The Opelousas courier., 1883-01-06
Our New Steam Fire Engine.
TRIAL OF A SIXTH SIZE sILsBY.

We are delighted to herald the fact
that Opelousas Fire Co. No. have not
only received their Silsby steam fire
engine, but that it has been fully tested
by an engineer of the manufacturers be-
fore the eyes of our people, showing
conclusivcly that it would perform all
and singular that was claimed for it by
the manufacturers as an engine of power
and quick work against the dangerous
element of fire. We are more than
gratified at the splendid results achieved
by this engine: 1st, because as members
OF the Fire Company we desire to see
the company on firm fire footing; I'd,
because as journalists, after examining
thoroughly into the merits of various
fire engines, we advocated to tile utmost
of our ability the purchase of Silsby.
SO great was the opposition among
our citizens against steam fire engine
that few months ago, when an ordin-
ance providing for the levyiDg of tax
upon the. property owners within the
corporation, for the purchase Of Il steam
engine was submitted to Il vote, it de-
veloped an unexpected and bitter oppo-
sltion and was defeated. A subscription
list met with no better success, and was
Withdrawn. Yet with all of these draw
backs and sore disappointments, the
boys of "Old No. ]" would not be dis
couraged, would not lose faith in the
superiority and efficiency of steam over
the slow, tedious and laborious work of
the old hand engine, and determined
that they should hare steamer. They
went to work and inaugurated a series
OF we'll conducted excursions and enter
tainments, and saved their money for
this progressive improvement in our fire
department. They opened correspon-
dence with different manufactures, and
after carefully investigating the merits
of all of them, the Silsby pattern was
chosen. After brief correspondence
the manufacturers made the company
such reasonable proposition and upon
Snch fair terms, that the Fire Co. closed
a contract upon their own responsibility
independent of ANY outside help. They
contracted for Il 9th size SiIsby engine
with 25 feet of suction and 500 feet of
discharge hose, one hose carriage, and
full set of tools, pipes, nozzles, etc.
Yesterday a week ago the steamer
arrived in charge of Mr.. JAS. p. Teller
engineer of the manufacturers, aud on
last Sunday evening our gallant fire
boys, dressed III full uniform, turned out
with their beautiful little pet to put it
to a test before hundreds of crlticising
eyes. From tho first Mr.. Teller acted
with that GOODNESS which infpired con-
fidence in the fire boys, and cooled the
ardor of many self constituted critics.
At 2:30 p. m. the little beauty was
drawn from the engine house down
to the bayou lesson, about 100 yards
distant. She moved with the grace of
n swan OF glistening silver, beautiful in
the symmetry of her mechanical pro-
portions. She is nickel plated through
out, and every bolt and screw in her
shows the work of artizans.
Her symmetrical beauty proved TO be
only second to her working qualities
and capacity her every part respond
ing without let or liindrance to the man
ipulations of the engineer. The first
test was as to the rapidity with which
steam could be raised. BY request of
the committee on purchase, DR.. Jas. Ray
and Mr. c. Mayo were invited to super
intend the test viii. them and keep a
record of the same. The boiler having
been supplied with cold water, the fuel
was arranged, and within six minutes
from the time the match was applied
steady stream was shooting from the
nozzle of u SO foot hose AS the steam
became stronger, higher and higher
spouted the stream OF water, from a
inch nozzle, until it reached an altitude
Of go feet and reaching 4 distance of
1870 horizontal feet. Second test, through
500 feet of hose, 4 inch nozzle, threw
water 1870 feet. Third test, through
lengths Of hose, $50 feet each, & inch
threw water I95 feet. Fourth
test, three streams at a time, threw l6O
feet with inch nozzles. Fifth test, OF
suction hose in well to q depth of 25
feet, exhausted it in l5a minutes, threw
tho water through $50 feet Of hose, with
| inch nozzle several feet over the capola
Of the Court House, m altitude of 20 feet
md distance Of 160 horizontal feet.
At no time was the steam raised to its
limit, and many allowances have to be
made for the inexperience and awkward
manner In which the fremen handled
The hose on their first trial Of the new
engine.
On Monday and Tuesday much better
results were reached, because through
so feet OF hose stream OF water was
thrown to an altitude of so feet and a
distance .,f Q66J horizontal feet. It will