New York Firefighting and the American Revolution: Saving Colonial Gotham from Incineration

by Bruce Twickler

Overview

Revolutionary-era Manhattan was a chaotic scene of Loyalists, British occupation troops, Patriot spies and thousands of people seeking to live ordinary lives during extraordinary times. In the 1730s, the colonial legislature of New York officially created a fire department, establishing the origins of today's FDNY. As Washington withdrew from the city and the British rushed in, firefighters were forced to choose between joining the cause for independence or helping to protect British interests. Just days later, a fire broke out on September 21, 1776. By daybreak, it had consumed five hundred buildings and was the most destructive fire in colonial North America. While the British claimed it was set by American revolutionary vandals, controversy surrounding the fire remains today. Author Bruce Twickler uncovers the history of New York firefighting as a new nation was forged.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439674741
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	04/25/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Bruce Twickler produced, wrote and directed the acclaimed PBS documentaries Damrell's Fire (2006) and Broadside (2009). Before filmmaking, he published animation and video software--VideoWorks (1985) and VideoCraft (1995)--and founded an Internet company, Andover.net (IPO 1999). Before publishing, he cofounded a chain of retail hi-fi stores and worked as a research engineer at MITRE Corporation after receiving his BS/MSEE from MIT. He now lives with his wife on Cape Cod while visiting his grown kids and very rapidly growing grandkids.