The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-05-04

Nelson, belonging to the Vigilant Fire Compa
ny, Of Augusta, followed, drawn By four horses
The men we're fine looking set of fellows, ani
the President was Mr.. F. D. Kenrick.
The Metropolitan Fire Engine Company, oi
Savannah, closes the catalogue Of steamers
She was drawn by four horses, and paraded
sixty men. The President is John r. Dillon,
Esq.
A fine band of music now intervened, and the
Marshall Hose Company, Mr.. Charles White.
| Foreman, closed the procession. This reel Is
by long odds the handsomest Of it's kind in
Savannah, if not in Georgia. The only other
reel, to my knowledge, which excels it in rich
ness Of decoration and appointments, is that
which was recently presented by the New York
fremen to the Independent Company, Of Co
lumbia.
The line of march was through several Of the
principal streets to the square in front Of the
Pulaski House, where the playing off was to
take place. Although care had been taken by
the authorities to sprinkle the streets, the
sand was yet heavy, and the feet Of our Charles.
ton boys especially gave evidence Of the un-
accustomed task which they had performed.
The route Of the procession was resplendent
conglomeration OF men, women and children.
The sex, especially, which gives US so correct
an idea of Heaven, was largely represented,
and the boys took good care to fire map shots
at them with their eyes in marching by. 1t
was hot, intensely, excruciatingly hot, and the
men perspired like ice pitchers in July. In
fact, several along the route Of procession,
contrary to the discipline sought to be en-
forced, were 80 ofahgued that they were obliged
to stop and lean their heads against a tumbler
for support.
TIE TRIAL.
The engines took position according to their
place in the procession, drawing water from
the cisterns in the square and playing in e
westerly direction. A platform was laid down
in st. Julien.stIeet, and the judges of distance
were stationed there to take the measurement.
The following were the gentlemen appointed as
judges: W. B. Woodbridge, C. G. Hardwick, F.
l.. Cue, G. c. Millar, James q. Johnston and
John b. Gardner. The two first named were
at the engines 10 see that they were in proper
position, and to watch the steam guages. AL
derman Cue was at the pipes, and the other
three noted how far the water WAS thrown, and
measured the distance.
Each steam company was allowed to carry
one hundred and twenty pounds, to play
through one hundred feet Of hose, using such
size nozzle as they might consider best adapted
to the engine, solid water only to be measured
by thejudges, and ten minutes allowed to each
engine.
The first one to play was the John W. An
derson, belonging to the Oglethorpe Company,
OF city. She threw one hundred and eighty
feet. Next camethe @. A. Nuttng, Of the Pro-
lection Company, Of Macon, which reached one
hundred and ninety-two feet. The bursting Of
the hose prevented this engine from doing as
well as was expected of her. Her working was
watched with much interest by citizens as well
as fremen, many Of whom had never before
seen rotary steamer.
The Washington, Of Savannah, was next in
order, which threw one hundred and eighty
feet six inches. She was followed by the Wash
ington, Of Charleston, which made two hun
dred and five feet four inches. An enthusiastic
cheer was sent up when this result was an
nounced,' and bets we're made that she would
win the prize. The Germania's engine, the
John ]. Waver, next came in position, and
made two hundred and nineteen feet ten
inches. Next in order was the Vigilant, Of
Augusta, which was marked down at two hun
dred and nineteen feet. The F. S. Barlow,
belonging to the Metropolitan, was the last
steamer, and threw one hundred and ninety
nine feet.
twill be seen that the Germania, Of Savan-
nah, took the first prize, which was service
of silver. The second prize was awarded to
the Ngilants, Of Augusta, and consisted of a
silver salver, pitcher and goblets. In this con-
nection, it is singular coincidence that last
year the Metropoliton Company WAS the guests
of the vigilants of Augusta, and on trial there
played two hundred and nineteen feet, winning
the prize of silver salver, pitcher and goblets.
On this occasion the Vigilants we're the guests
Of the Metropolitan, and on the trial threw ex-
actly the same distance, and winning similar
prize.
The last engine to play was that Of our own
Vigilants. Half Of the interest of the trial was
wanting, because it was the only hand engine
on the ground, and there was little satisfaction
in playing of with muscle against machinery.
The boys, however, took hold with vim, and
in their own lively style, playing through fifty
feet of hose, threw a stream Of one hundred
and eighty-6ve feet, being FIVE feet more than
the Oglethorpe steamer, and four feet six inch
es more than the Washington steamer, and
only seven feet less than the Protection steam
er Of Macon.
When this trial took place the Georgians
we're exceedingly anxious to give all needful
assistance in working the engine. There was
scarcely company on the ground whose Off
GERS did not generously tender to President
Tupper any number OF men which he might
REQUIRE. Several Of these were selected, but
the boys who belong on the second story
would insist on holding their accustomed
place.
One thing the Vigilants did, which was
initiated by no other company on the
ground. They whooped and "hollerd" like
gentle Arabs, and probrbly astoniahed the
Savannanians not little by their rare combi-
nation of pulmonary and muscular power with