The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-11-29

! hI-ANSuAL INSPECTION OF THE R1cu.
MoSD FIRE EDEPARTAEHT.-The semi-annuaI
1IaspectioD, parade, and washing OF the
hcnfond Fire Department, took place
ses,erday afternoon. The inspection Is
propaoty 4 little later this half of the wear
or account OF waiting for the completion
! y. 1i,e ne" uniforms of the department,
r,t ,.u tne arflfal Oh the new hose recently
purchased by order of the Citv fIonnriI
The companies are as follows: CHIEF NJ
snc Department, Captain &. A, Ainslie.
SSleamers-Company a, Captain III. T. Phil.
lips; Company 3, Captain S. 81. Herndon :
company &, Captain Il. 4. Purks: Com.
pany u, Captain j. j. King. Hook.and.
!. ladder trucks-Compauv Il, Captain G. r.
Siluor, and Company T (Church HilD.
captain y. W. Taylor. There are twelve
men thremeD) in each of the companies.
ana The steamers are also provided In addt.
tlon TO this number with three fire-police-
mel. Company u truck has two police
men, but company is not provided for in
this particular. O1 -
The uniforms Of the men are particularly
strlksnS. and the appearance which the men
presented yesterday was very fine indeed.
I1icnLnond mas reason TO be proud of such o
Flle Department. Thev wear helmets. red
snlrts, black patent leather belts, and black
pants. The stationary men and fire police
nave enamelled leather caps, and the dri-
Vcrs are distinguished from The rest of the
meu by wearing white leather belts.
AT 2 O'Clock yesterday the various COM
panics assembled at Washington Hall, on
Broad street between Ninth and Tenth
streets, and the line having been formed.
toe Department marched down Broad to
Governor, down Governor TO Main, up
Main to Seventh, and down Seventh street
to the canaf, Where preparations were
ut once commenced for the washing.
Fires were lighted in the engines, the
hose lad down Iii the street, and, indeed,
everything which was necessary for the
trial. cf The power Of the various engines,
The "squirtinS" was witnessed by large
number of spectators, and the greatest ex.
element prevailed among the bows who
were present, and who seemed each eager
for his fayorite engine to be successful on
the occasion. The trial was through ar
inch nozzle. and the following was the
result: a, 195 feet; &, $50 feet; &, 23C
feet; and d, $50 feet.
The appearance Of the new truck com
pany from Church Hill company "F")
with their light and useful apparatus, was
fivorably commented upon by every one
who saw the parade. This is quite an addi
ton to the Department, and the citizens oil
Church Hill can feel more secure now witt,
SUCH an excellent company as the "F's,''
who can handle the hose, and the ladder
too, 80 well. But it is to be hoped that
their services will not be needed.
The " "Alerts." Of Manchester, were also
on a parade, and visited the Richmond
boys Yesterday afternoon. They had tneil
beautiful engine, which was drawn by fou
fine horses. On the hose-reel was photo
graph of Captain Charters, whose memory
il still aud will ever be revered by the fire
men Of Richmond and Manchester.
Their company was headed by Smith,
Brass Band, to whose inspiring notes the
men marched splcudidly. The appearance
OF the company was fine. and compliment:
we're paid them on all sides.
The inspection OF the Department was II
every way satisfactory; and the evening
passed OF plea:autly and without any dis
tIIrbauce.