The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-19
RECEIVES NEW HOSE
FIRE DEPARTMENT READY FOB a
CONFEDERATION.
Old Hose Was So Worn That q Purchase " As
ceived and Is Tested Thoroughly -
Steamer is Run Out aud Fired up for the
Test Which the Hose Withstands to the
Fire MarshaPs Complete Satisfaction
Engine Also shows = Specimen of Its
Gait In an Emergency.

The fire department has received a
new consignment Of hose from Chicago
and il was submitted to test yesterday
which proved its efficiency
Quite an amount OF the old hose has
become so old and badly worn that il
was hardly 1T for service, and the feast
bility Of obtaining new hose was talked
of for some time before it was obtained
But the old hose was used as long as II
was safe 10 do so. In fact, the old hose
at one or two fires in the last month
failed TO Withstand fire pressure and
burst under the strain. Steps were i'm
mediately taken to replace the old hose
which had become TOO weak 10 be availa-
Die, and at council meeting a short time
ago the fire marshal recommended that
bids be advertised for and new hose pur-
chased at once, which was done.
When the hose arrived it was taken to
the house of No. /, on North Market
street, and yesterday morning was the
time set for the test. There was a thou
sand feet of it. and il was purchased I'M
der guarantee from one Of the largest
firms in the country, who manufacture
fire hose exclusively.
The engine has not been used since the
poultry house fire on Fifth and First,
which occurred nearly a year ago. IL
stands in the engine house ready at any
moment TO be taken out, but the water
pressure is amply sufficient TO take care
il all ordinary fires. and consequently 1t
is eldom necessary to use the engine. IL
is heavy piece of machinery, weighing
S,400 pounds with two gauges OF water in
the boiler. 1t takes about four minutes
TO get UP steam TO so pounds pressure
with the engine standing still, and much
less if it is running TO a fire. No oil or
other fuel is used save shavings and pine
kindling, which are so placed within the
f1re-box that it will burn quickly. A
ball of waste wet with oil lays ready at
all times, match is touched 10 it, il is
passed over the bottom, and the water
begins to boil almost Immediately
Yesterday morning the engine was in
running order in less time than it takes
TO tell it 1t seemed a pity to smoke up
the polished brass and iron. but the
smoke did not seem to blacken il up very
quickly. The engine began to grumble
little at not being set TO work when
steam was up, but presently the throttle
was opened and she went to work as
smoothly as the tongue of a jewelry auc-
rioneer. but with less noise. Very little
noise is made by the engine when at
work. She stopped grumbiing and went
TO work as though she enjoyed the
relaxation from her long rest, and in a
jiffy stream was pouring out Of the IL
inch nozzle a an accelerated speed. Two
hundred and fifty feet Of the new hose
was attached at a time and tested.
The usual pressure of water is much
lower than fire pressure. When an alarm
goes in it is sounded at the water works
at the same time, and the engineer on
duty puts on fire pressure at once. This
is about 100 pounds per square inch and
is no very long while appearing at the
farthest fire plug in the city. This is an
ply sufficient to give the water sufficient
force to put any ordinary fire out in
short order.
The water pressure as applied by the
pounds easily, and this pressure was ap-
yesterday with full satisfaction Of the
fire marshal and every one else who wit
messed the test. 1t was a very pretty
sight, the water being thrown nearly
block after it left the end of the noZzel.
Wichita possesses as fine set of fire.
fighting apparatus and men as any de-
partment in the west and she is proud Of
them, too. When they go to a fire they
go with the intention Of putting il ont,
and they accomplish their object every
time. either in its incipiency or in mid
career, and the chief trouble encountered
so far Is 10 get the alarm in soon enough.
II this is accomplished, the fire gets very
little further in it's devouring, destroying
career.