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FIRE HOSE TURNED UPON CROWD DURING VISIT OF
FRENCH FRIGATE, 'LA DANAE'
The courtesy visit to Sunderland by the French frigate, LA Danae, late in 1864, was proclaimed as a great manifestation of the Anglo-French Alliance.
Her arrival in the South Dock on 29th September was accompanied by considerable public interest, with little expense being spared in providing civic hospitality for her 380 officers and crew.
During her stay the frigate was regularly open to members of the public who flocked to the dock in their hundreds to view life on board the French man o'war.
An incident which occurred on one such occasion somewhat marred the visit, although fortunately there were no lasting repercussions.
On the afternoon of Sunday, 2nd October, 1864, many inhabitants of Sunderland and others from farther afield thronged the quayside, eager to go on board.
Such were the numbers present that it was decided to remove the access gangway as the ship was crammed to capacity with visitors.
Once this had been done, the mood of the crowd changed and they began surging towards the ship and the quay edge.
Supervising the crowds that day was Inspector Allan who became extremely concerned for their safety due to the danger of people being pushed over the edge of the quay or being crushed to death.
With the air filled with the screams of women and children, the outnumbered members of the Watch strove to control the crowd and pull children to safety.
Realising that the situation had become critical and that something drastic had to be done, Allan ordered the manual firefloat stationed nearby to be brought into action.
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Holding the nozzle of the hose himself, he instructed his men to commence pumping.
On doing so, the Inspector directed a strong jet of dock water onto the mass of people, driving them away from the frigate and causing them to disperse.
Thus the danger was alleviated.
Whilst those in the crowd whose position was the most perilous, although drenched were most relieved to find safe refuge, others who did not appreciate the full extent of the actual danger began booing and jeering the police.
Some pelted officers with missiles, while others threatened to seize Allan and thrown him into the dock.
Inevitably, complaints were made to the Watch Commissioners regarding Allan's conduct.
As a result, meetings of the River Wear Watch Committee were held on 6th and 20th October, 1864, at which witnesses for and. against Allan gave evidence.
Fortunately for the Inspector, the overwhelming weight of the evidence was in his favour.
After some discussion - and with one dissension - the Commissioners, with what appears to have been a note of censure, passed the following resolution:
"That the Committee regret exceedingly that Inspector Allan deemed it necessary to use the fire engine in dispersing the crowd, but the Committee are of the opinion from the overwhelming evidence which has been given before them, that if he had not done so, a great loss of life would, in all probability, have taken place."
Whilst Inspector Allan's actions had been vindicated, he was to hold the unique distinction of being responsible for the only instance at Sunderland - and probably the country whereby a firefloat was used to disperse a crowd.
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