Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-07-10
Steam, Fire Engines.

y correspondent, whose letter we publish
below, requests us to insert an editorial notice
of the Steam Fire Engine which we find in the
New York Scientific American" We cheer
fully comply with our correspondents request
We heartily endorse all he says Of the merits
Of the engine and the authority OF the 'Scien-
tilc American" We earnestly recommend, rs
we have heretofore done that the City Council
OF Richmond will at once contract with MeSsrs
Ettenger & Edmond for one or two Of their
Steam Fire Engines:
10 tie Editors Of tie Enquirer:
Gentlemen: In justice to the mechanics Of
our city and the best interest Of Richmond,
the enclosed article, from the Scientific Ameri-
can of 23d June, demands something more
than mere notice. Coming from a source so
highly respectable, aud which is deemed au-
Mority in such subjects the world over, this is
praise that can be appreciated, and which your
own knowledge of the facts will enable you to
endorse most thoroughly. Messrs Ettcngcr 4
Edmond deserve all the encouragement that
we can give them, and in 4 more substantial
manner than empty congratulations. 1t can
DC given Will lnucii lIoHl aHu au' u'aHtaSe "
this city in the shape Of an order for two or
three Of those most effective ".Hre annihiG-
t0rs" 1t would save annually ten times their
cost to the property holders Of Richmond
Scarcely week passes that some contiagration
does not happen to sweep off more than the
amount required for the purchase, and which
might and may be prevented by their means
If we cannot afford to purchase them, how can
we afford to lose ten times their price to feed
the ipsatiate fire? Ten thousand dollars lost
by fire is Il 'sdcad loss" But ten thousand to
our manufacturers would be u capital we'll and
wisely invested, at once aiding worthy and
deserving firm, encouraging our manuEc-
lures and realizing large annual safety to our
citizens: d.
rrron, the New York Scientific American, July lSG0.l
Steam-Fire Engine for Russia.
Owing to the great number of wooden struc-
lures which were originally erected in the
cities and villages Of our country when it was
new and timber so abundant, their combuStible
character naturally led to frequent and cx-
tcnsive conllagrations To prevent and miti.
gate such evils the energies Of our people were
aroused, and their natural mechanical genius
was excited and, rs Il consequence, they be-
came the inventors and builders Of the most
efficient hand lire-engines in the world. These
were divided into several classes, and with
some variations, generally consisted Of two up
right pumps, situated opposite one another, at
the rear Of long water box placed on 4 car
riage, and connected with suction pipe be-
hind and discharge pipe before leading
through an air-chamber to the hose and nozzle.
The pumps had two valves--an inlet and
dscharging one. Some of these were furnish
ed with springs, but the most common kind
were simple Hap valves The suction valve
opened into the cylinder, the discharge one
opened outwardS, thus forming force pump.
The two pumps were operated by 4 long hor-
zonta leye. or brake at each side, united by
cross arms TO an oscillating central shaft sup.
ported in bearings. The engine therefore was
4 large double force pump, by which contin-
nous stream Of water was forced through the
hose upon fire by 4 row Of men at each side
working the brakes up and down rs most of
our readers have no doubt seen. Engines Of
this character, and of vurions capacities, are
still made and USED but in cities and large
towns. they are being rapidly superseded by
steam fire engines, in the construction OF which
some of our mechanical engineers have alrea'
dy obtained worldwide celebrity. The
annexed engraving represents the one which
has been recently built for Mcssrs. WinaDs,
Harrison & Winarls, of 81. Petersburg Russia,
Ly Mess.S Ettenger Edmond. of Richmond,
Va, and wherever it goes il will carry with it
credit to the builders and 10 our country. The
workmanship Of it appears to be lirSt.class as
regards strength, beauty of finish, and cfii-
cheney. The boiler is l yertlcul-tubular, with
en- &c n "a
steam rapidly. The entire machinery is sc.
cured on L strong tour-wheeled spring truck;
and the whole arrangement embraces great
simplicity and conpactness Pressure and
water cages, and every other device necessary
to secure. safety, convenience and efficiency
lave been provided.
This engine was built from designs made by
Mr. Alexander McCausland, and has proved
itself equal in every respect if not superior to
any engine of its dimensions heretofore built
The boiler, while running ut an ordinary rate,
is about twenty horse power; it is easily
managed, and has the advantage OF work
ing very dry steam. not raising its water
as most engines of the same class d0.
There is one y-nch steam cylinder, with
tl,e steam chest beneath, and the valve is
So arranged that, in case Of any water working
over from the boiler, it will work lis own way
out without having to open the cylinder cocks
The valve is worked by an eccentric Oh tho ty
wheel shaft, in connection with rockarm, n:
on ordinary engines. The stroke of the engine
is Is inches. The pumps are of gun-metal, ant
set one above the other, and are rcclprocatin!
in their action, the cross-head OF the engin
being made in such a way that the piston ROT
from the steam cylinder is fastened in the cen
tire: the two pump pistons take hold, one abov
the other, below the steam piston, while tn
side or connecting rods take hold Of the end
which project over the sides Of the frame
and give motion to the fy-whcels. One OF tn
| pu,nps-thc lower one-is cast solid i'll the va
cuuln chamber so that no matter how mucl
the engine is iolted over the streets, the vacu
uln chamber will never leak. This arrange
ment Of pump gives chance for the valve
| (suction valves) to be placed between tn
pumps, so that the instant the engine change
| its direction the water is taken oil the valves
! leaving them free TO act without any dead wa
ter on them. 4 patent has been applied ior
to secure this pump 10 the inventor OF the ar
rangemcnt The pump valves are ordlnar,
clack valves, and so arranged that one valy
Will Ill III luG pltSS VI u'iOsi'SA e~' ~'i s'
! does in its own. The two pumps are each 8
inches in diameter, same stroke as the engine
and are equal in erea to fivc.inch diamete
pump. The engine is placed low down OF
straight axlcS and cannet turn over no mat
ter how fast 1t may be going while turning cor
ners the body of the engine rests on SIN Semt =
Mptic springs, and rides very easy.
weighs (all complete with wood and water
$500 lbs. The back wheels are four feet n!n'
inches high, and the front ones are four Tee
civ inches and it is easily managed with tw'
horses. The engine is furnished with lamp
also, with i horse and lnan.tongrc: Tn
boiler is handsomely jacketctl with Russia iron
with heavy brass bands y tIy.whc is on n eaci i
side of the air chamber, which is tall, ant
handsomely shaped. This engine altogether
was thought to be equal in looks TO any y,
made, and the ChiefEngineer Of the phladel
phia Fire Department in speaking Of it make'
use of the following language ~ consider it
on account of its size, one Of the hest hdr
,,o, .o,,r o,srfor,u having thrown water 25t