The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-24
NEW APPARATUS TESTED
A DIRECT PRESSURE or A HUN
DRIED POUNDS DEVELOPED.
Raleigh's Fire Department and Hand
Some New Fire Headquarters--Chief
Bradsher and Aldermen Taylor and
Yearly, of Durham, Here.

Bradsher and Aldermen Taylor and
Yearly, of Durham, Here.
The sky was clear yesterday, but
Fayetteville street was drenched by a
steady shower. The water didn't come
from heaven, but blew out of the noz-
zles of several lines of fire hose.
An alarm was turned in from box 2I2
ut 5 o'clock, and the entire department
promptly responded. The hose was at
tached to the hydrants and the stream
turned on.
The department was testing the new
apparatus of the city water works.
THE NEW APPARATUS.
The Water Works Company, after
its pond was drained, had to put in new
pumps, many times the capacity of the
old affairs. Last week the new pump
ing apparatus was all put in place. The
pump is one of the finest of the kind,
and is the only one of its build in the
South; all the new machinery is of the
latest pattern.
The gravity pressure in the stand
pine, which remains the same, was
found yesterday to be fifty pounds;
This is sufficient for ordinary work IN
putting out fires
When the direct pressure" signal
was given, the res ArVoir wd@ cut ont.
and the great pumps began to pump
the water direct into the pipe. The
streams shot high into the air and the
water fell in perfect deluge. Several
times a pressure of a hundred pounds
was developed. This pressure is strong
enough to cope with any emergency
the department. IS called upon to meet.
THE PUMPS TESTED.
A large crowd gathered to watch
the test. Two of the streams were
turned against each other, and there
was a lively water-battle in which the
participants on both sides were
thoroughly drenched The new ball
nozzle" was tested, and worked to per-
lection; this diffuses the stream, so
that it covers a wide surface, and is
useful in driving away the clouds of
smoke as well as in putting out the
blaze.
The streams were turned on the
street cars as they piled up and down
Fayetteville street, and they were al
most swamped in the shower.
THE test was successful in every
way" said Chief Mailer last night.
The department makes fine show
ing whenever it turns out, whether on
parade or for business only"
RALEIGH'S FIRE DEPARTMENT.
There is not more efficient volun-
teer department or one better equipped
anywhere in the United States. No
city in the country has SO few serious
fires as Raleigh; and that is due to the
department
The new fire headquarters on West
Morgan street, haIf-a-block from the
capitol, is the finest in the State. The
building is not 50 large as the head
quarters in the great cities, but for
convenience in its arrangement and its
general interior appointments it has
no superior anywhere The new build
ing was built on the most modern
plans, and is just now completed.
Mr.. 4. A. MAILER is chief of the de-
partment, and Mr.. Walter Woolcott, as
sistant chief. There are three hose com
panies, and one hook and ladder COM
pany. Mr.. w. A. Linehan is foreman of
Capital No. 3, Mr.. r.. 4. Lumsden is
foreman of tlSe Rescue company, and
y. B. Burgess is foreman of the colored
hose company, the Victor. Mr.. w. W.
Parrish is foreman of the W, r. Wom-
bic Hook and Ladder co.
In the department there are over a
hundred persons, including voiun-
teers and paid employees.
DURHAM CITIZENS HERE.
Mr.. Walter Bradsher, chief of the
Durham fire department; Mr.. William
NJ. Yearly, chairman of the fire com
mittee of the Board of Aldermen; and
Mr.. G. G. Taylor, chairman of the Wa
ter committee of the Board of Alder
men, we're here yesterday TO see the
test.
They are very much pleased with
the Raleigh fire department and the
city water-works, as well as with the
cordial reception they received here.
They are here on a business mission,
and came more especially to inspect
our system of water-Works. Durham
has to have it's water brought through
pipes some five miles. The city has
had contract with the water-works
company requiring ten streams of wa
ter and pressure sufficient to throw a
stream hundred feet high.
A test made short time ago showed
that the company failed to comply with
the terms of the contract. Chief Brad
sher says the main-pipe there is too
small, and a large amount Of the water
is used for domestic purposes.
The city is contemplating change
in the contract, and they are here to
look over the situation.
DEATH OF A RALEIGH MAN IN