Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-08-09
THOROUGH TEST
Given to the New siIsby Rotary
Engine.
Water Throws Over tie Cathedral Spire--'
Long Distance and Strong Streams
The Committee Satisfied.

A great many people of Wheeling are
either intensely interested in the efficiency
of the eity's fre6gksing apparatus. or else
have an abundance of leisure time On their
hands. This vas exemph6ed in the crowd
Of people which took in the test of the new
steam fise engine yesterday afternoon 1t
was not snly large, bus respectable, saIt
was composed Of many fire insm>
ance men and rssl estate owners, with
Councilmep and others without
number. The engine is the new third class
Silsby, the Niagara" ordered by council,
some time sinee; upoa recommendation of
Chief Dunningsnd ths COMMITTEES on Fire
Department The test was conducted BY
Mr.. Borsh, the Compares agent in the
presence of committee. Hcould not have
been given undermore favorable auspices,
as it was entirely in charge of the Silsby
men. The first test took place in front Of
the Cathedral for the double reason that the
30-inch main passes there and that the high
spire offers fine test for high throwing.
LONG STREAMS.
The engine, which differs fOm OURS IN the
!act that It is operated by rotary motion,
instead of piston, was placed in position
and the fire lighted, while numerous watches
were held ready to take the time necessary
to raise steam. There is no. particular
claim for speed in steam-making, as the
apparatus is not complicated, but in 2 min
utes and seconds the gusge showed FIVE
pounds. Thirty pounds were indicated in
) minutes and 80 seconds, whea- the engine.
was started. The first test was. made. with
one stream through $50 feet. Of hose
and a II inch nozzle The heavy
stream of water was thrown down Eof
street 27O feet in the clear while the ground
was wetted at least 30 feet further. With
a II inch nozzle the same distance was
reached, the connection being Siamese.
This, as the name indicates, is where two
lines of hose are connected so as to dis
charge through one nozzle.
OVER THE spIRE.
The most interesting test was against the
Cathedral Spire and was watched with in
terest The height of the spire is variousiy
placed, but the popular height was PIP!
feet to the top of the cross. Bets of two to
one were freely made that the stream
you'd never touch the cross. With 80 feet
# Siamesed hose and a Il nozzle
he trial began. At first the
yater reached to the ball at
the base of the cross and splashed as high
IS the arms and there was some little dissp-
Az tha nnyyla pniptaI
X, aard and the air was, rent with cheers
vixen the solid stream went whirling high
buye the summit of the cross. No one
ouid exactly say how much higher it went
,ul the estimates ranged from IS to 40 feet.
At all events, it was entirely satisfactory.
AT THE WHARF
The Silsby requires great deal Of water
and for a more perfect test of capacity, it
was taken to the wharf and the suction pipe
laid in the river After considerable delay,
the tests were then continued. Six hundred
feet of hose were laid and tried with nozzles
of various sizes. A heighth of POS feet
with this length. and /! inch nozzle was
considered phenomenal though afterward,
with only 100 feet and the same nozzle, the
stream was forced up to 24O feet. Water
was thrown over the St James and other
high buildings and at long distances on the
wharf until every one was satisfied, when
the engine was taken to the Atlantic sta
tiOn.
Last night the committee and others in
terested gathered at the city building to
compare notes and express themselves. IF
any one was dissatisfied he gave no sign,
and general approval was bestowed all
round. When Council can next be induced
to assemble the committee will report its
satisfaction and ask the payment of the
Silsby's bill