Morning journal and courier., 1892-07-12
A STEAMER HOUSE CONDEMNED.

TWo's House Radically 11.
safe-The Mon and Apparatus OF
That House Removed to Engine
House No. on Water Street.-The
Matter Laid Before the Board of |
Couucilmen for Immediate Action
Last Night.
A special meeting OF the fire commits
sioners was called last night to consider
the dangerous condition Of engine house
No. 3 on Artisan street. The sides of
the building are in such danger from cav
ing In that 1t is perilous for the men,
horses and apparatus to be in there.
Three years ago George NJ. Grant and
George Phelps, experts, and Architect L.
w. Robinson examined the building and
found that the second story had settled.
Since then it has settled an inch and .
half more and is in an unfit condition for
occupation.
The mayor set forth the difficulty and
the matter was thoroughly discussed by
the commissioners. As result of the con-
sideration Mayor Sargent and Commits
sioners Clark, Mcdonald and Andrews
were appointed a committee to lay the
matter before the commons council,
who were then in session. The matter
was laid before the board in the following
paper with appended reports:
REPORT THE FIRE COMMISSIONERS.
To the Honorable Court of Common Council:
The board Of fire commissioners respectfully
very dangerous condition of the Artisan street
engine house, as per reports of the commissioner
OF public buildings and other persons herewith
orders for the Immediate vacating Of said engine
| house and a temporary location Of apparatus
and men at most suitable quarters, viz, No. ~
pray your honorable body to take such measures
| to provide permanent quarters.
[Attest1 BENZ. NJ PRESCOTT. clerk.
| THE FIRE MARsHAL's REPORT.
The report of the fire marshal is as fol
lows:
To the Honorable Board of Fire Commissioners
Three years ago, in June, 1889, an examination
Grant, mason builder, and George Phelps, car
Emulation By L; ": Robinson arehitsct and tn,
three Inches s on Second foo ss'' f nov
a hsw Of inches a.sb in
can it settle, before breaking and covering il
men, horses and apparatus in the ruinsf A
building as unsafe as this owned by a ctizel
Gated until made safe. hope this will receiv
your immediate attention and some steps takel
| WILLIAM Il. HUBBARD, Fire Marshal.
THE BUILDING COMMITTEES REPORT.
Report of examination of the conditio,
of engine house made July 1882:
Referring to the reports made In July l. 1885,
the condition of the main truss showed a set
thing Of SO inches below the level We find thi
has in ,reased to inches, and the center diagor
braces shown
that they are rendered imperative throug
inches instead Of 5, as in 1889 The roof perlin
truss rests at one end on floor tin
Of the seconds story partitions, which was re
moved, and this has caused a perceptible Sc
ting Of this floor and the roof oyer it. We tes
ed the bullying Of the north wall; we find tha
stead Of in 1859. The retaining wall at the raj
plates; is feet Of this stone, g feet brick tn
: stone wall is cracked badly and buges out an
the ground and above, as there is nothing to t
it, is the with the walls OF ad joining bull
ings. The mortar is also entirely cut of the join
: In many places where there are no cracks.
The main truss rests at the rear end on the r
naming pier of the brick wall, which is not ov
roof and second floor not held by the wood post
!, | The drawings made in 1889 show eighteen bri
In the cellar ana bT nine with
, wood posts showing, that nine posts, and tv
, | piers have been added since. We found some
d these piers canted to one side, showing that Il
foundation has settled unevenly.
1t is our opinion unanimously that the buildil
/, is in a much weaker condition than three yea
ago and is growing more so continually, al
should be given immediate attention If it is to
used continuously as at present for the hea'
work necessary.
q In our opinion the Howe truss that CARR
the second-story floor and roof should never ha
9 been put there, as the construction is not strol
enough to carry the weight put upon it.
1t is also our opinion that the present occ
II pants should vacate the building Immediately.
:, G. H. STETSoN
GEORGE PHELPS,
F. D. AUSTIN,
Commissioners Of Public Buildings
> The men, horses, engines, etc., will
il removed to engine house No. on Wat
street this morning. In consequence
4 their removal the central part of the city
:. not as thoroughly protected as befol
IL The board of common council referred
matter to the committee on fire depa1
g. ment.