The San Francisco call., 1898-05-02
TO FIGHT THE
 FIERCE FLAMES A New Water-TOwer 1n- spected and Decided
 a Success.
Chief Sullivan Anticipating 9 Failure Inspected It
 Secretly.
Bay and Dupont Streets the Quiet Scene of the Final Test
 the Machine.

The new water tower that has been In process of construction at the corpora tion yard of the Fire Department for the past three or four months, was tested early yesterday morning. It proved a success and reflected credit upon the in- venter, Henry Croter.
 Owing to a doubt as to whether the new fre-fghter would prove all that it's inventor claimed for it. Chief Engineer Sullivan decided to test the machine in an out-of-the-way place, and at an un- Seemly hour of the morning, so as not to bring 1t and himself into ridicule in case of failure. Bay and Dupont streets was selected as the most appropriate place for this purpose, and, accordingly long before the sun had given any in- dication of its awakening, engines, hose wagons and a small army of f1remen de- scended on the spot confident that they would have the new tower inspected and tested as to its merits or it's failure long before the average mortal had awakened from that period of unconSciouSneSS gen. orally known as second sleep.
 Promptly at o'clock the three engines detailed to be in readiness at the ap- pointed time began puffing and smoking, showing every indication that hasty prep ardtlon was in progress. A half an hour later the tower, manned by the inventor and several assistants, was sighted com ing at break-neck speed around of the curves in the SeaWall sheds.
 Up to this time there was not a living soul in the neighborhood except Sam Rainey. John Maxwell. Chief Engineer Sullivan and few others directly or in directly interested in the Fire Depart ment. People in the vicinity, however be- ing disturbed by the sound of voices and the rumbling of heavy trucks over the pavement, awoke to the realization that something was ''a-doing," and, conse- quently lost no time in determining exact ly what. This inquisitiveness led to the collection of a motley crowd of human beings that considerably troubled the chief and his advisers. Extra fuel was thrown into the furnaces of the engines tions hastened. The six lines of hose were adjusted in their allotted places on the side of the tower, and the word let her go" passed along the line to the men in command of the several hydrants.
 In moment the current went coursing through the rubber tubes, and in an in- stant later they were straining to their utmost capacity. The levers were thrown through the machine into the tower, where 1t found outlet forty-five feet above, descending over 250 feet beyond.
 A hundred and fifty pound pressure was used to show exactly the capacity of the machine, but in ordinary, and, in fact, extraordinary cases, it Is estimated that ficient to subdue the most obstinate fire. The nozzle used for the occasion was five inches in diameter, but any dimension may be used the machine expressly provides for this extension.
 The braZen crane-like neck in which the nozzle is inserted can be adjusted to suit the convenience of the operator, and can be moved upward and downward with the same facility that it can be moved in other directions.
 The man in charge of exhibiting the marvellous ease with which the stream could be diverted and adjusted to any height and position. became so enthusi- astic over the gigantic result caused by a simple pressure on a valve that he mad vertently turned the nozzle In a diagonal position with the result of nearly tearing away q wooden shed attached to a brick warehouse a block away.
 Upon proving to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer that his new machine was perfect in detail and execution, the inven- tor had it lowered to it's position on the truck. battery was next introduced for approval, which also was pronounced a success. It occupies a position on the same truck and is operated the same as the batteries lately introduced into the Fire Department, being almost identical in structure with them. It is connected with the tower and receives it's charge from the same source, both being cap- able of operation at the same time-one