report prepared by Mr. Charrier, District The following is a copy of. the oficial Engineer of the French Settlement, for presentation to the French Municipality, and handed to us for publication At a quarter to six this morning the fire bell was rung, giving the signal of a fire in the French town. I ordered my carriage and went to the spot. At a quarter-past rix the Rue de lest was on fire on both sides, and the flames were gaining on the north towards the Rue de la Paix. At half-past eight, the fire was shown to be damped, and I thought we were master of it in that direction, having No. 4 stam engine, No. 5 engine, steam launch engine, and No. 2 steam engine all pouring water on the buildings. "At that moment the wind was not strong.
I went to report the situation to the Chief Engineer, who was in the Rue de VEst with the Hook and Ladder Company, No. 6 French steam engine, "Lo Torrent," No. 7 steam engine "Victoria," all pouring water on the buildings of the Presbyterian Mission, which had caught fire on the side of the Rue do VEst. At that time it was half-past eight, when suddenly a strong wind rose from the south-west, and Grove the flames towards the direction where I thought the fire was stopped; the flames then crossed the street and set fire to another lot of buildings, going towards the north and spreading to the east, which such a fury that we were obliged to retreat, and at one moment No. 4 and No. 5 engines were so surrounded by the flames, that No. 4 engine was obliged to leave the place, leaving four lengths of hose behind.
About nine o'clock the flames were 80 high and so strong, and gaining always to the north, that at one moment the Cantonese pagoda was in great danger. The No. 2-engine had charge to protect the Missions Etrangerts, No. 4 engine the Ningpo godown, the steam launch and Kin-lo-yuen the China Merchants' Co.'s godowns. No. 5 laid her hose through a passage leading to the Cantonese pagoda. This was the furthest part to the north side. Seeing the blaze coming so strong in that direction, I met Mr. Endicott, we beth considered the danger, and took steps t" prevent the fire reaching the pagoda and godowns. Water was of no use. Mr. Endicott then gave orders to some compradores to bring hundreds coolies to save the contents (sugar, &c.), which order was executed at once.
Meantime Mr. Andrew and Mr. Grosse, of the Mih-ho-loong Company, assisted by others, were at work, pulling the houses down; the Superintendent of the French police sent the Inspector of the East Police Station to tell me that the station was in danger. I gave orders to the foreman of No. 5 to do his best to save it, which he did gallantly.
At that moment, a sort of whirlwind came with such a fury that from the Rue de la Paix to the City moat, in less than five minutes, from north to south, the houses were ignited a distance of about two Inundred and fifty yards, the flames spreading toivards the river, The officer of the Russian man-of-war, with a detachment of men, offered me his services, which I accepted. Hundreds of natives with the little furniture they had saved, were sitting at the edge of the river, each by their own lot of property—children, men, women of all ages, by Rundreds. The gallant Mih-ho-loong seeing the danger that those people would be in ina few minutes went to save them, and many gentlemen not belonging to the fire brigade worked well—their courage was chivalrous and praiseworthy. The first attempt was made at the corner of the Rue de Jo Paix at a tea shop, and being from fifteen houses distant of the flames. The house was not half pulled down before it took fire and the heat forced all the people giving assistance to retreat.
Atthat moment, firemen, sailors, civilians, policemen, natives, women, and children were obliged to seek refuye and abandon the place. The steam engine No. 6 was obliged to throw into the river a great quantity of hose to save it. Mr. Teillot, foreman of the No. 6, with some members of his company, had to drive their engine through the flames and smoke to save her from being destroyed; it was an act of bravery. Then it was about ten o'clock. The fire had consumed everything before it, and we had only one way to come back to our Settlement, by the river. After that terrible struggle every man without exception was exhausted. The Missions Etrangéres had their house open; and one cantina was kept going with a good supply of ice, bread, meat, claret, and soda water, by the liberal pro-rioter of the Hotel cles Colonies, Mr. eisson, assisted by Mr. Godaert in waiting on the people.
Great credit is due to the Fathers of the Missions for their kindness in providing for and waiting on the people.
9 o'clock the Missions provided an ambulance, for it was at that hour most men fell sick and the first treatment was given by the Fathers. Great credit is also duo to Mr. Bletters, a gentleman who with a basket full of ice and cool drinks went from one engine to another, giving ice to the firemen. Mr. Endicott also deserves credit for his great assistance in supplying a gang of coolies; as likewise do all the gentlemen who assisted the fire brigade in their heavy work. I saw some of those gentlemen' going up the houses pulling down the wails. One old resident was remarkable for his good work by helping—Captain Vaynold.
At half-past ten, Lieutenant Hughes of the Monocacy, with a detachment of forty men, was on the scene of the fire offering me his services, which I accepted. I went, round with that officer to different places where the engines were at work. I found that the fire had surrounded the engines, which were pouring strong streams of water, and that the members of those companies were working with such enthusiasm and full spirit that they did not retreat as their companions did. The lieutenant, myself and two men, started for the south part of the fire, where we saw a big sight; No. 5 engine was there, the engine of the Fathers, and about five or six other engines belonging to the Chinese, with hundreds of coolies with buckets carrying water to supply the engines. The noise and confusion on that bridge is impossible to describe.
Having given another look round in company with Mr. Moore, foreman of No. 4 Steam Ca., we found the situation sati tory and without danger, and I gave orders to roll up. It was then half-past eleven. The French Gas Ca. engine, commanded by Mr, Sortier, was pouring water on the quay until half-past twelve.
No. 5 could not come in the Settlement before half-past three, as there was no road for her to pass, the ruins being in a blaze. I went round the fire once more to be well certain that there was no danger of its spreading. The time then was half-past one, The launch steam engine, Kin-lo-yuen engine, and No. 4 engine, were loft pouring water on the remains of the fire.
Then I gave my last look at.a fire which for the first time compelled the Shanghai Fire Brigade to retreat before the fierceness of the flames.
Before he retired, the Chief Engineer ger orders for the engines to play on the North side, in order to protect property in that direction, A, Cuanrrer, District Engineer, French Settlement. 15th August, 1879.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.