The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-11-08
re.timx the New Hx.r.nt.

ing on the sidewalk TO a height OF about
three feet, it is by no means an obtru-
sive looking object, but the fact Of its
erection Is probably one OF greater i'm
portance than many would be likely to
recognize upon d casual glance. Its
erection was an experiment as 10
whether the efficiency which already
characterizes the personnel OF our Fire
Department could be supplemented
with more efectual appliance, and 50
far it has proved an eminent!y succe sui
one. Hydrauts Of precisely similar
pattern are not, SO it IS understood, IN
use anywhere at the present time. The
hydrant in question, though an Amerl-
can importation, has since its arrival
here received an improvement III the
shape OF another outlet for the water.
This is the outcome of the ingenuity Of
Mr.. Chas B. Wilson, Chief Engineer OF
the Department, who, though he eX-
pressed himself satisfied with its opera
ton, is of opinion that still further inn
provement may yet be made. Should
this be attended with an equal measure
of success, the general introduction of
these hvdrauts throughout the city,
probably at an early date, will not only
place us in far better position for COM
batting fire than at any time i'll the past,
but will give this community better
security against fire than is enjoyed IN
many OF the leading cities OF the world.
Saturday afternoon last was the time
appointed for testing the hydrant with
steam power. The weather was unin-
viting in the extreme. 4 steady down
pour of rain, which had continued
throughout the day, showed no signs OF
abating; the streets in many places
were ankle deep in mud, and the num-
Der OF spectators who gathered to wit
ness the interesting experiment was
very small. N ample force OF the fire
men were, however, at their posts.
Towards half-past the engine OF No.
Company moved out from its station
under the direction OF Foreman More,
and "A span OF horses being attached 1T was
quickly hauled into the required position,
attended by the men of No. l and some
from the Pacific lose Company. The
ascension OF the hill on Emma street
having been accomplished with no little
difficulty on account of the slippery mud,
two 1OO-feet lengths of hose with mouth
pieces measuring respectively Ia and
Ia inches were attached to the two
small nozzles. The first experience was
the bursting OF one OF the connections OF
the hose, which probably would have
proved strong enough had one OF the
ordinary hydrants been in use. The
increased pressure was thus demon
strated at the start This having been
quickly repaired, the men went to work
with the two lengths OF hose. The
water pressure was 300 pounds, and the
steam pressure 80 pounds to the square
inch. This produced two splendid jets,
estimated at 10 feet each perpendicu-
larlv and I60 feet horizontally. The
water pressure was then increased to
25O pounds, when the perpendicular
streams attained hight OF $50 feet and
the horizontal ones Il length OF 2lO feet.
In this case the water was concentrated
by special arrangement at the Emma
reservoir. The water pressure was then
reduced to 1870 pounds and a 50-foot
length of hose was attached to the
large nozzle, the other two still re-
naming. The large hose threw horl-
zontal jet estimated at about 80 feet,
whilst the other two gave about 100 feet
perpendicular and 120 feet horizontal.
The next test was made with the water
passing through the engine without the
use of steam power. This gave two
horizontal streams of 100 feet and per-
pendicular ones of 12O feet, and had the
effect of bursting one of the pipes, which
showed the great pressure when the
water was concentrated. The lengths
OF the various jets as given are OF course
only approximate and are the estimates
arrived at by the practiced eye OF MIR.
Wilson, They are probably within the
mark rather than in excess, as other
witnesses found higher estimates.
1t is probable that the hydrant will I'M
dergo the improvement alluded to,
when further test will be applied.