The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-09-25
3a!isrfllaaruus Ntus.
The Telegraphic Fire Alarm.

70
The Charleston Cou4itr, Of Thursday last,
says;
@..We had the opportunity Yesterday evening
Of witnessing trial working Of specimen ap.
raratus erected in the basement of the Institute
Hall, 10 display the advantages and efficiency OF
the American Fire Alarm Telegraph" as now
adopted in Boston and other places.
This valuable apparatus is now presented to
the attention Of our city authorities and others
interested by John N. Gamcwe ESQ, of Cam.
den, whose success and skill in mastering the
magnetic telegraph, and in improving its details,
have been previously reported to our radcrs-
Without diagram and Il minute description We
could scarcely convey definite conception of
the Fire Alarm apparatus to readers who had
not seer it. We shall, therefore, briefly state
its objects and claims
81, is claimed for the apparatus as now i'm.
proved, that IL realizes aud secures the very
important and lang sought conditions for fire
alarm, Of az astanfaneousness, Simuitancousness,
snieersality and defnitencss. In other words,
to a city once supplied with the apparatus there
is always reliable, simple, and easily operated
system Of giving prompt and timely alarm
Of communicating that alarm rapidly and in all
directions-of reaching all parts of the city
and Of notifying to each and every part stimuli.
taneously, with the existence of fire, the exact
location of that fire.
"The slightest reflection will convince any in
telligent observer that these advantages are
scarcely to be estimated in money, and ifrealzed
even approximately by this apparatus, its claims
will need no additional endorsement. To say
ot1, &c 3l,o l~ef
:vstc,n, which is confessedly good one of its
Ass and order, in locating definitely and finding
fire after the first alarm is promulgated, we
'sre paying now no light tax for false alarms.
The first five minutes that eiapse from the out
breaking Of fire so as TO reveal itself to pass
er by,or watchman, should one happen to be
near at hand and awake, are of priceless impor-
tance, and especially if the alarm originates in
neighborhood Of a dangerous character. This
interval IS nearly lost sometimes in the attempt
to designate the exact locality to fremcn whose
rendezvous is at distance
I'VE have on several occasions referred to the
advantages realized in Boston by the system
now on exhibition here by Mr.. Gamewell, and
the opportunities we have enjoyed enable US to
realize ard admit all that has been claimed fer it,
The erection Of the apparatus for the trial yes
terday evening was hurried, and was not com
pleted until late hour-Mr Gamewell being
assisted by Dir. 0. Bryan, the chief operator Of
this Station and Mr.. Patrick, one of his assist
ants. Our active aad energetic Chief of the
Fire Department, George A. Bowman, ESQ.,,
has felt and exhibited warm interest in the
matter and from the close inspection and unre-
mitting attention he has bestowed on it, We infer
he is faithfully determined to prepare himself to
render reason for whatever decision he may
ultimately adopt regarding the invention.
The exhibition last evening was afforded
chiefly to the Board Of Fire Masters, acommit
tee of the City Council and the representatives
Of the city Press. This forenoon from II o'clock
will be assigned for more thorough and com
plete inspection and trial by the Mayor and
Council the officers Of the Fire Department.
and others officially interested, hosescrutinizng
judgments are invited. This afternoon will be
allotted Er a general and public exhi bition-
The importance Of the interests which the in
ve,tion is designed to subserc, we'll demands a
recurrence, and we are therefore content for the
present with the necessarily hurried and made
quate notices
Mr.<Gamewell is Carolinian lv birth, and
served for twelve years as postmaster at Camden,
before his connection with telegraphic Duties
He the inventor and patentee Of a "lightning
nrresterP-an apparatus for securing teegraphic
wires either in the common application or in the
adaptation to fire alarm purposes, against dis
turbancc, injury, or interruption by aerial cleo.
tricity.
"He has purchased, at large cost, the right
to use fol-. the Southern States and California
the two patents involved in the system Of irc
alarm he is now illustrating, and has selected the
metropolis Of his native State as the first city in
which to make lair trial Of the plan. The in
trinsic Importance and value Of the claims as.
serted for that plan are, however, sufficient in
themselves to ensure thorough inspection and
trial, and this is what he requests and desires.