USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of the Fire Department of the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1772-1890 > Part 11
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Meanwhile, along the wharves the flames made steady pro- gress, taking in their path all the buildings and their contents. Wilcox's lumber yard was now one dense mass of flame, and the condition of things at this time was appalling. But when the cargoes of oil stored in the vicinity of Richmond & Wilcox's wharf took fire, and the ship John & Edward, lying at the head of the dock, was absorbed in the destruction, the flames enveloping the entire vessel, and leaping upward to the top of the masts, the scene was one of awful impressive- ness. The oil, at this point, as it ran from the wharf into the dock, took fire, and at one time the water for some distance out into the dock was covered with burning oil, forming liter- erally a sea of fire. Several ships in this dock tied to the wharf had to be pushed out into the river in order to save them from destruction. At this juncture the writer took a boat and sculled up the river, through a sea of oil, for the vast numbers of oil casks had burst, and the contents ran into the river, covering it for a long distance to the depth of several inches.
The spectacle now presented was one of sublime grandeur. At the north, mountains of black smoke were rising, tinged at
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the lower edges, with the forked flames that rose from the burning oil, while in the foreground was the burning ship-at this moment in the last stage of destruction. At the south the burning lumber had reached its intensest heat, and solid masses of flame shot high into the heavens. In the intervening space were the standing chimneys, grim monuments of the frightful disaster, and the burning ruins of what but a few hours before had been hives of industry. Here and there might be seen groups of firemen at their work, defying the danger that beset them on every hand.
The houses on Second street were now in flames and the fire was spreading with fearful certainty to the north, promising to cut a path through the northwest section of the city ; and without doubt it would have done so but for the decision of the authorities to blow up the building on the northwest corner of Second and North streets. This was quickly accomplished, and the stunning explosion that was heard in every part of the city was the announcement to the affrighted citizens that dan- ger from that section was over. On the northwest corner of North Water and North streets were stored under seaweed 14,000 barrels of oil, valued at $200,000. To save this from destruction a number of citizens, armed with big brooms made of brush, thrashed out the burning cinders as they fell in great clouds. The fearful heat made this task almost unbearable, and yet pluckily they stood to the work and saved this large property. They were aided by the fire department who kept the seaweed wet.
The bursting of so many oil casks sent rivulets of oil in all directions, much of it into the river, much into every sunken spot, and ponds of pure spermaceti were formed in many di- rections. When the conflagration was under control the gathering of this oil became a lively business. Empty oil casks were at a premium and every sort of vessel that would hold liquid was brought into requisition. "Dipping ile " was a very profitable business and was well followed for a time,
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some persons getting as much as 40 barrels. It was subse- quently bought by the oil refining factories at about 25 cents a gallon.
At nightfall the fire had spent its fury and apprehensions of any further disaster were allayed. Several engines were at work all night playing upon the ruins.
When the Daly building on Second street was blown up, Chief Engineer Tillinghast P. Tompkins was struck on the head by a falling timber, that cut a terrible gash through the scalp. It was feared for a time that the accident would prove fatal, but Mr. Tompkins soon recovered. He still walks our streets, vigorous in mind, though scarcely capable of standing the fearful strain of an equal responsibility to the one of that dreadful day. He was ably assisted in the arduous duties of the day by his assistants, Messrs. John Mathews, Moses H. Bliss, George Hinckley and Thomas P. Swift. Our readers can understand how strong the wind was blowing, when I mention the fact that burning embers were found two miles away to the northwest.
An " oil dipper" fell off the floating logs at Beetle's spar yard and, as the oil was several inches deep on the surface of the water, he was pretty well " done in oil" before he could be slid to a place of safety.
Ships Illinois, Congaree and Cowper, lying in the docks, were slightly damaged by fire, but were towed out of danger by tugboat Spray. The occasional explosion of the bomb- lances was terrific and the reports were like those of artillery on the battle-field.
The following buildings were destroyed : William Wilcox's steam planing mill, loss $14,000, no insurance ; Thomas Booth's sash, door and blind manufactory, upper story, loss $1500, no insurance ; Ryder & Smith's building and spar yard, totally destroyed, loss $3000, no insurance ; Thomas Booth's carpenter shop, loss $1000 ; all these were on the east side of Water street. The flames now crossed the street and
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
burned Hayes & Co.'s mill for dressing staves, loss $2500, no insurance ; the second story was occupied by Charles and Ed- ward Bierstadt, turning and sawing shop, loss $1000, no insur- ance ; the building next north was Warren Hathaway & Son's,
JOHN MATHEWS. ( Assistant Engineer, 1857-187t. )
manufacturers of whaling apparatus, mincing machines, etc., loss $7000, insurance $2600; in the rear was a blacksmith shop, entirely destroyed. In these buildings was a large lot of bomb-lances that exploded during the progress of the fire,
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creating much alarm among the people ; next north, building occupied by Howland & Coggeshall, storage of casks ; second story, carpenter's shop, G. & C. Brownell, loss $400. The flames then attacked the lumber yard, sheds and buildings be- longing to Thomas Booth, loss $8000, no insurance ; John D. Hursell, paint shop, in upper story of building, loss $1200, no insurance. Next in order came the large three-story build- ing on the corner of North and Water streets, occupied by Nathaniel H. Nye, ship chandler ; second story, counting rooms of Messrs. Wilcox & Richmond, B. B. Howard, Ed- mund Maxfield, Russell Maxfield and David B. Kempton ; third story occupied by Charles Searell, rigger ; loss on build- ing $3000, Mr. Searell $500, no insurance. To the west of the machine shop of Messrs. Hathaway was the cooperage of Howland & Coggeshall. Their entire loss was $3000, no insur- surance. Near this were two other small dwellings that were destroyed.
The fire still continued to spread to the west. The engineers blew up the building on Second street at 1.30 o'clock belong- ing to Dennis Daly. This effectually stopped the fire from go- ing southerly. The next building destroyed north of Daly's was the house belonging to Stephen N. Potter, loss $3000, no insurance. Then came the large cooperage of Hayes & Co. It was entirely destroyed, loss $8000, no insurance. Following this a dwelling house owned by Wilcox & Richmond, loss $1200, no insurance. Next, southeast corner of Second and North streets, fish market of Gardner & Estes, loss $400, in- sured. The fire then extended to the west side of Second street and destroyed a dwelling owned by Mrs. Ezra Smith, loss $3000. Next, on the same side, a house on the southwest corner of North and Second streets, owned by D. R. Greene, loss $4000, insurance $2200. At 2 o'clock the engineers blew up the dwelling house of Mrs. Joseph Maxfield on northwest corner of North and Second streets, loss $1500.
The above, embracing about twenty buildings, were de-
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stroyed, and a large number of sheds, etc., and 8000 barrels of oil. The entire loss, as recorded in the books of the Board of Engineers was $254,575, with but $6975 insurance.
This was the most disastrous conflagration our city ever ex- perienced ; and what made it especially sad was that the loss fell with such terrible force upon a class of our most indus- trious and worthy citizens, many of whom saw all the hard earnings of years in a few hours entirely obliterated. Some not only lost their business, but their homes even were sacri- ficed in the great disaster.
Columbian Engine Co., No. 5, was in Newport on an ex- cursion when this fire took place.
Hardly had the embers died out before there came an imper- ative demand by the citizens for a more adequate protection of our city. The newspapers took up the appeal, and "steam " became the popular cry. The hand engine service fought the battle for all it was worth, but without avail ; the beginning of the end had come. The scoffs and jeers of the multitude of friends of the fire department under the old regime could not stay the tide of progress. The steam fire engine rolled into town one day, only a few months later. In less than a year fol- lowing its advent, the hand engines began, one after another, to go out of service, and the number of steam fire engines increased.
CHAPTER XI.
E have now reached the period ( 1860) when a new de- parture was made, and new methods introduced, that effectually overturned and displaced the service that had been held in high esteem, and around which had clustered the all- absorbing interest and public spirit of generations ; a service that had brought within its sphere the very best elements of our community. Admitting all the weaknesses and blemishes pe- culiar to the hand service, our citizens cannot but be proud of the record. Its history is the history of the personality of New Bedford. Mention the name of any citizen distinguished in his day for enterprise, business capacity, broad common sense, and sterling character, and the chances are more than even that his name will be found recorded among the firemen.
What changes have taken place since the primitive machine, built by Newsham, in London, in 1772, was brought to the village of Bedford! How amused we are to read of the Bucket Brigade ; but was it not equal to the demands of its day? Indeed, has not every improvemant been called into ex- istence by the peculiar demand of the age? Was not the ap- palling conflagration of Aug. 24, 1859, the voice that cried aloud for advance in protective methods? Did not steam come to the front from the imperative demand of the exigencies of that experience ?
In less than ten days after this awful calamity an order passed the city government-not without fierce opposition- for the purchase of the first steam fire engine, Onward, No. I. It was built by the famous Amoskeag Mfg. Co., of Manchester, N. H. ; it had rotary pumps and was equipped with the best inventions of its day, but would compare unfavorably with the machines of the present.
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A company was organized Jan. 2, 1860, as follows :
Foreman, Tilson B. Denham. First Assistant, William H. Sherman. Second Assistant, Gideon Wing. Clerk, Edward S. Taber.
Atwood Holmes, Robert T. Barker,
Joseph G. Dean,
Lewis C. Rodgers,
Ephraim Chaney,
Charles H. Wood,
Caleb T. Jenney,
Charles Burbank,
William Cook,
Thomas J. Gifford.
It was arranged, in case of fire, to use horses from the city stables. The steamer arrived in February and was placed in the brick building on the northeast corner of Pleasant street and Mechanic's lane.
But a few days following the arrival of the Onward, a fierce fire broke out on the northwest corner of Middle and North Second streets, burning Pollard & Myrick's cooperage and sev- eral other buildings, entailing a loss of $8400, with an insur- ance of $2200. The fire department responded with its usual promptness. Much interest was centered upon the Onward, which was worked for the first time. It was taken to Parker's wharf and, after some delay in furnishing leading hose, put a stream on the fire that soon made havoc with the flames and proved an eye-opener to many who had heretofore been preju- diced against the new invention. The service of the engine was powerful and steady, revealing to a marked degree the staying quality of its work when once in operation.
In October the following permanent organization was com- pleted and entered into regular service :
Foreman, William H. Sherman. First Assistant, Gideon Wing. Second Assistant, William Cook. Clerk, George Kempton. Engineer, Charles H. Wood. Hostler, Benj. F. King.
Thomas J. Gifford, Richard Bennett, Henry T. Southwick, T. M. Grew, J. S. Southwick, J. L. Luce,
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C. W. Brownell, T. D. Dexter, J. B. Tripp,
W. O. Sullivan, C. E. Doty. George G. Gifford,
Robert T. Barker.
On the afternoon of March 17 the first contest and trial be- tween hand and steam occurred. The Columbian, No. 5, built by Button, and Young Mechanic, No. 6, built by Jeffers, were selected to champion the hand engine service. The steamer Onward was stationed on the wharf at the foot of North street and drew water from the river. The two hand engines were placed at the corner of North and North Second streets. Two lines of hose, each of 500 feet length, were laid from the steamer, the open butts being placed in the hand en- gines. The latter played through Ig inch nozzles.
The preparations for the struggle had been made with great care, both companies striking hands in this competition to bring victory. Each appeared with a full complement of men, all imbued with an earnest desire to beat their common enemy. At the command of Chief Tompkins the steamer commenced work, the hose began to fill, and the water began to flow. The Columbian and Young Mechanic, with their brakes filled with their most athletic men, began to " break her down" in good earnest, and the contest was now under way. The streets were blocked in all directions with an immense crowd of people, all having an intense interest in the issue of the hour. The partisans of the Fives and Sixes for once united their voices in the common cause, and our readers may well imagine that matters were decidedly exciting. The steamer let on its power gradually until the fullest capacity was entered ; and such torrents of water flowed from the butts as to suggest a miniature Niagara broken loose. The boys, meanwhile were paying strict attention to business, and the rapidity of stroke increased. " Wake her ! Shake her !" was the cry. Wake and shake her they did to their utmost power. Could the steamer wash both engines? was the important question to be decided.
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The contest continued for 30 minutes without cessation. The result was that the Columbian was washed, and while the Young Mechanic once or twice drained the supply, yet the struggle was on the whole decidedly in favor of steam.
The next trial was to place the No. 6 on Purchase street, the steamer to be supplied through 1100 feet of hose, and the Young Mechanic to play through 500 feet and to use 14 inch nozzle.
Steamer and hand engine entered the contest with vigor, which resulted in the latter using up the supply several times and then calling for more. How the boys yelled with delight, threw their hats in the air, cheered each other, cheered them- selves, and made the welkin ring with their noisy demonstra- tions ! The Fives were as pleased as the Sixes, and the Sixes were wild with joy. After the trial they took their machine to the Pleasant street reservoir and played a stream above the church steeple. They cheered themselves hoarse and took their ma- chine home, proud of their achievements. The Columbians took their engine to the Fourth street reservoir and played three solid streams over Pierian Hall. This performance was deemed much more satisfactory than any previous trial. The Columbians rolled their machine home, more proud of it even than when it made such a splendid record in Salem. Both companies were deservedly proud of their engines. They were alike fine representatives of the best manufacturers in the land.
But let us turn our attention to the second ringing of the fire bell, and see what was the practical result of the contest be- tween hand and steam. We found that the Amoskeags had sent us an engine whose drawing and forcing powers were im- mense, surpassing anything ever shown before ; that under or- dinary demands it could furnish ample water supply from the river for two engines easily, and drive it to any part of the town ; that in doing this work it didn't get tired ; only give the engine plenty of food of the right sort, and it was good for an
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unlimited period of service. Our citizens saw a fire apparatus that, had it been available at the Kempton lumber-yard fire, would have furnished water in such quantity as to have saved enough property from destruction on that night alone to have paid for itself and all its equipments. They saw an en- gine that, could it have been in service at the Mechanics lane fire, would have without doubt kept the conflagration to the first four buildings destroyed. It was easy to see that this steamer would not require so large a force of men, and there- fore in its economical bearing the advantages were in its favor. Slowly but certainly the conviction fastened itself upon the community that this new method of dealing with the fire fiend was to be the method of the future. Before many months passed the boys themselves began to read the hand-writing on the wall.
It is a significant fact that from the year 1860, when steam entered the city, we have had no extensive conflagrations within our limits. The experiences of 1859 have never been repeated. Fierce fires have occurred, but they have been in almost all cases confined to the limits of one or two buildings. I do not overlook the Wall street fire April 1, 1887, when Kirby's paint mill was destroyed, when I make this statement. There never was a grander exhibition of the power of steam than at that wild conflagration.
June 6, 1860, occurred a stubborn and scorching fire in Na- than Chase's building, 141 Union street, extending northeast to building on Purchase street, occupied by Thomas C. Allen, and Little & Allen.
Nov. 5, 1860, the building on the corner of Union and Pur- chase streets, occupied by Thornton & Gerrish, was partially burned. Loss, $3000.
May 21, 1860, Philadelphia Engine Co., No. 7, was dis- banded by the City Government, and the machine withdrawn from service. It was also ordered that the Columbian, No. 5, should be removed to the house on Fourth street, vacated by
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
the Philadelphia. The company did not relish this action, and on the evening of Sept. 24th voted to disband.
The Board of Engineers proposed to use the Central House for the steamers, arranged to remove Young Mechanic, No. 6, to the north of Maxfield street on Purchase, to the house of Ohio, No. 3, and also to change its name. The latter was not done, but the company disbanded Oct. Ist.
While speaking of the hand-engines I will relate a true story regarding one of our old machines. In the days of the excite- ment following the gold discovery in California in IS49, many of our citizens joined the great army that went from all sec- tions of the country to the Land of Gold. I well remember a meeting of a party of these adventurous spirits being held in my father's cooper shop on Sixth street, one summer evening, to make their arrangements to go on the voyage round the Horn in the ship Pleiades. What wonderful stories they told of that marvellous country ; what visions of wealth possessed the whole party ; how easily fortunes were to be realized. As I listened to the discussion, my youthful imagination pictured their return laden with nuggets of gold as big as pumpkins. It was easy to believe that the casks they were to fill with bread and meat, and the boxes packed with mining utensils, would be returned filled with sparkling gold. How I wished that I were a man, that I might join the expedition ! Somehow my imagination didn't include a long, tedious voyage, dreadful sea- sickness, privations and want, bitter disappointment at the last, and heart-sickness, that brought many of these brave men to a final resting-place on the Pacific slope. No, I thought only of a pleasant voyage, smooth seas, piles of gold strewn by the way- side, a few months away from home, then to return loaded down with riches. I doubt whether my boyish fancies were much wilder than those of the men who gathered that evening in the old cooper shop. But I started out to tell a story. One evening a fire broke out in the then primitive city of San Fran- cisco, and as every man in those days was bound to perform
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the duties of a fireman, a citizen who was from New Bedford rushed out of his house and took his place on the brakes of a little hand-engine that had found its way from the Atlantic coast. After a long spell at the work it occurred to him that the working of the machine seemed familiar, and as the flames from the conflagration would occasionally lighten up the streets, it dawned upon him that he had seen the engine before. His curiosity prompted him to leave the brakes and look at the en- gine. What was his pleasant surprise to read on the tower " Phænix, No. 4." Our old machine with its tail cut off, just as it had been when a part of the New Bedford Fire Depart- ment ; and he had been a member of the company before he left home. For Auld Lang Syne, he took his place again at the brakes and rather surprised his companions with the vim he put into his work for a while. It was like meeting an old friend.
The disbandment of these companies practically closed the interesting career of the hand-engine service. New compa- nies were formed in their new locations for the Nos. 5 and 6. I give the full roll of membership when organized. With Nos. 10 and 11, they continued in commission for a few years, but were retired when the steam force became sufficiently strong to protect the city.
COLUMBIAN ENGINE Co., No. 5. (Fourth street.)
Foreman, Lysander W. Davis. First Assistant, Allen Almy. Second Assistant, John Colwell. Clerk, Charles H. Bisbee.
Sylvester Paul, George W. Hunt,
John W. Footman,
Clarfaus Vansant,
Alfred Weaver,
Edward Dugan, James H. Hood,
Charles Brightman,
Daniel Pollock,
Rufus Randall, John E. Brown,
Patrick McDonald,
Patrick Carroll, Luther S. Brownell, William P. Howland, Charles Thomas,
Barney Kenney,
Charles Parker,
Robert C. Topham,
Frederick B. Davis,
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Isaac H. Barrows,
Nathan Brooks,
George M. Ennis,
Lewis H. Cable,
John W. Ennis,
Edward Cavanagh,
Davis Standish,
John Duffy,
Peter Gobell,
Hugh McDonald,
Richmond M. Taber,
Joseph Vincent,
Patrick Murphy, Jesse V. Lake.
The company continued in active service until June 19, 1866, when it was disbanded. The engine was afterwards sold, and is now in Galesburg, Ill.
YOUNG MECHANIC ENGINE Co., No. 6. (Purchase street, north of Maxfield.)
Foreman, George W. Paine.
First Assistant, John A. Gifford.
Second Assistant, William H. Dammon.
Third Assistant, Job H. Gifford. Clerk, George P. Reed.
Alexander C. James,
Stephen E. Parker,
Robert Allan,
Robert McKay,
Alonzo Whitney,
Corban B. Lucas,
Joseph Haffords,
S. E. Gabriel,
Isaac Jennings,
Henry Watson,
James Thompson,
James Chase,
Charles H. Booth,
Fred. A. Mickel,
Edward J. Thomas,
Samuel H. Mitchell,
J. H. Wilcox,
A. McDonald.
George T. Haskins,
James L. Warren,
Gideon L. Taber,
Palmer Brown,
Ephraim G. Kempton,
David D. Almy,
Andrew Donahue,
Thomas L. Bryant,
Nathaniel Baker, Jr.,
Samuel Barker,
John Clemons,
Michael Sheehy,
William T. King,
James Duddy,
Clark Leavitt,
Benjamin Hillman,
William Gifford,
William James,
James G. Harding,
Philip Tripp,
Philip H. King,
Henry B. Almy,
Thomas S. Pierce,
Robert Nelson,
Sabin P. Chamberlain,
Davis Kelley,
Cyrus Taber,
John Sawyer,
Bradford Sherman.
The new organization continued in service till Feb. 1, 1866, when the company was disbanded by the Board of Engineers,
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and the Mechanic taken out of commission. It was soon after sold to the town of Middleborough, and at the present time is owned in Mattapoisett.
Progress Steam Fire Engine, No. 2, was soon ordered, and a company was organized Oct. 27, 1860, as follows :
Foreman, Joseph Hammond. First Assistant, James Dwyer.
Second Assistant, Francis Currier.
Clerk, Leonard B. Ellis.
Engineer, Lewis Rogers.
Fireman, David W. Howland.
Hostler, Charles F. Allen.
Driver, George W. Jenkins.
Torchmen, Stephen Hammond, John Fuller.
John E. Brown, Charles A. Washburn,
Martin J. Lewis, Benjamin F. Lewis, Warren W. Parker,
William P. Sowle,
James P. Prior.
The Onward and Progress were placed in full commission- in the Central engine-house-at the close of the year 1860, and the beginning of the age of steam commenced. Its growth was rapid and but few years elapsed before the force was ample to protect the city thoroughly in any emergency. The remnants of the hand service soon disappeared and van- ished forever. But for the presence of Hancock, No. 9, in our Fourth of July processions, the present generation would have little to remind them of that most interesting period in our local history, when the hand engine service was in its greatest glory.
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