Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-21

two fires, to-wit: March 18th, Dayton avenn
Delay In obtaining water from cister1
May Z, the Greenman House, wood stru,
| ture three stories, with brick 'front.' Tho
oughly on lire from rear before an alarm VS.
given.
This estimate covers all fires in the city lin
its, many of which were out of the reach of th
! department.
1 The origin of fires is frequently Difficult
question to settle satisfactorily. l have, there
lore, to avoid creating unjust suspicion, re
corded the origin in many cases as Unknown,
1 at the same time believing that if it could b
traced, a large portion of those where the origil
can not be traced, would be among the list o
bursting lamps and incendiary:
1 For detailed statement Of fires refer yo1
! to Exhibit s:B.'
/ The department. has, without exception
promptly responded to all alarms, and hav
performed their duties efficiently.
There was in the department. January 1, ZOO
| feet ~ inch hose, as follows:
1 $500 feet white anchor reliable.
3,70O feet carbolized, unreliable.
300 feet old assorted, unreliable.
| 1000
| Since the first day Of January, eight sections
of the hose reported above unreliable have
burst. In view of this fact, and 80 small
| portion being reliable, I would recommend thu
| purchase of 1000 feet OF white anchor during
| the coming season.
WORK OF APPARATUS.
During the past year the apparatus has trav-
eled on duty about 547L miles. The engines
have delivered A, 206 barrels of water; 1920
feet of hose have been laid, and water put
through 70,550 feet.
This does not include the two visits of No. 8
engine to Anoka, at which she worked fourteen
hours without stopping on the first visit. and
ten hours with intermissions the second, max,
ing twenty-four hours.
For details refer to Exhibit G. l herewith
hand you the lists of the companies who re-
tanned their organizations and performed their
duty until disbanded on October LIST by the
City Council.
The Department under the new organization
is efficient, and accomplished all required of
them.
For a list of members of the present Depart
ment l refer you to Exhibit d.
The engines and hose reels are in good work
ing order, and 1 am happy to say that in no in
stance have they failed to perform their work.
The full paid men attached to the different
apparatus with but one exception have been a
long time in the service, and all are proficient
in their various duties.
The rule as adopted, that appointees may
retain their respective positions when found
capable" during good behavior is Of import
ance in promoting the rapid and efficient work
lnSs OF Une department..
For a list Of apparatus and men attached with
location of same, l refer to you Exhibit +.
l would urge upon your honorable body to
supply the department with rubber coats for
fire duty. The Importance of this can not be
disputed.
FIRE IIYDRANT.
The city has now thirteen miles of water
mains for which it is entitled to 1877 hydrants.
There are now 1872 in service, and the water
company art prepared to place the residue
whenever they are located, when it is practical
BILE or can be sustained.
The difficulty i'll placing hydrants at many
points where they might be of service, is sur
face water which would destroy them for vim
ter service, or the streets not being at grade.
All hydrants have been inspected regularly,
and with but d few exceptions, formally re-
in good servicable condition. For :. list of
same and size of pipe which they are placed,
l refer you to Exhibit F.
There are nine clsterns in good condition, a
list Of which is attached to hydrant report.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH,
There are eleven miles Of line, and nine
teen fire alarm boxes in operation. The value of
property in this department is 50. 80203. This
is an indispensable investment, and pays q
large dividend in the saving OF property BY Civ
ing the Fire Department early notice Of fire.
A few more boxes should be placed in certain
localities not now supplied.
For detailed working Of this department, re-
fer you to the report of superintendent Of
Telegraph herewith.
FIRE WARDEN.
A large amount of labor has BEEN performed
in this department with, think, good results,
Citizens are learning to respect the ordinance.
or becoming acquainted with it's requirements
adopt it without objection. realizing that in SO
doing, they not only add to their own safety.
but to that of their neighbors.
Allow me to improve this opportunity to ex-
press my appreciation Of the uniform courtesy
shown me by the Committee on Fire Depart
the Firemen under my charge for their uniform
attention to their duties and obedience to
orders.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
r. @. STRONG,
Chief Engr. Fire Dept.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT
OF FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH,
ST.. PAUL, Jan. 10, 1878.
To the Hon. President and Common Council of
the City of ST. Paul:
herewith submit a full and concise report
of this branch Of the Fire Department for the
fiscal year ending December 31st ult. being
the second annual report Of this branch Of the
department, showing the expenses for the year,
for extension and maintaining the alarm tele-
graph also the number of alarms, date and
hour the alarms were given, and number of
boxes, also the number of times each box was
pulled during the year,
The only change in the department during
the past year has been the purchasing of two
new boxes, and II, and the extension of the
lines, requiring fraction over two miles of
wire.
There has been no damage from storms to
any machinery or apparatus connected with. or
~E4 r1..,.
places have been without the alarm for twenty
four to forty-eight hours, caused by thunder
showers melting connections. &C., &C., ours has
passed through unframed, doing no damage
whatever.
would recommend that new poles and cross
arms be purchased for the principal streets. and
that no pole be less than thirty feet in height.
and five feet in the ground, and seven inches in
diameter at the top.
Some steps should be taken to prevent parties
from hitching horses to the poles, as there are
a great many very near eaten in two, and acct
dents are liable to happen from storms by the
breaking of the poles.
The alarm has failed but once to properly
give the correct number, and that was occa-
stoned by interference after being pulled. Box
81 was the number.
Allow me at this time to extend my sincere
thanks to the Committee on Fire Department,
for their promptness in supplying the material
required; to the Chief Engineer Of Fire Depart
ment, for courtesies and assistance rendered in
furnishing men and horses. when occasion re-
quired it. to the fire department force in their
respective engine houses, for assistance rem
dered in building new lines, and attention to
the gongs under their care. Also to the police
force and street commissioners.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Yours respectfully,
E. B. BIRGE,
Supt of Fire Alarm Telegranh