Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-29
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Seml-annuaI Inspection Begun
Monday Evening.

The Fame, Friendship, Water Witch and
Wecoacoe Companies Inspscted-Every-
thing in First-cIass Condition.
City Councils committee on fire
companies began its semi-annual in
spectlon of the Fire Department Mon
day night Itwas accompanied by few
guests and made the tour in five
coaches. The party included Council
men Meaney, McNulty, Robertson,
Iebley, Smith, Watson, Stats, Leary
and Oberly, Clerk Of Council Morrison,
Bailiff Ryan, City Treasurer Adams,
City Solicitor Hartman, Chief Engineer
Walker and Assistant Engineers Sasse
and Welsh. The "Firemen's Stand
ard" Of Boston was represented by G.
M. Dillon. Mr.. Stevenson, the chair
man of the committee, was absent and
did not send an explanation of his alb
sence. The following letter was re-
ceived from Mayor Jefferis:
HRehoboth, August 26 1895. Mr..
William P. Morrison, Clerk of Council,
Dear Sir: / am in receipt of yours Of
to meet the Council while visiting
the fire engine houses While thanking
you for the same | find it impossible
to accept, as | could not return here
before Thursday, and as / leave here
to return to Wilmington on Saturday
IT will require several days to prepare
for leaving. | trust the Council and
other officers will find the duty pleas
ant one and / regret that l cannot be
with them on this occasion.
Very truly yours,
&c. r. Jefferis, Mayor ~
Three hours were consumed in max
ing the inspection. The party went
first to the Fame engine house and
proceeded thence to the Friendship,
Water Witch and Weccacoe engine
houses.
The visitors were cordially receievd
and deeply interested. At each engine
house exhibitions of preparing to re-
spond to an alarm of fire were given
and the houses and apparatus were in
spected, Everything was found in ex-
cellent condition.
Following is synopsis of the secre-
taries' reports:
Fame Fire Co. Value of real estate,
S15, 600 personal property, SO, 900 mem
bers, 230; first-class hose, /, 600 feet.
Five hundred feet of white anchor hose
will be receievd in few days. A sup
ply wagon has been added to the equip
ment since the preceding inspection.
Friendship Fire Co.-Value of real
estate, S21, 600; personal property, $40, :
ESQ; active members, AZ; honorary
members, 40: first class hose, 1,400 feet
Water Witch Fire Co. Value of real
estate, $40, 000 personal property, 81, =
250; active members, 1876; honorary
members, 1856; first-class hose, 1,450
feet.
Weccacoe Fire Co.-Value of real
estate, sl2, 900; persoifal property. 81,
400; members, 1o5; first-class hose,
1,500 feet.
At the Water Witch engine house
three elegant flags, valued at $500,
were exhibited and admired.
The Weccacoe engine was handsomely
polished for tho occasion and was the
subject of many complimentary re-
marks. A gas heater which was re-
Gently attached to the engine, was in
spected with much interest. 1t was
invented by John Maguigan, who has
applied for patent Its diameter is
inches and its length 1881 inches. One
gas jet will heat 12S gallons of water.
1t costs only 65 cents per quarter while
the former heating apparatus cost So
per month.