New-York tribune., 1884-01-03
TIE Dry GOODS DISTRICT.
MR.. PURRoYs PLAN TO PUT OUT FIRES.
PROPOSING TO PUMP WATER FROM TIE NORTH
RIVER INTO MOVABLE TANKS.

PROPOSING TO PUMP WATER FROM TIE NORTH
RIVER INTO MOVABLE TANKS.
The Fire Commissioners yesterday adopted
the following report which submitted by Comms-
sioner PmToy:
The section Of the city known as the Dry Goods Dis
trct has for years past been regarded win anxiety oy
the fire underwriters, and the rc'pohNgLlN % %IT I Ili
nropcr protection against the dangers OF an eSIcoed
ronfagr5tion las long been heavy burden upon The
Comni~,ipner Of TINS bcIlhcHl, no C;'r N, iI5
anxiety Ia, been the knowledge thdt with an l>urcht
trc- u,lt arise which would bale the best efforts of
the department, and nrc thus obtain sc hraHWay H7
The adjoining streets with most disastrous results
In this district located Within the boundaIleS OF
Chambers IT, on the south, PIiuc'-St. on the hoi I'm
and crosby SIS. the east West Broadway and south
Finh-aye. on the west ncf an area o 80 ,J u ~
n,tnr of The protection of the immense in
900 Inc i@na' @ nix Inn "rt,nt Taft of the citv has
bccu fully discussed by representatives oil our mercantile
a, IIiaucr bodies and during the past such
i ' T"mrtaucs was given 10 II by the press Of this
c3ty a. 10 make the speedy solution oi Us dlhcujcs
matter Of great moment TO those nts'cd with the duty
nf cytiprnl,hinc fire There doubt that thorough
protection only be assured when there Is m sup
Div Of fire extnsui-hing purposes NgiaDc at
cannot be expected and the result IS" much desired must
Of necessity bc question OF con'drI3Dr llihr, H,@hc @
as even the most feasible ana speedy plans "ch nave
been suggested would require years loI eohril'h;; o
would seem. thcIcioc,t 10 De lIc lIIaIlN' u! w nr %
Fire Department cudeayor to devise some means ny
which temporary relief can De ahoHtu IeulnE lut ',i
plrion OF permanent addition 10 lhd pll ~,
with This end in view have the honor TO submit Tor the
OF the Board, the lol OWING
There now III the service oi thc dgpdi uncut III lIe
0ra-bodts William T. Haycmcyer and Lnphar Mills two
of the most powerful appliances FOR le eAuhgshlhS III
the world Of the capacity OF al least -FOUR ana FIX steam
aiue rc~pcctiycy These boats have yet been used
Of c wafer front hut believe they DE made i'm
mcdiacly available for the prote ton OF hc bly Ho1s
Islands ana in fact OF any portion OF the Gy not 700
remote from the North and East Rivers Ilcrr j. no
non in tlr Dry Goods District which Is more tnan o2sO
lee, cor one mci the North Rye the greater por
ion Of il being considerably less Now our steam IIe
f,..r rttfI I ftFN
hose distance more than Loo feet from ihr re-
ceiviug point and therefore If Trial viii demonstrate
{n, ayrc ' Inc rr Of the Eorh River through strong hose
lows that bet the hrcbOaS and the steam lire en-
Iivf yitLu tLr Dry Goods District should bc left
rry devoid Of water any length o time longer than
il will take stretch in the necessary quantity OF
The pan propose Is that two movable tanks OF wood
or from be provided. and scyeray located IN stables az
the best selected points within the exposed d,rc ana
he made 10 res pond on special call TO designated stations.
Snch tanks should be placed wheels be drawn,
when empty 10y horses, ana be OF about the foHoWMS
dimensions: length eighteen feet; height, slN feet
width six feet and De provided with inlet for three
out lets for connecting the bo-c from our land engines
If the test hereafter provided for prove successful
quarter inch be furnished each OF the river com
panic.. such Engine Company NO p, At No d13
Spring ST. and Hook and Ladder Company NO :, at No.
North Moorc-st Cor such other coPani,' - nay DC
selected 10y the Chief of ie 10 Dc u-t'l o ness
companies in stretching in "A continuous line OF hose
connecting the boat with the tank The water should
then he forced OF the river and into the tank the
pups board Of the rr-hoat and then be taken from
hc tank the land engines, ana thrown through helr
hose up0n the fire tank Of the dimensions above hc-
scrbcd will hold than 1000 gallons or wafer ana II
IL e kent supplied from the river would believe furnish
sufficient water enable the continuous working OF at
least three steam fire engines.
I'm submitting tnis plan. 1t offered only M possible
mean. of safety city should an emergency arise IN
which the CrotOn water hydrants i 10 rreluhd 10 thclr
ordinary requirements II Is not intended IN any man
ucr a nu argument I'm favor o the u-r oi sa water IN
stead Of fresh for the cNtnuishing of fires MY highest
any degree temporary safeguard durlnE such period ~
may bc required introduction and pcrfc'tlu oI
complete ana thorough system Of water distribution
throughout the city. go. ........-.
There are now i'm service and available FOR the purpose
Of the proposed test nearly 1000 feet or three ana one
duortcT inch hose and additional supply oI l'ouO leet
is now contracted Or and IN order That the capacity OF
tbc bod, to force ia the manner ana 10 the ds
tance herein proposed may be fully tested recommend
that tn- nrc6oat Zophar Mills DE ordered 10 Proceed 10
Port Morris at early day; that luc o tcc ana one
ouprt,r inch hose bc stretched nom tuc hot i"h- lh
southern boulevard distance OF 20 least lOVu itcl id
that lest be there made 10 whether wafer can n'
forced that distance through line oi hose ht"a iihh
and , To- fhc number of engines that sugh dih can lu'
he made 10 supply. also recommend thlt Tor thr plr-
orc of making the test, suitable tank with proper lhr
and outlet, attached 10 be at once secured ana tlhl
such properly equipped fire engines ana tenders ds, m
Io oiui1u of the chief Of department, can De best
spared temporarily, be- ordered TO report al the place
.l..- .lf.l