Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-10-16
The Champions Of. the world.

Editor Fireman's Standard, Boston:
In speaking of the Columbia engine,
the champion of the world, she is q
third-size, harp tank Amoskeag engine.
Her first attempt in contest was at
Frederick, Md. Seven engines entered /;
Columbia got first prize of 500; time
from one gauge of cold water. eight
minutes 10 seconds; lifted water IL feet
and threw an inch stream through $50
feet of hose, a distance of 1S0 feet, 80
feet over the required distance.
The second attempt was made at
Hagerstown, Md, and only two engines
entered. AS soon as it was learned
that the Columbia engine was in the
test all others withdrew from the
contest. The time made there was
seven minutes AZ seconds; threw a
stream It's feet, % feet over the re-
quired distance.
The third attempt was made at
Grange Camp, Va, against the sister
engine. The time made there beat all
previous records. The best time made
was at the Worlds Fair aud was made
by double pump, first size engine, the
lime being six minutes Is seconds.
Columbia's time at Grange Camp YVES
six minutes 5 seconds, and to- day she
holds the championship of the world.
IL carried IS gallons of cold water, had
go pounds of steam and threw an inch
stream 100 feet in six minutes and five
seconds.
The Columbia engine was built b,
the Amoskeag company i'll Manchester,
N. H.. in March, 1868; that makes her
80 years old. Her boiler is 33 inches in
diameter, FIVE feet high, has 16S one
inch fues Is inches long steam cylinder
is eight and one-half inches in diameter,
12-inch stroke; water pump Is four and
en-eighths inches in diameter, IL
inch stroke; capacity, 500 gallons per
minute. She has had the best of care
taken of her and is good for many years
to come yet. She has just finished %
hours of service and is good for many
hours more.
They won first prize each time OF
500. We have had taken photo
graph Of each check and they hang in
the meeting room of the company. We
are ready for another contest yet ifany
one thinks that they can beat her.
We have just finished remodeling
our engine house, which cannot be sur
passed, and have all modern improve
ments except fire alarm system, and
that is the worst pull back We have.
No department is equipped without one.
We use the telephone system and it
gives lots of trouble. Mr.. Wood, the
engineer, has been through the Wash
ington and Baltimore departments, ex-
aiming all Improvements before he re
modelled his engine house, and he has
made great many valuable improve
ments by SO doing. Mr.. Wood is a
practical machinist, thereby enabling
him to improve on things. The new
stalls are fitted up with the improved
Iatches and in sockets which are his
improvements. By pulling one handle
it will open the stall doors, strike the
big gong, stop the clock, and turn the
gas up all over the engine room at once.
The engine has Campbell's lighter
under it. So as soon as we hook up the
engine lights herself and, passing out,
shuts the light out. The boiler is heat.
ed by gas connected with the lighter,
has five pounds of steam at all times
and can 60 to work in two minutes. !
remain, yours truly,
FRANK L. ENTwIsLE.
Alexandris, Va, Oct. IA, 1895.
In another communication to the
editor of the Fireman's Standard Mr..
w. 81. Wood, the engineer. and Mr..
Entwisle challenge any engine in tie
unrld