The Portland daily press., 1883-07-04
A NEW FIRE ESCAPE.
Important Invention for Saving Life and
Property.

Portland probably more than any other
modern city has realized what it is to be visited
by fire. The details we leave to the historian
and orator Of the day, but the screenings and
suiferings which this undaunted little COM
mercial metropolis has overcome have been so
numerous that every person who dwells with
in its limits may say with pride--"I am Port
lander"
Since, then. that we have suffered so much
1t is fitting that this much afflicted city should
give birth to the best fire escape apparatus yet
invented for the saving of life and property.
At the office Of the machine works Of
Messrs. Winslow & Co., on Union street yes-
terday, our reporter witnessed the exhibition
Of working model of an appliance which
promises to be OF great value for the important
object aimed at.
The inventor was Mr.. Grin r. Bowie, an
engineer In the EN- ploy of the Maine Steam
ship Company upon their wharf in this city.
His ideas were improved upon and methods
perfecte by Mr. VIM. X Rhodes veteran
fireman and skilled marine engineer as well as
man thoroughly versed in mechanism
generally. As now exhibited the invention
seems to have been brought to condition Of
efficiency that Is perfection for life saving
apparatus and an important adjunct in pro-
teeting property. The owners are the inven-
tors, Mr.. Bowie, Mr. Elias Hsrsey and Mr..
Rhodes. The patent was granted for an inn
provement in fire escape. but Its owners claim
that 1t is not only the safest aud best FIRE
escape yet invented, but is additionally valu-
able to enable fremen to extinguish flames
where escape for human life is unnecessary.
The appliance consists OF a strong horizontal
bar OF iron to be permanent attachment to
the building near the coping, upon which
pulley blocks travel. Beneath this bar Is
light iron rodded reservoir containing the
pulley lines, which are always to be kept in
tact and to be under the supervision OF the
fire department. The bottom Of this reservoir
is trap door, which is connected by awire with
lock box, like that Of the fire alarm. The
holder of the key to this box, be he citizen, Pc
ilceman or fireman, with slight pull removes
the bolt and down comes the pulley lines to
the sidewalk or ground, whatever the hight
OF the building. By these lines all appurte-
snances may be Immediately sent up. Lad
ders, hose, life lines, etc, may he speedily put
in any desired position. But best OF all for the
protection Of human life is light iron car
which will hold from six TO eight persons.
This car is hoisted by fireman from the in
side with ease by the aid OF the powerful pui-
legs, TO any desired elevation and may be
guided by lines from persons below so that 1t
may be swung to any window, balcony,
door or any place of escape, and its top will
reach the roof, II the refugee from the flames
has been driven to that position. While men
may escape by the life lines this car is espec-
tally designed for women, children and inval
ids It's door let's down to any window, and
forms bridge or gangway to the car, protected
with iron chains as railing to steady and Sc
cure the safety Of the refugee for the interior
OF the car. For hotels, hospitals aud other
public buildings fitted with this apparatus,
under the charge of an intelligent fire depart
ment, loss of life by fire seems almost impossi-
BILE. 1t differs from all other fire escapes, in
that il ia worked from the outside of the build.
ing, whereas the others must be found in the
interior and thrown out.
The apparatus above described may be seen
at Messrs. Winslow & Co.'S, and all interested
are invited to call and witness its workings.