Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-04-12
From the Richmond Dispatch.

Steam
The first built in Richmond Great SueceSs-1 es-
terday was day of rejoicing for those OF our citizens
who feel the ivees interest in the success OF Richmond
manufactures. Our people had been informed from time
to time that Messrs Ettinger Edmond were building
at their works steam fire engine and that when COM
peted the public to have the pleasure OF seeing IT.
Yesterday morning announced that the work was
complete, ard that the engine would be exhlbteo IN
Main street that afternoon. During the morning the
Office of Messrs. E. & E. besieged with anxious In
qurers to the hour of exhibition and at 4 O'Clock
P NJ when the hands in The establishment were ready
to start with the machine of outsiders man.
ned the ropes and amidst the cheers of the multitude
aided to draw it to the repug, the corner OF 18th
and MAN, when Capt. McCausland ordered a halt ana
proceeded to make ready for trial.
AS soon all the arrangements were completed, the
fire was lighted and in ten minutes thereafter the lnd-
Gator showed that twenty pounds OF steam pressure
enough to start the engine-had been generated In
t1CelUe minutes the indicator marked thrtyhve pounds
of pressure and in fifteen minutes seventy pounds pres
sure thus allowing that mh hnilers and new
machinery, ire engine may be put to work in an IN
credbly short time.
At the word the engine commenced work, drawing
its water from the plug and after throwing steady
stream from inch nozzle high above the flagstaff and
eagle the American Hotel and entirely over all the
surrounding buildings, threw the stream down
Main street toOo hundred and fifteen feet in solid body,
and scattering heavy spray two hundred and forty
eet. This test satisfactory every respect that
not man of the thousands that saw it who was not
anxious see the city at least two and we are
not at all that enough money could not have been
raised by priv ate subscription, the ground to pur
chase the machine for public and public safety.
Another test however, was deemed necessary, and
that to the engine draw its water and play
1t out The fire was accordingly eXtngulsed, the ropes
again manned, and the machine taken to 9Th street
bridge to be tested from the basn the immense throng
that had assembled Main street following it up. The
suction being adjusted, aud inch and eighth
nozzle put on steam applied and solid stream was
thrown distance of tao hundred feet the spray scatter
ing seventeen feet further and this too, whilst drawing
its water.
The third test was with nozzle full one inch and a
halt from which the body of water thrown hum
dred and fo1ty feet.
The fourth test was with two seven-eighth nozzles
both streams being thrown hundred and egtythree
feet.
From this point the engine was taken to some of the
Broad street plugs, and we have doubt performed
equally well there, though did not see it.
i This engine was designed by Mr.. Alexander McCaus
land and constructed under his superintendent at the
works of Messrs Ettnger Edmond of this city, where
we hope that hundreds of others will be built She has
one steam cylinder nine inches in diameter and fifteen
inches stroke-two brass pumps inches in diameter
and Is inches stroke being equal to pump of five
inches in diameer-and upright tubular boiler, l63
tubes, % inch in diameter. The boiler is cased with
Russian iron, and mounted with brass bands, highly
polished. The air vessel is of copper, with polished
brass bands She has patent aXes, casehardened,
her springs caststee polished. The engine is fur
nished with steam and gauges, of Aliens pa
tent plated with silver The steam pipes are covered
with brass and her lantern is of colored glass.
The weight of the engine is 5000 pounds-and will
water in the boiler $500 pounds. Mr.. McCauslant
contracted to build it for $1,000, and guaranteed it It
throw water average distance of 80 feet through
one inch nozzle and maximum distance OF 2lO fee
through the same size nozzle.
J On behalf of the gentleman for whom Mr.. McCaus
land had the engine built, and who had contracted t.
furnish it to the Russian Government, Thomas Doda
mead, Esq, acted judge in the trial made, and ae
careful examination of the work. and the strict
ment of her capacity, far exhibited, unhestatng
declared that the contract complied with in ever
respect and that the engine far exceeded its require
ments
We cannot close our hasty notice without congratu
lating Messrs. Etnger and Edmond their great SUE
cess, and Capt. McCausand for the enterprise he ha
manifested in being the pioneer in steam fire engine COZ
struction in Richmond.
! The engine will leave here for the North in tn
course of few days. and will be exhibited in Alexar
dra, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Ne'
York. from each of which places orders will be receive
if offered.