The Birth of Fire Brigades (水龍會) in Qing China

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Other Title
  • 水龍會の誕生
  • 水竜会の誕生
  • スイリュウカイ ノ タンジョウ
  • 水龍会の誕生

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Abstract

Until the late-eighteenth century, the extinction of fires was accomplished primarily through the destruction of nearby buildings in order to cut off the path of the fire. Fire-fighting 消防 was not regarded as a specific and independent activity ; it was rather closely associated with other public security measures. Only a few local officials organized fire brigades which consisted of soldiers and militiamen. The introduction and prevalent adoption of the hand tub-type fire engine 水龍 changed this situation. This type of fire engine was introduced to China at the end of the Ming period, and was in use in a few cities such as Hangzhou. Due to its size, however, this type of fire engine created disturbances and as a result it temporarily disappeared from the scene. It was only reintroduced in the eighteenth century. Public demonstrations of the workings of this fire engine were held to convince the public of its usefulness. Once the public's faith had been secured, this fire engine re-emerged as an indispensable apparatus for fire-fighting. The adoption of this type of fire engine made it possible for commoners to fight fires themselves. From the period of the late-eighteenth century on, an increasing number of fire brigades were established. By the period of the late Qing, it became necessary to regulate fire brigades. Through the amalgamation of private fire brigades within cities, and as a result of foreign influence, fire-fighting became tied to local self-government. The development of this concept linked fire-fighting to issues of urban planning and infrastructure development, which in turn further extended the concept and operations of fire-fighting.

Journal

  • 東洋史研究

    東洋史研究 56 (2), 235-273, 1997-09-30

    東洋史研究會

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