The Opelousas courier., 1882-08-26
Steam Fire Engine.

f. Co. No. proposes purchasing short.
~ for eur town, and the account will
therefore be read with interest by all
concerned in the welfare of our town
The engine was built by the silsby
Mig. Co. of Seneca Falls, N. Y and
belongs to what is commonly known az
the 9th class, the term .'class' being
used to designate size only. as in point
OF power, finish and every essential
quality as fire extinguisher she ranks
first-class and A |. She is elegantly
finished from stem to stern, and in
beauty, symmetry and working capa-
city she certainly reflects the greatest
credit upon the builders, and fully sus-
tains the world wide reputation of the
Silsby Co. An elegant hose carriage
and 500 feet of best hose, with eight
nOzlles of assorted. sizes and other ne.
cessary appurtenanees of q complete
outfit accompany the engine.
The following memorandum of the re-
suits obtained in the test of Sunday
evening will show that the steamer is
entitled to all the encomiums that have
been bestowed upon her and that she
is little giant as well as little beauty.
Sufficient steam was raised to blow the
whistle in 24 minutes after the fire was
lighted; in 8 minutes the indicator
showed 90 pounds of steam, and in s
minutes 40 pounds. when the engineer
opened the throttle and the work of
throwing water was begun. The engine
will carry l40 pounds of steam with
safety, but when 100 have been raised
an automatic safety valve opens and
prevents any greater strain on the
boiler, thus foreatalling danger of ex-
plosion. During the trial last Sunday
steam was raised to the highest point
and the working of the safety appliance
was demonstrated to the satisfaction of
all concerned.
First test 1.-TWO streams at once, each
through $50 feet of hose, with finch
nozzle; water was thrown 1S0 feet.
Second test: three streams at once,
through $50 and 200 feet Of hose, with
! and 4inch nozzles; water thrown I35
feet.
Third test: one stream through 500
feet of hose. with 1-incli smoethbore
nozzle; water thrown 230 feet.
It must be borne in mind that while
doing this splendid work, the little en-
gine was drafting her water from the
river underneath the wharf, yertieat
lift Of 18 feet; that she was pumping
muddy Mississippi water and that the
streams were thrown against fresh
cross wind. Under more favorable
she would undoubtedly
have made q better record. All who
witnessed the trials were delighted
with the workings of the steamer, and
the members of Phoenix Fire Company
have every reason to be satisfied with
their purchase.
The engine Is very light considering
her power; four men can easily run
her ont Of the engine-honsB and q dozen
will rush her along the street at lively
rate. She has q throwing capacity oil
from $50 to 400 gallons per minute, and |
when being operated under a full head
Of steam vibrates so little that a glass
filed with water can be balanced on
any one of the wheels. and will retain |
ts position without drop being spilled. /
The sale of this engine to Phoenix
Fire Co. was negotiated by Col. N. B.
Sadler, the popular Southern agent of /
he Silsby Mfg. Co., and she was deliv-
red here BY that gentleman and Mr..
Taa. z. Teller. delivering engineer of
he manufacturers. Mr.. Teller, who
1ears the sobFiquet of Old Reliable.
las held this position for the past 26
tears, and besides being one of the
,est engineers in the country, he is D
nan whose kindly disposition wins him
losts of friends wherever he goes.
Iessrs. Sadler and Teller both created
highly favorable impression here,
md at well attended meeting Of Phm.
liz Fire Company held Monday even
ng they were unanimously elected
honorary nnenabers Of the organization.
Reader, are you thinking Of pnrchas-
ng q piano re SO, call on US, and we
an make The terms easy for you, no
natter whether 1t Is Il Steinway that
ou want, Or d Knabe, 4 Hale, Weber,
'leyel, Fischer, Peass, or Behr Bross
on will save money by ii.
Msasrs. T. +. Perrodin. NJ D Kava-
agh. G. @. Dnson mud =, A. Sandoz,
Tho represented ST. Landry III the Cen
Convention at Baton Rouge
b the 18th and 18th inst, have return
i home
90 To the ST. Landry planning Mills
~ a1.rsrn anr7s Minds f1afsr and win ,