The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I, Part 85

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co
Number of Pages: 1096

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I > Part 85

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Arrival.

Commenced to throw water.

Hour. Min. Sec.

No. 10, 2 o'clock 9 47 14

2 o'clock 10 5434

No. 8, 2 " II II 12

I3 47 34

Steamer, 2

2034

46 14

On the succeeding day the steamer was again tested, and for two hours it threw a continuous stream with great force, abundantly evincing its advantage in endurance over hand power. On November 5, 1859, another trial took place, and the steamer won still more favor.

By this time interest in the volunteer companies had almost passed away. Company No. 2 dis- banded on December 31, 1859.

Upon the introduction of steam fire engines the city authorities took possession of the different engine houses, but a number of the companies still kept up a sort of club organization, and at their meetings it was customary for them to sing this song, composed by a member of Lafayette Com- pany No. 4 :

THAT OLD MACHINE AND HOSE.

AIR-" The Floating Scow of Old Virginny."

The sun has gone down in the western sky, Night's putting her mantle on,

The moon and stars are taking their place, To shine when the sun is gone.

There is scarcely a breath to stir the leaves, All nature seems in repose,

And the door is locked on the old machine, The old machine and hose.

Chorus .- Then give us back that old machine, That old machine and hose, Oh ! give us back that old machine, That old machine and hose.

'T is now the fireman seeks for rest, His labors all being done, And kind emotions fill his breast As he reaches his welcome home.

His mind is free from sorrow and care, He banishes all his woes,

And only thinks of the old machine, The old machine and hose.

Chorus.

512

THE OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Now the fireman is growing old, His race is nearly run, But he has nothing to regret, His duty he's nobly done. So when he is dead and gone to rest, And taking his last repose, Drag over his grave that old machine, That old machine and hose. Chorus.

On January 24, 1860, the Council Committee on Fire Department was requested to report on the expediency of procuring one or more steam fire engines for the city ; and soon after this, proposals

nies 3 and 4 disbanded. The second steamer arrived January 7, 1861, and, under the name of Neptune No. 2, was located in the engine house of old No. 6, on the corner of Larned and St. Antoine Streets.

On July 24, 1861, a third steamer, known as Phoenix No. 3, was procured, and located in the house of old No. 5, on Clifford Street.

On June 25, 1861, an ordinance was passed which provided for paid hand fire engine companies ; the foremen and stewards were to be paid $50 a quar- ter and members $25 a quarter, and twenty-three men were appointed for each of four companies

PHOENIX STEAM FIRE ENGINE NO. 3, AS IT APPEARED IN THE FUNERAL PROCESSION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN, APRIL 25, 1865.

for furnishing steam engines were invited. On May 29 propositions were received, and on June 26 a contract was made with the Amoskeag Manufac- turing Company of Manchester, N. H., for a steamer to cost $3,150. The engine was duly received, and on October 4, 1860, it was housed and manned for service. It was named Lafayette No. I, and was located on the northeast corner of Larned and Wayne Streets. On October 9 the council formally appointed the officers and members, and a paid Steam Fire Department was inaugurated.

A second steamer was ordered November 20, 1860, and on the 27th of the same month Compa-

organized. Members of the hook and ladder com- panies were to be paid $120 a year, and by ordi- nance of June 17, 1864, this was increased to $160.

The steamer K. C. Barker No. 4 arrived Febru- ary 1, 1865, and was stationed in the engine house at the corner of Orchard and Fifth Streets. It cost $4,500, and was ready for use February II.

On February 17, 1865, the paid hand fire engine companies were disbanded, and on May 16 the chief engineer resigned.

On June 27 the steamer James A. Van Dyke No. 5 was procured. It was located on the corner of Larned and Riopelle Streets.

513

STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT.

In October, 1866, the city contracted for a fire alarm telegraph. It was known as the Key and Bell plan, and had wooden boxes. The work of putting it up was begun December 26, and it was accepted the same month. The apparatus cost $5,700. On January 4, 1867, it was tested by the Committee on Fire Department, the fire marshal, and members of the council, and gave good satis- faction.

By this time public opinion was ready for the establishment of a Fire Commission, and on March 26, 1867, it was created.

The chief engineers of the old Fire Department were appointed by the council, with salaries varying from $300 to $500. Their names and terms of office were: 1825, D. C. Mc- Kinstry; 1830, Levi Cook; 1831, J. L. Whiting; 1832, Marshall Chapin ; 1833-1835, Levi Cook; 1835, Noah Sutton, H. V. Dis- brow ; 1836, H. V. Disbrow; 1837, Chauncy Hurlbut ; 1838, Theodore Williams; 1839- 1842, C. Hurlbut; 1842, Matthew Gooding; 1843- 1845, H. H. LeRoy; 1845-1847, James S.FARMER ENO Stewart; 1847-1849, William Barclay ; 1849-1851, William Duncan; 1851, L. H. Cobb; 1852-1854, John Patton; 1854-1857, William Duncan; 1857, William Lee ; 1858, William Duncan; 1859, William Lee ; 1860, William Holmes ; 1860-1863, James Battle; 1863, Thomas Oakley ; 1864-1867, James Battle.

THE STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The present Steam Fire Department is believed to be one of the best organized in the country. It was created by Act of March 26, 1867, and reorgan- ized by Act of March 18, 1871. The latter Act re- constituted the commission, remedied some defects in the law first passed, and defined more fully the powers of the board. A further Act of March 31, 1871, legalized some technically illegal acts of the commission.

The commissioners named in the

first Act took the oath of office and entered upon their duties on April 1, 1867. They at once found much to do; the houses needed fitting up, and the machines needed repairing. The hand engines and some lots and buildings which seemed unde- sirable were sold; and from year to year, since the organization of the commission, the value of the property and the efficiency of the force have steadily increased.

The department is managed upon military princi- ples, each person being held strictly accountable for the work assigned to him; everything is required to be done and reported with much precision, and all details come before the board at its weekly meet- ings. The captain of each company reports to the chief engineer the facts as to all alarms given and fires at- tended, specifying, on each occasion, the presence or ab- sence of each mem- ber of the company. These reports are made daily, certi- fied to by the chief engineer, and re- ported to the board. For all ex- penditures a sys- tem of checks and balances is pro- vided, and a com- plete record is kept of all articles used. All orders for sup- plies of any kind must be signed by the president of the commission ; each company is charged with the supplies fur- nished, and the chief engineer and captain of each company are required to certify that articles are needed before they are furnished or procured.

FIRE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, AND ENGINE HOUSES, CORNER LARNED AND WAYNE STREETS.

The yearly expenses and the value of the property of the department have been as follows :

Years.

Expense. Inventory.

Years.

Expense.

Inventory.

1867

$63,469 $131,852

1876 $109,423 $344,334

1868

71,138

152,529

1877

112,059

360,189

1869

69,025

166,778

1878

103,655

367,272

1870

78,106

202,730

1879

104,022

398,895

1871

85,845

217,155

1880

III,197

417,867

1872

71,062

241,691

1881

117,290

412,384

1873

105,806

299,382

1882

142,536

439,041

1874

109,799

334,630

1884

194,357

520,819

1875

109,766

338,939

1885

188,758

570,562

514

STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Engine Houses.

Prior to the organization of the commission, and for several years thereafter, the engine houses were

Built. 1884

1884

1886

ENGINE HOUSE, CORNER LARNED AND ST. ANTOINE STREETS.

Location.

Twentieth Street near Michigan Avenue.

Larned near St. Antoine Street.

Corner Ferry and Russell.

Corner Sixteenth and Warren Avenue.

Engines.

When the Fire Commission organized, it came into possession of five steamers, all of which, except one, were still in use in 1883; some of them, however, have been so thoroughly rebuilt as to be practically new.

Vermilion red, as an emblematical color, is the distinguishing mark of all the depart- ment property. The body of the engines, hose carriages, supply wagons, the fire- alarm boxes, and posts indicating location of cisterns, are all of this color. The or- dinary steamers weigh from two to three tons each, cost an average of $4,000, and have a capacity of from five to six hundred gallons per minute. The self-propeller weighs four and a half tons, was pur-

used as polling places and occasionally for political meetings. In the fall of 1870 the board prohibited the use of the engine houses for any purpose not actually connected with the work of the depart- ment. The upper part of each house is neatly fitted up with beds and furniture for the accommodation of the firemen, and all the regular force are re- quired to lodge in the building. Each house is provided with a tower about seventy feet high, and a continuous watch is kept from 8 P. M. to 6 A. M., the time being apportioned between the members of the company. All the hours are struck by those in charge of the tower. In the City Hall tower a watchman is on duty day and night. The location and date of erection of each building is shown in the following table. Some of the houses, however, have been almost entirely rebuilt since the date given :

Built.

Location.

1849 Corner Larned and Riopelle Streets.

1856 Orchard near Fifth Street.

1857 Corner Larned and St. Antoine Streets.

1857 Corner Larned and Wayne Streets.

1867 Corner High and Russell Streets.

1870 Corner Larned and Wayne Streets.

1871 Corner Sixth and Baker Streets.

1873

Corner Elmwood Avenue and Fort Street.

1873 Eighteenth near Howard Street.

1874 Hastings near Larned Street.

1876 Alexandrine near Cass Avenue.

1879 Montcalm West near Park Street.

1879 Clifford near Woodward Avenue:

1882 Sixteenth at head of Bagg Street.

1883 N. W. corner Gratiot and Grandy Avenues.

ENGINE HOUSE, CORNER LARNED AND RIOPELLE STREETS.

chased in January, 1874, at a cost of $5,000, and was the third machine of the kind built in the Uni- ted States ; it can propel itself on the paved streets

515

STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT.

at the rate of a mile in four minutes. Each steamer is supplied with a patent heater, by which the water in the boilers is kept at such a temperature that steam can be generated in two or three minutes, and the kindling and coal are always in place in the fire-box. In 1874 Beaufait's automatic lighter was supplied for each engine. It consists of a match so arranged that, as the engine is drawn out of the house, it comes in contact with a rough surface, and

ENGINE HOUSE, CORNER FORT ST. AND ELMWOOD AVE.

the fuel is ignited. In 1872 the engines were sup- plied with Mayor's relief valves, which regulate with ease the size and flow of the stream. Ten years later Siamese connections, by which the force of several streams can be concentrated in one, were adopted.

Each engine is provided with a hose-carriage, carrying from 800 to 1200 feet of hose, which, with the carriage, weighs about two tons. In 1883 the department had nearly 23,650 feet of hose. Prior to 1873 all the hose-carts were two-wheeled and drawn by one horse. On January 8, 1873, the first four-wheeled cart was introduced, and since 1878 all the hose-carts have been four-wheelers, and they,

with all the engines except the self-propeller, are drawn by two horses. The stalls are so arranged that the horses' heads face towards the front of the engine, and on an alarm being given, they can pass without delay to their proper places. When an alarm is given from any box, the same stroke of the hammer that strikes the gong in the engine house, disconnects a wire and allows a weight that holds the stall-doors to drop. The doors of the stalls then fly open, the horses are released, and actually bound to their places; the harness, which is sus-

HET

EIGHTEENTH STREET ENGINE HOUSE.

pended over the place where the horses take their position, is dropped upon them and adjusted; and within seven seconds from the time of an alarm, the engine can leave the house. The horses are excep- tionally well cared for, and since 1882 an infirmary has been maintained in connection with the engine house on Alexandrine Avenue, and disabled horses are there cared for.

When the commission was organized there was but one hook and ladder company, the truck for which was built in 1852. It was replaced by a new one on November 17, 1870. A second hook and ladder company was organized in 1871, a third in 1881, and a fourth in 1884. Company No. 2

516

STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT.

has a patent fire escape extension ladder. A re- serve fire escape ladder and truck went into service in January, 1880. Each truck is provided with ladders, buckets, axes, ropes, crowbars, lanterns, and Babcock fire extinguishers. Two chemical en- gines, or large Babcock fire extinguishers on wheels, were procured in 1876; they throw a fluid that quickly smothers an in- cipient fire.

On January 1, 1883, a protective company, composed of seven men, was established. They were stationed at the Hastings Street engine house, and are provided with a two- wheeled, eight-gallon chemical engine, and a large number of waterproof covers to spread over articles that would be damaged by water.

The names of the engines in 1883 were : Lafayette No. I, Nep- tune No. 2, Phoenix No. 3, K. C. Barker No, 4, Jas. A. Van Dyke No. 5, Detroit No. 6, L. H. Cobb No. 7, Continen- tal No. 8, and Chauncy Hurlbut No. 9. Nos. 10 and II are unnamed. Rescue Hook & Ladder No. I, Eagle No. 2, Alert No. 3, and - No. 4. Chemical No. 1, Chemical No. 2, Chem- ical No. 3. In 1883 there were also three reserve engines, for use in special emergencies.

The Fire Alarm Tel- egraph.

ENGINE HOUSE, ALEXANDRINE AVENUE.

The telegraph which was put up in 1866 proved so unreliable that in 1869 a contract was made for the Game- well apparatus. It was completed and tested November 3, and accepted on November 7, 1870. The cost of the apparatus and putting up was $8,500; with it were furnished seven hundred white cedar telegraph poles, six repeaters, seven engine- house gongs, seven galvanometers, and sixty boxes.

ENGINE HOUSE, HASTINGS, BETWEEN CONGRESS AND LARNED STREETS.

On the erection of the apparatus, the services of the bell-ringer in the steeple of Dr. Duffield's church were dispensed with, and on January 20, 1872, an electro-mechanical bell-striker was put up in the City Hall, for the purpose of giving alarms on a large bell there located. During 1887 all wires within half a mile of the corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues were put under ground. Since these improve- ments, the Detroit fire alarm is believed to be almost perfect. There is a complete metallic circuit starting from and returning to the central office on Lar- ned, near St. Antoine Street. The line, as it passes about the city, is "looped" at con- venient intervals ; each loop embraces several boxes, and is supplied with a repeating wire which conveys the alarm from the loop to the central station, from whence it is con- veyed to all the other stations. Each loop is connected at the central station with a galvanometer, similar to a compass in its con- struction. When the loop is in good working order the pointer of the galvanometer (a mag- netic needle) is always deflected from its natural position. If an examination of the galvanometer of any particular loop shows the needle to be in its natural position due north, it becomes evi- dent that the loop is out of order or broken. With the aid of what is called a "switch board " any portion of the loop line may be discon- nected from the battery, and in case any of the wires are out of order, the particular part of the loop that is affected is readily determined.

On the arrival of an alarm from any loop, a repeater at the central station shuts off an alarm

517

STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT.

from any other loop until the first alarm is fully given. If two alarms are given from two different boxes on the same loop, at about the same time, an automatic non-interference arrangement connected with each box shuts off the completion of an alarm from the second box until the alarm first given is completed.

The fire-alarm boxes are kept locked, and the keys deposited in the nearest and most convenient store or house; all members of the police force are also provided with keys. Within each box is a brass hook, and in giving an alarm the hook is pulled firmly downwards as far as it will go, once, then allowed to slide back. If the line is in work- ing order, a small bell in the same box will at once ring. The pulling of the hook causes an alarm to be struck on the gong at the engine houses, and rings the bells in all the fire boxes. If the bell in the box does not ring, it is evident that that box or part of the line is out of order, and an alarm should then be given at the next nearest box. If on going to a box the bell within is heard giving an alarm, the signal should be counted, the same as the signals are counted from the tower bells; if it is evident from the number that the alarm is not for the same fire, then the hook should be pulled. Each box has a particular num- ber, and the pulling of the hook causes the slipping of a bar into certain notches, thus register- ing the number of the box. On an alarm being given, the City Hall always, and up to 1887 the tower bells also struck the number of the box. Ten regular and rapid strokes are first given, indicat- ting that a fire has broken out; the number of the box from which the alarm comes is then given. If the alarm comes from Box 73, seven regular strokes are given; then, after a short pause, three strokes;

the general alarm of ten strokes and the number of the box given is twice repeated. Lists of the num- ber and location of each box are printed, and refer- ence to a list will show the vicinity of the fire. At each of the engine houses the fire-alarm instrument is enclosed in a walnut case with a glass front, which shows the working of the machinery. Connected with each fire-alarm box, but entirely distinct from the other apparatus, is a small bell, attached to a wire that reaches all the boxes and all the engine houses, and with these bells by a system of signals information is conveyed, or help summoned, from any engine house. To protect the ap- paratus from dam- age during thunder storms, nearly all the fire-alarm boxes are provided with large copper wires, which extend to the ground, and carry off any surplus of electrical currents. The following shows the number of fire- alarm boxes in use in various years :

ENGINE HOUSE, CORNER HIGH AND RUSSELL STREETS.

Year.

Boxes.

1867

1868

1869

1870-1872

1872

1873-1875

1875

1876

104

1877

1884

140

1885

151

1886

188

In addition to the care of the en- gines, hose, horses,

and apparatus, the department has the care of the fire hydrants and cisterns, each company hav- ing charge of those within its district, and it is the duty of the captain to see that those in his district are kept in order, and that ice and snow do not accumulate on or about them. In 1883 red posts were set up near the hydrants to denote their location. The cisterns hold from one hundred to five hundred barrels and cost from $65 to $1,100, and both they and the hydrants are paid for by the Fire Commission. The following table gives the number of cisterns and hydrants in different years:

518

STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Years.

Reser-

Hy-

Years.

Reser- voirs.

Hy- drants.

1 867

I34

265

1875

170

601

1868

144

305

1876

171

606

1869

144

330

1877

172

662

1870

136

365

1878

172

689

1871

135

394

1879

172

746

1872

I34

420

1880

175

758

1873

146

463

1884

216

1,000

1 874

157

535

1885

247

1,119

Apparatus, Buildings, and Telegraph. Each mem- ber of the commission is chairman of, and serves on two committees.

The commissioners named in the original Act were T. H. Hinchman, William Duncan, L. H. Cobb, and J. W. Sutton. The term of T. H. Hinchman expired April 1, 1871. He was re-ap- pointed for two full terms. On his election to the State Senate in the fall of 1876, he resigned, and was succeeded in December by L. H. Cobb, who,

Commissioners.

The Act of March 26, 1867, determined the length of term of each of the first four commissioners, and

SFATHERYCO

ENGINE HOUSE, CORNER OF SIXTH AND BAKER STREETS.

on the expiration of their terms, others were to be nominated by the mayor and appointed by the council for terms of four years each. The commissioners serve without pay and cannot hold any political office ; if nominated for any such office, a commissioner must decline within ten days or his place will be deemed vacant. Each commissioner serves as president of the board during the last year of his term.

Their first meeting was on April 1, 1867. Regu- lar meetings are held every Monday at 4 P. M. at the office, corner of Larned and Wayne Streets.

The commission is divided into eight committees, viz., on Finance, Supplies, Men, Horses, Water,

ENGINE HOUSE, MONTCALM STREET WEST.

as one of the first commissioners, had previously served from 1867 to 1873. Mr. Cobb died April 1, 1879, and T. H. Hinchman was appointed his suc- cessor, retaining the position until November, 1880, when he resigned, and was succeeded on Novem- ber 5 by R. W. Gillett. On April 1, 1872, Jerome Croul was appointed as the successor of William Duncan, and was succeeded in April. 1888, by Bruce Goodfellow. On April 1, 1873, Joseph Godfrey was appointed the successor of L. H. Cobb. Mr. God- frey died January 7, 1875, and P. Henkel was ap- pointed to fill his place. The term of J. W. Sutton expired April 1, 1870. B. Vernor was appointed as

voirs.

drants.

STEAM FIRE DEPARTMENT.

519

his successor. He was succeeded on August 27, 1886, by W. J. Stapleton. The chief officers appointed by the commission, and their terms of service, have been: Secretaries, B. F. Baker, April I, 1867, to July 24, 1871 ; F. H. Seymour, July 24, 1871, to January 1, 1881; James E. Tryon, from January 1, 1881 ; Chief Engineer, James Battle, from April 1, 1867 ; Assistant Engineer, J. R. Elli- ott, from April 1, 1867; Superintendent of Tele- graph, M. H. Gascoigne, from 1873, and W. J. Gard- ner, from January, 1885; Surgeon, William Bro- die, M. D., from 1873; Veterinary Surgeons, A. J. Murray, 1876 to 1879; Robert Jennings, from 1879.

Firemen.

All members of companies are re- quired to be citizens of the United States, and over twenty-one years of age; they are also required to furnish reliable references, to pass a medical examina- tion, and also an ex- amination as to business ability and moral character. The endeavor of the commissioners from the first has been to secure the best men possible consistent with the FARMER ENG pay allowed, and as a result, the charac- ter and morale of the force is calculated to reflect credit on the city. The bravery and devotion of the men and their faith- fulness in time of danger are worthy of all praise. Many of them have suffered serious injury, as the result of heroic efforts to save life and property. In July, 1881, one of the firemen, Mr. McQueen, was instantly killed by falling walls. It was the first fatal accident in fourteen years.

The uniform was adopted in November, 1870. It is of blue cloth with brass buttons, upon which are the letters D. F. D.

All members of the department are required to join the Firemen's Fund Association within one month after their appointment. Leave of absence for not more than five hours may be granted by the

captains of either engine or hook and ladder com- panies, provided not more than one stationary man or one pipeman is granted leave of absence at the same time. Leave of absence for engineers of steamers, for men of hook and ladder companies, may be granted only by the chief engineer. Per- mission to be absent for more than five hours is granted only by the president, upon the endorse- ment of the captain, countersigned by the chief engineer. Substitutes, in all cases, must be pro- cured by those who wish to be absent. Daily re- ports are made of the absences of each member of the company, the condition of the ap- paratus, and the visits of the officers, and a summary of these reports is made by the chief engineer to the board. Money or rewards for services can be received only by the chief en- gineer, must be turned over by him to the board, and cannot be used ex- cept by permission of that body. A fire company con- sists of ten persons, -one captain, one engineer, one fire- man, one engine- driver, one hose-cart driver, and five pipe- men.

ENGINE HOUSE, CLIFFORD STREET.

The number of men employed dur- ing the several years has been : 1867, 62; 1868-1871, 72; 1871, 78; 1872-1874, 81 ; 1874-1877, 107; 1877, 119; 1878, 115; 1879, 127; 1880, 137; 1881, 142; 1883, 177; 1884, 183 ; 1885, 216. Of those serving in 1885 one hundred and eighty-nine devoted their full time ; the rest of the force, who are under engagement to serve when needed, are men engaged in various business occupations, who pursue their ordinary avocations during the day, and report and sleep at the company quarters at night. They are paid from $240 to $300 per year; the salaries of the men in constant service range from $650 to $1,000 per year.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I, Part 85

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902 Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co
Number of Pages: 1096