1914 Auto Chemical FIRE TRUCK ACCIDENT
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The chairman of the Norwich Board of Fire Commissioners convinced the Executive Committee of Norwich’s Court of Common Council that price of $5,100 ($191,500 in 2025 dollars) for an auto chemical firefighting apparatus was well worth the investment based on increased efficiency of the whole fire department and lower maintenance costs.
He said, “The average annual expense of the motor-driven apparatus used for fire purposes is one-tenth the cost of horse-drawn used for the same purpose. The average annual expense of keeping one pair of horses is $500. The average annual expense of combination motor-driven chemical and hose wagon is $40.” The Common Council agreed and an order for an auto driven, dual purpose fire fighting apparatus was contracted for.
The new Pope-Hartford auto chemical arrived in Norwich on Monday, March 11, 1912, shortly before midnight. It came in Central Station blaring its siren and sporting several Norwich pennants. Several members of the common council and many local dignitaries heartily welcomed the auto chemical even though it arrived four hours late due to a minor mechanical breakdown along the journey from Hartford.
It was declared to be the finest auto chemical car in the country, (the only one just like it), and as far as equipment was concerned, it was the best. Before production began Norwich Chief Howard L. Stanton and local fire commissioners made several significant suggestions for the car’s design.
The car was painted vermillion, with the name ‘Norwich Fire Department’ on the side of the seat and a plate bearing the name of the mayor and the fire commissioners on the left side.
It could carry 1000 feet of hose and a full load of equipment and tools. The four-cylinder, 50-horsepower water-cooled engine can propel the car to a maximum speed of 55 mph.
A 1913 Pope-Hartford Auto Chemical
Pope-Hartford Manufacturing Company
Pope-Hartford was one of the automobile brands of the Pope Manufacturing Company founded by Colonel Albert A. Pope. He was a manufacturer of Brass Era automobiles and fire-fighting equipment in Hartford Connecticut between 1904 and 1914. The first Pope-Hartford was a single-cylinder runabout Introduced to the market in 1904. It was followed by a twin-cylinder automobile in 1905, and a four-cylinder model in 1906. A six-cylinder Pope-Hartford began production in 1911..
On August 10, 1909, Colonel Albert A. Pope died and his brother George took over. By 1914, Pope-Hartford production continued under receivership. Pope Manufacturing Company had been selling-off its property and the Pope-Hartford plant was sold in 1915, only a year after the Norwich accident presented below.
Franklin Square on Friday, May 12, 1914
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On Friday May 12, 1914 the auto chemical was called into action to suppress a building fire on Franklin Square. Unfortunately, while responding to the alarm the machine overturned and two Norwich firefighters were injured (photos shown above).
Hoseman John J. Lynch became delirious after suffering a head injury and Hoseman John E. Blackburn’s right ankle was broken when the car overturned. Both were rushed and attended to Backus Hospital. They both recovered.
Two days later the auto chemical was sent to the Pope-Hartford factory for repairs. On May 25, 1914 Chief Stanton traveled to Hartford to discuss the needed repairs.
While it was being repaired the supply wagon with the three horses that were used for the old engine served the duties of the auto chemical in Norwich.
The auto chemical returned to service on June 30,1914. During the repair process, the apparatus was also given a thorough overhaul. The upgrades included a new body, new pistons, new gears, and other new parts.
Acknowledgements
“Hoseman Lynch Taken Back to Hospital,” Norwich Bulletin, page 5, (05/25/1914)
“Auto Secured for Fire Department,” Norwich Bulletin, page 6, (03/06/1912)
“Fire Truck Accident circa 1915,” page 188, by “The Faith Jennings Collection,” (1997)
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “fire truck accident” in the SEARCH box.
1915 Taftville Fire
Around 9 p.m. on May 30, 1915, a fire started in Taftville’s Lincoln Club, which was in the corner building of Merchants and Hunters avenues. The fire destroyed three grocery stores, two butcher shops, a clothing store, confectionery store, bakery, drug store and a barbershop.
The alarm was quickly spread and Ponemah Mills’ Ponemah Mills’ fire department responded. By the time they had arrived the Lincoln Club was destroyed. Unfortunately, the flames were rapidly spreading to nearby blocks on three sides.
Upon call, Chief Howard L. Stanton and his Norwich Fire Department rushed to help. As soon as Stanton arrived by automobile he immediately telephoned for the Norwich Engine No. 1. The three horses had a hard pull, but they made excellent time. They fought the fire courageously for several hours.
The raging fire consumed half of Taftville’s business district and several families were left homeless.
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TAFTVILLE FIRE COMPANY NUMBER 1
The 1915 Cadillac touring car shown below was owned by the Ponemah Mill Fire Company in 1915. Before going into service it was turned into a firefighting vehicle by mill workers. After its service at the mill, it was sold to the Taftville Fire Department in 1958 for one-dollar. Later, it was put on display at the Connecticut Fire Museum in Manchester. Finally, in 2019 the vehicle was returned back to its Taftville roots.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Rob Ladd for his contributions to this article
“Fire Swept Taftville Buildings,” (05/31/1915), Norwich Bulletin
“Taftville Fire Company Remains Close-knit After 100 Years of Service,” (03/11/2017), by Ryan Blessing
“CT Station Welcomes Back 1915 Fire Truck,” (08/22/1019), by John Penny
“Village of Taftville Fire History,” by the Taftville No. 2 Fire Department
“Taftville Fire Co. No. 1”
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “1915 Taftville fire” in the SEARCH box.
1938 Hurricane of 1938
Packing a storm surge of 12-15 feet and winds of more than 120 mph, the Category 3 hurricane caused $400,000,000 ($7.3 billion in today’s dollars) in property damage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This photo shows a view of the water flowing past the washed-out Eighth Street bridge in Greeneville.
Info & Photo Source 1, the Hurricane Views ~ September 21, 1938 book provides a detailed account of the effect of the 1938 hurricane on Norwich.
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The photo shows the destruction of railroad freight house at the site of present-day Howard T. Brown Park.
This photo shows how present-day Howard T. Brown Park looked after the hurricane struck.
The Thames River flooded into Franklin Square and caused property damage across the region due to downed trees and branches and extensive flooding.
The photo shows Captain Howell of the Salvation Army lending a had on flooded Franklin Street. On September 21, 1938, the region suffered a monster hurricane. Tragically underestimated, the hurricane barged into the region with little warning, killing nearly 600 people in New England and destroying 9,000 homes and businesses and 2,600 boats.
This photos show the washed-out railroad tracks and the Norwich railroad freight house (near present-day downtown Norwich) after the hurricane.
This unfortunate event is well documented. The information and photo source, “Hurricane Views ~ September 21, 1938,” by Miles E. Standish provide a detailed report and large number of photos.
Acknowledgements
“Hurricane Views ~ September 21, 1938,” by Miles E. Standish, published by the Norwich Bulletin
“Hurricane of 1938 Devastated the Region,” (09/27/2009), by Bill Stanley
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “hurricane” in the SEARCH box.
1954 Air France Airplane Crash
On August 3, 1954 Air France Flight 075, a trans-Atlantic flight originating in Paris and bound for Mexico City, came to rest about 50 feet from the homestead on the Valentine Sebastian farm in Preston.
The 1955 Civil Aeronautic Board report listed “inadequate in-flight planning” as the probable crash cause. The pilot “did not take a firm selection of a suitable airport within range of the fuel remaining at the time of the missed approach.”
Even though the plane exploded and burst into flames, all twenty-nine passengers and eight crew members survived. However, six passengers and three crewmen were hospitalized. Most of the passengers were released from the hospital within days. One survivor, textile executive Aaron Rosenstein, gave out 10 checks for $100 in gratitude to Backus Hospital, the state police, the Sebastian family and several of the fire companies.
The German prince, 30 year-old Alfons Langerburg, told of how he kicked open the plane’s wing door after the crash to escape. He said he barely missed being hit by an exploding engine. The prince made news again the following year, when he married a 15 year old Austrian princess in Rome.
Acknowledgements
“All on Board Survived 1954 Plane Crash in Preston” , 08/22/2007, by Bill Stanley
Wikipedia
New York Times 08/04/1954