, 1872-11-25

Fire Apparatus.

Fire Apparatus. a.
10 the Editor Of The Chicago Tribune: - -
s1n: Since tho late great fire in Boston, the
public has been agitated anew by g vivid reco1-
lection Of tie Chicago fire, but little over q
wear ago, IN each Of which vast amounts OF
property we're consumed by the flames. A.natu-:
,ral inquiry is made BY every one whether or not
more property or lives cou1d have been saved if
better facilities we're given the Fire Department.
to reach the tops OF high buildings With
their streams Of water, On this point
We are reminded Of the burning Of the Drake
Farwel Block, in 1870, when the fire originated
in the loft Of the building, burning its way to
the basement. Those that saw that fire were OF
the unanimous opinion that, if water could have
been got up to the floor on which the fire start
ed At the time the engines arrived on the
ground, the building could have been saved with
engines were compelled to play their streams
upon the outside walls, 1eaying the fire undis-
turbed to burn its way to the ground. In addi-
tion to the property destroy ed, Lives were lost
in this fire, as WELL also, the lives Of three
brave fremen. in the building Of Wisdom Lee,
on Canal street, some two years ago, having in
discharge Of their duty gone to perilous posi-
tions. In retiring to safety, they we're lost i'll the
dense smoke, and were unable TO dnd q means Of
escape from the burning building. And more
It is an established fact, rendered so by neceR-
sity, that, when an alarm OF fire is given, and
the Fire Department reach the fire, the first
thing generally done ito break open the doors,
and, if the fire is on the upper floors, the fire.
men run up to where the fire is with their hose.
This, under tile present order Of things, ls ne
cessary; but, by opening the doors below, q draft
is furnished the 1lames,- the same as by opening
the dampers OF stoye,-which, we well
know, increases their fury, and rend-
ard fhaiY mr. f}1f1jGr!f
After the dremen get up stairs, their retreat ls
often cut OH by the stairs catching fire, for that
is the natural course for the draft to take. In
this case, they must escape as best they can,
other means as are providentially afforded them.
My purpose is to call attention to q recent in
yention Of Mr.. Henry a. Richards, Of this city,
that will obviate all Of these difficulties, rcndor
ing it an easy matter to get hose to the top Of
the highest building in one moments
d Hale building, during the Convention
Of the National Board Of Underwriters in this
city. this past summer, under tho direction Of
Fire Marshal Williams. The invention consists
window, or the entire length Of the building and
on all sides, as 1uay be desired, and secreted in
the cornice, entirely hidden from view. Upon
this ahaft are coiled flexible wire-ropo
in this drum upon which the ladders are coiled is
shesye through which passes single wire
rope, with hooks at each end, which unrolls with
the ladder, both ends reaching the ground. To
operate this machinery, q box similar to the fire.
ing, on The outside, where apoliceman can hare
access (dre-alarm bo1-keys fitting their
bo1es), or in the Office Of. . hotel.
When an alarm of fire is given, the boz is
ppe reeases tho brao th holds ho the
shaft, and the ladders descend slowly in front
OF every window in the house; 80 that, in case
OF fire, the occupant Of room in the eighth
story Of the building may step from his windows
descend in safety to the ground. The Fire De-
partment arrives upon the ground; one end of
the wire-rope is hooked on to the hose and tile
other to the hose-cart, and the horse
led of, and, in less than one moments time, the
hose is on the top Of the house; the fremen
ascend the ladder to the roof, or to either etory,
as the case may require, and play their stream
on the fire, without waste of time or water. And
this may be done from the outside Of the build
ing, without opening door or window on the
ground floor. The ladder remains intact and
! serviceable as long as the walls stand
For saving life and raluablcB this machine is
especially adapted. As the ladder and shaft will
sustain weight of from 1000 to $4,000 pounds,
anything from q piano to the smallest article
can be lowered upon it. In hotels, or buildings
occupied for Offices or sleeping rooms: stout
web-strap is provided to be strapped around the
breast, under the arms, s,-of en- invalid or q
timid person. unwilling to descend the ladder,
to which is fastened ono OF the hooks in the end
of the hose eleyator,-whilo the other is held
and controlled by parties on the ground below.
SO much in explanation Of an invention which
has just come into use this present summer. It
is used in this city by the Gardner House, and
use it when far enough completed.
This communication is called forth by noticing
letter published in your issue Of the 18th inst,
from Mr. F. ". Huxmsn, in which he speaks of
II ,%c