Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-10-01
Report of the Chief of the FIJI
parsment.


Cant. VIM. Stockell, Chief of the Fire
Department submitted a lengthy report
in regard to the condition of the depart
ment. and comparative statement of the
expenses, losses by fire, etc, for some years
past.
The report commeners by stating that
heretofore it has not been customary, nor
has it been required by law, for the Chief
to make an annual report of the condition
of the department, but recommends that
in future should be. Says the Chief:
''The condition of the department, am
proud to say, IL excellent, It's record for
the past year is its own best advocate.
The new organization is working
well. The runners, or minute men, have
been faithful and always at their posts.
The regular men could not be excelled for
attention to their duties. ...
APPARATUS.
1--WE have in the department two first
class Latta engines, built by A. Latta, Of
Cincinnati; one second-class engine, built
by Neafe 4 Lesvie, of Philadelphia, and
one built by VIM LETTERS l. Son, of Paw
tucket, r l, all of which are in fine order,
having been thoroughly overhauled during
this wear; one hook and ladder truck of an
improved pattern, with an improved steer
ing apparatus, built by @ E Hartshorn, of
New York, all complete and in fine order.
Three of the hose reels in the department
were built in Cincinnati They are in
good order, but too heavy for the rolling
condition of our city. We have one built
by the Amos Rage Manufacturing Com
pany. 1t is of an improved pattern, and
much lighter on horse, and in fine order.
Each company has about 800 feet of oak
tanned leather hose, with screw couplings,
making sufficient amount for one line on
the carriage, and one off. The horses in
the department are in excellent condition.
During the year we have lost two by death.
FIRE PLUGS.
'There are In all 167 plugs in the city.
Their location will be found in this report.
I would recommend they have a general
overhauling, and that caps be made for all
that are deficient, so as to protect the
threads from injury. We have but one
public cistern, and that is located on the
Scare. I am pleased to inform you, hows
ever. that the President of the Chattanooga
Railroad has agreed to build large one al
the junction of the road and Church street,
WHICH Will NC q NhAudOlC ltAAoAeAN-a
FIRE ALARM.
:gThe necessity exists for much better
system of alarm than we now have, and
were the city's finances able to justify it,
should strongly recommend the adoption
of Mr.. GamewelTs Automatic Fire Alarm
Telegraph. At the present l would recon-
mend the recasting of the broken bell al
the Hook and Ladder House, and also the
furnishing larger one at the Ninth Ward
Engine House, the present one being toe
small for any purpose.
'sTo the Mayor and City Council 1 am IN
der obligations for their confidence and
! cordial support, and would take this op
portunity to express my thanks The
Committee en- Fire Department claim my
kindest feelings for their prompt endorse
ment of all important measures; and also
to Mr.. James Wyatt, Superintendent o.
the Waterworks, / extend unboundeC
thanks, having never found him absen