Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-31

A Desirable Change Recommended
Let "BIg Duke'' be Heard.

At the meeting OF Council last evening the
following special report of the Fire Com
mittee in regard to the "Big Duke' alarm
bell was submitted and was appropriately
referred. The matter Is one Of considera-
bic interest to the community, and the re-
commentator made by the committee will
doubtless be very heartily endorsed. The
committee have evidently made a thorough
examination, and the result of their inVesti-
cation, so clearly expressed, will receive care
full consideration.
The committee state that with the desire
OF sscertaining the cause of the faint sound
obtained from the large bell known as 'Big
Duke" respectfully beg leave to report
that having carefully examined into the
matter, they find that the bell appears to
have been placed in position without any
regard to the laws Of sound or the object
intended
l. The location is badly chosen, the geo.
graphical centre of the solidly built portion
OF the city being about the intersection OF
Liberty and Abercorn. The position now
occupied leaves three-fourths to one side.
2. The manner of hanging 1t is clearly and
radically wrong. A large beam of wood,
some or 10 inches square, is bolted tightly
across and upon the top Of the bell. To
support this, two large timbers are placed,
one on either side of and nearly touching
the bell. These are supported on q
latticed frame OF heavy timbers, sur
rounding the bell on every side, and
not one-half its diameter distant. Over all,
ana as close as possible, is a cover or roof.
| OBVIOUSLY the effect of this mass of wood
work In actual contact and directly around
the bell lie, first, to deaden the sound, and
| next to break and cOnfine the spread Of the
sound waves produced, the only free outlet
| being downward within the frame work In
the manner of speaking tube.
8. The striking apparatus is altogether un :
| equal to its purpose. 1t consists of large
| hammer attached to q lever, placed within
and below the bell. All the power of a
strong man is required to raise this hammer
| up to the bell, and the whole force applied
being expended in overcoming the inertia
OF the hammer, it is apparent to the most
casual observer that nothing is available to
| give force to the blow.
In order to rectify these errors so far as
practicable, and feeling assured 1t would
meet the views and wishes of all business
men and property holders, your committee
respectfully recommend that the bell be
raised entirely above the mass Of dead wood
by which it is now muffled, and swung as
lightly as possible to an iron or wooden
YOKE That at proper distance
beneath 1t be placed floor or
deck, in order to spread the sound waves;
that above 1t be placed light, open belfry,
in the manner of that over and about the
City Hall bell. That the automatic electric
striking apparatus now working the City
Hall bell be exchanged for one of larger
| power, and the "Big Duke" be struck by
this machine, which will then develop the
full tone and power of the bell, and the
committee are confident will result In Civ
ing an effectual and satisfactory alarm over
every portion of our city.
The matter was referred to the Com
mittee on Finance and Fire, jointly, to
obtain estimates of the cost of carrying out
| the recommendations.