Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-10
HOW OUR FIRE LADDIESWORK
Hitching Up the Horses in
Six and a Half Seconds.
CITY COUNCILS INSPECTION
The Apparatus all in Good
Working Order.
Except Ono Engine Temporarily Ont of
Service Tho Tests Show Our Depart
ment Ready for Prompt Service.

City Council made its semi-annual
inspection of the fire department Tuesday
evening. The inspecting party was
composed of Councilmen McVay, Magee,
Kirby, Pagan, Dannenberg, Murray,
Griffin, White and Ratledge and accom-
panied by City Treasurer Adams, Police
Commissioner Jester, ex-City Solicitor
Turner, Superintendent Pierson of the
flre-alarm and police-alarm telegraph
system, Lineman Gray, ex. City Auditor
Underwood, p. J. Donnelly and press
representatives. They left the council
chamber at $50 o'clock and did not
finish the inspection until near mid
night. The tour was made in coaches.
AT each engine house there was a
throng of tiremen and spectators and
everywhere the visitors were cordially
received. The firemen do not now take
the interest in the inspections that they
did some years ago, and several of the
inspecting party remarked that last
nights inspection was the worst in this
respect of any that they had knowledge.
This lack of interest some claimed is an
indication of the near approach of the
time when the city will have a paid fire
department. Hitching up tests were
the principal feature of the inspection.
Tests were made at all engine houses
except the Liberty and the Friendship,
and remarkably good time was made.
The distance the horses had TO 90
differed, in some instances considerably,
and in most cases time was called before
the hitching up was completed.
The first engine house visited was the
Liberty. 1t is a fine building and is
just now receiving its finishing touches.
A description Of it has already been
published. 1t is in condition for occu
pancy and will be finished this week.
The company moved in yesterday, and
President Curren and other members
took delight in showing the councilmen
and others through it, Owing TO the
company's horses not having been
tgained no exhibition of hitching up
was given.
At the Reliance house there were
three tests, which were made respectively
in 10, 13 and III seconds. In the first
and second the driver had one assistant
and in the last he was unassisted. While
the second test was being made one of
the horses baked, causing considerable
-dg-ay.
With one assistant the driver of the
Washington hitched up and, with reins
in hand, sprang to the engine seat in
eight seconds and without aid he hitched
up in 10 seconds.
At the Delaware house two men
hitched up three horses in IA seconds.
Two tests were made at the Phmnix
house, resulting respectively IN Is and
10 seconds. The horses have had but
little training and the time was good.
The Friendship engine is out of SER
vice, because its wheels and framework
are being reprinted, and In consequence
the company gave no exhibition OF
hitching up.
The Fame Hose Companys driver
with one assistant, hitched up and
jumped to the engine scat in seven
seconds and without assistance he
hitched up In 10 seconds in one test and
in seven seconds in another
With two men the Weccacoe hitched
up twice, each time in CT seconds, and
without aid the driver hitched UP in "A
seconds. The big building was thor.
oughly inspected and the company wa:
congratulated on its prosperity and use
: fitness. The members were much
elated when they learned they had made
thC bSSb eAhiS III ultCulHS up anu one Dl
them gleefully remarked, ''the goat.
beat" Mr.. Turner was invited tc
speak and made an appropriate address
appreciation of which was expressed by
frequent applause.
The Friendship engine is the only ap
paratus in the department out of ser.
vice. All of the engine houses are il
excellent condition and all of the com
panies except the Liberty, which re-
Gently organized, are prosperous Tn.
Liberty has been put to considerabl,
expense and in consequence IFS treasury
lis about empty. 1t has asked forits full
appropriation this month and will likely
receive one-half of il, when the com
pany will be in much better iinancia
condition. AT most Of the engine house
Mr.. McVay, chairman of the committe,
on fire companies, by whom Tuesday
inspection tour was arranged, wa
handnd reports which will be read at
regular session of Council.
E.4STON'S 8fG FiIR.