The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-30
To the Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of TIC
CITY Of Bridgeport:

To the Hon: Mayor and Common Counei! Of As
CITY Of Bridgeport;
GENrLgMEN-The Committee on Fire Depart
ment, and the Board OF Fire Commissioners, to
whom was referred the petition OF the Wheeler
& Wilson Manufacturing Co., and others, TO
your honorable body, for the purchase OF
Chemical Fire Engine, for the use OF the city,
Deg leave 10 report, that tn y have carefully In
vestigated the subject, and in doing so we have
sought Information and testimony upon sources
MANUFACTURED or sale. Members OF the Com.
mittee have visited cities where these engines
have been In service for some time. have been
iully tested, and have proved TO be a valuable
acquisition TO the ordinary fire apparatus. We
gave reports from New York, Boston, Chicago,
Cincinnati and many other places, all testify
ing TO their value as prompt. economical and
eficient method OF 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 TO iced
the hydrants, or at times when the water may,
on account OF accident be shut of from part
or the whole or the city, or In seasons OF ex-
IRENE cold like the present, when water mains
are frozen and hydrants liable 10 be rendered
useless, In such cases these engines are espcci-
ally valuable and meet such emergency, and
AFFORD protection more e1ectual than any
other means yet devised. We regard this fea-
tlre MS Of great Importance, as they supply
protection when the ordinary resources and
appliances fail. Another point also 10 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 OF instances, when the engine IL
the Are Is extihguished without the aid Of
steamers, and with slight damage, and that
confined to what is injured by fire only the
lngs, being left unframed from water. These
engines are always ready TO work the moment
they reach the nre-the tank being full and the
chemical ready for use at once-there is no de-
lay in laying hose, or connecting with MIGRANTS
-seyenty.nve gallons OF chemical being equal
TO three thousand OF water in extinguishing
Of the building and throw on a stream In
stantly, the now being under his control by
stop IN the pipe. These engines being indie
pendent OF hydrants. can be located at any
point most advantageous for operating directly
on q fre, and thus avoid the delay experienced
nave bee n used they are regarded as a success
and save many times their cost In simply
avoiding damage by water. We nave Deeh ~,
sured by several departments that nave nau
frequent opportunities 10 test them. that q
steamer could better be dispensed win than
The U cost Of TIE chemical used at any fire is
not as much as the coal used TO feed steamer;
i and the mud can remain In the TANKS tor Pc
/ riod OF six months without any loss OF extin-
SFsom All the facts and testimony we have OBJ
l aimed. we are convinced that the efficiency OF
the chemical engines has not been overesti-
mated The experience we have had with the
l portable extingulshers in our department also
We cannot here give you In detail the inter-
views and examinations we have had in inves-
iigating this subject, but state the substance
Of 1t In the foregoing, and respectfully submit
IL for your consideration.
JAMES A. HOUSE,
ALFRED HOPKINS,
JAMES II. STEWART,
Committee on Fire Department.
T.. DEWHURST,
JOHN b, ATHERTON,
5. W. BALI VIM,
Board OF Fire Commissioners.
bridgeport, March LIST, 1875.
sv-Rutiand Fire Department should have .
Babcock Engine.
NJ. ]. FRANCISCO, AGENT.