The New York herald., 1863-07-16
THE STEAM FIRE ENGINE CONTEST.

Great Trial In she Crystal Palace, LON
and other American Engines on the
GrOund-ExcitinR Trial OF Skin and
s.rength-Ths A%er,ean Engines De.
[From the London Times, July !.
Yesterday series Of experiments, interesting in them.
portance, commenced in the Crystal Palace gardens
with view TO test aud ascertain by actual competition
which s the best description OF steam e engine out OF
the many different machiN cs OF the kind now made
The engines produced for trial are divided into two
SO cw and the arge class Of those exceeding SO cw and
not exceeding 90 cwt those weights not including coal
water hose or other gear Iso premiums VIII be a2so Tor
The chief points TO which the committee direct their
attention. In addition TO the consideration OF cost and
weight those which relate 10 the general efficiency OF
the machines az fire engines, combining among other
points Of excellence. rapdy in raising and generating
steam, facility OF drawing water, the large volume
THROWN the distance TO which be projected with
the least amount OF loss, and simplicity, accessibility
O,e Of the principal objects TO be asceraned being TO
define the quantity OF water which each project
through the TO certain heights and
the committee have prepared set Of water targets and
tanks arranged In such manner that the water be
measured after delivery These targets consist of can
hoods with circular openings or six feet diameter
having attached 10 each tail shoot through which
the water Is conducted into gaased tank standing be-
low, from which the quantity delivered within the open
index.
tered for tntria Messrs. Shand Mason and Mr. Merry
weather being the principal English competitors, a.
pete during these trials To the chief these the Man
haitian, an accident occurred Tuesday, by which IL
has been partially disabled and Is not likely 70 be q. for
work before this day In its place, however another
American engine entered the list and better
any American nre engine we have seen for II
DO understood that the American steam fire
much behind the steam IRE engines Of other countries
the most pretentous political association called the
New York Fire Brigade behind any other re brigade
In Europe In real usefulness The amateurs who const
tuie the rc brigade of the Empire City wonderfully
organized for political denonstrattops torchlight pro
being rather than useless at fire, and the New
RESPECTS in ali tho Northern cities eseps ss,op 'Aes'
As far they went however the superiority rested
clearly with The engines Of Messrs shand a Mason
They the first to get up steam from water
be in full work, accomplishing this task in within eight
minutes, the others taking nearly ten. They the
fret throw through their target their allotted quota OF
thousand gallons of water and the distance % which
they projected their massive column water vertically
shoots their antass The smoothntss and quiet
ness. too, with which their engine wgsed rcmarkA-
Bile, indeed, was also that Of Mr.. Merryweathers
whereas American engine was seemed 10 be- tear
ing itself TO pieces and vibraed In such manner and
exhibited such signs % sranhg that appeared evident
breaking down, as was expected u do every moment
yesterday II i survives the much more dneuIt trials
paticns OF almost every engineer on the ground
THE SECOND DAYS TRIAL.
Prom the London rimes, July 81
The trials of the three different machines wcro con.
uued throughout the wbole OF yesterday the gardens
OF the crystal Palace The tests this occssion
most severe, ana ueNpeu W tne strength and dura
bity Of each machine 10 the moet arduous proof For
this purpose each engine had to work by itself for
hours without stopping, drawing lie supply II up
iplo the engine from depth n eirteen ieel and do
lverpg through hose no less than hundred feet
long the hose being laid from the lower BASIN The
up The steep incline along the bed Of the cascades
into the water temples at the top To raise water
up from depth of eighteen feet and Afterwards deliver
II IN very e. o. hill through four hunde cd ret endh
OF hose requires the powerful and perfect engines
and Of only these OF the large sire we're used
weather very unfavorabe for the trial, especially IN
the early part Of the day when the high WIND scattered
great deal of the water as came from the hose Ihe
engine ~ Messn Shand and MAecu, which tried st,
exposed 10 great om this cause from
10 TO Is per cent OF the quantity of s Jet bong bown
away before could pass through the aperture Of the tar
get In the water temple.
1he American engine was unable TO r. through this
ordeal being able 10 keep up steam enough Tor ths
great force required raise aud prope the water. Two
other American engines, however which be tried
10 day WILL 10 b said be able 10 accomplish the feat
easily, Of them especially being very powerful, sim
pie, and well put together
ON the whole, the honors Of yesterday decidedly re-
maned with Mr.. nsrryv Gather, his powerful three
engine accomplishing s two hours tack with great ease
that the hose burst twice under the very
10 he tried IN q similar 20 day when Il horcd
10 bring trials 20 conclusion The general results Of
this competition and the cf the successful conpe
t,ors win not however, be made known until the com.
mittee make their report In . few days
CONCLUSION OF rHn TRIAL -,rm MAHHAIfAv
"UsEp UP"
from the London Ti'nce, July al
The trials with the nre enxnes wore brousb. Ia c,oaa