Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-04-08
Fire Department-Effic OF the
Water Witch Co.

To the Editor Of the Commercial:
Some time ago blanks were left at the sey eral
engine houses of the Fire Department to be
filled up, it being tho writer's intention to give
in succinct form the efficiency Of the Depart
ment. But one company (the Water Witch, No.
50 has responded, from which report the follow
ing is gathered
The Water Witch Company was instituted
March 18th, 1888, and incorporated Jan. 22nd,
1885. Its engine house is located on Shipley
street between 5th and 9th. The following is a
list of present officers President ]. X. Adams;
Vice President, d. E. Richardson, Secretary j..
Ginder; Asst. Secretary, g. Jefferis; Treasurer,
F. Wright; Directors, f. McElhenny,C. Thomas
J. dinder, I. McClarren, j. 7. Lee, j. Brison,
e. Kane, W. johnson Trustees, D. E. Richard
son, W johnson, G. Thomas. All these officers
are elected annually in January, with the excep-
tion OF the directors, who are chosen semi an
nually in January and July.
This company own 225 sets Of uniform of the
helmet style, color black. They report the
average number of active members attending
fires during 1874 at 80. This being volunteer
department. each member is requested to repair
immediately to the engine house when fire
alarm is sounded, assist in getting the carriage
to the fire ground, lay hose, and get the engine
ready for service, after which to lend their SER
vices to stay the flames, and finally to gather up
the hoee and pull home the apparatus when the
fire is subdued. The same may be said Of the
entire department, to their credit-something
they get, OF late, from the city press.
The number OF names appearing on the con-
stitution OF the company to date, we find in
round numbers to be 563 Some are dead, others
expelled, while a large number still remain as
active members. There being no honorary roll,
they are all classed as active members. The con-
tr buting members are elected and privileged to
attend meetings Of the company, but have no
voice in any OF the proceedings
Ile APPARATUS of the compauy ia ae follny,a
One second-class steam fire engine, built by the
Clapp Jones Manufacturing Company of Hud-
son City, N y, with q IL iuch steam cylinder,
and an inch stroke one inch pump, with an
8 inch stroke weight ready for service 6 100
pounds cost originally So, 000 The engine has
been IN service over two years, having been
built and delivered to the company in Feb 1873
(By the way this engine has a record OF 30l
Ieet inches through 100 feet Of hose, and / Il
inch noZzle) There is also one four spring
hose carriage, built by the company which has
been in service nearly three years, capable of
carrying 700 feet OF ply gum hose weight rea-
dy for service, 1900 pounds, and cost S527
This company have 1850 feet Of gum hose, and
$50 feet of leather hose, all Of which has the
Jones coupling, considered the best in use. They
have "a feet of suction hose also. This hose IL
valued at t525, A large fire alarm bell hangs
on the cupola of their engine house, weighing
l,40O pounds The value of the real estate Is
$4,000 OF personal property 81, 500. The sta
ted meeting night liz the first Monday i'll each
month. The annual appropriation allowed by
the city, the came as to other steam companies
IL S200U. patent heating apparatus has been
placed in the cellar of the engine house. Pipes
connect with this to those ou the engine, per-
mitting hot water to constantly pass through
BY this arrangement five pounds Of steam is
kept in the boiler at all times. should fire
occur half block from the engine house. tley
could pull out and 80 into service without the
least Inconvenience.
three-story brick house IL owned by the
company having front of l6 feet on Shpley
street and running back 35 feet. Three rooms
are occupied by the company the engine room,
the parltr, and the meeting room. A hose tow
or has been erected i'll the rear of the house SIS
feet high, used for drying hose after lres.
Height from ground to top Of pole SO feet to
top of cupola 50 feet, where line view Of the
city may be had. The driver is required to
sleep ia the engine house. Before closing our
remarks it may not be amiss to state that al.
though only 1000 per annum ID needed from
the city, the actual running expenses. last year,
were ~, 800. The deficiency s made up by hold
ing fairs ard taxing the members for small
amounts G. A d.