New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-05
THE FIREMEN'S PARADE.
WHAT THEY CAN DO AS LIFESAvERs.
AN ACTUAL RESCUE FROM ALMOST CERTAIN
DEATH 1NTENsIFIEs THE INTEREST
IN THEIR DRILL.

IN THEIR DRILL.
The city frcmen had their centennial parade yestsrs
day and the stand at the north end Of Union Square and
the streets about the Everett House crowded with
people anxious 10 witness he evoutions The brigade
Of fremcn participating consisted of three batallons
and the life-saving corps, and under command Of
Assistant Chief Of the Department Hugh Bonner. The
First Battalion consisted OF ngine Companies Ncs l. 8.
z and 8, and Hook and Ladder Company No 19. aud
was IN command Of Chief Of Battalion benjamin A.
Gicquel. The Second Battalion consisted OF Engine
Companies Nos H. 10, "a and 80 and Hook and
Ladder Company No. IA, AMI was commanded BY Chief
F. J. Reilly Tho Third Battalion, made up Of Engine
Companies Nos 81. "a, SO and 80, and Hook and
Ladder Company No 10, was in command Of Chief
John II. Kehoe. Tho lfe-saving corps Of tventy-ons
men, picked from the whole Department for their cook
and athletic skill, was IN command Of Henry
McAdam, Of Hook and Ladder Company No 1e.
Tho drawn up in line promptly N
o'clock for the presentation Of tho Bennett and sephee
son medals. Mayor Grant, who was 10 mako tas
presentation, was too III 10 appear and bis speech ws
read by Henry ID. Purroy 1t euogzed the ceierty'
coolness and general efficiency Of tho Department,
and spoke OF the pride which NewYorkers feel 10 its
work and record 1t described in detail tho rcscues
for which tho Rennett Medals were awarded, thss
for 1857 going to Lieutenant Banta, and the Benneo
Medal for 1888 going to Captain Quirk. The stephen
son Medals were given to Captains v wnlam AcLaughus
and Thomas A. Kenney.
DASHISG THE BAHE WALLS.
After reading tho Mayors speech Commissions
Purroy addict few words of his own and handed tho
medals to the winners, who wcro drawn up oefoS
him, amid the hearty cheers Of the crowd
These cheers were renewed when tho rf,-savtns
CORDS dashed I'D in front OF the Everett House. and
prepared to scale Its i've stories as they would DO
II fire were raging inside. In twinhlns tho
scaling ladders were on the ground and Were oens
thrust upward to the window ledges, two Of
uhI fob stn had
cred with boards to protect tho stone from
scratches. A fireman ran up the ladder to the nrst
story and stood upon the window sill while second
passed up another ladder which was attached % mo
third story SILL In this way two freescspes were I'M
povsed reaching to the roof of the building up and
down which the men like sailors. In throe min
utes and half the first ladder was attached to the cor
nice and thirty seconds later the first fireman reached
the roof
A gun-shot announced the firing Of . lifeline. 10
fell the roof. two ropes were drawn up, and In
moment more two fremen safely lowered on tho
end Of them 10 the street TWO fremen slid down ropes
which were passed through ring. 81 the front OF n%r
belts. and then twp Others slid down; In little
all this had been done and the ladders had been ne
moved from the building; FiTmen then climbed to
During the work accident occurred which would
doubtless have resulted in the death Of fireman
The standing On ladder caught ioS,,h to tho
of .ss ts 0Sf Sec aHa During hs
msnoeuvre, which performed many times yes
teriay, q fireman stands inside the open WINDOW
holding the ladder outside by the ring and clasp At tho
front Of his bolt. This time the ten poray board ns over
ladders crashing TO the ground. The fireman was
drawn IN through the open window by his comrsas,
be certain for mopent that he had not fallen with
his ladder But TIE quickly realised,
and tremendous cheer went up.
USED TO THAT SORT OF THING
Tho driu went quickly and smoothly on, and moth
ing showed that any excitement had ruined the
steady Of the workers. The drill closed with
of the net; several nremen jumping from tho the
minutes after tho arrival Of the truck II drove away
again fully equipped with men and ladders:
The other companies then marched past The review
ing stand down broadway TO Waverlcy Place, and up
Fifth-ave 10 Twenty sixth St, where they dtsbanded