This article appeared in the Trenton Times, December 12, 2002.

VICTORY BELL SIREN LOWERED

The Chrysler Victory-Bell Siren, posted at the King Road fire station for almost 45 years, will be displayed at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills.

Chrysler and Bell Laboratories of New York developed the sirens in 1942.

Throughout the World War II era, they were meant to deafen, or at least frighten, any enemy troops who might find their way to the United States.

"During the Cold War era, because nothing could match its power, they realized it had a place in communities for civil defense," said Pat Adanti-Joy, spokeswoman for the museum.

The siren that was removed Monday from its 75-foot tower was produced at Chrysler's Trenton Engine Plant.

It was installed in August 1958 and remained in service until the 1970s, when an alternate radio system was introduced.

The siren, about the size of a small car, is powered by a Chrysler 331 Hemi engine and produced the loudest continuous noise ever created by a machine.

It has a sound radius of more than nine miles and emits about 140 decibels at 100 feet away.

Adanti-Joy said that although the siren would be restored, its powerful volume might lead it to never be set off again.

"It's been said that you couldn't stand next to it because it was so loud," she said. "And when it was going it would vibrate so much that you couldn't reach over to turn it off."

The self-contained, gas powered unit was designed to operate without electricity, water or other public utilities, allowing it to operate in any circumstances.

Adanti-Joy said the siren would undergo a yearlong restoration process before it goes on permanent display at the museum.

This Chrysler Victory-Bell Siren, posted at Trenton's King Road fire station for almost 45 years, was removed from its long-time home Monday morning. The historic civil defense siren will go through a year-long, restoration process and be displayed at the Walter P Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills.