The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-16
MORE FIRE PLUGs NEEDED.
Chief Fireman Fernandez's Recon-.
mendatinn to tina Citu Council

~ Ci41oh PcIDduQcHb ttGCOul-
mendation to the City Council.
Thursdays cotton fire, at which there
was considerable delay in getting an
adequate supply of water early, by reason
OF having to use the Suction pipe" and
| cutting hole through the bridge before it
could be placed in the canal recalls the
recommendations Of Chief Fireman Fer
| nandez, embodied in renort to the CITY
council last month. The elections he raised
then were experienced, and the need of
additional fire plugs which he recommended
| were keenly felt. He recommended in all
| something like thirty-one additional fire
| plugs in the section where cotton, naval
stores and other freights are principally
| stored and handled.
The report had its origin in report from
william Lauder, special agent Of the
| American and English underwriters. vino
was sent here to investigate the methods of
handling and covering cotton on the
wharves. Mr.. Lauder in the course Of his
| investigation here, noted the need for bet
ter protection of cotton from fire, and
| after a thorough examination of the
| wharves and river front where cotton is
| handled and shipped, he recommended the
location of fire hydrants at the Central
press, and also at the lower prees and at
Harmon's wharf. The location Of hydr ants
at those points, Mr.. Lauder said, would
greatly facilitate the extinguishing of in
ciplent tires on vessels, and would prove
beneficial to the shipping interests of the
port. Ii practicable for it to be done he
recommended the placing of hydrants at
regular intervals along the whole river
front.
The report was forwarded to the council
with the approval of Chief Fireman Fer
nandez: Presiden Green, If the cotton ex-
change; President Young, of the board of
trade. and Maj. Henry T. Bots, under
writer's agent.
Chief Fernandez was asked his opinion of
the necessity of fire plugs there, and he not
only recommended them, but went further,
and In lengthy report recommended a
great many more; and for eight reasons,
which he gave in substance, as follows:
lst. Because water mains and fire plugs
are in the end cheaper than hose.
ID. The wear and tear Of the fire engines
going down hills and bluffs would be OBJ
waited.
8. Engines cannot always be placed
on the wharf front on account of sheds and
decayed wharves.
4. Would obviate delays often expert
enced by the wharves being blocked by
freight. and by low water, the suctions
resting on the mud causing trouble, also
injury to the engine and boiler.
5. 1t would dispense with long lines of
hose from the Bay and the expensive use of
steam engines, while the water mains and
fire plugs are only first cost.
D. Every length OF hose that bursts by
being run over, which cannot be avoided
sometimes, costs $50 for length of so feet
z 1t takes half hour to place an engine
In service whenever suction is taken,
whereas it only requires a few seconds to
get water from the fire plugs.
s. 1t saves horseheSh.
Arguing on that line, Chief Fernandez
held that the interests of the city the cotton
interest, and the interests of the entire COM
munity would be subserved by extending
the mains and placing fire plug. as soon as
convenient in the following unprotected
localities, which action he recommended as
being solutely necessary:
AT least four plugs along Gordon and
Harmon's wharves, sheds and warehouses
At least three plugs along the pres es and
warehouses between Lamar Creek ami
Randolph street. At least two along the
Baltimore steamship dock. One plug each
at the wharf at the foot of East Broad,
Houston, Price, Habersham, Lincola, Aber-
corn, Drayton, Bull, Whitaker, Barnard,
jefferson, Montgomery and West Broad
streets At least three plugs along the line
of the Central press property, be-
tween Farm street and the Ogeechee
canal. Two plugs on River street between
West Broad and Farm streets. Three plugs
on Bay from Lumber street to Musgrove
Greek. and three plugs on Wadey street
from Bay to the Ocean Steamship wharves
The latter plugs would protect the Central
railroad warehouse where Thursdays fire
occurred.
The council has never taken any action in
the matter. but the committee to which all
the reports were referred will, no doubt.
need no further lmonition since Thurs
days fire, in locality which the chief re-
ported that three fire plugs are absolutely
necessary" and which he included among
the unprotected" portions Of the city.