, 1865-03-07

in gallant style-three miles and a-half an hour
at least; there was a plentiful supply Of water,
and it was first upon the spot. Bang went the
pumps the people cheered the beadle per-
8pired profusely but it was unfortunately dis
covered, just as they were going to put the fire
out, that no body understood the process by
which the engine was filled with water; and
that eighteen boys and one man had exhausted
themselves in pumping for twenty minutes with
out producing the slightest eHect.' Ny friend,
Mr.. VIM. Baddeley, whose thorough and prac-
tlcal acquaintance with London fires is SO we'll
known, writing on this subject in 1888, remark
ed, that "scarcely a week passes in the metro.
polls without the rehearsal of some such absur-
dity and it has been my lot to witness many
scenes Of this description, even more abomjna-
bly, ridiculous than that which has been 50
graphically depicted by Boz" H. also, in the
same letter stated that at lie great fire in which
the Royal Exthonge WAS burnt, although there
were no less that II fire engines within a few
yards, one Of the smallest engines only was
brought ny, and that, as a matter Of course,
would not work.
On several occasions, quite recently, we have
other examples OF a most ludicrous character,
two Of which vii be sufi lent to prove the dis
graceful state q ineficicucy Of the present pa
rochial system Of means for distinguishing fires.
n AtC OtCNtiCl ittnt y EtI III one Ni tL4G SllbUi Jan
districts Of the metropolis, t. which an engine
was brought out, the hose were laid out, the L.
yers fully manuel, but all to no good purpose,
not a drop VI water was throan On the fire
from the engine. 4 friend Of nine came past
at the time, and, not understanding the reason
of the fire being left perfectly uncontrolled,
stopped to see the cause, and tound-it viii
hardly be credited-that the suction hose had
taken the place Of the delivery, and the deliye-
ry that of the suction. 1t is needless to say
that the fie destroyed the premises in which it
had broken out. In the next case the engine
had been run to q fire some distance eff, and
when it arrived, and they began to see about
getting to work, it was found they had come
away without any hose consequently the en-
CINE could not be used. These would be look
ed upon as ludicrous in the extreme were it not
that they are far too serious and important facts
for other than melancholy consideration, and
convincing proofs of our utterly unprotected
state at the p esent moment-a state which IS
d terrible disgrace alike 10 our authorities and
ourselves-to our authorities for not having
long since devised and carried out an efficient
means for the purpose, and to ourselves for suf-
fefing such a state Of things to exist, especially
as we have the remedy in our hands.
1t is worthy Of remark that the tendency Of
the fires of the present time is to become Of far
greater extent than formerly, and to cause far
heavier losses whilst our means Of controlling
them are not increased in proportion. 1t is .
fact that most Of the large London fires, within
a few years past, have occurred III what are
termed (almost in ridicule it would seem) Sire
proof buildings. having either originated in or
extended to them ; and as in these so-called
"freproof" structures the most valuable goods
and materials have been stored, on account of
the assumed security afforded thereby, the
losses have been correspondiugly heavy. When
once the fire has got hold of one Of these build
ings it is found to be a waste Of power to at
tempt to save it; and the exertioDs of the
frcmen have been found to be better employed
in preventing the fire from extending to the
adjoining premises. This was particularly the
case in the great fire in Greshham-%s street, which
annihilated the "freproof'' building in which it
originated. These ''6reproof' buildings are
invariably found, in case of catching FIRE to
"hold" the fire, and by this means render their
destruction, and that Of their contents, a dead
certainty; and they are to all intents and pur-
poses most efficient "blast furnaces whenever
they, or rather their contents, unfortunately
become ignited. 1t may be noted that floor
cloth factories, the infammable character of
whose contents is well known, are required to
bo hrilt Of wood - bo;po oonsidarp6 far baffar