The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-09
TEST OF THE TUGS.
The Forest City's Effectiveness as n
Fire Boat Demonstrated

The tug Forest City o. the Propeller
Tow Boat Company was tested yester-
day afternoon by Chlef Mcguire Of the
fire department. assisted by a detach-
ment OF his force 10 determine its effective
ness as a FIRE boat
The test was In compliance with the de-
cision Of the FIRE commission 20 make trials
OF the tugs Regis and Forest City. AM
TO have the chief Of the department re-
port on their capacity and effectiveness
The matter Of selecting one Of the tugs
for fire purposes grew out Of the neces-
sity shown by tho rice mill fire for such q
provision for the checking Of oonhagra-
tons along the water front. The Regis
did effective work there with two streams
and il was mainly the result Of its having
been brought into service that the FIRE
was checked where it was and Thomas
Wharves were saved.
The Forest City was taken TO the Sa-
vanuah, Florida and Western wharf and
from that point was timed under fun
steam 10 the exchange dock. Through
the courtesy Of capt. George L. Beac1,
manager and owner Of the Gov. Stafford.
that steamer was moved away from her
wharf TO enable the Forest City 10 play
from her moOring.
As the tug neared the wharf, four
streams were put in play. On running
alongside the wharf there was some de-
lay, a. the crew having It's attention abb
s0rbed by the streams and pumping, was
not quick In making fast the lines and
the vessel drifted out into the stream.
However. this did not occasion any great
delay and the time made on the trip was
very good.
This was supplemented by 1900 feet OF the
city hose and four streams were used, ar
ter having been coupled up with 800 feet
from the tug. The resistance Of this
length Of hose and the fifty feet Of vertical
hight represented by the bluff at that
point, for II was at low water, had to be
overcome by the pumps and when the
streams We're thrown nluety-five feet up
Bull street, and from Ouc-inch nozzles,
the fact was demonstrated that the For
est City possessed very powerful pumps.
After this test Chief Mcclure decided TO
try the boat on a heavier stream. Two
lines OF hose were run from the vessel and
"siamesed" as the iremen term it, that
is, they were Joined by a special construc-
ton for the purpose, near the nozzle, tho
two streams being thus concentrated into
one Of great size and force. This 'sia-
messed" stream was thrown through an
inch and a half nozzle 128 feet.
II larger hose had been used the steam
er's great power for throwing large
streams would probably have been dscoV-
cred. Her pumps are unusually strong.
Chief Mcclure expressed himself as we'll
pleased with the beat and, In a measure,
was astonished at her powerful pumps.
No figures have been as yet furnished
him regarding the vessels pumping capac-
ity, speed, the size of her hose, and piping,
but all OIL these matters will be submitted
to enable him to make his report TO the
commission, which will consider the ad-
Visibility Of accepting one Of the tugs.
The Regis will be tested tomorrow af-
ternOon- The Regis IS a newer boat than
the Forest City, and, though her pumps
are smaller than the latter's. some say
that they are fully as effective. She is
the property Of the Savannah Lighterage
and Transfer Company.