Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-04-30
The Fire Organisation Of London.

The Fire Organization Of London.
The London Quarterly r evew for Janua :
ny gives valuable article in relation to
Fire and Fire Insurance, which embodies
a full account Of the London Fire Brigade
THIS Brigade consists of 81 large horse en-
gines, lo4 men and g. horses. The Brigade
10 supportedby the Insurance Compagnies,
each Office contributing according to the
amount Of its business. We give an extract
nom the article embodying some interest
ing incidents
"One of the most interesting portions Of
the review is devoted to details OF the work
ing Of the fire escapes. The height attain
able BY these escapes varies from 43la to
io feet, and most Of them carry supple
mentary ladder. by which they are enabled
to reach height OF so feet. The main lad
der is the one used for reaching second
floors the upper ladder folds over i, and
is readily raised to the required position by
ropes and pulIeys. Under the whole length
OF the main ladder is 4 canvass trough or
bugging. msdc Of stout sail cloth stepped
in alum and protected by an out-trough or
sheaihing OF copper wire net, sufficient
space being lett between the Two for the
yielding OF the canvass IN persons des-
cent. Although when placed against the
/ building the canvass tunnel 10 almost per-
pendicuiar, the yielding of the sail cloth
adults OF person sliding down il gently
and safely The duty OF the conductor 10 a
most hazardous one, aud rewards are freely
distribute d tor daring and heroic acts. The
reviewer mentions some noteworthy in
stances OF such hcrosm.
A 4 lire winch broke out 10 November,
1874, IA house in Hatton-gafden, Con-
ducrsr Sunshine, on his ARRIVAL. found the
following state OF things. On the second
toor maH was sitting on the 81 Ii OF one Of!
tse windows (there were four windows
shfeast) and OH the third floor man was
hanging by his hands 10 the windo"-slll
at the other extremity .! the house-iront.
Alter havn. rescued The man on the second
l5,r he did not dare 10 Talse his titrd-foor
iudder, Tor fear OF hitting the hanging mans
hands, and causing hun 10 fall; accord
irg!y, he stood upon the top rung .! the
second door ladder, aud by SO doing could
just touch with his upstralned arrAs the poor
, fellows depending feet la this position,
having himsei! bat precarlous hold OF the
window frame beneath, his only footing
being the topm 1t fung, he called 10 the
man TO drop when he told him, and dis
covered from his silence that he Was deaf
and dumb.
Upon being tapped apon the foot, how.
ever, he letgo and the conductor managed.
I incredible as il may appear, to shp hm
down between himself and the wall Oh the
top Of the ladder, and brought him saiely to
I ground. In the next case, Conductor
( Chapman was the hero oi the scene, al
though the indomitablc Sunshine vas pres
I ent. Having crossed the roofs OF two adj
joining out-bulltings, Chapman managed
10 place his ladder against the second back
door Of the house on fire. Having rescued
lady, he was obliged to retrace his steps
over the roof, MS the fire was coming
through the things. He could only cross by
making bridge Of the short ladder ; and
scarcely Lad they cleared the premises,
when II fell in with Tremendous crash.
On another occasion this intrepid man
having made an entrance into the second
, floor window OF house inFot,enham-court-
road, he was obliged TO retreat vice. by
reason oil his amp going out in the dense
I SMOKY ou lHe tHilu lEliI ~ itHdiHec III,
and enabled him 10 search the place. ~
! called out loul", b. says in his report,
"snd was answered by kini OF stuffed cry
! rushed across the landing to the back
( room, aud encountered man. who groaned
out. 80 save my 1lte - | CROPPED about,
and laid hold OF female, VINO Tell with me,
clasptng tao children in her arms. took
1 them up, and brought them TO the escape,
I guiding the man 10 follow me, and placed
all safely in the canvass, from whence they
reached the ground without injury and
finally came dow myself quite exhaust.
/ ed I'VE thought" said u bystander,
"when he Jumped into the second-iioor
window that We would not see him sgaln
alive, and cannot tell you how he was
cheered when he appeared with the woman
and her two children"
/ Conductor Wood received testimonial
/ on vellum. for the following service at a
/ fire in Colchester street, Whltechapel, on
the 29,h Of April, 1851:
son his arrival the fire wss raging
( throughout the back of the house, and
smoke issuing from every window upon
( entering The frs floor room, part oi which
/ was on fire. he discovered i've persons al
! most insens bic from the excessive heat ;
I h imme diu,ey descended the ladder with q
! woman on his shoulders, and holding child
by it, night-ciothes in his mouth !; again
asc nded, re entered the room, and having
! enabled the father to escape, had scarcely
1 descended, with a child under each arm,
when the building became enveloped in
! flames, rendering it impossible to attemp.
a rescue OF the remainder OF the unfortunate
inmates"