The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-17
Council Of the

TO the Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of the
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
yeur honorable body, for the purchase OF u
Chemical Fire Engine, for the use OF the city,
beg leave TO report, that til have carefully in
ycstigated the subject, and IN doing so we have
sought Information and testimony upon sources
entirely independent or any interest In their
mittee have visited cities where these engines
have been In service for some time. have been
fully tested, and have proved TO be valuable
acquisition TO the ordinary tire apparatus. We
have reports from New York, Boston, Chicago,
Cincinnati, and many other places, all testify
ing to their value as a prompt. economical and
efficient method OF eXtinguishing fires. One
most valuable feature 10 be considered is. that
In districts where there is no water supply, or
where the water mains are too small TO feed
the MIGRANTS, or at times when the water may,
on account OF accident be shut Off 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 TO be rendered
useless, In such cases these engines are especi-
ally valuable and meet such emergency, and
afford "a protection more effectual than any
other means yet devised. We regard this fea-
ture as or great Importance, as they supply
what has been felt to be needed-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 OF Instances, when the engine is
brought TO work promptly and properly handled
the lire is eXtlnguished without the aid or
steamers, and with slight damage, and that
confined TO what is injured by lire only; the
surrounding property, either goods or build
ings, being LETT unharmed 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
-seventy-tiye gallons OF chemical being equal
to three thousand OF water In eXtingulshing
power. One man can lead the hose TO any part
OF the building and throw on n stream in
stantly, the HOW being under his control by
stop In the pipe. These engines being indie
| pendent OF MIGRANTS. can be located at any
on a hre, and thus avoid the delay experienced
| in working from distant points. Where they
have been used they are regarded as success
and save many times their cost in simply
| avoiding damage by water We have Deeh US,
sured by several departments thao h',S rau
FREQUENT opportunities 10 test them, that
| steamer could better be dispensed Win thah
one of these engines. 49,, , =. 49,. a.. A..
| moi ne much as the coal used TO feed steamer;
and tho tiuid can remain In the tanks for PEE
Rod Of six months without any loss OF extin-
suFss Snm nj Tie facts and testimony we have OBJ
| tained we are convinced that the emclency OF
the chemical engines has not been o I,
| nortable extingushers In our department also
justifies our opinion.f
We cannot here give you In detail the inter-
| views and examinations we have had In inves-
| tigating this subject, but state the substance
| OF IL In the foregoing, and respectfully submit
| ii for your consideration.
JAMES A. HOUSE,
ALFRED HOPKINS,
JAMES II. STEWART,
Committee on Fire Department.
IL. DEWHURST,
JOHN b, ATHERTON,
W. X. HIGBY,
=. w. BALDWIN,,
Board OF Fire Commissioners.
BridgepOrt, March LIST, 1915.
sy-Rutland Fire Department should have a
Babcock Engine.
| NJ. j. FRANCISCO, AGENT,