The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-20
IT STOOD THE TEST.
Fire Commissioners Decide to
Purchase the Water Tower.

Quite a large crowd gathered on the water
trout, of Battery street, yesterday afternoon TO
witness the test of The hale wafer tower, which
was being made by the City Fire Department.
The following Fife Commissioners we're pres
ent: Frank G. Edwards, President; ID. j. Ma
honey, Samuel Newman, Fisher Ames and Mau-
rice schmitt Besides these were also present
Assistant Chief Engineer 2. SbaughBessy, As
sislani Engineer Samuel Rsiney, John Wells and
II. II. Gorter, connected with the Corporation
Yard, and Fire Chief Kennedy Of Oakland.
The test was announced to take place at the
foot Of Mission street, but The change was made
10 Section Of the sea wall, on account OF there
being more room both for the fiTe-boat Governor
Irwin aud for the crowd.
The water tower made fine appearance as it
stood ready for tie test. II consists OF frame
work resembling IN shape the rig OF common
hook and ladder, but much shorter, carrying an
iron .frame with an extending ielescOpic tube,
through which passes the hose. The iron frame
Is tHeniy-seVen feet in length and The lube eX-
tension can be so projected thai a total height Of
hfly-fy feet may be attained.
The motor or lifting power is carbonle acid
gas. which Is geaeI aied by carbonate OF soda and
sulphuric acid. In case the chemicals should
ever iaii the extensions may be raised by water
power, which requires pressure of 120 pounds.
Inc machine Is meant to be used ia lighting
"Dliud" hres where the flames and seats of the
bre are hidden by the envelo ping smoke, and
wilh tDls purpose In view the tower was con-
slfueled TO Hood as well as throw water upon
the lire. In the several tests made yesterday
this particular feature was shown.
The utst TEST made was with a Pinch DoZZle
aud the stream was thrown out INTO the bay to a
point fully $50 feet from the shore and when
the pa inch nozzle was adjusted tine same
stream was delivered at point about fifty feet
farther. The force Of the stream is terrific aud
II does not spread for fully two-thTds OF the dis
lance OF its delivery.
Another advantage which the tower has is that
II only requires two men TO operate 1t, and 1t can
be placed al such distance from burning
building that falling walls cannot possibly touch
II. Ii Is operated from the vehicle ITSELF and not
from the top like the boK-iower ana other kinds,
o ana 1t is regulated wholly by system Of wheels.
p. The only mishap that took place yesterday
was The breaking Of one OF the leaves OF spring,
and II had to he tied with bailing rope. IL this
Is an Indication OF the work of tie gearing, the
vehicle will be apt 10 be ruined in some OF It's
Iast trips over the GRANTEES Of Market street.
The machine was brought from the company 8
workshops at Kansas City by Frank Patton,
who. with the assistance OF the city hremen,
made the tests.
After the inspection an informal meeting was
held by the Fire Commissioners and the water
tower was accepted. The price to BIZ paid is
$4,000 for the machine, but the regular price IS
$4,000. For the present, and until a building
can be erected for H. the waller tower will be
Kept In lie CORPORATION Yard,