USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1875 > Part 10
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After a serious conflagration, the citizens and authorities, wise, and sometimes otherwise, will have a scape-goat upon whom to attach all blame ; and the best and most ready one is the Chief Engineer. At such times almost every one stands ready to condemn the officers of the Department. But we must say that the burlesque and most ridiculous side of it is when we have side- walk loafers and petty officials telling what should have been done, when not one of them understands the first principles of a fire, or the discipline of a volunteer fire company.
For the complete and accurate statement of losses by fire, and the amount of insurance, we refer you to the tabular statement accompanying this report.
HORSES.
The Department is at present well equipped with horses. The number in the Department is 12. Three are attached to steamer No. 1, three to steamer No. 2, one to steamer No. 3 hose car- riage, two on hook and ladder No. 1, one on hose 6, one on hose 7, and one on the extinguisher. One has been purchased the past year, and one has been exchanged in consequence of his getting disabled last season in going to a fire in Leicester. Their general health has been excellent, and in the absence of any prevalent disease the good condition of the horses is mainly due to the good care on the part of those having them in charge.
160
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
Horses employed in fire departments should have qualities not particularly necessary for them to have in other kinds of work, and it is oftentimes difficult to select creatures that are docile and strong, and favored with speed. Perhaps there is no kind of work in which horses are engaged which require so many good traits that are necessary in horses used in fire departments. Their work comes suddenly upon them-in sunshine or storm, in day- light or darkness,-and they must start off with a dash and speed which most horses would revolt against or sink under. The excellent treatment at the hands of careful drivers has made the horses of this Department docile and faithful creatures, and it has only been requisite to make changes when physical disability has prevented the prompt response to duty. A horse which could work in a cart or wagon, requiring but a slow rate of speed, could not work in the Fire Department, where a quick response would be the saving of thousands of dollars worth of property. This important branch of the Department receives, as it deserves, constant attention.
HOUSES.
The houses, generally, are in good repair, although a moderate ontlay will be required during the coming year to keep them in good condition. It is the intention of the Board to detail the permanent men of the Department to make all needed repairs, when it can be done without weakening their efficiency in their several stations. It is but right that the city should have the benefit of their skill when occasion requires. The head-quarters of the Department is in good repair. The stone floor has been removed the past year and a good plank one substituted, giving the house a more cheerful appearance, and it will be much better for the apparatus stored there.
This house is occupied by the Board of Engineers, the battery and machinery of the Fire Alarm Telegraph ; the Governor Lin- coln Steamer No. 1, and Hook and Ladder No. 1, and the horses for drawing the same. The building is warmed by steam, from
161
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
a boiler in the cellar. In addition, it contains a work and store- room, bed rooms and bath-rooms, furnished for the men occupy- ing them.
The house of S. E. Combs Steamer Co. No. 2 is in good condition. The bath-room has been piped for hot water the past year, making it comfortable for the men sleeping there. This house contains 3 bed rooms, and 5 stalls for the horses, all in good condition.
The house of A. B. Lovell Steamer Co. No. 3 has, the past year, been greatly improved. The stone floor has been removed and a good plank one substituted. A bed room and bath-room has been added and piped for hot water. These remarks apply also to City Hose Co. No. 1, which has been supplied with the same additions, much to the satisfaction of both companies. The addition of a stable should be made at an early day, as their house is in a central locality.
The house of Hose Co. No. 4 has received the attention that was very much needed. The stone floor has been removed and one story added to the building, for the purpose of making more room for a hall and bath-room. The bath-room is piped for hot water, and it will not require any extensive repairs for some time to come.
The houses of Hose 2 and 5 should be so altered as to give better sleeping accommodations. They should also be supplied with bath-rooms. The houses of Hose 7 and the Babcock Ex- tinguisher have been piped for hot water for their bathing-rooms. Every engine house in the city should be supplied with bathing- rooms. Some of our citizens may charge this as extravagance on the part of the officers of the Department. We will state that the city furnishes good beds and chairs, and a cheap carpet for their sleeping-rooms ; and if the company desire a better outfit they make up an additional sum, either by the liberality of their friends or, as some have done, by giving a public enter- tainment, the profits of which are added to the amount furnished by the city.
No thoughtful citizen will object to the expense necessary to make comfortable the homes of these constant guardians of our lives and property. Day and night are these faithful men
22
162
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
required to be at their post, and at the tap of the bell fearlessly expose themselves to the danger of personal injury after battling for hours against the devouring clement, in Winter with their clothing frequently frozen to their persons, it is no more than humanity and justice demands that, when they return from their arduous duties, they have comfortable quarters, where they can enjoy the luxury of a bath and much-needed rest.
THE FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
This association, composed of members of the Fire Depart- ment, was organized in June, 1874, for the purpose of affording relief to such members as shall receive injuries while in the discharge of their duties, or become sick from the exposure incident to such fatiguing labor. The association has received contributions from kind-hearted citizens, and has been enabled to render relief to its members. The funds of the Association are deposited in the People's Savings Bank. The number of accidents during the past year has been small. No lives have been lost at any fire, though the men have exposed themselves freely when occasion required. The officers of the association are as follows : President, S. E. Combs ; Vice-President, Wm. Brophy ; Secretary, Samuel H. Day ; Treasurer, J. W. Loring ; Trustees, William Knowles, Charles Allen, M. C. Viall, John Jacques, Edwin Fisher, G. N. Rawson, H. Williamson, C. A. Humes, Samuel F. Shepard, Geo. S. Coleman, George F. McKnight, P. M. Church, Jeremiah Hennessy and George Hartwell.
No feature of a Fire Department is more worthy of com- mendation than a properly conducted and well endowed charita- ble association ; and the Board of Engineers, in behalf of its members, return their thanks to those citizens who have aided them, and would commend the association to the favorable consideration of all.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
1
The Fire Alarm has worked satisfactorily the past year, and
163
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
is in thorough working order, and, under its efficient superin- tendent, has performed its important part to our entire satis- faction, and added no little to the dispatch of the Department to the scene of action. In cities where an electric fire alarm is maintained it is noticeable that firemen aspire to a higher stand- ard than in communities not possessed of such advantages. The fact that each company and every citizen has instantaneous notice of the breaking out of a fire and of its positive location, is of itself a guarantee that one whose duty it is to assist in staying the destroyer, will exert himself with all possible expe- dition ; and herein is exemplified the beauty of a system which, by its perfect adaptation to the labor required of it, saves millions of dollars of property annually. This prompt means of knowing the exact location of a fire cannot be over-estimated. The people who are assessed for the general expenditures of the city demand that their property be protected ; and it would seem that all localities should receive the same benefits and pro- tection it affords. We would, therefore, recommend that addi- tional alarm boxes be purchased and put up in any neighborhood where it may appear absolutely requisite. They should be placed-corner of Cambridge and Millbury Streets ; at Valley Falls; corner of Woodland and Chandler Streets; near the Highland Military School ; corner of North and Prescott Streets, and at the corner of Bloomingdale and Suffolk Streets.
Mr. Joseph Bird having made the remarkable discovery that a small fire does not require a large quantity of water to quench, is sanguine in the opinion that small force pumps are handy to have around whenever miniature conflagrations are liable to occur. So wonderful does the discovery seem to him, and so strong is his faith in little pumps, that he has written many communications to the newspapers, and has, of course, obtained the endorsement of his friends for his pet notion. While nobody doubts the efficiency of his plan for putting out " sparks," yet there are some people who can but smile at the gentleman's enthusiasm in behalf of his little pumps. The idea of having fires extinguished before they get under much headway is a good one, and Mr. Bird may be worthy of immortality for his
164
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
brilliant conception. Why did he not, while he was about it, evolve from his brain the fact that it would be better still not to have any fires at all, and thus do away with the necessity for fire apparatus. The fires which trouble cities and towns are those which get well a-going, not little " catches," which may be pinched out. Pocket force pumps and extinguishers are better to talk about than for actual service. In one of the com- munications above referred to, Mr. Bird endeavored to hold up to ridicule what he termed the " Worcester idea." There is but one particle of truth in it, and that is that it is a " Worcester idea," and we have no reason as yet to feel ashamed of it.
While we have reason to feel that we have met with a fair amount of success in the extinguishment of fires, and hope for a continuance of the same, yet we feel it to be our duty to provide for any possible contingency that may arise. In a former report, the attention of the City Council was called to the fact that, in case of a conflagration with which this Department would be unable to cope successfully, the towns in this vicinity could render us very little, if any, aid, without greatly exposing their own property during the absence of the force that might be sent to our assistance; consequently, we must look to cities like Boston, Providence and Springfield for help should such a mis- fortune overtake us. Springfield has, on several occasions, called upon us for assistance, to all of which, with one excep- tion, a prompt response has been given. This exception was on the 30th of last May, when a fire broke out which spread so rapidly as to get beyond the control of the Fire Department, and it became necessary to send for assistance.
Dispatches were sent to Hartford, Worcester, and other places, but no response obtained-and hardly expected,-it being Sunday and the offices closed. The only alternative left them was to fire up and send to Hartford (twenty-eight miles distant ), a locomotive for help. The fire broke out soon after noon, and it was not known here until late in the evening, when the following dispatch was received from Chief Engineer Leshure :-
"'The fire is under control. Shall not need you."
165
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The plan by which we propose to prevent the recurrence of the above, in either city, is to connect the Fire Alarm Office here with the one in Springfield, during the hours when the telegraph offices are closed for business; using, for that pur- pose, the Western Union or Franklin line, provided an arrange- ment can be made with either of those companies.
Mr. Bird seems to view the proposed arrangement with con- siderable alarm, and does not hesitate to make some very wild statements about it. He professes to believe this is the first step towards placing all the principal cities in the country in one grand circuit. Then if, for instance, a fire breaks out here, a dispatch is to be sent out to which all the fire departments in the country, with their steamers, are to respond, we, in the meantime, to do nothing until their arrival, when, if the fire has not consumed everything, a grand attack is to be made on it by the assembled hosts.
The best answer we can make to the above is to point to the record of this Department, believing it to be the best assurance that we can give to Mr. Bird that, so far as this city is con- cerned, his fears are groundless.
The policy of attacking fires at the earliest possible moment after their discovery, of which he claims to be the sole origin- ator, has been followed here for years by men who were so unfortunate as not even to know of the existence of such a person as Mr. Joseph Bird, and he can rest assured that we are not going to discard that which has already proved so. successful.
INSURANCE FIRE PATROL.
During the year just closed, the Fire Patrol, support- ed by the insurance companies, was organized, the perma- nent members being elected from Hose 3. The permanent and call men are old and tried firemen, and no doubt they will prove a most valuable auxiliary to our Department. An entire har- mony of feeling and action exists between it and the members of the Department.
166
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
Their duty is to attend fires and, so far as possible, protect goods from damage by water, and, in case of necessity, to re- move them from burning buildings. The brigade consists of eight men, duly officered-four permanent and four call men. When an alarm is given, away go the members speedily to the desig- nated spot, and, if the fire be in the upper story of the building, with the probability of being confined there by the firemen, the furniture in the lower stories is immediately placed in the centre of the room and covered with waterproofs. The goods and stocks in stores are removed from the shelves and heaped upon the counters, where they are also carefully covered. With dippers, the water is removed as fast as it collects, and the floors are kept comparatively free from water with brooms and mops .- And, if " worst comes to worst," and the whole building is likely to submit to the embrace of the " ash-makers," the men carefully remove the goods and convey them to safe quarters. This brigade, though independent of the fire companies, works systematically and harmoniously with them.
In this connection we will state that there is also a Mutual Fire Protecting Society, of fifty members. Under its present management, it promises to become a valuable organization in our fire service. Details from the force have been made for the several kinds of duty required, that will furnish us with a large fire police, as also a sufficient number to remove and protect such property as the Board in their judgment may determine. The expense to the city is trifling, and the service which the society can render is valuable.
The equipments of the Insurance Patrol consist of a wagon, 11 feet long, 2 feet deep and 5} feet wide, divided into com- partments, with a space of 18 inches running through the length of the wagon. The lids of the compartments furnish seats for the men. The whole vehicle is beautifully moulded and orna- mented ; is light, yet strong, and carries two Babcock Extin- guishers, 7,000 square feet of rubber covering, besides other necessary articles for their peculiar service. The two horses to draw it are also a part of the establishment, and are always kept in readiness for service.
167
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The usefulness of the Insurance Patrol has been fully estab- lished in other cities, and it deserves success and encourage- ment, and it is to be congratulated for all it will accomplish.
EXPENSES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Previous to the commencement of the financial year, the Board and Committee on Fire Department made an estimate, which they thought would be necessary to carry on the Depart- ment, and the City Council made an appropriation in accordance therewith. This estimate was based upon the expenses of the year just ending, with such additions as the changes in the organization of the Department would make necessary.
In the expenditure of the money appropriated, the actual need of the Department, without reference to what has been done heretofore, has governed the action of the Committee and Board, and they close the year with an unexpended balance of $4,783.93. They deem it proper to state that immediate atten- tion to the requirements of the Department, and no necessary expenditure has been delayed to make a show of economy, or put off to affect favorably the condition of the appropriation. The apparatus and hose have been kept all the time in good order, and their present condition will bear comparison with any other period in the history of the Department. No special appropriation was asked for or made for the purchase of new apparatus, but needful additions have been made to the extent of $4,650, and paid for out of the amount saved from the appropriation for repairs. For a detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures, we refer you to a tabular statement accompanying this report.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, the Board would avail themselves of this opportunity to express their thanks to the officers and members of the companies composing the Department. Too much praise cannot be awarded for the faithful manner in which they have
168
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 30.
discharged their arduous and dangerous duties. During the year, our citizens have frequently witnessed their heroic efforts to save their property from destruction ; and, on several occa- . sions, they were enthusiastic in their commendation of the intrepidity shown by them. We should be remiss, indeed, if we failed to acknowledge our obligations to them for the ser- vices they have rendered, when we consider that their compen- sation is of a merely nominal nature. They feel that they are recompensed in some degree, at least, by the unreserved appro- bation of those they serve, and we congratulate them that they have so continually achieved success, and established so enviable a reputation for the Department of which they are honored members.
It is also a pleasant duty we perform in acknowledging our obligation to the officers of the Police Department for their hearty co-operation with the firemen in saving and protecting the property of our citizens. It is exceedingly gratifying to know that the most perfect harmony exists between the two departments, and that nothing has occurred to mar the amicable and cordial relations so productive of good to the public. Worcester has just cause for pride in her Police, so ably managed and judiciously governed.
Finally, the Board desire to acknowledge their gratitude to his Honor the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen and gentlemen of the City Council, for the confidence reposed in us, and for their prompt approval of every suggestion tending to advance the interest and increase the efficiency of the Department intrusted to our management. We herewith submit to you the record of our work for the year just terminated.
Respectfully submitted,
S. E. COMBS,
Chief Engineer.
EXPENSES.
For Salary of S. E. Combs, Chief Engineer $1,200 00
66
66 Wm. Brophy, Assistant Engineer
1,200 00
" Wm. Knowles, 200 00
66
66 Samuel H. Day, 66 66
and Clerk 250 00
200 00
Pay Roll of Steamer No. 1
1,530 00
66
66
2
1,530 00
66
66 66 66 66 3
1,530 00
66
66 4
1,570 00
66 66 66 City Hose No. 1 . 1,105 00
Ocean 2. 1,105 00 66 66 " Eagle " 66 3 . 1,071 64 66
1,104 99
66
66 " Yankee " 66 5.
1,105 00
66
66 " Tiger 66 6 .
919 17
66 " Protector 7 .
1,021 66
66
66 66
2
665 00
Services of Stewards and Drivers 4,104 17
Repairs of Apparatus . 1,641 68
Alarıns of Fires 77 00
Hardware and Tools 147 34
1,557 60
Oil, soap and brushes
384 38
Material and Repairs of Telegraph
629 62
Hay, grain and straw
2,152 81
Coal and wood .
1,399 05
Belts, straps and badges
27 00
Advertising
6 14
Horse hire and board of horses
1,722 50
Blacksmith's labor
230 87
Freight and trucking 29 13
Furniture and Fixtures 751 45
New Apparatus 3,146 89
Printing
145 16
Harnesses, blankets and repairs 294 04
Stationery
25 62
23
66 " Hook and Ladder No. 1
2,055 00
2,018 33 66 66 " Babcock Extinguisher
Repairs of Houses
66 " Niagara" 66 4.
66 J. W. Loring, 66
170
CITY DOCUMENT .-- No. 30.
Gas
596 55
Horses . 475 00
Washing bedding
203 13
Hose 1,853 53
J. W. Doon, on contract
2,112 00
C. Dyer, for moving a wall 113 77
Rent of Barn
25 00
Gas Governor
35 00
Medicine for horses
5 50
Highway Department, for use of cart
60 50
Hose oil
89 70
Ice
6 58
Expenses, stamps, &c.
51 37
Gongs .
462 50
Bedding
.13 56
Building Drain (John Street Engine House)
88 00
Repairs on House on School Street
1,465 73
Refreshments at Fire .
44 40
Addition to Exchange Street Engine House
962 32
Building Sewer (Lamartine Street)
61 18
Traveling Expenses 18 00
120 00
H. S. Pike, for grading Winslow Street
100 00
Balance of Contract (John Street Engine House) 124 55
250 00
49,191 11
REVENUE.
For Labor of Men
$ 73 50
66 66 66 and Teams 1,350 25
Gas furnished Engineers' Department, Thomas Street 16 70
Manure
175 .75
Water used in John Street
8 87
Cleaning Steamer
4 00
Insurance on Policy of Engine Houses (School Street)
350 00
Old Hose
33 23
Flag Stone .
85 00
Copper
72 41
$2,169 71
Appropriation
51,805 33
$53,975 04
Expenses
49,191 11
Unexpended Balance
$4,783 93
Bands for Muster
Repairing Stable (Davis Court)
171
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ALARMS OF FIRE FOR 1875.
DATE.
Box.
DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION.
Loss. 200 00
INSURANCE,
Jan.
7, 4,
Reed's Stove Store, Pleasant st. $
2,300 00
66
21, 31,
Methodist Church, Webster square 12,000 00
60
66
28, 71,
Millinery Store, Main st.
337 00
March 19, 23,
Barn. Blackstone st.
600 00
66
66
19, 23,
Dwelling house, Summer st.
100 00
66
66
31, 45,
False.
April 14, 25,
Wire Mill, Grove st.
26.000 00
No loss.
66
22, 63, Bradley's Car Shop
Slight.
66
May 3, 57,
Dwelling House, Jackson st.
100 00
66
6.
11, 17, Stockwell's Stable, Foster st.
150 00
66
66
17, 14, Engine House, School st.
350 00
66
66
21, 23, Dry House, Union st. .
50 00 No Ins.
66
28, 4,
Taylor's Building, Main st.
149,000 00 124,000 00
66
29, 24,
Dwelling House, Southbridge st.
300 00 Insured.
June ɔ̃, 17,
Barnard & Sumner's, Main st. 100 00
No loss.
66 9, 7, Bakery. Lodi st.
50 00
66
Aug. 10, 45,
11, 45,
Straw Bed,
66
66
66
14,
4,
Gazette Office, Main st.
66
66
23, 7, Barn, Lunelle st.
75 00
Insured.
Sept. 7,
5, Plumbing Shop, Green st.
Straw in Cellar, Shrewsbury st.
66
66
13, 6, Barn in rear of Gold st.
Trifiing.
16, 17, False.
66 18, 24, Tenement Building, Adriatic Mills No loss.
Oct. 1, 16,
Sash and Blind Shop, Sargent st. Trifling.
66
2, 46, Straw Bed, Winter st. No loss.
66
4, 24, Barn on College st. 1,000 00
66
30, 4, Waldo House Stables . 5,500 00
Nov. 3, 64, Slaughter House, Plantation st. 5,000 00
66
18, 45, Barn, Pine Meadow . 400 00 300 00
Dec. 18,
7, Tenement Block, Sargent st. 1,600 00
Insured.
66
July 9, 65,
Barn, Elm st.
Dwelling House, Shrewsbury st.
No loss.
12, 32,
Chimney, Howard st. .
66
No loss.
875 00 Insured.
66
30, 45,
Shrewsbury st. 800 00
22. 32,
House, Charles st.
24, 26, Shoe Shop, Southbridge st.
10 00
Insured.
19, 4, Spy Building, Main st. .
8, 45,
BOARD OF ENGINEERS
OF THE
CITY OF WORCESTER, MASS., FOR 1876. OFFICE, No. 80 FRONT STREET.
CHIEF ENGINEER. SIMON E. COMBS. Age 49. Residence, 17 School St. No. of Badge, 1.
1st Assistant, WILLIAM BROPHY. Age 39. Residence, 18 Wilmot St. No. of Badge, 2.
2d Assistant, J. W. LORING. Age 45. Residence, Kendall St. No. of Badge, 3.
3d Assistant and Clerk, SAMUEL H. DAY. Age 38. Residence 46 Hermon St. No. of Badge, 4.
4th Assistant, G. N. RAWSON. Age 39. Residence, Shelby St. No. of Badge, 5.
Superintendent of Fire Alarm Telegraph, and Inspector of Petroleum WILLIAM BROPHY.
173
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
STEAMERS.
Gov. LINCOLN STEAM FIRE ENGINE NO. 1.
Located at Bigelow Court. This engine was built by the Amos- keag Manufacturing Co., Manchester, N. H., and delivered to this Department in February, 1873. It is a double reciprocating, vertical engine, with two steam cylinders, 75 inches diameter, and 8 inch stroke ; pump 4} inches diameter, and 8 inch stroke. At a fair working speed it will deliver 600 gallons of water per min- ute. The boiler is vertical, 32 inches diameter, 66 inches long, and contains 301 brass tubes 18 inches long and 14 inches diame- ter. Weight, when drawn to a fire, 8,000 pounds. With this machine there is a four-wheeled hose carriage, carrying 700 feet of hose, and all the necessary equipments. This carriage was built by Albert Tolman & Co., of this City, and is in good con- dition. Three horses are in the house, owned by the City, with permanent driver. Four hosemen occupy beds in the house, also the driver. Company, when full, is thirteen men, including driver.
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