The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-25
TO the Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of the
CITY Of Bridgep0rt:

~ t'e NV" MoyW ufW eoHtWOH NOuHcU " tvs
CITY Of bridgeport:
GRNTLENEs-The Committee ON Fire Depart
ment, and the Bo ard OF Fire Commissioners to
whom Was referred the petition OF the Wheeler
q wilson MISUNDERSTANDING Co, and Others to
yeur honorable body, for the purchase OF a
Chemical Fire Engine, for the use OF the city,
beg leave 10 report, that tn yhave 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
FULLY tested, and have proved TO be a valuable
acquisition to the ordinary NE apparatus. We
Cincinnati, and many other places, all testify
ing TO their value as prompt economical and
efficient method or eXtinguishing fires. One
most valuable feature to be considered is that
in districts where there IL no water supply, or
where the water mains are too small TO iced
the ny drants, or al 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 ike the present. when water mains
are frozen and MIGRANTS liable 10 be rendered
useless, In such cases these engines are espcci-
ally valuable and meet such emergency and
afford q protection more eIectuai than any
other means yet devised. We regard this fea-
ture as OF great Importance, as they supply
what has been felt To be needed--a means OF
protection when the ordinary resources and
appliances fall. Another point also 10 be con-
sdertd 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
majority OF Instances, wnen the engine Is
brought TO work promptly, and properly handled
the lire is extinguished without the aid OF
steamers, and with slight damage, and that
confined 10 what Is injured by fire only; the
surrounding properly, either goods or build
ing5, being lett unnamed IRON water. These
engines are always ready TO work the moment
they reach the nre--tn tank being fun and Inc
chemical ready for use at once-there is no de-
lay in laying hose, or connecting with hydrants
--seventy-nve gallons OF chemical being equal
TO three thousand OF water Ia extinguishing
power. one man can lead the hose TO any part
.ho building and throw N n
stantly, the fow being under his control by a
stop In the pipe. These engines being indie.
pendent OF hydrants. can be located at any
point most advantageous for operating directly
on q fire, 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 been as.
sured by several departments that have had
frequent opportunities TO test them, that
steamer could better be dispensed with than
one OF these engines.
not as much as tho coal used 10 feed steamer;
and the fluid can remain In the tanks for pc.
| Rod OF six months without any loss OF extln-
From ali the Iac,s and testimony we have OBJ
tained, we are convinced that the efficiency OF
the chemical engines has not been overesti-
mated. The experience we have had With the
| portable extinguishers In our department also
justines our opinion.
We cannot here give YOU In detail the inter-
Views and examinations we have had In inves-
tigating this subject, but state the substance
o. 4 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. II. HIGBY,
5. W. BALDWIN,
| Board OF Fire Commissioners
| bridgeport, March LIST, 1915.
sU-Rutland Fire Department should have
Babcock Engine.
M. J. FRANCISCO, AGENT.