A VISIT TO HEADQUARTERS.
"We light our fires differently from everybody else," says the foreman.
"We put shavings on top, the wood next, and the coal at the bottom; then
we strike a steam-match, and drop it down the funnel, and, behold! the
thing is done."
It was the engine fire of which the foreman spoke, and he was pointing
to one of the magnificent steam fire-engines at the headquarters of the
London Brigade.
[Illustration: HEADQUARTERS, METROPOLITAN FIRE-BRIGADE, SOUTHWARK.]
"Here is a steam-match," he continued, "kept in readiness on the engine.
It is like a very large fusee, and is specially made for us. Water won't
put it out."
He strikes the match, and it burns with a large flame. He plunges it
into some water near by, and it still continues to burn. It evidently
means to flame until the engine fire is burning fast.
The wood also is carefully prepared, being fine deal ends, specially cut
to the required size; while the coal is Welsh--the best for
engine-boilers.
These details may seem trivial; but they assist in the rapid kindling of
the engine fire, which is not trivial. But the rapid kindling of the
fire is not the only reason why the brigade raises steam so quickly in
its engines; in addition, a gas-jet is always kept burning by the
boiler, and maintains the water at nearly boiling-point before the fire
is lighted. This was a method adopted by Captain Shaw. But even this
arrangement does not explain everything.
[Illustration: SECTION OF A STEAM FIRE-ENGINE BOILER.]
To fully understand the mystery, we must leave this smart engine,
shining in scarlet and flaming with brass, and go upstairs to the
instruction-room for recruits.
Here we can see a section of the engine fire-box and boiler. It is very
interesting and very ingenious. But probably a novice would ask, "Where
is the boiler? I see little else but tubes."
That is the explanation. The tubes chiefly form the boiler; for they are
full of water, and they communicate with a narrow space, or "jacket,"
also full of water, and which reaches all round the fire-box.
This fire-box is held in a hollow below the tubes, which are placed in
rows, one row across the other, just at the bottom of the funnel and
above the fire-box. When, therefore, the flaming steam-match is dropped
down the funnel, it finds its way straight down between the crossed mass
of tubes to the shavings beneath; and the tubes full of the hot water
are at once wrapped in heat from the newly-kindled and rapidly-burning
fire. Every particle of heat and smoke and flame that rises must pass
upward between the tubes. Furthermore, the hot water rises and the
colder falls, so that there is a constant circulation maintained. The
colder water is continually descending to the hottest tubes; and when
bubbles of steam are formed, they rise with the hot water to the top. A
space is reserved above the tubes, and around the funnel, called the
"steam-space" or "steam-chest," where the steam can be stored; the steam
pressure at which the engine frequently works being a hundred and twenty
pounds to the square inch.
The result of all these ingenious arrangements is that, starting with
very hot water, a hundred pounds of steam can be raised in five minutes.
"But," it may be asked, "why is a fire not always kept burning, and
steam constantly at high pressure?"
The answer is that a constant fire, whether of coal or of oil, would
cause soot or smoke to accumulate; while the Bunsen gas-burner affords
as clear a heat as any, and maintains the water at a great heat, or even
at boiling-point.
Near the funnel, but not so high, rises a large, gleaming metal
cylinder, closed and dome-shaped. This is the indispensable
air-chamber, without which even the powerful force-pumps could not yield
so steady and persistent a stream.
A small air-chamber is now added to the suction-pipe by which the water
is drawn to the engine. The use of the air-chamber in connection with
this pipe greatly steadies the engine, the vibration caused by the
throbbing of the powerful machinery as it draws and forces along such a
quantity of water being very great. The nozzle of the hose belonging to
one of the largest steam fire-engines measures 1¼ inch in diameter, some
nozzles being as small as ¾ inch; and a large column of water is being
constantly driven along the hose at a pressure of a hundred and ten
pounds to the square inch, and forced through the narrow nozzle; here it
spurts out, in a large and powerful stream, to a distance of over a
hundred feet. It is obvious, therefore, that the power exerted by the
steam-driven force-pumps and air-chamber is very high; and although such
an engine may be in some folks' opinion only a force-pump, it is a
force-pump of a very elaborate character; and not inexpensive, the
average price being about £1,000.
Every steam fire-engine carries with it five hundred feet of hose. The
hose is made in lengths of a hundred feet, costing about £7 a piece,
without the connections. If you examine a length, you will find it made
of stout canvas, and lined with india-rubber, the result being that,
while it is very strong, it is yet very light.
Miles of it are used in the service; and upstairs in the hose-room you
will find a large stock kept in reserve. Every piece is tested before
being accepted.
[Illustration: POWERFUL STEAM FIRE-ENGINE FOR THE METROPOLITAN
FIRE-BRIGADE.
_Capacity, 350-400 gallons per minute. Delivered to the brigade,
February 9th, 1899, by Messrs. Shand, Mason, & Co._]
Water is forced through it by hydraulic power at a pressure of three
hundred pounds to the square inch, so that when at work, with water
rushing through at a hundred and ten pounds' pressure, it is not likely
to split and spill the liquid on the ground. The splitting of hose in
the face of a fierce fire would be a great calamity. When charged with
water, its weight is very heavy; and to enable it to be carried more
easily, a loop called a "becket" is attached at distances of about ten
feet.
The greatest care is taken of the hose. When it is brought back,
drenched and dripping, from a fire, it is cleaned and scrubbed, and then
suspended in the hose-well to dry.
The hose-well is a high space, like a glorified chimney-shaft, without
the soot, where the great lengths of canvas pipe can be hung up to dry.
They are, in fact, not used again until they are once more in the pink
of perfection. The outside public see the fire-brigade and their
appliances smartly at work at big fires, but little know of the numerous
details of drill and of management which are instrumental in producing
the brilliant and efficient service.
Look, for another instance, at the manuals' wheels. You will find them
fitted with broad, wavy-shaped iron tyres, which extend over the side of
the wheel and prevent it from tripping or slipping over tramway-lines in
the headlong rush through the streets. And should a horse fall as he is
tearing to the fire, that swivel-bar, which you will find at the end of
the harness-pole, can be quickly turned, and in a moment the fallen
steed is unhooked and helped to his feet again.
The horses are harnessed quite as quickly. Behind the engine-room and
across a narrow yard you will find five pairs of horses, and, like the
men, some are always on the watch. Here they stand, ready harnessed,
their faces turned round, and looking over the strip of yard to the
engines. The harness is light, but efficient; and the animal's neck is
relieved from the weight of the collar, as it is suspended from the
roof.
[Illustration: IN THE STABLES READY FOR ACTION.]
Directly the fire-alarm clangs, the rope barring egress from the stall
is unswivelled, the suspender of the collar swept aside, and the horse,
eager, excited, and impatiently pawing the ground, is led across the
narrow strip of yard, hooked on to the engine, and is ready for his
headlong rush through the streets.
Horses stand thus ready harnessed at all stations where they may be
kept; and when their watch is over, they are relieved by others, even
though they may not have been called out to a fire. So intelligent have
some of these animals become, that they have been wont to trot out
themselves, and take their places by the engine-pole without human
guidance; and so expert are the men and so docile the horses, that the
whole operation of harnessing to the engine occupies less than a minute,
sometimes, indeed, only about fifteen or twenty seconds. Every man knows
exactly what to do, and has his place fixed on the engine. There is
consequently no confusion and no overlapping of work.
A steam fire-engine has a "crew"--as the brigade call it--of one
officer, one coachman, and four firemen. The officer No. 1 stands on the
"near side" of the engine by the brake; No. 2 stands on the other side
by the brake; No. 3 stands behind the officer, and No. 4 behind No. 2;
No. 5 attends to the steam, and rides in the rear for that purpose;
while the coachman handles the reins on the box.
The positions are taken in a twinkling, the shed-doors open as swiftly,
and away rush the impatient steeds, while the loud and exciting cry of
"Fire! Fire!" rings from the firemen's throats as they speed along.
Wonderfully that cry clears the way through the crowded streets. When
the men arrive at the scene of action, the preparations proceed in the
same orderly manner. Nos. 1 and 2 brake the wheels, and proceed to the
fire; while the coachman, if necessary, removes the horses, and is
prepared to take back any message with them, No. 1 charging No. 2 to
convey the message to the coachman. By the chief officer's plan,
however,--whereby a portable telephone, carried on a fire-engine, can
be plugged into a fire-alarm post,--a message can be sent back from a
fire by telephone instead of by a coachman. Meanwhile, No. 3 is opening
the engine tool-box, and passing out the hydrant-shaft, hose, etc.; and
No. 4 receives the hose, and connects it up with the water-mains, and
places the dam or tank in which water is gathered from the hydrant. No.
3 is then busy with the delivery-hose, which is to pour the water on the
flames; and No. 5 connects the suction-pipe. When ready, No. 4 hurries
away with the "branch," as the delivery-pipe with nozzle is called; No.
3 helping with the hose attached to it--until sufficient is paid
out--and connecting the lengths as required. Then, when all is finished,
every one except the steam-man is ready to proceed to the fire, unless
otherwise instructed. Every engine, it may be added, carries a
turncock's bar, useful for raising the cover from the hydrants.
So each one has his recognized duties in preparing the apparatus, all of
which duties are duly set forth in the neat and concise little pocket
drill-book prepared by Commander Wells. The most complete organization
must be in operation, otherwise a force of a hundred or a hundred and
fifty men, no matter how brave and zealous, gathered at one fire would
only be too likely to get in one another's way. And in a similar manner
the crews of manual-engines and horsed escapes have all their duties
assigned in preparing the machines.
During a conflagration, the superintendent of the district in which the
fire occurs controls the operations under the superior officers; for
London is divided, for fire purposes, into five districts, which are
known to the brigade by letters. A District is the West End, and the
superintendent's station is at Manchester Square; B District is the
Central, and the superintendent's station is at Clerkenwell; C District
is the East and North-East, with district superintendent's station at
Whitechapel: all of these three being north of the Thames. The D
District is the South-East of London, with superintendent's station at
New Cross; and the E District in the South-West, with superintendent's
station at Kennington. The headquarters, which are known as No. 1, and
which used to be at Watling Street in the City, now occupy a central
position in Southwark Bridge Road, and thence the chief officer can
readily reach the scene of a fire.
[Illustration: A TURN OUT FROM HEADQUARTERS AT SOUTHWARK.]
All these stations are in electric communication, and all telegraph
their doings to No. 1. The lines stretch from No. 1 to the five district
superintendents' stations; from there they extend to the ordinary
stations in each district; and from these stations again they reach to
points such as street stations, and even in some cases to hose-cart
stations. The consequence is, that superintendents and superior officers
can speedily arrive on the spot; and that, if necessary, a very large
force can be concentrated at a serious outbreak in a short time.
Thus headquarters knows exactly how the men are all engaged, and the
character of the fire to which they may be called. Electric bells seem
always clanging. Messages come clicking in as to the progress of
extinguishing fires, or notifying fresh calls, or announcing the
stoppage of a conflagration. And should an alarm clang at night, all the
other bells are set a-ringing, so that no one can mistake what's afoot.
A list is compiled at headquarters of all these fires, the period of
each list ranging from 6 a.m. to the same hour on the next morning. This
list, with such details as can be supplied, is printed at once, and
copies are in every insurance-office by about ten o'clock. The lists
form, as it were, the log-book of the brigade. Some days the calls run
up to seventeen or more, including false alarms; on other days they sink
to a far fewer number; the average working out in 1898 to nearly ten
calls daily.
The Log also shows the causes of fires, so far as can be ascertained;
and the upsetting of paraffin-lamps bulks largely as a frequent cause.
The overheating of flues and the airing of linen also play their
destructive part as causes of fires. The airing of linen is, indeed, an
old offender. Evelyn writes in his Diary, under date January 19th, 1686:
"This night was burnt to the ground my Lord Montague's palace in
Bloomsbury, than which for painting and furniture there was nothing more
glorious in England. This happened by the negligence of a servant
airing, as they call it, some of the goods by the fire in a moist
season; indeed, so wet and mild a winter had scarce been seen in man's
memory." And now, more than two hundred years later, the same cause is
prevalent.
[Illustration: THE CHIEF'S OFFICE AT SOUTHWARK, METROPOLITAN
FIRE-BRIGADE.]
But the upsetting and exploding of lamps is now, perhaps, the chief
cause, especially for small fires; and more deaths occur at small fires
than at large. This is not surprising, when we remember that such lamps
are generally used in sitting or bedrooms, where persons might quickly
be wrapped in flames or overwhelmed with smoke.
Smoke, indeed, forms a great danger with which firemen themselves have
to contend. At a fire in Agar Street, Strand, in November, 1892, a
fireman was killed primarily through smoke. He was standing on a
fire-escape, when a dense cloud burst forth and overpowered him. He lost
his grasp, and, falling forty feet to the earth below, injured his head
so severely that he died.
Again, several men nearly lost their lives through smoke at a fire about
the same time at the London Docks. The firemen were in the building,
when thick smoke, pouring up from some burning sacks, nearly choked
them. Ever ready of resource, the men quickly used some hose they had
with them as life-lines, and slipped from the windows by means of the
hose to the ground below.
Nevertheless, dense smoke is not the greatest danger with which firemen
are threatened. Their greatest peril comes from falling girders and
walls, from tottering pieces of masonry, and burning fragments of
buildings, shattered and shaken by the fierce heat. Helmets may be seen
in the museum at headquarters showing fearful blows and deep
indentations from falling fragments of masonry, and firemen would
probably tell you that they suffer more from this cause than any other.
For small fires in rooms, little hand-pumps, kept in hose-carts, are
most useful. They can be speedily brought to bear directly on the flames
and prevent them from spreading. These little pumps can be taken
anywhere; they are used with a bucket, which is kept full of water by
assistants, who pour water into it from other buckets.
The fire, large or small, being extinguished, a message to that effect
is sent to headquarters, and the firemen return, with the possible
exception of one or two men to keep guard against a renewed outbreak. In
the case of larger fires, perhaps half a dozen men and an engine will
remain; while on returning, the various appliances have all to be
prepared in readiness to answer another alarm. It sometimes happens that
a fireman may be on duty for many hours at a stretch, or may only have
time to snatch an hour's sleep with clothes and boots on; for nearly
every hour a fresh alarm comes clanging into the station, telling of a
new fire in some part of busy London. And for any real need, there is, I
trow, no grumbling or complaint from the brave men. But the miscreant
detected in raising a malicious false alarm would have scant mercy. He
would be promptly handed over to the police, and the magistrate would
punish him severely--perhaps with a month's imprisonment.
When not actually engaged at fires, the men find plenty to do in
painting and repairing appliances, attending to horses, and keeping up
everything to the pink of perfection. The hours on duty and for
specified work are all marked down in the brigade-station routine,
general work commencing at 7 a.m., and ending at one, while allowing for
a "stand easy" of fifteen minutes at eleven. The testing of all
fire-alarms once in every twenty-four hours, excepting Sundays and
before six o'clock at night, also forms part of the brigade-station
routine. Every fireman, however, has a spell of twenty-four hours
entirely off duty in the fortnight; but at all other times he is ready
to be called away. Indeed, men on leave are liable to be summoned in
case of urgent necessity; but such time is made up to them afterwards.
Now, before being drafted into the effective ranks, all the men have to
pass through a three months' daily drill at headquarters. The buildings
are very extensive, affording accommodation for about a hundred men,
thirty-five or so being the recruits. In the centre, enclosed by the
buildings, stretches a large square, in which the drill takes place. To
see the combined drill is something like seeing the brigade actually at
work; and this being Wednesday afternoon, and three o'clock striking,
here come the squad of men marching steadily into the yard.
The evolutions are about to begin.