East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1865-11-22
gutal Yattsrs.
TRIAL OF THE NEW STEAM FIRE ENGINE.
Capital Performance OF a "Silsby
Rotary"
The Machine Orer,qsns the Contract at all
POinfs.

y
tary Steam Fire Engines, and on
Thursday and Friday of last week
the new machine was tested, UNI
der the direction of committee ap-
pointed by the Common Council, in
a manner which thoroughly demon
strated its reliability, power and eff
ficiency.
1t may as VOL be noticed before
giving an account of the trial, that the
engine in question is one Of the very
best of her class, exhibits all the latest
improvements, embracing two of the
most valuable patents that have been
issued in this country, viz: b. Holly's
Patent Rotary Engine and Rotary
Pump, and NJ. r. Clapp's Patent Cir
'culating Tube Boiler, the best and
most efficient apparatus for the
prompt and continuous generating of
steam ever designed, and is manufac-
tured at the Island Works, Seneca
Falls, N. Y, by II. G. Silsby, who
is sole owner of the above patents,
and who has spent many years
and q mint of money, almost, in
bringing to the present state of per-
lection the Rotary Steam Fire Engine
A very clear and concise description
of the rotary steam engine and rotary
pump, both of which are embraced in
this Fire Engine arrangement, is CIV
en- in Webster's Illustrated Diction-
airy with cuts illustrating its operation
We copy the description:
Rotary Engine. "A steam engine in
which a continuous motion round an
axle is produced by the direct action
of the steam, instead of being derived
from reciprocating motion as in the
ordinary engine called also rotatorV
enque. Rotary Pamp--A machine con-
sisting of one or more projections,
acting as plungers, fixed on an axle
and revolving in cylindrical case for
lifting or forcing fluids.
The general sentiment of our peo-
pie, as also of tho committee appoint
ed, we are certain was at the outset
in favor of the style known as piston
engines, in preference to tho rotary"
the reasons for such prejudice no one
seemed explicitly to understand, and
all which we arc certain were effect
ually submerged by the results effect
ol by the rotary on
THE TRIAL.
The contract for the Engine, the
"Valloy City, No. l." provides that
she shall discharge 500 gallons of wa
ter per minute, throwing one stream
through
/ inch nozzle --------20 200 feet
II " -----------23O "
235
Through 1000 feet Of hose, -1G5 q"
Two streams through : inch
nozzle, ---------- 2OO
This, though more than is claimed
for the Engine in Mr.. Silsby's
printed circular, was accomplished on
the trial, as was the far more difficult
feat Of throwing a stream through
1900 feet of hose with ! inch nozzle
a distance of 46 feet, s inches.
We give below the result of two
days throwing, made, as the committee
i'll their report remark, "under the
most disadvantageous circumstances
for working" to which the machine is
entitled to an addition of 16 feet for
lift, there being here no hydrants or
other means Of furnishing water on q
level with the box.
s'.ft. FIRST DAY.
throwing. .....:...........l it. 6 in
throwing. ..................2O 200 feet,
Sd trial. $50 f. hose, . inch nozzle,
throwing. ....!.............2l pa #. 8 in.
throwing. .........'..........l39 f. 2 in.
9th trial. 1000 #. hose, II in. nozzle,
throwing. ....'....''''.'' l5o IL. IN
9th trial. Two streams, $50 feet hose,
inch nozzle, throwing '.''lS2 IT. III in.
SECOND DAY.
"A inch stream, 80 feet hose POP feet
/ inch. streams, so feet hose .'202
IA inch 1000 feet hose, ......''...'..' 1913
ii inch stream. 800 feet hose, l46 feet inches
In the second days throwing, the
lift at the start, water having been
taken from the Genesee street cisterns,
was less than that on the first trial,
but by the timo tho throws through
1000 and 1900 feet of hose were
made the water therein had been SC
reduced that lift of at least 1S feet
was required, and in laying the hose
n bad curve was made, to follow the
street, and raise of at least II foe
from the engine to the butt. In tho
trial through 1900 feet of hose, the
severest as well as tho most convincing
of any, if comparisons are tolerablc
where all were so satisfactory, thu
engine threw full, strong and stead,
stream, flooding with ease, from tn
contre of the street where the pip
was held the roofs o. t3e two-stor.
tenements on either side, and admira