds OF hot smoke.
"But suddenly man enters the building
from side door bearing portable Fire An.
nihilator, ofthe Size We have mentioned; lac
Is followed 10y second. Tho machines Are
vomiting forth a dense white Vapor They
enter just within the doorway OF the blazing
house. a change instantly takos place in the
action OF the flames, a. though they grew pale
in the presence of their master. They sink.
There is nothing but darkness aud the dense
white vapOr coiling about ia trt-mph."
PnILLlPs' FIRE ANNtnILAToM---So
ofthc machines, which codt about $50 each,
are placed IN the Queens palaces, az London
and Windsor, at which later place a fire was
recently eSunguished 10y one OF them The
great Crystal Palace is also protected by
these machines IN tact, they are being adopt
eel by the principal manufactures distillcrias
and stores, Rs we'll as mansions aud private
roailHncoa q! Great Britain. Il ~ sHtd TINT
orders TOR the machines are several weeks ia
advance although the manuiactory OF the
latenlee snpnlles QNer two Thousand machines
per day. Lord BTOughAm has recently III
troduccd bill into Parliament requiring ev-
cry Government vmigrant vessel To be sup
Piled with ono or more OF the Fire Annihila-
tors. ,.,i
We have always somc suspicious OF these
great discoveries, but this appears to have
nothing OF "Painos Gas" about il, and it,
proofs Of usefulness are too strong 10, be easily
discreditcd. Ii the invention is really what
u claims 10 be, nothing can prevent its gencr-
al introduction into ali parts OF our country
Tho annual destruction OF property'by fire Ia
the United States is estimated atS 3, 900, 900,
and the amount of property Insured is $780,
100000. The cost OF our various Firo Do
partmuuts is many millions more, and IL this
immense loss can be eaVod, the advantages
OF tho invenlion are above computation. We
perceive that the Common -CoauUil oi Glove
land. Ohio has appointed committee TO ST.
cure The Annihialor for the protection OF the
city property. ThissysIsm will doubtless be-
adopted by all our cities, towns and villages,
As we'll as by the United Stat0s Govvrnmunt
---NeouSt { ". ~ Jfercury.