Fire Telegraph in Boston

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


We have received a letter from Boston, stating that the article in the Scientific American, taken from a Lowell paper, about the failure of the " Fire Telegraph," is not correct The article," probably originated," says the letter, " from a report to the City Government, that the Marm was inefficientmdash;that is, there was not enough of it. The City has, therefore, added three more bells, and also more alarm boxes. There is no failure about the Boston Fire Telegraph, and the City would be loth to go back to the old system, for, under the present, alarms of fire have decreased about 40 per cent. There have been but few irregularities, which may be well allowed for the newness of the system." Thus, as quoted, writes our correspondent. A splendid mass of pure gold weighing 28 lbs. 4 oz. has been lately found at the Australian diggings. This superb mass has been purchased by the executive of the colony for $8,250, and bas been transmitted per steamer to England as a present to Queen Victoria. Philadelphia last year consumed 3,253,177,-762 ale gallons of water, and 1,415,188,000 feet of gas. The daily average consumption ot water in the city proper and the districts of Southwark and Moyamensing was 6,731, 744 gallons.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 19This article was published with the title “Fire Telegraph in Boston” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 19 (), p. 146
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican01221853-146c

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe