New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-08
CHINESE FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

THEIR PRIMITIVE METHODS or FIGHTING FLAMES
AN OUTLINE OF THE SYSTEM.
II Ii Hung Chang would submit TO an interview
on the subject it would be interesting to know what
his feelings as he sat upon the grandstahd at
Union Square Tuesday afternoon and watched
the exhibition OF of the most efficient fire de-
partments in the world. The difference between
the workings of that Department and the one
which he has known in Picking must have aroused
forcbly his remarkable powers of comparison.
slight inkling of his impressions. however may
be gained by IA brief outline of the workings or
the fire departments to which he is accustomed
I'm China. These departments are considered very
effective even by foreigners to that land and 1t
may be they when the construction Of Chinese
dwellings and buildings is taken into account.
There is scarcely house there over two stories
high But even for houses Of that diminutive
height the Chinese method of fighting fires must
appear very crude compared to the system here.
In the larger cities of China there are stationed
throughout their length and breadth fire watch
men, Upon bamboo poles is bull; sentry box
with narrow balcony circling These sentry
boxes are stationed at regular intervals, say the
distance of five or ter of our city blocks apart, ana
in each a Waterman Is OH duty day and night
The instant signs OF fire appear In his district ne
sounds the alarm either by voice or by gong. and
the dread cry is FASTENED alors to the nearest fre-
engine house. In these houses. which are none too
numerous are kept hand-engnes somewhat like the
most antique types known here. They are dragged
by running Cinnamon and at the alarm the engine
Is rushed of 10 the of the fire with really
creditable rapidly. and the engine pipes a:e put
in connection with the nearest canal These canals
are so numerous throughout the large cities that
one IL nearly always within reasonable distance or
"A FIRE II there be not one near, a well or cistern
IS utilized as the of water supply. There Is
little organization In a Chinese fire depart ment, but
the crowd that gathers lends a willing hand, and
can usually cxtinguish fire in the building IN
which 1t originated AS the ;dings are only or
two stories as already explained, the diihculties
presented TO the Chinese 1iremen are not great.
Should the fire get beyond control, however, there
is a precaution which the Chinese alone OF all
atoms have adopted to prevent its extensive
OF the cities fire walls of brick have been built.
These walls include fixed areas, beyond which no
flames travel.
Besides these engine houses and fire walls are
maintained in the city Of Canton at least. one or
two stationary engines near central points upon
the banks of canals for use in case OF fire The
engines are in buildings designed for them much
after the manner Of reservoir pumping stations
here. but oil course. of much less elaborate de-
sign. From these engines iron pipes run over the
roofs of neighboring houses for some distance ana
from frequent outlets along the line OF pipes water
can be distributed in time OF fire upon threatened
points. ,
This comprises a brief outline of the entire fire
department which the larger cities Of China main
tain for their protection. When the august Am
bassador OF the Chinese Emperor beheld New
Yorks splendid machines In full operation, the
primitive method OF fire protection in his own
country must have seemed crude indeed