书城外语AShortHistoryofShanghai
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第25章 MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT, 1860–1870(3)

The police force was increased, and in 1864 consisted of 164 foreigners.

On account of expenses this number was cut down, and Chinese weredrafted into the force. In 1870 the foreign police numbered 112.

During the first ten years, the Consular Constables and the native watchmensufficed for the policing of the Settlement. In 1853 eight foreign constables wereemployed with Mr. S. Clifton as Superintendent. In 1855 the foreign police forcewas increased to 30.

Fire Brigade

The crowding of the Settlements with cheaply constructedChinese houses during the period of the rebellion added to thedanger of fire. In order to cope with this menace fire wells were sunkin the main thoroughfares to serve as reservoirs for water. Before theintroduction of a system of waterworks, these fire wells, the creeks, andthe river were the only available sources upon which the one fire enginecould drew. This engine was imported from the United States in 1863

by the Council, and formed the nucleus of a voluntary fire brigadeservice organized in 1866. Captain J. P. Roberts was elected first ChiefEngineer, and Mr. C. J. Ashley, foreman of the Mih-ho-loong (destroyfire dragon)Hook and Ladder company. The French joined heartily inthe enterprise and the three Settlements worked in complete harmony.

The Brigade was not at first under the control of the MunicipalCouncil, and, as it was largely supported by the Insurance companies,was not a great drain on municipal resources.

Fire alarms were in the beginning given by the ringing of thechurch bell and the firing of three guns from the senior man-of-war inport, and the ringing of the bells of the steamers in harbour. Owing tothe fact that the church bell could not be heard distinctly, a tower waserected at the Hongkew Police Station, and one of the church bells notin use was lent by the trustees as a fire alarm.

In 1880 a large bell weighing 5,150 pounds was purchased fromthe Meneely Founders of West Troy, N. Y. The bell had been cast in1865 and was obtained at the low cost of $1,500 gold. It was hung inthe one hundred feet high tower erected at the Central Fire Station onShantung Road and the one in use there was transferred to the towerat the Hongkew Police Station. Some time after bells ceased to be usedfor fire alarms, the large bell purchased in 1880 was moved to JessfieldPark and mounted on a stone pedestal in front of a small Chinesepavilion where it may now be seen.

The second and third articles of the constitution of the voluntaryShanghai Fire Deparment read as follows:“Article II.—The Shanghai Fire Department is instituted for thebetter preservation of all property exposed to conflagration and itsmotto shall be "We Fight the Flames.‘“Article III.—That the American, English and French Settlementsbe known respectively as Fire Districts Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and theoperations of the S. F. D. shall be within the foreign settlements ofShanghai, and these limits shall not be passed except in cases of urgentnecessity, and by order of the Chief Engineer.“The Fire Brigade played an important part in the life of theSettlements. The young men took up the service with considerableeagerness and enjoyed the excitement and the social life connected withit. Some of them lived at the fire stations, so as to be on hand whenalarms were given, and no matter what social functions they might beattending, at the sound of the fire bell, they rushed off so as to be attheir stations as quickly as possible. There was keen competition amongthe different units as to which would reach the scene of the fire first.

As we shall see later, owing to the extension of the Settlementarea and to great increase in the number of fires, it became necessaryto abandon the voluntary system, and to introduce in its place a paidfire brigade, with a trained Chief Officer at its head, appointed by theMunicipal Council.

Cemetries

A Cemetery company was formed in 1844 which by the saleof shares , raised S500 with which was bought the first burial groundbehind the Custom House. Before it could be laid out as a cemetery.

Messrs. Lindsay and company acquired this plot of ten and a halfmow, by giving in exchange for it a piece of fourteen mow on ShantungRoad, with a well built wall, a gateway and a mortuary chapel. It isknown as the Shantung Road Cemetery. Here will be found many ofthe graves of the early residents of Shanghai including those of Dr. E.

C. Bridgman, the first American Missionary to China and the Rt. Rev.

William J. Boone, the first Anglican Bishop in China.

During the years 1844 -185 1, 54 seamen died in Shanghai andwere buried in the foreign cemetery. Later on a special cemetery was setapart for seamen, in Pootung.

An interesting cemetery is situated at the corner of Rue Hué andthe Boulevard des Deux Républiques. Here are the graves of the Britishsoldiers and sailors who lost their lives during the time of the fightingaround Shanghai, in 186 1-1864 。 They were buried at first just underthe city wall, but when this was demolished, after the Revolution of1911, the graves were removed to the present site.

In September, 1863 , it was decided that a new cemetery wasnecessary and that it should be located outside of the Settlements. Thisled to the purchase by the Municipalities of the Pahsienjao Cemetery,at that time situated beyond the French Concession. In 1866 theCouncils undertook the charge of all cemeteries.

In later times other cemeteries were acquired, first that onBubbling Well Road and then the one on Hungjao Road.

Bridges