The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-19

To the Hon: Mayor and Common Council Of the
City Of bridgeport:
GENrLEMEN-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 Il
Chemical Fire Engine, for the use OF the city,
beg leave TO report, that tn 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
mlttee have visited cities where these engines
have been in service for some time. have been
fully tested, and have proved TO be a valuable
have reports from New York, Boston, Chicago,
Cincinnati, and many other places, all testify
ing to their value as prompt economical and
efficient method OF eXtlnguishing 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 MIGRANTS, 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 espcci-
ally valuable and meet such emergency, and
afford n protection more effectual 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 or steamers; In
n majority OF instances when the engine is
brought to work promptly,a and properly handled
the lire Is eXtingulshed without the aid OF
steamers, and with slight damage, and that
confined to what is injured by fire only; the
surrounding properly, either goods or build
engines are always ready TO work the moment
they reach the tre-the tank being full and the
chemical ready for use at once-tlere is no de-
Law in LAYING hose, or connecting with hydrants
-seyenty-nve gallons OF chemical being equal
to three thousand or water In eXttngushing
90 lnnh 1aa hoo m
OF the building and throw on n stream In
stantly, the now being under his control by
stop In the pipe. These engines being indie
pendent OF MIGRANTS, can be located at any
point most advantageous for operating directly
ON a IRE, and thus avoid the delay experienced
in working from distant points. Where they
have been used they are regarded as a 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 a
steamer could better be dispensed with than
| one OF these engines.
The cost OF the chemical used at any fire il
| not as much as the coal used TO feed a steamer;
| and the fiuid can remain in the tanks for Pc
| riod OF six months without any loss OF extln-
From ali the facts 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 eXtingulSherS In our department also
| justities our opinion.
| We cannot here give you In detail the inter-
views and examinations we have had in inyes-
| tigatng 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.
| K. DEWHURST,
JOHN b, ATHERTON,
W. X. HIGBY,
| S. W. BALDWIN,
| Board OF Fire Commissioners.
Bridgeport, March LIST, 1876.
rS-Rutland Fire Department should have a
Babcock Engine.
! NJ, ]. FRANCISCO, AGENT.