Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-06-14

The Evening Post gives the following account
of this useful organization:
The insurance patrol is supported entirely hy
the fire insurance companies, who subscribe
snms varying in accordance with the amount of
their assurances, and is in no way governed by
the city fire commissioners, Its mission is to
save goods, not to put out fires. The depart
ment is sub-diyided into three parts one of
which has charge of the city from the Battery TO
Canal street, the second from Canal street to
Fourteenth street, and the third of the upper
part of the city, 1t is evident that the lower
patrol, as it is called, is by far the most import
ant of the three, having charge as it has of the
enormous monetary interests represented by the
| numerous stores and warehouses in the southern
| district Of New York. The headquarters of this
| division are in Murray, near Church street; and
| the discipline, under the able management of
| Captain A, Q, Hall and Actlng=Uaptam j. A,
| hemmens, is as perfect as that of any fire sta
ton in the city. When you enter the building
the first object that attracts attention is the
large wagon ready for instant use. on the
seats OF this vehicle arc arranged the coats of
| the men, with their helmets and other parapher-
MALTA, These are donned as the company
are on their way to the FIRE On the
lett is small desk for the use OF the cap
tain, and on the right is the gong ton
which the alarms are sounded. As soon as the
tirst strike is heard the horses on duty land they
know their hours of labor as well as the men)
run from their stalls and take their places on
either side of the pole. The traces are fastened
with spring, the driver leaps to his seat and
in fifteen seconds from the first sounding Of the
alarm the wagon is olting over the streets on lis
way to the fire.
1t not unirequeutly happens that the insur-
ance patrol arrive at the scene of CONFEDERATION
soon enough to extinguish the flames with the
BabcOck eXunguishers. This, however, is no
part of their duty. Their sole object is the
preservation of properly by the use of theil
waterproof covers. Few persons inexperi-
enced in such matters, would believe that the
bremen often destroy more property by the
water used to eXtinguish the flames than is in
| lured by the fire ITSELF The wagon of the fir,
patrol contains fifty of these covers, each four
teen feet by twenty in measurement and weigh
ing in the aggregate about two thousand pounds
The weight of the wagon itself is considerable
and when the weight of the men is taken into
consideration u VIII be seen that the two horses
have TO draw 5000 pounds weight In the face OF
these facts, 1t is not at all surprising that the
feet of the horses, fine, strong and well-groomed
animals, should be destroyed in very short time
more especially when the state of the street is re
membered Great care must be exercised in the
choice of horses. food temper is absolutely ne
cessary, and they have to undergo severe train
ing. They must not be alarmed at fire. smoke
or sparks; they must pay no heed TO steam
, whistles, excited crowds men running hithe
/ and thther, the cracking OF flames or the glare
of a burning building They must comhn
obey promptly and willingly even the slightes
/ order. The general appearance Of the stables il
Murray street reflects the highest credit on Can
tain Hall and his assistants. They are as clea,
/ as any other part Of the establishment, and no
where eau speck of dirt be found, the stall
3 having been carefully constructed with a view
to complete draining.
} Ten men are on duty by day and twenty.fy,
by night, the time when the great majority O
fires occur. The sleeping room, on the secon,
floor, is model Of ueatness. The beds are al
ranged in two long rows, aud look very comfort
able. Ii an alarm is given each man hastens Il
/ dress, having previously taken the precautioI
Of tucking the ends of his pantnoons into hi
/ boots, 80 that both articles of apparel can b
/ put on simultaneously They do not, however
wait to finish their toilets, but rush down stairs
} fastening hooks aud buttons as they go, and ar
} frequently exposed to sleet or heavy rain belor
they can find time even TO think Of their oyei
{ coats 1t would he difficult to imagine harde
. life, Or one exposed to greater risks, than tina
OF man who is habitually liable to be calle
5 from warm bed TO undergo the utmost inclen
+ ency Of New York winter night, aud to stan
{ for hours in soaked and hall.lrozen clothing.
Z The largest number Of covers ever spread b.
the fire patrol was at the great fire in Jay street
. on the 18th Of April, when one hundred an
{ lorty-two covers were used Competent Judge
r estimated that at least $4,000 was saved by h
4 labOrs of the patrol on that occasion. After III
covers have been used, they are carefully drie
: in room specially provided for the purpos,