USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 8
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During the year ending June 30, 1904, there were 102 alarms, with a loss of $23,989. The largest fire of the year was the so-called Potter fire, on Thames street, February 8, 1904, in zero weather, with a loss of $14,000.
A new light Seagrave truck with a 45-foot extension ladder and the neces- sary equipment of shorter ladders amounting to upwards of 200 feet, was pur- chased and placed in commission with Greenville Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 during the year, and paid for from the regular appropriation, the old truck being taken by the makers in part payment. The appropriation for the year was $16,000. At this time there were six permanent men and eleven call men, with six substitutes, constituting the part paid force of the Fire De- partment, and five horses, including the chief's horse.
There were 113 alarms of fire during the year ending June 30, 1905, with a loss of $22,548. The largest single loss was at the fire at the residence of Dr. Patrick Cassidy, May 1, 1905. The wind was blowing a gale, and only
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ABOVE, SHANNON BUILDING, BEFORE FIRE OF FEBRUARY 9, 1909,
LOWER LEFT. SAME. AFTER FIRE. Lower Right, White Star Shows Where People Were Taken Out.
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by efficient work of the department was the house saved, with a loss of $10,000 on buildings and contents.
The Central Station was completed in November, 1904. With its com- pletion and the placing of the aerial truck in commission at the station after being housed in a barn for over three years, the department began to make more rapid strides.
Wauregan Hook and Ladder Company, organized in 1858, and Wauregan Steam Fire Engine Company, organized in 1861, were disbanded October I, 1904, the disbandment leaving but one volunteer company in the center of the city. Three horses were purchased for the aerial truck, increasing the number of horses owned by the department to eight, with twelve permanent men and forty call men. Another hose wagon was added to the equipment and two exercise wagons, all built by Scott & Clark Company, this city.
At the completion of the Central Station, the closed Broadway station was sold to L. L. Chapman for $11,000. The appropriation to cover expenses of the department for the year ending June 30, 1905, was $17,000, with a deficit of $4,690 caused by the purchasing of furnishings for the new station, etc. From July 1, 1905, to June 30, 1906, the department responded to 127 alarms, with a fire loss of $13,650, with an insurance loss of $12,903. A storage battery and switch board were installed, with a new automatic repeater, and the Metropolitan steam fire engine was placed in service. There were fourteen permanent men and forty-three call men in the department, besides the volun- teers from five companies. Also there were ten horses in addition to those hired for the volunteer companies. The amount of the appropriation was $30,850.
During the year ending June 30, 1907, there were 125 alarms of fire, with an insurance loss of $9,910. Hose Companies No. 4 and No. 6 were disbanded, leaving three volunteer companies. The number of permanent men had in- creased to seventeen and the call force numbered forty-one. The name of Shetucket Steam Fire Engine Company No. 7 was changed to Engine Com- pany No. 2, and a new Metropolitan engine was placed in service with No. 2. The Main street station had been changed over so as to house Chemical Com- pany No. I, and two more horses purchased, making twelve in service. Ap- propriation, $34,250.
The report of the chief of the Fire Department for the year ending June 30, 1908, shows the department responded to 145 alarms of fire, with a loss of $99,835. The largest fires of the year were that at the William H. Page Boiler Company, on Franklin street, and that at the Norwich Belt Manufac- turing Company in Water street. The number of permanent men in the department had been increased to twenty and the call men forty. The amount appropriated for the Fire Department was $27,000, and the amount expended was $27,665.
There were 132 alarms of fire during the year ending June 30, 1909. Three of the number were for fires out of the city limits-one being at Taft- ville, for a fire in the Sacred Heart Parochial School, and one at Baltic, among several buildings. The department responded and rendered efficient service. The largest fire in the city was the burning of the Shannon building, February
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9, 1909, at 2:30 A. M. The fire was not discovered in time to send in an alarm soon enough to save the building, which was a total loss with most of the contents. In addition to the loss of the Shannon building, the adjoining property was damaged to a greater or less amount. The loss amounted to $293,000, with an insurance loss of $201,000. The insurance loss for the year was $216,392.
In October, 1908, the hose wagon purchased in 1903 was equipped with a 25-gallon chemical tank and other equipment, and placed in service in Station No. 3 at the Falls, displacing the volunteer hose company, which was disbanded. This change necessitated the purchase of two more horses and the transfer of several men. Two new hose wagons were also added to the equipment and used for exercise wagons. The appropriation was $30,500, and $32,210 was expended owing to the changing of No. 3 Company to a perma- nent company.
From July 1, 1909, to June 30, 1910, the department responded to 154 alarms, five of them over the city line. The largest loss was at the Max Gordon Company storehouse, Sunday, March 13, 1910. This building was stored with bales of cotton and woolen rags ready for shipment, and resulted in a loss of $8,000, mostly on stock. The loss for the year was $23,000. Old No. 4 Hose house on Boswell avenue was sold for $900, and the money turned over to the city treasurer. The amount appropriated for the department was $32,200, and an unexpended balance of $26 was returned. The inventory of the department property was $135,000. There were twenty-two permanent men and thirty-four call men, and fourteen horses to haul the apparatus, and four horses were hired from outside parties to respond to Truck 2 and Engine 2.
The fire record for alarms from July 1, 1910, to June 30, 1911, was 165 alarms, nine of them over the city line. The largest fire was May 19, 1911, at 2:45 A. M., at the Lucas Hall property, corner of Shetucket and Water streets. The fire started in a bowling alley, and was coming from the upper windows when discovered. The loss was $60,000. The loss for the year was $78,000.
During the month of November of 1910 the water was very low in the reservoir. Pressure in the business district dropped from 90 to 35 pounds, and in some sections of the city there was no water in the hydrants. At this time a touring car was hired and equipped with small chemical extinguishers and other tools, which helped matters to some extent. The appropriation was $30,500, and was exceeded by $990 on account of low water.
The Fire Department was inspected by engineers from the National Board of Fire Underwriters in January and February, 1911; many recom- mendations were made, and some were complied with, but many have never received the attention they deserve.
In March, 1912, the first piece of motor-driven fire apparatus was pur- chased and placed in commission at headquarters station. It was the begin- ning of an entirely new era in fire fighting apparatus. It was built by the Pope Hartford Company of Hartford, Conn., and was still in service in 1921. The fire loss was only $9,300, during the year, with 149 alarms, four of
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them over the city line. Two horses were displaced by the purchase of the automobile, leaving twelve. The appropriation was $31,000, and the amount expended was $35,474, on account of the purchase of the automobile.
The fire loss for the year ending June 30, 1913, was $144,000, with 174 alarms. The largest loss was at the Central Wharf fire, August 29, 1912, at 12:15 A. M., followed by a general alarm at 12:25 A. M. The fire was sup- posed to have been started by tramps who were known to have been sleeping in one of the sheds. The remains of two persons were taken from the ruins after the fire. The loss at the Central Wharf fire was $110,000. The next largest loss was at the fire in the Austin Block, January 24, 1913, at 5:45 A. M., resulting in a loss of $14,000, mostly on contents. Eleven of the 174 alarms were for fires out of the city limits, one being at Lebanon, twelve miles away, the run being made in twenty-eight minutes. The force of the Department remained the same as the preceding year, as well as the apparatus. The appropriation was $31,000. Stony Brook reservoir had been completed and there was water in abundance the latter part of 1913.
During the year ending June 30, 1914, 243 alarms were responded to, ten being out of the city limits. One of the most severe fires of the year was at the Swedish Church, Saturday, February 21, 1914, at 11 :44 P. M., in zero weather. Also the fire in the Marguerite building, Thursday, February 12th, 1914, at 12:15 A. M., also in zero weather. January 13, 1914, was a very cold day to fight fires, and the department had five working fires through the day, two going at the same time. Several of the members were frost-bitten during the day while at work at the fires. The apparatus and personnel of the department remained as in the previous year, regardless of recommendations made for more motor apparatus. The appropriation was $32,000.
During the year ending June 30, 1915, there were 212 alarms, eleven being out of the city limits. The greatest distance traveled to out-of-town fires was to Willimantic, January 9, 1915, the distance of eighteen miles being covered in thirty-four minutes with the Pope Hartford automobile chemical. The largest fire out of the city the department was called upon to render assistance at was at Taftville, May 30, 1915, when ten buildings were de- stroyed. At this fire Engine No. I was used, as well as the Pope automobile. The largest fire in the city during the year was at the so-called Bailey building, June 3rd, with a loss by exposure, etc., of $10,000. The appropriation was $36,000. There were thirteen horses connected with the department in addi- tion to those hired to draw the Greenville apparatus. The number of perma- nent men was twenty-four, and there were twenty-eight call men, in addition to the volunteer companies in Greenville. At a city meeting in June, 1915, an appropriation was made for the purchase of a triple combination chemical pump and hose car at an expense of $9,000. The new auto pumper arrived the latter part of December, 1915, and has always proven a valuable piece of apparatus. The number of permanent men remained at twenty-four, with twenty-four call men and about twenty volunteers that could be depended on. The regular appropriation was $36,000, and with the $9,000 for the auto pumper made $45,000. At this time there were 505 hydrants in the city and town.
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During the year ending June 30, 1916, there were 139 alarms, with four out of the city. The city was free from any large or serious fires, although the gasoline hazard furnished several working fires. The loss for the year was $16,300.
From July 1, 1916, to June 30, 1917, 186 alarms of fire were responded to, with a fire loss of $11,700. The appropriation was $35,500. A Buick automo- bile was purchased for the deputy chief from the regular appropriation, mak- ing three pieces of motor apparatus in service. There were 26 permanent men and 20 call men in service. Hon. Allyn L. Brown was mayor and Guy B. Dolbeare was chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
During the year ending June 30, 1918, the department responded to 193 alarms, fourteen for fires out of the city limits, one of them being at Baltic, Connecticut. The loss for the year was $15,000. The appropriation was $42,000. Salaries and pay rolls were $30,776. The department was improved by the addition of a Cadillac automobile rebuilt, with the old body and chemical tanks from the first piece of horse-drawn apparatus. This piece of apparatus was placed in service at Chemical Company No. 2, on the West Side, and has proven a good investment. A Reo car was purchased for the chief, and by the purchase of the two pieces of motor apparatus only five horses were left in the department. The number of permanent men remained at 26 and the call men at 16, in addition to the volunteers at Greenville. Hon. Jeremiah J. Desmond was mayor, and Joseph A. George chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners. Like other cities, the Fire Department felt the effects of the World War, then at its height, by the draft and enlistments of the men. During the summer of 1918 the United States Housing Corpora- tion endeavored to secure the services of the chief, the position of Federal Fire Marshal for the United States Housing Corporation being tendered to him but declined.
During the year ending June 30, 1919, the department responded to 175 alarms. Nine were for fires out of the city limits. The largest fire attended out of the city limits was at the Glen Woolen Mills at Bean Hill, March 12, 1919. Two companies were sent to this fire, and the assistance sent from the city department saved the mills. The greatest distance traveled to out-of- town fires was at the Fitchville fire, June 22, 1919, five and one-half miles, and the fire at the Eastern Connecticut Power Company plant at Montville, eight and one-quarter miles. There were several large fires in the city during the year, among them being the grain elevator of Charles Slosberg & Son, on ยท Cove street, August 1, 1918, with a loss of $11,000. The two fires of the Max Gordon & Son Company, which occurred at the same time, one on Falls avenue and the other on West Main street, resulted in a loss of $12,650. The fire in the Round House of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., December 8, 1918, made a loss of $8,000. April 2, 1919, another fire in the Max Gordon Company storehouse on Falls avenue resulted in a loss of $13,500. Several other fires occurred with losses between $2,000 and $5,000, which made a total fire loss for the year ending June 30, 1919, of $69,000, and an insurance loss of $53,000. The amount appropriated for the Fire Department was $50,241, of which
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amount $39,747 went for salaries and pay rolls. The inventory of the depart- ment property, real estate, apparatus and equipment was $139,225.
During the year ending June 30, 1920, the department responded to 134 alarms, twelve being for fires out of the city limits. The fire at the residence of the Misses Butts, 272 Washington street, September 9, 1919, was caused by lightning, and proved to be the most disastrous of any over the city line, although only one end of the house was damaged. The department also responded to the fire at Bozrahville post office and store, December 2, 1919. The only fire that resulted in loss of life was also out of the city limits, in the so-called Adam's Tavern, Sunday, November 23, 1919, in which Mr. Alfred A. Adam lost his life. The fire was very small and was caused by a rubber hose attached to a gas heater burning or slipping off the connection while Mr. Adam was asleep or fainted in the bath room. The largest city loss of the year was at Andrews' Bakery, June 17, 1920, with a loss of $6,500. The second largest loss was in the so-called Hiscox building, in a garage operated by the Barrett, Hudson Company, with a loss of $4,500 on building and auto- mobiles. The fire loss was $19,148, and the insurance loss $18,642. The appropriation was $50,245, and the salaries and pay rolls account had grown to $43.442, owing to increase of salaries and pay rolls made necessary by the high cost of living and after-the-war conditions. There were 27 permanent men and 14 call men sleeping at the stations. A summary of the working force of the department June 30, 1920, was : permanent men, 27; call men, in all positions, 20; volunteers who could be partly depended on, 20; total, 67 men. The number of horses remained at five, and the equipment remained as in the past three years.
The Firemen's Pension Fund created by an act of the Legislature at the 1919 session and not operative until January 1, 1921, showed the amount on hand June 30, 1920, to be $6,234. The pension fund is supported by two per cent. of salaries from all permanent men of the department, and from dona- tions to the fund by citizens.
At this date there were 526 fire hydrants, 14 fire cisterns connected to city mains for filling, and 68 fire alarm boxes, with 34 miles of wire. Hon. Herbert M. Lerou was mayor, and C. V. Pendleton, chairman of the board of fire commissioners.
THE NEW LONDON FIRE DEPARTMENT CHAPTER XVIII
In the year 1805, New London was empowered by the legislature to establish fire companies consisting of eighteen men each, a privilege that had been previously granted to Hartford, Middletown and Norwich. This trans- ferred the fire department from the town to city authority, and three com- panies were soon formed, a fourth being added later. Two engines were bought in 1848, and in 1850 the Independent Nameaug Fire Company was formed and equipped with a fine engine paid for by popular subscription. In 1921 "The Day," in honor of its fortieth birthday, published a special number descriptive and historical, and in it had the following to say upon the subject which furnishes the caption for this review :
New London has always felt very proud of its volunteer fire department. It had one in 1880 and long before that time, and has one at present. Forty years ago the engine company houses were about the only existing rendez- vous for young men outside of the saloons, and naturally fire companies were strong in membership. Everybody who was anybody belonged to one com- pany or the other, although many did not do active service.
A water service introduced in 1872 had put the old pumpers out of business, as the pressure at the hydrants was generally powerful enough to send a stream through the hose wherever it was needed. Hose companies ran with their hose carriages and reels to the scene of the fire, coupled the hose to a hydrant, and played the stream upon the fire. When the water pressure failed in localities or in the case of big fires where unusual number of streams were required, two engines owned by the department pumped through the pipes with greater pressure.
The members of the hose company pulled their apparatus to the fire. and there was great rivalry among the various companies to see which could get a stream of water on first. The two engines had to be drawn by horses. Later, horses were provided to draw the hose carriages, and still later, motor- driven apparatus was provided by the city. The Niagara Engine Company at its own expense in the year 1902 purchased a steam propelled apparatus which was not only a novelty but a very valuable acquisition to the fire department. Now all the companies are equipped with motor-driven appar- atus owned by the city. In 1880 the chief engineer of the department was William B. Thomas, whose regular business was trucking. The assistant chief engineer was Peter McMullen, of the firm of McMullen & Osborn, who conducted a popular cafe on Bank street.
The companies then in existence were Niagara Engine Company No. 1 ; Nameaug Engine Company, No. 2; Relief No. 3, which had a hand engine and which was renamed the W. B. Thomas Hose Company ; and Konomoc Hose Company No. 4. For years an annual firemen's parade was held. It was the talked-of event of the year. Every uniform each company could obtain had to be filled on parade day, and generally was, even if non-mem- bers had to be drafted for the purpose. Each member was supposed to turn out or provide a substitute. The honor of having the largest number of men in line lay between the Nameaugs and Niagaras. All the company carriages were tastefully decorated with flowers and flags, each company vying with the other as far as its means permitted. Sometimes on the annual parade day there were contests in throwing streams of water and making
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quick hydrant connections, which created great interest. Visiting companies generally took part in the parade, and, with each company providing a band, the annual firemen's parade day was an occasion long remembered by the townspeople. William B. Thomas, Alonzo W. Sholes, Charles L. Ockford and John H. Brown were the popular chiefs of the departments at different periods during the past forty years, and headed the annual parades with their assistants, each carrying a silver trumpet under the left arm, the bell end filled with a huge bouquet of flowers. The present chief, John Stanners, has been head of the department about twenty-five years.
For years the New London Volunteer Department had to be reckoned with in politics. Whoever could get the vote of the firemen could be assured of election. Nameaug Company was once very powerful, and later Konomoc Company succeeded it in political strength. Naturally their favor was much sought. But as the firemen themselves, through jealousy of each other, finally split up into rival camps, their political influence became less potent in time, although even up to recent years some of the fire companies exerted con- siderable influence in party nominations and elections. In the old days a popular member of the fire department generally was able to defeat at the polls once more able to serve the public with distinction.
In recent years, the department, still on a volunteer basis and with the city providing social accompaniments, has taken on a more professional character, and each company has several paid members constantly on duty, ready to run out the apparatus upon call. Nor is the love of display as strong as in former times, so that the annual firemen's parade has long ceased to be a fixed custom.
Since 1881 there have been six chiefs of the Department: William B. Thomas. Thomas Riley, Alonzo W. Sholes, John H. Brown, Charles L. Ockford, John Stanners.
The present Department consists of one hook and ladder company, two engine companies and four hose companies. Personnel :
F. L. Allen Hook and Ladder Company-House, 243 Bank street, Fore- man, Thomas Grogan; First Assistant, Daniel McQueen ; Second Assistant, George Ryan ; Secretary, John Kane; Treasurer, Jeremiah Lyons.
Niagara Engine Company No. 1-House, 288 Bank street; Foreman, Charles R. Brown ; First Assistant, Clarence W. Thompson ; Second Assist- ant, Arthur R. Thompson; Secretary, Samuel M. Davidson; Treasurer, George H. Powers; Engineer, Joseph Hyde, Jr .; Fireman, Samuel C. Harris. Nameaug Engine Company No. 2-House, 26 Masonic street, near City Hall; Foreman, Elmer E. Allyn ; First Assistant, Charles C. Edwards ; Second Assistant, Victor Farrar ; Secretary, John C. Turner ; Treasurer, Elmer Allen. W. B. Thomas Hose Company No. 3-House, Rosemary, corner Cole street; Foreman, Manuel Martin; First Assistant, George Enos; Sec- ond Assistant, Richard Smith; Secretary, Charles A. Smith; Treasurer, Charles T. Chester.
Konomoc Hose Company No. 4-House, corner Union and State streets; Foreman, W. R. Pollock; First Assistant, James Nisson; Second Assistant, George West; Financial Secretary, Allen C. Richards; Recording Secretary, Daniel McCabe; Treasurer, William C. Fish.
C. C. Ockford Hose Company No. 5-House, 247 Shaw street ; Foreman, Robert B. Burdick; First Assistant, Frederick Rathbun; Second Assistant, Frank Sullivan; Secretary, Walter Peters; Treasurer, A. E. Drumm.
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Pequot Hose Company No. 6. Incorporated in 1906-House, 25 Lower Boulevard ; Foreman, E. T. Kirkland; First Assistant, Donald Bain; Second Assistant, Thomas Perkins; Third Assistant, John Pennell; Financial Secre- tary, Benjamin N. Pennell; Recording Secretary, William H. Corkey, Jr .; Treasurer, John A. Scott.
Northwest Hose Company No. 7-House on Brainard street; Foreman, Joseph H. Congdon ; First Assistant, Ralph Baker; Second Assistant, L. J. Allen ; Financial Secretary, William A. Slocum; Recording Secretary, Edwin B. Swadkins; Treasurer, Malcolm M. Scott.
The officers of the Department for 1921 were: Chief Engineer, John Stanners; First Assistant, Charles H. Rose; Second Assistant, Joseph W. Goldie.
New London is well equipped with a fire alarm telegraph system having fifty-two fire boxes widely distributed throughout the city, through which alarms are sent in to the Central Station. The Department has been well tested on many occasions, and has successfully fought some large confla- grations.
Groton has a fire company, Pioneer Hose Company No. I, with house on Pleasant street. The officers are: Chief, Herbert White; Assistant Chief, A. F. Hodgdon ; Foreman, James A. Stitt; First Assistant, William Harris; Second Assistant, William Lingner; Recording Secretary, James J. Doyle; Financial Secretary, Howard A. Edgecomb; Treasurer. Milton M. Baker.
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