Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards - Fire Bri

Lot 1543    SESSION 5 (9.30AM TUESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER)    Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards - Fire Briga

Estimate $3,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au

S.V.F.B. (Shortland Volunteer Fire Brigade), presentation medal, handcrafted in silver (55x32mm), by F.S.Wylie, ring top, ribbon and bar with pin-back suspension, hand engraved fire cart on obverse, reverse inscribed 'Presented To/Captain/Alexr. McLachlan/By The/Shortland V.F.Brigade/For Services Rendered/At Fire/15th March 1887'. Toned, extremely fine and a very rare early fire brigade award, in a contemporary case.

The following courtesy of National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past, from the "Thames Star", 15 March 1887:

"DESTRUCTIVE FIRE - Damage About ?2000

EHRENFRIED BROS.' BREWERY DESTROYED.

About 1.45 o'clock this morning the firebells pealed out an alarm, and in an incredibly short time a large number of persons were hurrying to the scene of the conflagration, which proved to be Ehrenfried Bros.' large brewery establishment in Mackay Street.

The members of the Shortland branch of the Fire Brigade, under Supt. West and Capt. McLachlan, were the first to appear upon the spot, but by this time the fire had a very firm hold of the building, and the flames, which had burst through the roof, were burning fiercely, the heat being intense. The hose was immediately connected with the four-inch main at the corner of Mackay Street, near Mr Buckland's hotel, and a jet of water was soon playing upon the burning building.

This, however, it could be plainly seen, was altogether inadequate to suppress the conflagration, and prevent the further spread of the flames, so that as soon as the Grahamstown contingent arrived about 600ft of hose were laid down, and a good supply of the aqueous element obtained from the fireplug connected with the nine-inch main at Pollen Street corner.

Both jets were then directed upon the mass of flame from the rear of the premises, but without much apparent result, as the fire had too strong a hold to be easily quenched. By this time nearly the whole of the upper storey had been consumed, and a loud crash announced the fact that the foundation upon which the three large boilers rested, had given way, and that they had been precipitated through the middle floor into the lower room, bringing with them a mass of debris.

The firemen worked hard, and under great difficulties, as overhead were nine large iron tanks, erected on trestles, being filled with water at boiling point, which threatened to fall at any moment. At one time one of the ladders upon which a fireman was standing was ignited while resting upon the side of the building, and had to be removed.

There were about 1500ft of hose out, and consequently the pressure of water after travelling this distance was not as good as could be desired, but the firemen prevented the whole of the office being consumed, and only a portion of the roof was destroyed.

The large brick building at the rear of the wooden structure, and which contains the most valuable portions of the machinery and stock, was not damaged; while the store in which the spirits are kept is situated some 20 or 30ft from the brick building, and was not even scorched.

Fortunately there was scarcely a breath of wind blowing, or there can be no doubt the conflagration would have been much more serious, as despite the most strenuous exertions of the firemen, it would in all probability have spread to the adjoining buildings.

Mr Ehrenfried was on a visit to the Thames during last week, but left here on Saturday for Auckland, where Messrs Styak and Myers also are at present, having gone thither on business on Friday last.

STATEMENTS:

Mr F.Mason, who was in charge of the brewery during the absence of Messrs Styak and Myers, states as follows:

'I was awakened by someone calling out "Fire" and at once noticed the reflection on the window, as I live opposite the brewery. My wife looked out of the window, and informed me that the brewery was on fire, when I hurriedly dressed myself and proceeded thither. The flames had then a good hold of the building, and were bursting through the roof. I removed the horses to the paddock, at the same time giving the alarm by calling out "Fire" as loudly as possible.

I met Messrs Lomas and Scudder, and Constable Bern, who assisted me to connect the hose on the premises with the fire-plug, and began playing on the burning roof. Messrs Townsend and Fleming then arrived. The office was broken into, and the valuables, papers, documents, &c, removed to a place of safety.

By this time the Fire Brigade had arrived, and did everything in their power to save the premises. Being in charge of the brewery in the absence of the manager, it was my duty before leaving the premises to go through the place and see that everything was safe, which I did, and when I left about 9 o'clock, there was no appearance whatever of fire.

We had been brewing yesterday, and had a fire in the top building, on what is termed the second floor; while the steam engine fire was also alight. Both these, however, were put out by the brewer (Mr T.Clark) about 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. From the appearance of the fumes when I first observed them, I should think the fire originated in the vicinity of the furnace on the second floor, or about the centre of the building.'

Mr T.Clark, another of the employees, states that he left the brewery between 5 and 6 o'clock last evening, when everything was apparently safe. He was first apprised of the occurrence by Constable O'Brien, who came to his house.

Messrs Griffiths and Clinker, the only other persons employed by Mr Ehrenfried, were not aware of the fire until a late hour this morning.

In the coarse of a conversation with Mr McLachlan, Captain of the Shortland branch of the Fire Brigade, that gentleman made a statement to the following effect:

'I was first aroused about 1.30 by Mrs Phillips, who lives on the opposite side of the street in which I reside. I believe she was first informed of the fire by Mr Winstanley, who was proceeding homewards in the direction of Parawai, when upon reaching the Grey Street bridge he observed the glare, and immediately gave an alarm, although being a new arrival he was not aware of the exact whereabouts of the firebells.

I at once ran to the brewery in company with my son, and the bells had not then commenced ringing. There were at this time very few persons about, but the flames were bursting through the roof, which was burning fiercely. The fire appeared to be confined solely to the upper storey, and the lower floor was untouched by the fiery element, although the debris was falling on it from the roof.'

THE DAMAGE:

Owing to the absence of Messrs Styak and Myers in Auckland, it is altogether impossible to obtain any reliable estimate of the damage sustained through the conflagration. It is stated that beer valued at ?500 has been destroyed, while the portion of the refrigerating machinery in the wooden building, used for the purpose of cooling the beer, was also completely ruined.

In the upper storey there were also situated a malt press, hop press, three vats (two wooden and one stone), and three large boilers, one of which was copper, and had not yet been erected, having been purchased only a short time ago. Nine iron tanks, together with the pipes connected there with, were also rendered useless, and fell this afternoon from the trestle work at the rear of the wooden building.

On the lower floor a quantity of malt, hops, sugar, &c, was stored, together with numerous barrels of beer, and nearly the whole of the latter has been rendered unfit for sale. We are informed by a competent judge that the damage will amount to ?2000, but as before mentioned, no reliable information on this point can be obtained until the return of Messrs Styak and Myers.

THE POLICE:

Sergt. Murphy, and Constables O'Brien, Bern, Dunn, Fleming, and Bullen were present, and rendered every assistance in their power. The large concourse of spectators present were very orderly, although as usual some persons seemed to amuse themselves by treading upon the hose, thus hindering the firemen in their work.

THE ORIGIN:

The origin of the fire remains enshrouded in mystery, as it appears that there had been no fire on the premises since 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. There seems to be a general consensus of opinion, however, that the fire originated about the centre of the upper storey of the building, and this is borne out by an examination of the place to-day.

The lower room has almost escaped untouched by the fiery element, although it is strewn with debris from the upper storey.

THE INSURANCES:

It was rumored to-day that there were insurances on the stock and buildings aggregating to ?3000, but upon enquiry we learn that none of the Thames agents for the various companies have taken any risks thereon, so that the insurances have been effected in Auckland. No authentic information is to be obtained here on the subject, but we understand that the London and Lancashire Insurance Company took a risk on the stock and premises, the greater portion of which was subsequently re-insured with other companies.

INQUIRY:

We understand that there is some likelihood of an inquiry being held into the circumstances connected with the fire, although nothing has yet been decided."

With research.