Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-17
6emsraI Sntfllissnts.

lead TO some reformation IN the nre departments
in the principal cities Of the Union. The writer
in this country, which, if applied, might produse
favorable results
(" The department consists Of one supernend-
ent and four foremen, each being appointed 10 a
district which he never leaves except on some
pressing occasion, and who, in The absence of the
superintendent, has the sole command Of all the
engines or firemen within, or who may come
within, his district. Twelve engineers, who get
twenty.eight shillings per week, (about ST. each,
and a free house. Seven sub-engineers, at twenty
six shilngs Tor sc, 50.) each, week. Thirty.tw
senior 6remen, at twenty-four ashlIngs and six
pense, Tor S6) each, weekly Thirty-nne Junior
firemen, at twenty-one shillings, Tor s5) week,
and fourteen drivers. who paid as will hereafter
be described. This is the entire fire department
Of London in ordinary times and consists as is
shown of but ouS hundred ana Rtne persons in
Guiding superintendents, foremen and drivers
-
What will astonsh American readers most is
the small number Of engines. Those belonging TO
parishes, as before limited, are worthless there
being only eight or ten at all serviceable. The
brigade force consists of twenty seven large en-
gines drawn by horses nine small ones, drawn
by men; one floating engine, worked by steam;
one of the same character, worked by manual
power, and twenty-five hand pumps carried in the
large engines. Taking the parish apparatus,the fire
the brgade,) and the thirty-eight engines belong
ing 10 that body, there are but ffty-three fire
gines in London. The hand-pumps cannot be
(being small, as their name implies,) and
the floating engines are stationed in the Thames,
where they are only serviceable on particular oc-
casions. This very small force masters all fires
within circuit of ten miles, radatng from ST.
Paul's and absolutely protects the property Of
more than three millions Of people.
g 1t will be at once remarked that four men are
not enough TO work an engine. The fremen
superintend. The levers are manned by the by
ISLANDERS, and TO avoid al. dispute in case FORE
man be not present. that fireman whose number
gives him seniority is commander. All are num-
bered, and merit insures promotion. The persons
who work the engine are paid one shilling. the
first, and Cd. for each succeeding hour besides
freshments. Upwards of600 assistants have been
thus employed at one time.
{. Each. fireman carries printed blanks 10 every
fire on which are numbers from TO 2S, and a line
on which to write the name Of ca Eli man that works
at the engine, as well as the hours he may be en-
gagged. When this apparatus is manned the names
are written on this blank, and from that il is known
who the workmen are, and they are paid accord
ingly.
:" The foreman ofeach and every district is pro-
vided with printed forms on which TO make out
reports of fires occurring in his department. One
of these is forwarded 10 the. chief Office at u
NJ, and one at "a p. m. each day. On this are
given the day, hour and place OF the fire; the
name ofthe occuper of premises and his business.
The landlords name; supposed cause OF fire
where insured; number of policy; gas company
supplying gas whom extngushed by; what wa
ter used; number of engines, and their district;
engines not of the establishment, if any, assist
ants employed, and damage done.
These reports embodied in another made
out daily by the superintendent Mr. Bradwood,
who forwards one to each Of the twenty-three in
fIice tpI he hripo de and n
survey is Immediately ordered. The companies
act promptly, and even III cases where the injury
is so slight as TO make it scarcely worth the while
ofthe insured to apply for remuneration, officers
go and assess damages, which are paid. s
1t is important to mention that the London In
surance Companies rarely raise bubbles. In
cases where foul playis suspected unless positive
proof be forthcoming, the claims are allowed.
This is because an over nicely on the part OF
companies drives custom from their doors, and
experience proves that it is more profitable to pay
an occasional fraud than to suffer lawsuit,
From what has been said it will be seen that
the London Fire Brigade is entirely voluntary on
the part OF the insurance companies, there being
no law in any shape whatever 10 control or sus-
tain the department. | must not omit TO state that
the greatest possible assistance is given TO the
fremen by the police (of whom there are from
5000 10 1000 in London) in keeping back the
crowd and performing other similar service. Each
constable who discovers fire. without having his
attention drawn to it by another person, receives
10 shillings or So so from the Brigade. This
causes vigilance, SO that there are upwards Of
A 900 men on watch all night for fires. Ii po-
liceman keeps the doors of the premises shut,
where fire is discovered, so as TO confne the
flames till the engines are ready, sovereign, or
So. is sent to the commissioners in each case for
him.
Alarms are communicated by running 10 po-
N.l~..
latter, located about half mile apart. When
FIRE is serious, and more than two engines are re-
CURED the driver is sent back with his horses, and
policemen are despatched 10 other stations. AT
present a system of telegraphing is under consit-
Grafton, but it is barely likely to be adopted.
About two-ffths of the fremen are on watch all
night, and in case Of alarm there is delay. The
whole are on the alert as eagerly and early as the
most anxious volunteer rivals Philadelphia
sent TO fireman's fight; and | am happy 10 say
their vigilance never leads TO riot.
The brigade is considered private business
affair, and therefore its cost is matter OF secrecy
on every other head is readily given
The only means OF reaching that result are imper-
feet, and whatever sums may be named must be
From data in my possession, am
inclined to believe that the entire expense eff the
department for one year does not exceed 5000,
or about 100000.
In conclusion il nav he well to repeat few re-
large fires. His experience induces him TO con-
clude that it is impossible to save immense build
ngs from the flames rule. When fire is
discovered in London in a monster warehouse,
The custom is to save the adjoining property and
confne the element the large building if posi-
bic. II flames once spread in great edifce where
here are but few party walls and wide hatchways
and openings, which serve as tunnels to increase
he FIRE, no human power can conquer the de-
,troyer. He thinks this is not sufficiently under
stood in the United States and that the eagerness
Of your fremen 10 preserve large building
which cannot be saved) leads them TO expend en-
,rgy, time, and water, 10 no purpose whereas II
hey We're 10 direct their attention, on their ar
rival at such fire, to the property adjoining, con-
1agrations in American cities would rarely as
sumo the magnitude they do now.
The Whaling Fleet at Lahaina.-The Arc
lie and Ochotsk cruising grounds -From ROLES
L Co.'s shipping list we learn that w whaling
vessels recruited at the port OF LahaIna Sandwich
Islands, during the fall season OF 1893. The av-
.rage amount of oil taken by each vessel was
about 500 barrels. The average amount taken by |
he Arctic fleet was $50 barrels per vessel; by the
Ochotsk feet | 1925 barrels. The reports of 104
vessels which recruited at Lahaina in the fall of
1852, gave an average catch for the season of
AGO barrels-the average being l,4o3 barrels for
n n hx In DNat