To the Honorable the Board of Fire Commissioners of the City and County of San Francisco:

GENTLEMEN - I have the honor of presenting to you the Twelfth Annual Report of the San Francisco Paid Fire Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878, embracing a detailed statement of all the fires and alarms which have occurred in the city during the year, the loss and insurance on the same; also, a list of its members, their ages, residences and occupations. There will also be found the location of Hydrants and Cisterns, the condition of the houses and apparatus, with such suggestions on other subjects as would tend, in my opinion, to promote the efficiency of the Department, and more fully meet the large and growing interests of our city.

The number of fires and alarms from all causes for the year ending June 30, 1878, has been three hundred and twenty-one (321).

In July, 1877, the large lumber yards, and the warehouse on Beale street wharf, were set on fire; the lumber being very dry, the warehouse containing a large amount of oil with other inflammable material, and through numerous obstacles thrown in the way by disposed people, the fire attained great headway before the Department could control it. Material assistance was rendered by Stewart Menzies, Esq., with the tug boat Rescue, belonging to Goodall, Nelson & Co.

The fire on August 8th, in block bounded by Drumm to East, and Clay and Oregon street, was also supposed to be incendiary. The buildings being of light and combustible material, used as coal yards, hay and grain barns, carriage factory, etc., and the water mains being very small, the fire obtained considerable headway before it could be controlled. Through the kindness of Martin Bulger, Esq., Superintendent of the P. M. S. S. Co's docks, the tug boat, Millen Griffith, with effective streams, assisted materially in suppressing the conflagration; the same should be said also of the tug boat Rescue.

On Monday, November 19, 1877, a fire broke out in the North Point Warehouse, foot of Sansome street, entailing a very heavy loss. The fire spread with such rapidity, that the entire building and contents were in flames on the arrival of the Department. Again acknowledgment should be made for the valuable assistance rendered by the Harbor Commissioners' tug boat Anasha, Captain Peppe, and the tug boat Minnehaho.

These were the only fires of considerable consequence during the year.

HOUSES
In my last report I called your attention to the houses of the Department, which all needed more or less repairs and painting. During the year the houses of Engine Companies Nos. 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10; Hose Companies Nos. 2, 5, and 6; as also the house of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, have been put in repair and the stalls of the horses changed, so that the horses face towards the apparatus. In May, a contract was given out by the Board of Supervisors to partially rebuild and thoroughly overhaul the house of Engine Company No. 2, on Bush street, which is nearly completed. By a recent act of the Legislature the position of Carpenter of the Fire Department was created, which has resulted in a great saving to the city. During the coming year all the rest of the houses will be thoroughly overhauled and painted, and the necessary alterations made in the stalls for the horses, where the houses will permit.

DEPARTMENT APPARATUS.
All of the Engines of the Department are in excellent condition, as also Hook and Ladder Trucks that are in service. In May a contract was given out for six new Hose Carts, and one second-class Amoskeag Steamer, to be delivered in September, which will put the Department in first-class condition. During the year two new four-wheeled Carriages have been built for the two Hose Companies recently authorized by the Board of Super- br> visors, which are kept ready for use with 800 feet of hose at the Corporation Yard, awaiting the completion of the houses.

In another portion of this report will be found a statement of the quantity, quality and condition of all the hose in possession of the Department available for fire purposes, and how and where distributed; also, a statement, of the quantity of hose in possession of private parties, the names of said parties, and where the hose is kept.

CISTERNS.
In another portion of this report will be found a tabular statement of the number, location and capacity of cisterns, from which the Department can, in case of need, obtain a supply of water.

HYDRANTS.
The number of Hydrants erected prior to June 30, 1877, was one thousand two hundred and eight (1,208) ; during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878, the number erected was thirty-nine (39), making a total of one thousand two hundred and forty-seven (1,247).

HORSES.
The Department has been and is at present well equipped with horses. The number now in use is 63, and their general health is excellent.

CIRCULATING HEATERS.
During the year steam circulating heaters have been placed in the houses of Engine Companies Nos.2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10, and have proved very satisfactory . The consumption of coal is less than a ton a month for each heater.

FIRE BOAT.
The boat Governor Irwin, under the control of the State Harbor Commissioners, having on board two large Hooker pumps suitable for fire purposes, was kindly tendered by them for use of the Department on the city front and in the harbor. The Board of Supervisors authorized the organization of an additional Company to man her, consisting of one Captain, one First Officer, one Engineer, one Stoker and eight Extramen. The boat constitutes a powerful auxiliary to the effective force of the Department, her pumps being capable of throwing eight heavy streams.

ACCIDENTS.
The number of accidents the past year has been unusually small. None of the members have been permanently disabled . In July, 1877, P. Barry, Extraman of Engine Company No. 3, fell through the roof at the Lick House fire and was badly injured, but has fully recovered. April 30, 1878, John J . Mahoney, Foreman of Engine Company No. 5, had his arm broken at the Mansion House fire, on Dupont street. John J. Skehan, Foreman of Engine Company No. 7, had his leg badly injured in going to a fire April 16, 1878. Hugh McKnight, Extraman of Hose Company No . 6, had his foot broken by being run over by the hose carriage in going to a fire. T. W. Allen, Extraman of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, fell through an open hatchway at the fire at the North Beach and Mission Railroad stables, and was badly bruised. Peter Louadeck, Extraman of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, had two of his ribs fractured by being run over in going to a fire. On the evening of April 29, 1878, Gregory Robinson, Extraman of Hook and Ladder Company No. 4, had his leg broken, and otherwise badly bruised; and John Eckleman, Extraman of same company, had his collar bone broken by being thrown from the truck while on their way to a fire.

DEATHS.
J. D. Muntz, Tillerman of Hook and Ladder Company No. 3, died of consumption October 29, 1877. George E. Miller, Driver of Hose Company No. 4, died of cancer, June 24, 1878.

CHARITABLE FUND.
The charitable fund is in a very flourishing condition. This fund is for the benefit of sick and disabled members, and is maintained by contribution of one dollar per month from each member, and an additional dollar for every funeral.

APPARATUS
I would recommend to your Honorable Body the purchase of a second-class Hayes truck for the use of Hook and Ladder Company No. 3, on Market street, between Ninth and Tenth streets, as the truck they now have is too heavy for the large district they have to cover, and the old one could be kept for a reserve truck in the Corporation Yard.

HOSE.
I would also recommend to your Honorable Body the purchase of 5,000 feet of the best carbolized hose, as we have only 18,000 feet of good, reliable hose in use, and stored in the Corporation Yard.

CONCLUSION.
I desire to express my personal acknowledgments to his Honor, the Mayor, A. J. Bryant, for his uniform courtesy, and for the interest manifested by him in all matters connected with the Fire Department.

I feel under deep obligation to the Honorable Board of Supervisors for its support of measures which I have had the honor to recommend or suggest, from time to time. The members of the Board of Engineers, and the officers and members of the several Companies, are also entitled to my thanks for their prompt performance of duty. I feel grateful to Chief of Police Kirkpatrick, and the Police Department generally, for valuable assistance rendered at fires. To Fire Marshal Durkee, Captain White of the Fire Patrol, and Mr. Lohse, Assistant Superintendent of the Spring Valley Water Works, for their valuable assistance at fires, I desire to return my sincere thanks.

In conclusion, allow me to express my thanks to your Honorable Board for your able and untiring exertions in maintaining the discipline and efficiency of the Department, and the aid rendered me in the performance of my duties. It shall be my sole aim to merit your confidence and approval, and I pledge myself that no effort on my part shall be spared to promote the welfare and effectiveness of the Department, so as to fully merit your approval, and that of our fellow citizens of San Francisco.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

DAVID SCANNELL,
Chief Engineer.

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