The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-11
Firemen Versus Wreckers.

| 10 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
recent at Charleston has commented
upon in the public papers Of some Of cities aud as II
has relation to the shipping interest of the country and
world, is perbaps proper that should be more
| widely known.
vessel bound from Apaachicoa 70 q Northern port
with cargo OF cotton, struck by Lightning and some
Of tie cargo in the hold set lre TIE MASTER having
taken all the precautions in his power to prevent the fire
from spreading concluded to put into the nearest port
which proved to be Chaeston for the purpose Of extu
gushing the fire and making the necessary repairs
From the usage o! all ports well from that spirit of
universal comfy which Ia supposed to prevail among all
cities on the shores of be great oceans and which
only exist by reason Of commercial intercourse with
each other, he certainly had rgat TO expect that in
making Chareston bis destination he seeking a
friendly port
On arrival however, and coming alongsde the wharf,
he found that the Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart
ent would permit no assistance to be rendered unless
e, the master, first bound himself by q written
CONTRACT to pay TO the Fire Department salvage
cargo. Seeing there was no other alternative, ex.
cept to haul his vessel into the stream AMI
to the exto tomato terms. The deck cargo of coon
upon which salvage also claimed, wss then permitted
70 be aneed On the wharf Some holes cut in the
Ehe was filed with water
By the Organization Of the Department it appears that
suitable house for ie ire engine ard navs ~ WIN
oonaIs per hour While engaged IN putting out dres The
orr 10 a. 49, so exempt IRON military duty. They are
among ne most respectable czers Of Charleston ana ara
mostly merchants and others engaged in
10 70 be presumed that the object Of eye-y Fire n,
partment s TO extingush all free which NAV osanr o
exat within tie ns Of the town city OF which il IA an
institution. Every municipal government az one Of ns
nrs. auties, would provide such an OF protection
charleston port open 10 commerce. aud in making IL
poI OF oestnaon me vessel in qu ston became hereby
entitled 70 all the 5eLels and protection which the p1r
wharfage and bpoash e Is SSsse poI ohg
Ghancs and aborers disbursng many Thousands Of dol
ars among the citizens Of Charleston thus Contributing
10 tne material prosperity Of the city
The conduct Of their Fire Department AZ n
rne acs Of s Chief Engineer in this Gaze presents an
@ Glory contrast when pared with the depart
en. o. almost every other city in the Union Nunerou,
s nave occurred in most Of them both North and
south, in which the fremen with tbat e,nrJ dr. nor,
"hlcn 20 generally characteristics them everTwbere 80
sniiar services, and many Occasions have
Of thor d, oee,en 70 distant places, beyond the limits
.-es, enu tnere rendered the mort arduous ana
dangerous seIvces In suppressng lres ana nrcaessn
poleIy ron desructon, without thought OF ASKING o1
stands CUT az the single known excentjon IN bi 40
ns nom norce1ary motives, the repres5 ntave Of b
nremeh has IN the presence or q Ere coov ana dcibar
atey exacted the most extorona.e terms ~ s
tper services and the alternative 70 which IT. ne n.,
no IJs 70 was command to haul his vessel
nto ne stream ana there let her burn Such terms
der almost auy circumstances cxncted az e,
cedent to the rendering of ASSISTANCE would have a.
graced professional wreckes, in cases where The
service to be performed would be attended With The r.
OF their own property and lives. HID com peusation
been asked after The service was Performed q wo"d
doubtless have beer cheerfuly paid in this CAGE '''
proper that En- pmasters should kno theee fac,s
70 tnc end that II ii ever should be their misfortune 10
ma their vessels on fire at sea- they may If possible
steer for friendly port than Charleston has proved
10 be. ~ f'N'NN
In justice, however, TO rome few Of the fire companies
oeloheng to the Charleston department. it must not be
oteo 10 be stated that they have, on reflection de-
70 retain the share OF the plumber which had been
az 70 tnem and have returned IT, thus exhibiting
and b lor an honorable reputation for themselves
their dutv oy and showing in tn. performance Of
.hey have boon "born insensibe TO fear vet
"''''''e'esH' 'hey are not insensble 70 shame ''