The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-02

To the Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of the
City Of bridgeport:
G.NrLEMEN-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 a
Chemical Eire Engine, for the use OF the city,
beg leave to report, that they have carefully in
vestigated the subject, and in doing so we have
sought Information and testimony upon sources
entirely independent of any interest in in their
mttee have visited cities where these engines
have been In service for some time. have been
fully tested, and have proved to be valuable
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 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 feed
the MIGRANTS, or at times when the water may,
ON account OF accident be shut off from part
or the whole OF the city, or In seasons OF ex-
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 efIectual 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 snd
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
the fire 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 10 work the moment
they reach the fire-the tank being full and the
chemical ready for use at once-there is no de-
lay in laying hose, or connecting with hydrants
-seventy-hve gallons OF chemical being equal
to three thousand OF water In extinguishing
One man can lead The hose 10 any phTt
OF the building and throw on a stream In
| stantly, the flow being under his control by u
| pendent OF MIGRANTS, can be located at any
point most advantageous for operating dlreclly
| on fire, and thus avoid the delay experience
| in working from distant points. Where they
have been used they are regarded as q success
| and save many times their cost In simply
| avoiding damage by water. we have Deen ~,
| sured BY several departments that have had
| frequent opportunities TO test them, ,nas q
] steamer could better be dispensed WIN 'han
W" The cost Of the chemical used at any IRE is
not as much as the coal used 10 leed steamer;
| ana the fiuid can remain In the tanks for Pc
Rod OF six months without any loss OF extin-
From an the facts and testimony we have Oh,
i Inc chemical engines has not been overesti-
mated. The experience we have had with the
portable extlngulshers In our department also
| We cannot here give you In detail the inter-
| views and examinations we have had In inves-
tigating this subject, but state the substance
| oft In the foregoing, and respectfully submit
/ it for your consideration.
JAMES A. HOUSE,,
ALFRED HOPKINS,
JAMES ii. STEWART,
Committee on Fire Department.
Il. DEWHURsT,
JOHN b, ATHERTON,
w. X. HIGBY,
s. W. BALDWIN,
board OF Fire Commissioners.
Bridgeport, March LIST, 1876.
| t1-Rutland Fire Department should have .
Babcock Engine.
M. j. FRANCISCO, AGENT.