USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1873 > Part 15
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4. No person shall suffer any horse, ox, cow, grazing animal or fowl belonging to him, or under his care or keeping, to go at large on any Public Square or Common in said City.
5. No person shall dig up, cut down, climb, break, peel, cut, deface, injure, or destroy any Ornamental or Shade Tree, Shrub or Vine, grow- ing and being in any of the streets or highways, or in any of the Public Lands of said City, without the consent of the Commissioners of Public Grounds first obtained therefor in writing.
6. No person shall tie or fasten any horse, ox, mule or team of any kind to any Ornamental or Shade Tree, Shrub or Vine, or to any fence or other thing erected for the protection of such Tree, Shrub, or Vine, in any street, highway, or public place in said City.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER
OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CHIEF ENGINEER'S OFFCE, WORCESTER, January 5th, 1874.
To the Honorable the Mayor, and City Council :
GENTLEMEN .- Herewith, in accordance with section eleventh of the ordinance establishing the Fire Department, the Board of En- gineers have the honor to submit for your consideration, the annual report of this department for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1873, showing the condition of the Department under our charge. Annexed thereto will be found a list of the officers and members of the Department; also the number of fires that have occurred during the year, with the losses and insurance on the same ; together with the condition of the Engine Houses and apparatus belonging to the City ; the location and numbers of the Fire Alarm Signal Stations ; also the expense of maintaining the Department, with such suggestions as would, in our opinion, tend to improve and render more efficient the working of the same. And in this con- nection the Board are happy to state that, upon proper represen- tation, your assistance and co-operation has always been promptly and cheerfully rendered in aiding them in the discharge of their duties, and for which the Board desire to tender their sincere thanks.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 28.
MANUAL FORCE.
The manual force of the Department consists of a Chief and four (4) Assistant Engineers, fifty (50) members of Steamer Com- panies, including drivers, and seventy-two (72) hosemen of hose companies, including drivers ; forty-one (41) members of hook and ladder companies, including drivers; six (6) members of the Babcock Extinguisher company : making a total of one hundred and seventy-four men (174). In addition to the regular force of the Department, there is a volunteer hose company at Grant Square that would render efficient service in case of fire in that vicinity.
It would be difficult for this Board to speak too highly of the zeal and efficiency displayed by the officers and members of the Department as a body, in the work they have so generously un- dertaken, and this Board are pleased to note a constant improve- ment in the matter of discipline, without which no organization of this character can be efficient ; and although the Department, as it stands to-day, is all that can be expected, still there is room for improvement, and improvement is demanded by the rapid and constant growth of our City, and the corresponding increase of danger from fires. The services of a good fireman can scarcely be overrated; his duty is never done. Upon reaching a fire what is in store for him ? He is expected to mount a ladder, en- ter a window, and there find himself confronted with flames, and stifled with smoke. There he stands with the hose pipe in his hands, directing a powerful stream from our steam engines or hydrants on the flames, which require strength and fortitude to manage. The firemen of this City are justly entitled to the highest praise for their efficiency and cheerful compliance with all orders, and their prompt response to the call of duty. It is gratifying to report that between the several companies comprising this De- partment a general good feeling exists. A healthy enthusiasm being developed into a generous rivalry, which only needs to be led in the right channel to make them fully equal to any similar body of men in any organization. The increase of our City in its area, population and magnitude of its buildings, has led to the „consideration of additional fire apparatus by the Committee on
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Fire Department and Board of Engineers, believing that an . ample, thoroughly organized and well equipped Fire Department is an imperative necessity. And the Board desire to call your attention to the necessity of procuring another hook and ladder carriage, to be placed in the new house nearly completed on Pleasant street ; the Board would also recommend that a new house be built in the vicinity of John street, for a hose company, and the "Babcock Extinguisher," which is in that locality, be brought to the centre of the City, where it can be used at all fires if necessary, and excessive loss by water avoided.
THE CONDITION OF ENGINE HOUSES.
The engine houses generally are in good order, although in some of them much remains to be done to make them more comfortable for the members. The headquarters of the Department in Bigelow Court having undergone alterations and improvements, was completed and occupied last March, and is found to answer admirably the purpose intended. It is occupied by the Board of Engineers, the Battery and machinery of the Fire Alarm Telegraph ; Gov. Lincoln Steamer No. 1, and Hook and Ladder No. 1, and horses for drawing the above apparatus. The building is warmed by steam from a boiler in the cellar, and contains, in addition to the above, a work-room and store-room, bedrooms and bath-rooms, all furnished for the comfort of the men occupying them.
The house of "Col. Davis" Steamer Company No. 2, on Bea- con street, is in good order, with the exception of the floor of the engine room, which is composed of stone, and it makes the house cold and damp and rusts the apparatus kept there; and this Board would suggest that a good plank floor be substituted. These remarks apply also to the house on School street, occupied by Steamer Company No. 3 and City Hose No. 1, that being in the same condition.
The House of Ocean Hose Company No. 2, on Bloomingdale street, is built on land owned by the B. & A. R. R. Corporation, and will, in all probability, have to be removed shortly. In view
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 28.
of this fact, the Board of Engineers would recommend that a suitable location be found in that vicinity if possible, at an early day.
The house of Hose Co. No. 4, on Exchange street, has no con- venience for members sleeping there. Their beds have to be in their meeting room, and as that is small, it is overcrowded; and this Board would recommend that this house be raised one story, thus giving much better sleeping accommodations for the members. This house has a stone floor also, which should be taken out and replaced by a good plank one.
In the house of Hose Co. No. 5, on Myrtle street, all the waste water from washing hose has run into the cellar, leaving it in a filthy and damp condition ; but that difficulty has been obviated by entering the sewer on Myrtle street, and it is very necessary that the cellar be partly filled up with good gravel, to prevent the disagreeable stench that arises from it. For some time past this house has been used for a wardroom at State and municipal elections for Ward 6, and if a fire should occur at that time it would seriously interfere with the duties of the Company ; and this Board would call your earnest attention to this matter.
During the past year contracts were made for the building of two new houses for the Department, one on Lamartine street and the other on Pleasant street. They are designed for the ac- commodation of a Steamer, Hook and Ladder carriage, and a Hose carriage in each, and stall room for horses to draw them.
The house on Lamartine street has a large room in it, for a Ward room for the citizens of Ward 5.
HOSE.
There is now in the Department twelve thousand five hundred feet (12,500) of leather hose, ten thousand feet (10,000) of which is in good condition, and the rest in fair condition. We have also, one thousand six hundred feet (1,600) of carbolized rubber hose, which is coming into general use in nearly all the large cities, the greatest objection to it being its weight, one hundred and forty pounds (140) per hundred (100) feet. For durability it cannot be excelled by any other kind manufactured. We have one thou-
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sand five hundred and fifty feet (1,550) of Clark's rubber lined linen hose, purchased of C. Foster & Co., a part of which has done fair service thus far, but seven hundred and fifty feet (750) of it is nearly worthless, which was warranted to equal any other manufactured of the same kind. Seven hundred and fifty feet (750) which was purchased of the New England Linen Hose Company, of Boston, has proved satisfactory.
Our facilities for taking care of hose is but limited ; the result is that it does not always have that care which its importance de- mands. In most cities there is connected with the department, (usually the basement of some engine house) in which there is a large tank and a plentiful supply of water, by which the hose can be cleansed with readiness and then properly dried. A place of that kind would be quite an acquisition to this department. The hose in the department is in much better condition than formerly, but, notwithstanding, the Board deem it not only advisable but necessary that quite a quantity should be purchased, as there are two (2) new companies to be put into service very shortly.
WATER.
During the past year a new High Service pipe has been laid, and twenty-five (25) hydrants set, greatly relieving the fire risk, in the following locations : Winthrop street, Providence street, Union avenue, Patterson street, Harrison street, Coral street, , Penn avenue, Ætna street, Wilmot street, Shelby street, Farrell street, Belmont street, Elizabeth street, Catharine street, Chan- ning street, Harrington avenue, Winchester street, and West- minster street. The average water pressure in these locali- ties is ninety pounds (90) at the present time. This Board would recommend that a branch pipe be laid from the high service ex- tending on to Norfolk st. Should a fire occur between Bloom- ingdale road and Norfolk st., the lack of water in that vicinity would render this Department powerless for service.
A connection has been made at the junction of Southbridge and Cambridge streets, increasing the pressure throughout the City twenty per cent. This much needed element for our securi- ty from fires, is being furnished in ample quantity by the Water
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Committee. They have added to the former number of hydrants the past year thirty-five (35), making a total of four hundred and sixty-two (462). Thus overcoming the greatest obstacle to effi- ciency, in the efforts of the Department to protect the property of our citizens from destruction by fire, hitherto experienced by an inadequate supply of water for that purpose. The Board of Engineers desire to express their thanks to Mr. Frank E. Hall, Water Commissioner, for the valuable aid rendered at all fires, and the careful attention given to the wants of this Department.
HORSES.
The City now own and have in service eleven horses (11) in this Department. Three (3) are attached to steamer No. 1, two (2) on Hook and Ladder No. 1, three (3) on Steamer No. 2, and one (1) on Steamer No. 3 Hose Carriage, and is used for doing necessary trucking and for work on telegraph line. The board of Engineers have endeavored in this as well as in all other property of the Department, to make such improvements as were found absolutely necessary to keep it up to a proper standard of efficiency. Therefore one (1) disabled horse has been sold for the sum of $100, and the money has been paid into the City Treasury, and another one was purchased for $275 to take his place ; and one (1) was bought for Steamer 3 Hose Carriage and also to be used for other purposes. This Board would recommend that horses be purchased to draw Steamer No. 3. There is land enough with the house on which a barn could be built. The great advantage to the City of owning all the horses used in the Department, is well illustrated the past year.
The horses of this Department earned and have been credited with 1,5526% dollars by the highway Department ; 2351601% dol- lars more than it has cost to keep them the entire year. The Board would, in view of these facts, which they now lay before you, ask you to consider the propriety of procuring horses to draw the hose carriages, said horses to be at all times kept in readiness to be attached to the carriages in as short a time as pos- sible upon the sounding of an alarm. The Board are happy to say that the drivers who have charge of the horses deserve credit for the care and handling and protection of them.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
The telegraph continues to work satisfactorily under the dis- creet and careful management of Mr. William Brophy. The Board are of the opinion that the telegraph pays for its main- tenance yearly, as a large force is held in reserve in their houses, thus saving a great expense in the wear and tear of apparatus. Our exemption from disastrous losses is largely due to the use of the telegraph, and the prompt response to all alarms by the.men in charge of the different apparatus. It would seem almost impossible that a fire, excepting under extraordinary circum- stances, could make any great progress before the Department could be brought into service.
The fire alarm bell on Pleasant street does not give such satis- faction as was anticipated, and a heavier striker is being made to be attached to it, when we hope for a better result. The City have the guarantee of the manufacturer of the bell that it shall be made satisfactory.
FIREMEN AND INSURANCE.
The improvements which have been made during the past few years in the apparatus for extinguishing fires, are quite as won- derful as in any department of the mechanical arts. The old fashioned hand engines have been sent into the country to keep company with the stage coaches. The bell ringer has been super- seded by the Electrician, and the painted leather buckets which adorned the halls of fire engine companies, have given place to chemical fire extinguishers ; but with all these advantages in the application of steam, electricity and the chemical forces, the newspapers still report extensive conflagrations.
The Board of Engineers are of the opinion that in all danger- ous localities, and especially where risks are extra hazardous, it would be well for insurance companies to consult the heads of Fire Departments, whose duty it is to look into and prepare for all emergencies in case of fire, thereby enabling them to equalize more fully the rates of insurance, and in many instances saving large amounts to the insurers ; and this Board are further of the
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 28.
opinion that numerous incendiary fires occur in this and other cities, that might be prevented by the co-operation of the two departments, and a much safer business to insurance companies secured.
The large cities have grown up without any restrictions in re- gard to the construction of buildings, and it is within the last half-dozen years only, that Municipal Governments have consid- ered that they had any concern in the matter, since the insurance officers have taken everything under their protection, from a granite warehouse to a lady's wardrobe, and paid Fire Depart- ments have been organized, the sense of personal responsibility in the protection of property from fire no longer exists. This is seen in the reckless manner of constructing buildings, and in the general neglect of all precautionary measures. In view of the above facts, this Board would recommend that an " Ordinance " be framed, as far as possible, to remove the existing evil. The duties of an Engineer of a Fire Department are most difficult ; they require the utmost coolness and a ready conception. Even the heads of an army have some time to concert their plan of operations. But not so at a fire ; their conception must be in- stantaneous, and execution follow as promptly ; and an Engineer to succeed must lead his men - must say " come, " and a Wor- cester fireman will never fail such a leader.
STEAMERS.
Gov. Lincoln Steam Fire Engine No. 1.
This engine was built by Silsby & Mynders, of Seneca Falls, N. Y. It has Holly's patent rotary engine and pump, and has been in service since 1860. It is capable of throwing six hun- dred gallons (600) of water per minute, at a fair working pres- sure. It is now kept as a relief engine.
Gov. Lincoln Steam Fire Engine No. 1.
Located in Bigelow court. This engine was built by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Co., of Manchester, N. H., and de- livered to this department last February, It is a double recipro-
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
cating vertical engine, with 2 steam cylinders 75 inches in diameter, and 8 inch stroke ; pump, 42 inches in diameter, and 8 inch stroke. At a fair working speed it will deliver six hun- dred gallons (600) of water per minute. The boiler is vertical, 32 inches in diameter, 66 inches long, and contains 301 brass tubes, 18 inches long and 14 inches diameter. Weight of en- gine as drawn to a fire, about 7,300 pounds.
Col. Davis Steam Fire Engine No. 2.
Situated on Beacon street. This engine was built by H. C. Silsby & Co,, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1863, and was put in service in June of that year. It will throw, at a fair working pressure, about five hundred (500) gallons of water per minute. It has Holly's patent rotary engine and pump, and is in good condition, and will require no considerable outlay for some time to come. The weight of this engine when drawn to a fire is about 7,200 pounds.
A. B. Lovell Steam Fire Engine No. 3.
Situated on School street. This engine was built by H. C. Silsby & Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1867. It has Holly's rotary engine and pump, and is a most decided improvement over the other made for the city by the above firm, having cost scarcely. anything for repairs since its introduction here. In fact, it has given the best of satisfaction. It will throw about five hundred (500) gallons of water per minute, at a fair work- ing pressure ; and weighs, when going to a fire, about 7,200 pounds.
Rapid Steam Fire Engine No. 4.
This engine was built by the Silsby Manufacturing Co., of Seneca Falls, N. Y. . The engine and pump is Holly's direct acting rotary, with steel shafts and bronze metal bearings, mounted on a wrought iron frame, the pump having discharge gates for two (2) streams. A donkey engine is attached to the machine, by which the boiler can be fed with water, independent of both the main and feed pumps, and with which the boiler can
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 28.
be continually fed, when the engine is not running. The boiler is the improved circulating tubular, 30 inches in diameter, and 68 inches high. This engine is third-class in size, and is capa- ble of throwing five hundred gallons (500) of water per minute, at a fair working speed, Weight of engine, when drawn to a fire, about 5,500 pounds.
OUTSIDE AID RENDERED.
The department has been called upon twice during the past year to render assistance to our neighbors. February 5th, a tel- egram was received from Chief Engineer Lombard, of Spring- field, asking for help. In response to the request, Steamers 1 and 3 were immediately dispatched there, under command of Engineers Day and Knowles, who rendered good and valuable services in extinguishing the fire, for which the following was received at this office :
SPRINGFIELD, Feb. 10, 1873.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Ordered :
That the thanks of the City Council be, and are hereby tendered to the Fire Department of the city of Worcester, for their prompt response to the call of our Chief Engineer, and their efficient aid, upon the occasion of the fire in this city on the 5th instant.
Signed.
A. E. FOLSOM, Clerk.
June 17th a telegram was received from the Chief Engineer of Westborough, asking for aid. Steamer No. 1 and Hose No. 2 were dispatched, under command of Engineers Brophy and Knowles. In twenty-three minutes (23) after they left this city, a dispatch was received from the Chief Engineer, that they were at work, playing through three thousand (3,000) feet of hose, and doing good execution in extinguishing the fire, and for which this Department received the hearty thanks of the town of Westborough.
FIRES AND PREVENTIONS.
While the past year is marked by many disastrous fires in nearly every city in the Union, Worcester has been singularly exempt from this misfortune. Reference to the exhibit of losses
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
will show that our city has suffered less from this cause than al- most any city of corresponding size in the country. The De- partment has been called out by alarms of fire sixty-three (63) times. The total value of property destroyed is $51,910, and the amount of insurance paid on the same, $48,510, leaving a loss over insurance, $3,400, an exceeding small loss, when we consider the number of alarms, and a majority of them working fires, the city has reason to feel proud of an efficient Fire De- partment.
For a complete and accurate statement of the losses by fire, and the amount of insurance, we refer you to the tabular state- ment accompanying this report.
This Board would congratulate your Honorable Body, and citizens generally, upon our exemption from the great calamity . which has fallen upon so many of our cities and towns, by dis- astrous conflagrations of recent occurrence ; and as no human intelligence can foresee how long we may escape the ravages of the devouring element, it becomes all good citizens to do their duty, and aid the constituted authorities in preparation and the establishment of safeguards for such protection as our judgment and experience shall suggest. With this view we have prepared the following list of some of the causes of fires, which, if favor- ably considered by your Honorable Body, and printed on slips of paper, could be distributed in every household at a trifling expense, and if observed by our citizens, would undoubtedly give an increased measure of security from fire, as some of them will be found prominent among the recorded causes of fires in other cities ; the following are our suggestions :
Keep matches in metal boxes and out of the reach of children ; wax matches are especially dangerous, and should be kept safe from rats and mice. Fill your lamps only during daylight, and never near a fire. Do not deposit coal or wood ashes in wooden vessels or boxes, but in some incombustible material, and be sure that burning cinders are extinguished before being deposited. Never deposit ashes or place a light under a staircase. Never take a light to examine a gas meter or gas pipe inside of a building. Be careful never to place gas lights or lighted lamps near curtains or other drapery. Never take a light into a closet where com-
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bustible material is stored. Do not read or smoke when in bed, by either lamp or candle light. Place glass shades over gas lights in show windows, and do not crowd goods too near them. No smoking should be permitted in warehouses or stables, espe- cially in those where goods are packed or cotton goods stored. When furnaces are used, the principal register should be secured at the required width at the opening. Stove pipes should be at least four inches from woodwork. All hatchways and openings in the floors of stores, factories and warehouses, should be closed at night, and all communicating iron doors between stores should be closed at night and when not required for business.
To the above enumerated and apparently trivial causes, seventy-five per cent. of all the great conflagrations which have visited the principal cities of our country, have been traced, according to published statistics on this subject.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, this Board would do themselves an injustice, did they not avail themselves of this opportunity to express their sincere thanks to the officers and members of the entire Depart- ment, for the prompt and efficient manner in which they have, on every occasion, responded to the call of duty. To their bravery and quickness of action, with strict obedience to orders, this Board give full credit for our success in conquering at the start, what bid fair to be some of the worst fires we have ever had in this city ; and we feel proud to say, that in its active working firemen, men who dare to take their lives in their hands and battle with the fire fiend under any and all circumstances, Worcester was never so well protected as at the present time.
To the Police Department this Board would tender theirthanks, for their successful efforts to prevent misunderstanding between the two departments, and for the cheerful and valuable assistance rendered in preserving and protecting property at fires, and promptness in giving alarms.
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