The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-27
The Fire Commissioners.
EXPERIMENTAL TRIAL AND TEST OF THE NEW FIRE

ENGINE THE METROPOLITAN.
Yesterday the Fire Commissioners Of New York city,
and Of visitors, comprising some
of the most influential citizens present in town, who
were specially invited be present. assembled in the
premises known the Corporation yard in East Twenty
fourth street, the slip dockway the East river
Among the assembage the present Commission
ers, Messrs c. C. Pinckney, President p W. Engs, j.
W. Boothe and Martin Browne and Messrs Zophar Mills,
Charles Miller ard j. German, Of the old Fire Depart
mcnt whose interest in the Of the new order Of
things has in the least abated although they
to be active part cpants in the audabe labors Of her
the arduous duties involved in the office Of
Fire Commissioners of New York city Mr.. Decker, En-
Chief and his assistants Messrs Miller, Salmon
and Flanders, we're also present few words OK
planatory or descriptive of the engine, the
Metropolitan, may not be uninterestng, as II
combines in design and construction many things new
which have hitherto been applied in the erection of
steam engine 1t is deemed the powerful machine
In in this city, and considering the apparent
scanty area Of its motive power II is in view
vel OF beauty symmetry and power The boiler is only
thrtysix inches in diameter ard sixty-0ve inches in
length containing the almost incredible number OF three
hundred and thirteen copper tubes twenty four inches
long and an inch and quarter in diameter thereby
posing surface to caloc operation capable of generating
pressure Of steam for instant work in about nine
minutes The pumps two in number, of double &C
tion and tho steam cylinders eight inches in diameter
and twelve inches stroke all working the piston
rods and oil the fittings secured with the most durable
mechanical skill by which the harmony Of motion at full
work is as true to time as the accomplished
poser in tho OF music could render his creations
captivating in the highest degree The materials used in
the construction Of this model OF beauty In the steam
engine each and all Of the choicest articles In their
respective kind such the best boiler plato iron cased In
wood and overlad with Russian iron, hoped with bands
Of brass, brass dome and funnel casing with India
rubber valves and polished mountngs OF turned brass
and copper where such things used. The various
and numerous range Of apparatus not actually IN action
with the machine itself when at work, are curious and
pleasing eminent degree from their positive utility
such the signal lantern the wheels and brakes tho
drivers scat and lamps olcans for the journals self
supped Gig nal WHISTLE jackscrcw, coal bucket, ca
pablo OF containing as much fuel would work the
CINE for two hours at the highest prossurc complete
set Of nozzes Of every bore and dimension TO provide
against accident In tho event OF the at work becom
ing deranged disabled and hose thousand feet
long, Of the best tanned bullock hide rvettcd In "copper"
and capable Of throwing with great force two three or
four jets Of water at time, distance of upwards OF two
| hundred and sixty feet from the nozzle.
AT the time appointed the operation or getting up
this act occupied only few minutes, when the first
test applied This was by throwing jet Of water
two lengths, or fifty feet each OF the hose, through
nozzles Of and oneeghth one and quarter and
and bali inches in diameter The second test was
by two s ssn % wn.s ard ,1rOusn
and one inch diameter which was accomplished TO the
distance Of two hundred and sixty -four feet from the
nozze and the great test by projecting one jet or
current Of through twenty lengths or one thou
sand feet Of hose and nozzle Of one and oneeigbth
and one and one quarter inch diameter, when was
equally successful And other experiments having been
tried with results fully as satisfactory az the proceeding
tests rninE accident occurred, In the bursting OF
weak spot IN the hose apart from the copper Ivettng,
which only goes TO prove the facility and The speed
with which such an accident can be encoun-
the faulty and unperceived lurking place IN
the hose rose to a considerable elevation, and
fell In heavy shower over the enclosure causing inc
assembled spectators 10 run hther and hher in every
direction 70 avoid the aspergoment and caused no small
degree of merrment and playful good natured railing at
the expense " those who most bounuly favored
with the refreshing shower under a scorching vertcie
sun. This contyetemps having speedily evanlsnsd the
operation OF further tests transferred from the ne
or VI tho yard TO the rivers edge and this was effected
to test and prove the proccte power OF the engine
under two different modes OF supply The nrst series OF
tests was tried by supplying the pumps with water In the
ordinary wayby throwing bucket after bucket into the