, 1883-01-27
Chief Enztneer'sReport-
WALIA WALL. Jan. 10,

To the Honorable Mayer and Common
Council of the city OF Waila Walla-Gentle-
men In compliance with Ordinance No.
66, herewith present my first semi
annual report OF the condition Of the fire de-
partment, the number Of FIRE alarms, etc
From October l6. ISS2, to the present
date there have been but FIVE alarms, two OF
which were false The most serious OF these
being the fire in the Pane block. The TO-
tai less from these fires being $4,000.
There are ten cisterns IN the city located
as follows: one on Rose and Spokane streets;
one on East Main and Idaho streets; one on
First and Birch streets; three on Main be-
low Fifth and four on Alder street.
The above cisterns, with the exception OF
the one located on East Main and Idaho
streets. are in good condition.
Slid cis:ern leaks and needs new gate in
the supply pipe. j would recommend that
the fume on Main street, from First 10
Fourth street, he repaired In crse Of fire
on Main street, between First and Fourth,
the water supply woul have to be taken
from Alder street. it beng the nearest point
from where water could lie obtained, The
crossings Of Mill Greek at First, Second and
Third streets, being almos: inaccessible and
the water hardly deep enough to cover the
basket Of the suction hose.
All that portion OF the city being east of
Alder and south of Sixth, and that part ly
ing west OF Mil creek, Ia destitute Of water
for fire purposes ! | would advise the build
ing OF fodr cisterns at such points as the
Fire and Water committee OF the Common
Council and the Chief Engineer may desig-
nate
After diligent inquiry, present the fol-
10 wing as correct list of city properly III
charge OF the Fire Department
Tne Chief Engineer has one trumpet and
one lantern. The First Assistant Engineer
the same: the Second Assistant. the same.
Washington Engine Co, No. has the fcl-
lowing: One two-story frame house, hose
tower AMI sheds attached; one third-size
Sisby steam fire engine with necessary at
tachments to run the same one ext'a pole
for horses; one starting bar; tour extra
tubes; one Y COUPLING three oilers one
screw-iriver; one o:ling torch; four pack
ing wrcrches; one hammer; one key
wrench; one monkey wrench: > : wrenche':
SIX torches; two axes; tive LANTERNS; two
PAIR extra coupling; oae boX-stOve with
heater attachments; t22-wheel hose-carts;
1000 feet OF Rubber hose ii good condition;
900 feet OF rubber hose, woIthlrss; one
nickel plated and two brass nozzles; eigh.
hose spanners; two suction spanners; a2 feet
OF old suction hose; SO feet cne-inch rubber
hose and nozzle; one wheeibarrow; one set
old CRATES; 600 feet of inch rope and ten
blocks in hose tower; one s'gnai lamp and
two old lanterns, worthless.
Tiger Engine Co. No. J, have one piano
box, side-stroke hand engine, one four wheel
hose carriage; 80 feet cotton hose (goodl,
80 feet cotton hose lworthles), one , wheel
relief cart, two copper hose pipes, SIX brass
nozzles, two board platforms for drying hose,
two torches, i've lanterns, four axes, one
crow-ba., eight hose spanners, two suction
spanners, two monkey wrenchts, 80 feet
one inch rubber hose and - fee. worthless
rubber hose.
Nigliant H. 1 l.. Co have one Miller
platform track, SIX ground ladd,rs, four
roof ladders. two pole hooks and chain. SIX
hand-spihe hooks, SIN axes, four torches, one
crow-bar, seven lanterns, twelve rubber
buckets, three trnmps;s, Gne monkey
wrench, 20 feet l-inch rubber hose and nol-
zle, one lifting jack, one step-iaidei, - feet
s-incb rope, i've kerosene lamps, one two
ish; chandelier. two lamp brackets and one
outside lamp.
The building occupied by VigIlants is unfit
for housing fire apparatus. | would earnestly
request your honorable body to remove Iig-
liant Hook & Ladder Co. No. /, and Tiger
Engine Co. No. ,, as soon as convenient into
the new city building. believing that both
companies could live together harmoniousiy,
at least until the city could provide seperate
quarters for them. As it is now both COM
psuies are dormant, both are losing in active
membership, and neither are prompt IN an
sweIing sn alarm, most members preterring
to pzy the small iiae Imposed, rather than
attend meetings, fires or drills.
lwould recommend the gathering up Of
all the worthless property around tie engine
houses, and the sale Of the same. Also the
building of store room back Of the new
engine house for the storage OF tEe depart
ment supple, and ei'y prOpet ty not IN use.
In regard TO the new steamer ordered Icy
Washington Engine Co. No. |, and now in
their possession, would say she is iirst-
class machine IN every respect. The ma
CHM is here with freight paid, and think
it vould be well for the city 10 purchase the
sane and pnt 1t iuto service al Oaer, Tor in
my opinion It would soOn pay FOX rself in
the saving OF property 1t wouid, undlubt-
eily, be 10 the best Interests OF she CRY to
purchase the said easine.
Trusting your honorable holy W 4 take
such action as will be Just and generous TO
the firemrn and promote the welfare OF the
city, lam. Very Essrc'. Yours.
EoBsRT CRANE.
Chief Engineer ". ". f d.
SINGULAR COISCIDgSCE-Tne fire that
damaged the STATESMAN oii i,e o;cGrred
Dec. oath. 1879. On that morning The ther-
mome;er marked IL below ze.o, and yester-