New-York tribune., 1896-05-15
THE SAFETY OF THE BRIDGE.
spECULATIONs AS TO THE CHANCES OF
DANGER FROM FIRE.

FIREWORKS DIsPLAY-vAUITs UNDER THE
NEw-yoRK APPROACHES STORED WITH
LIoUoR-sTATEMENTs OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER.
What would be the resultant effect upon the ap-
proaches TO the Ncw-York and Brooklyn Bridge
in case Of a fire In the vaults under the ap-
proaches at the New-YoIk end? This question
has been recently pressed for answer. and the
question has also been asked whether the trus-
tees have done all in their power in the disposal
Of the valuable leases to minimize the danger 10
the structure In the event Of confiagratioh
Further. the query is suggested as TO now many
thousands Of people having important business
on hand between the two great divisions OF
Greater New-York. would have to undergo hours
OF uneasness and unavoidable delay in case OF
fire.
The first question will never receive a s2tisfac-
tory answer except through the issue OF fiery
trial Of the main structure. of course, 1t can
truly be said that nothing except tremendous
fire on the long pier that extends out to and Is
built around the base Of the tower, or in one OF
the many big buildings in the neighborhood OF
Franklin Square, where the network of overhang-
ing iron throws fantastic shadows on the thor
oughfaie below would harm It, And then the
main or suspended portion would not be harmed,
10r the dncnOr pier OF the great CdOtS, loui
number is still far beyond. These cables are
safe from chance Of harm except by fire on the
Bridge itself. and there the protection would ap-
pear to be as adequate as 1t possibly be made.
sTANDPIPEs AS FIRE EXTINGUIsHERs
From the bases of the towers on either side
standpipes have been raised to the floor level of
the Bridge and arranged that the city fire.
engines on each side Of the river attach hose
20 thpp, nd food NJ hose which
been provided the Bridge itself The Bridge
lires can be operated either by the f1remen or by
r the Bridge workmen. who have been trained In
their duties in this regard by frequent experiences
more or less trihing in themselves These same ex-
periences. however, have at times been sufficient
to show the need for prompt action and skilful
handling Of facilities prevent serious results.
The flooring of the driveways has been on fire
than once, possibly more often than any
published record will show.
In addition to the stand pipe service for the
. convenience of the New-York and Brooklyn Fire
Departments a number of portable fire extin-
guishers have been fixtures In the scheme Of
bridge protection from fire for many years. and
there are tanks also provided at various points,
which are always Kept filed with water for
emergency. Anoth-t important consideration is
the availability Of the flreboats 1t was demon
strated previous to the Columbian fireworks dis
play that any of them could throw working
stream over the Bridge. BY the way, at that
time an unforeseen thing occurred which we'll
nigh turned the chestnut locks of the chief engi-
neer c. G. Martin prematurey gray. He re-
called the circumstance yesterday while convers-
ing with Tribune reporter about this very mat
ter New-Yorkers remember the Overwhelming
prodigality of the display of fireworks provided
for use on the Bridge on that eventfu night. AS
q matter Of fact, the programme had been so ar
ranged as to work into cumulative effect. that
IS. the picture painted in fire on the screen of
night was to grow larger and larger. the pieces
more and more comprehensive until all should be
lost In the glory of the Niagara of fire which had
been laid the entire length Of the structure be-
tween the towers. This to be the climax, the
apotheosis Of the fire king
THE GREAT PYROTECHNIC SHOW.
1--WE were all more or less apprehersive about
The venture" said Mr. Martin, in detailing the
circumstances. "and we had made every prepara-
tion. Tn. engines stationed at the stand
pipes, and we had the freboats ready Lines of
hose were laid the entire length Of the Bridge
floor, and the fire extinguishers were also ready
to hand. Then we scattered deep layer OF sand
over all of the wooden flooring, and wet that
down with the sprinking carts. Wishing to
gather all the enjoyment from the spectacle
could, I had decided to keep away from the
Bridge and watch the display from a window on
the Heights. 1t all started off we'll enough and
nothing amiss would have occurred had It not
been for single spark that struck the business
end OF big rocket. Then the fun began. That
rocket went off when nobody was looking for It,
and 1t succeeded in setting fire to everything
else in sight and out OF sight, and the display
that succeeded. while not down on the bills was
simply terrific Depend upon II. I got to the
Bridge fast my legs would carry me, and
] found the men scared, and scared badly. The
Bridge was on fire in half dozen places, just as
had feared It would be when started for It.
Some Of the men had been burned severely but
fortunately no was hurt seriously and there
was scarcely any panic. I had given the fire.
boats instructions rgidly to refrain from throw
ing water until they should be signalled by me-
] did that for the reason that 1 knew the In
slant they began to work the news would be
flashed clear to California that the Brooklyn
Bridge was fire, tremendous loss Of life and
all that sort Of thing. and that desired to pre-
vent. In addition to the fire extingushers and
the attachment Of engines to the standpipes. we
had rows of buckets filed with water. With the
buckets, the hose and the extinguishers we sue
ceeded after a little in putting out the fire. and
do not suppose that IS worth Of damage was
done. The ends Of protrudng timbers were
burned trine, and in one case, where the fire
had got under the flooring. one Of our rggers
climbed underneath on the ironwork and put
that out That was OF my chief fears. for a
strong wind blowing under the Bridge would fan
a little flame into big blaze In few moments
But 1t was extinguished and the flreboats were
not called upon to assist. That was all the ex-
perience we wanted IN that direction and made
up my mind that while was In charge OF had
anything TO say there should never be another
effort to display fireworks from the Bridge"
HOW THE VAULTS ARE OCCUPIED.