The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-29

To the Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of tho
CITY Of Bridgeport:
GENTLEMEN--The Committee on Fire Depart
ment, and the Board or Fire Commissioners, to
whom was referred the petition OF the Wheeler
& Wilson Manufacturing Co., and others, to
your honorable body, for the purchase OF q
Chemical Fire EngiDe, for the use OF the city,
beg leave TO report that III y have carefully In
vestigated the subject, and in doing so we have
sought Information and testimony upon sources
entirely independent of any interest in their
manufacture or sale. Members OF the Com.
mittee have visited cities where these engines
have been In service for some time have been
1ully tested, and have proved to be a valuable
acquisition TO the ordinary iife apparatus. We
have reports from New York, Boston, Chicago,
Cincinnati, and many other places, all testify
ing 10 their value as prompt. economical and
efffcient method or distinguishing fires. one
most valuable feature TO be considered is that
in districts where there is no water supply. or
where the water mains are too small 10 feed
the hydrants, or at times when the water may,
on account OF accident be shut of from part
or the whole OF the city, or in seasons OF ex-
IRENE cold like the present. when water mains
are frozen and hydrants liable to be rendered
useless, In such cases these engines are especi-
ally valuable and meet such emergency, and
afford protection more enectual than any
other means yet devised. We regard this fea-
ture as OF great Importance, as they supply
what has been felt TO be necded-a means OF
protection when the ordinary resources and
appliances fail. Another point also TO be con-
sidertd Is the saving of most OF the damage
caused by the use OF large quantities OF water,
which is unavoidable IN the use Of steamers; in
a majority or instances, when the engine is
brought TO work promptly and properly handled
the flre is eXtinguished without the aid or
steamers, and with slight damage, and that
confined to what is injured by fire only; the
surrounding properly, either goods or build
ings, being left unframed from water. These
engines are always ready TO work the moment
they reach the tre-the tahk being full and the
chemical ready for use AT once-there Is no de-
lay In laying hose, or connecting with MIGRANTS
seventy five gallons OF chemical being equal
to three thousand OF water In eXtinguishing
power. one man can lead The hose TO any part
OF the building and throw on stream In
stantly, the now being under his cont oil by
stop In the pipe. These engines being indie
pendent OF MIGRANTS. can be located at any
point most adyant lgeous for operating directly
on fire, and thus avoid the delay experienced
in working from distant points. Where they
nave been used they are regarded as success
and save many times their cost In simply
avoiding damage by water. We have been as
sured by several departments thai have had
frequent opportunities TO test them, that
steamer could better be dispensed with than
one OF these engines
The cest OF the chemical used AT any fire is
not as much rs the coal used 10 feed steamer,
ana the fluid can remain In the tanks for Pc
Rod OF six months without any loss OF extin-
gushing power.
tained, we are convinced thar the efficiency OF
the chemical engines has not been oyeresti-
mated. The experience we have had with the
portable extinguishers In our department also
lustines our opinion.
We cannot here give you In detail the inter-
views ana EXAMINATIONS we nave nad In lnves-
rigating this subject, but state the substance
OF 1t In the foregoing, and respectfully submit
It for your consideration.
JAMES A. HOUSE,
ALFRED HOPKINS,
JANIS II. STEWART,
Committee on Fire Department.
Il. DEWHURST,
JOHN Is, ATHERTON,
w. X. HIGBY,
5. w. BALDWIN,
Board OF Fire Commissioners.
Bridgeport, March LIST, 1875.
rr-Rutland Fire Department should have q
Babcoek Engine.
NJ. j. FRANCISCO, AGENT,