ACROSS THE WATER.
"How can the firemen climb up there?"
The question may well be asked; for the tall New York houses seem to
reach to the sky.
"Ordinary ladders won't do."
"I guess not," replies the New Yorker. "Why, as far back as 1885,
fourteen out of every hundred buildings were too high to be scaled that
way. We build tall here."
"Then, how about the fire-escape?" asks the Englishman.
"Wa'll, iron ladders or steps are permanently fixed to some of the top
windows. But the firemen bring their hook-and-ladder; that is a most
valuable contrivance."
Pursuing his enquiries, the Englishman would find that a hook-and-ladder
consisted, briefly, of a strong pole, with steps projecting on either
side, and a long and stout hook at the top. The fireman can crash this
hook through a window, and hang the pole firmly over the window-sill;
the hook, of course, plunging right through into the room.
Climbing up this pole, with another length in his hand, the fireman can
hang the second length into the window next above, and so on, up to the
very top of the building. He has also a hook in his belt, which he can
fasten to the ladder, when necessary, to steady and secure himself. In
fact, a well-trained and courageous fireman can climb up the tallest
structures by these appliances.
These hooked poles are made of various lengths, ranging from about 10 to
20 feet and more. Some single ladders and extensions reach to over 80
feet; but it will be seen at once that a succession of, say, ten- or
twelve-feet hooked-pole ladders can be easily handled to reach from
floor to floor, and that, used by an active and well-trained fireman, it
can become a most important appliance for saving life.
St. Louis appears to have been the pioneer city in the use of this
apparatus; but New York and other corporations have followed suit. Since
1883 every candidate for the New York Fire Department must undergo a
course of instruction in the use of this and other appliances, and the
thorough learning in this work renders them better men for their
ordinary duties.
The ladders are wheeled to the fire on a truck 50 feet long, and called
a "hook-and-ladder truck." It carries ladders of different lengths, and
also conveys pickaxes, shovels, battering-rams, fire-extinguishers,
life-lines, etc., and tools for pushing open heavy doors. The majority
of the ladders are placed on rollers, and can be removed at once without
disturbing those resting above them.
[Illustration: AMERICAN FIRE-LADDERS.]
To some extent, therefore, we might say that the hook-and-ladder truck
with its various appliances answers to the horsed escape of the London
Brigade; but, while London firemen make use of the escape as a point of
vantage whence they can discharge water on the fire, the Americans
largely adopt the water-tower. Indeed, they appear to regard this
apparatus as indispensable for high business buildings. Briefly, it
consists of lengths of pipe, which can be quickly jointed together, the
lengths being carried on a van, and varying from about 30 to 50 feet.
When jointed, they can rapidly be raised to an upright position, the
topmost length having a flexible pipe and nozzle for the discharge of
the jet of water. This pipe can be turned in any direction by means of a
wire rope descending below, and the tower can be revolved by simple
apparatus-gearing. The whole appliance is so arranged that it can be
controlled by one man when in action. The water is supplied by a hose
fastened to the bottom of the tower.
[Illustration: AMERICAN FIRE-LADDERS.]
As in England, hydrants are largely used in the States, and the steam
fire-engine is also, of course, a very important appliance. The average
American steam fire-engine generally weighs about three tons, with water
in boiler and men in their seats on the machine. The water in the boiler
is kept at steaming-point by a pipe full of steam passing through it, or
boiling water is supplied from a stationary boiler, so that on arriving
at a fire a working-pressure is obtained. The steam-heating pipe,
however, is capable of being instantly disconnected at the sound of the
fire-alarm.
The alarm, moreover, is so arranged that the first beat of the gong
draws a bolt fastening the horse's halter to the stall. The animals rush
to their posts, the firemen slide down poles from the upper stories to
the lower, through holes in the floors made for the purpose, and, every
one smartly doing his duty, the horses are harnessed, and the engine or
apparatus-van is fully ready to start through the open doors before the
gong has finished striking--unless it be a very brief alarm.
Four snaps harness the horses.
The animals stand on the ground-floor by the sidewalls, facing the
wheels of the engines and trucks. The harness is hung over the
pole-shaft exactly above the place where the horses will stand, the
traces being fastened to the truck; the hinged collar is snapped round
the animal's neck, the shaft-chain is fastened with a snap, and two
snaps fix the reins. One shake of the reins by the coachman detaches the
harness from the suspenders, and away fly the horses.
Arriving at the fire, the engine is attached to the nearest hydrant, and
the delivery-hose is led off to the burning building. The hydrant is
probably of the upright kind, standing up above the roadway level,
though some cities use the hydrant below-ground, and covered with an
iron plate.
But, the water obtained and the engine ready, the method of attacking
the fire at close quarters and inside the edifice is adopted if
practicable; and, to accomplish this purpose, the firemen have to fight
through blinding and suffocating smoke. For hours they may struggle,
well-nigh choked and scorched, though scarce a flash of flame may be
visible. To reach the seat of fire, doors are broken down, and even iron
shutters opened; while hose is led upstairs, or down into cellars, in
order to quench the flames at their source.
Sometimes, however, on arrival at a fire, the chiefs realize that the
conflagration has gained such hold that the firemen's efforts will be
most usefully directed to prevent it from spreading. When the water has
done its work, the fireman can usually turn it off by a relief-valve
without recourse to the engineer, the complete control thus gained
tending to prevent unnecessary damage by water.
The American fire-brigades--or departments, as they are called--may be
broadly divided into two classes: those of great cities, consisting of a
paid staff of officers and men, devoting all their time to the service;
and, secondly, those of smaller places, consisting of a staff of unpaid
volunteers, pursuing their usual daily avocations, but agreeing to
respond to fire-alarms;--these men, though unpaid, are generally exempt
from service as jurymen and militiamen, and sometimes are permitted a
slight abatement of taxation. Some brigades, again, consist partly of
fully-paid firemen, and partly of volunteers.
Many of these organizations are not only charged with the extinguishment
of fires, but also with the regulation of the storage and sale of
combustibles, and in some cities with the supervision of building
construction. It is claimed that this arrangement has led to a much more
economical and efficient administration of this department; and
undoubtedly the fire-brigade has a very lively interest in the security
and stability of buildings. The firemen's efforts to improve them rank
as valuable precautions and preventives of fire.
It is also claimed that some of the American fire departments, as, for
instance, that of New York, are among the best in the world, and their
engines superior in size and capacity and greater in number than those
of other lands. On the other hand, the laws regulating the prevention of
fires are said to have been less stringent than those obtaining in some
other countries.
The terrible fire in New York in 1835, when the loss reached three
million pounds, led to the development of the fire-service and of
apparatus; and prizes were offered for designs for steam fire-engines.
Cincinnati appears to have taken the lead at first; but the New York
Fire Department is now regarded as one of the most perfect. It is under
the control of three commissioners, whom the mayor appoints; and it has
substantially a military organization.
The paid brigades are usually divided into companies, varying from six
to twelve individuals, including both officers and men. A company may be
supplied with a steam fire-engine and tender for hose, or with a
chemical fire-engine, such being called "engine companies"; or with a
hook-and-ladder truck and horses, called "hook-and-ladder companies"; or
with hose-cart only and horses, called "hose companies." A hose-cart
will carry nearly a thousand feet of hose, as well as tools for use at
fires and half a dozen firemen; while some of them also convey short
scaling-ladders.
A water-tower is sometimes placed with an engine or a hook-and-ladder
company; and, again, these two companies are occasionally brigaded
together. Further, many cities are arranged into company districts, the
captain of each company taking general control over all material, and
the enforcement of the laws connected with his department. In some
cities, the companies are combined into battalions under a chief of
battalion, the highest officer commanding the whole being known as the
chief of the department, or may be rejoicing in the imposing title of
the Fire-Marshal.
Some of the larger cities have shown their wisdom in appointing their
firemen for life, including the highest officers, dismissal only taking
place on misconduct; but in others the baneful practice is followed of
dismissing at least the chief officials after a change in local
politics--a plan which does not conduce to great efficiency and
discipline. New York has abandoned this policy since 1867.
In arranging sites for the fire companies, the principle pursued is to
distribute small companies with different appliances over as wide an
area as possible, instead of concentrating men and appliances at certain
central points. By thus placing companies separately, it is believed
that a larger area is served in the same time than by concentrating them
together. On the occurrence of large fires, when many companies are
called out, distant companies are called from various points, like
reserves, to take the places of some of those in action, to meet calls
that may arise in the same districts; while at some stations, or company
houses, the men are divided into two sections with duplicate apparatus,
so that, while one responds instantly to the first call, the second at
once prepares to answer any subsequent alarm.
Among the apparatus used is the jumping-sheet, designed as a last
attempt to save life; circular rope nets some 15 feet in diameter being
carried on the tenders and trucks in New York; while their canvas sheets
have rope handles. Light chemical fire-engines are also largely used in
small places and in the suburbs of large cities, the lightness of the
machine being, no doubt, a great recommendation. An efficient pattern is
the double-tank engine, one tank of which can be replenished while the
other is being discharged. The tanks contain a mixture producing
carbonic acid gas, which is a great foe to fire. The gas is absorbed by
water, and as it expands causes a great pressure, sufficient to force
the fluid through hose, and throw it a distance of about a hundred and
fifty feet. When the water reaches the flames, the gas held in solution
is liberated by the heat and chokes the fire. The mixture will not
freeze, even when the temperature falls to zero; it is thus always
ready. The machine is light, and contains its own propulsive force for
the water; so that we cannot wonder it is widely adopted.
Similar apparatus throws hydrochloric acid and ammoniacal gases, but
opinions differ as to their utility; for though efficient
fire-quenchers, yet a small portion only of the gas appears to be
carried by the fluid and actually reaches the flames.
Another piece of apparatus is a hose-hoister. For using hose on very
high buildings, and also, indeed, for hoisting ladders to great heights,
a simple appliance has been devised, consisting essentially of a couple
of rollers in a frame; the rope, of course, runs over the rollers to
hoist the hose, but the frame is shaped to adjust itself to the coping
or cornice of the wall.
For cities on rivers, fire-boats are in use, some being fitted with
twin-screw propellers, and the crew being sometimes berthed on shore;
while, lastly, as in England, the fire-alarm telegraph forms a marked
feature of the American system. The alarms are fitted with keyless
doors, and the telephone is also largely in use. When, however, the
keyless door of the alarm is opened by its handle, a gong sounds on the
spot, attracting attention, and preventing, it is intended, wrongful
interference with the alarm. When the door is opened, the call for the
fire company is then sent.
As for the horses, they are regularly trained in New York. They are
accepted on trial at the dealer's risk, and placed in a training-stable;
here they grow accustomed to the startling clang of the alarm-gong, to
the use of the harness, and to being driven in an engine or
ladder-truck.
Passing through these trials satisfactorily, the animal is promoted to
service in a company; and if, after a time, a good report is forthcoming
as to activity, intelligence, etc., it is bought in and placed on the
regular staff. Then it is given a registered number, which is stamped in
lead, and worn round the creature's neck. A record is kept of each
horse, the average term of service working out at about six years.
Some horses are so highly trained that they will stand in their stalls
unfastened; others are simply tethered by a halter-strap, a bolt in the
stall-side holding a ring in the strap. It is this bolt which is
withdrawn by the first beat of the fire-alarm, instantly releasing the
horse.
Fire-horses often develop heart disease, as a result of the excitement
of their work, and sudden deaths sometimes occur. When beginning to show
signs of varying powers or of unfitness for their exciting duties, the
horses are sold out of the service, being still useful for many other
purposes.
It was of one such that Will Carleton wrote in stirring verse. The old
fire-horse was sold to a worthy milkman, and instead of the exciting
business of rushing to fires came the useful occupation of taking around
milk.
But one day the old horse heard the exciting cry it knew so well. The
rush of the fire-horses sounded near; the engine rattled past. The
influence was too strong. Regardless of the milk, the old fire-horse
started forward; his eye gleamed with the old excitement; no effort
could restrain him, and he swept along to the fire, with the lumbering
milkcart behind. Over fell the cans; the milk splashed all over the
streets; but on and on tore the steed, until he actually came in front
of the fire-horses, and kept the lead. Then, when he reached the fire,
he halted, moped, and presently fell in the street, and died. He was
game to the last.
This glance at the American fire departments indicates the great
excellence which many of them have reached. The remarkable efficiency is
found both in organization and in appliances, and it no doubt invites
comparison with British fire-brigades. If so, Britain has nothing to
fear. Such comparison, if superficial, is little worth; and if
exhaustive, would consider all the varying circumstances of each
country, and would discover great merit on both sides.
Thus, the immense height of the American edifices, no doubt, renders the
hook-and-ladder a most valuable appliance; but buildings in Britain,
under the present Acts, are not likely to tower so high; and the
improved fire-escapes so deftly handled by British firemen yield as
good, or even better, results for the work they have to do. The question
of the chemical fire-engine is for experts and experience to decide;
and whether, with its fumes and its gases, it is really superior under
all circumstances, and whether it will ever supersede the water-engine
for all purposes, the twentieth century may reveal.
We conclude that absolute superiority cannot be claimed by any one
country. The truth is, that the means of fighting fire have been
developed to very great excellence in many places; and when we consider
the high courage and efficient training of the men, and the valuable
improvements and great usefulness of the various engines and appliances
employed, we may truly regard this immense development as one of the
wonders of the modern world.
THE END.
Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.
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