The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-02
WILL BUY NEW FIRE ENGINE.
COUNCIL APPROPRIATED 81, 800 FOR
ADDITIONAL APPARATUS.

Resolution Also Passed Appropriate
ing 81, 72O to Repair the Machinery
at the Old Water WorIs-The New
Engine VIII Throw 1000 Gallons
n Minute and VIII Be Stationed at
Headquarters-COm commissioner EN-
pect 1t to Re in Commission in
Ninety Days.
| The City Council made two liberal ap-
| proprations yesterday the benefit Of
which goes to the fire department. One ap-
preparation of $500 is to purchase a new
fire engine, while 81 ,720 Is to repair the
machinery at the old water works plant
on the river.
The matter of adding a steamer to the
fire fighting apparatus has absorbed the
attention Of Council and the commissioners
some time, but for some reason nothing
i has been accomplished. With view TO
placing the needs of the department in this
regard properly before Council, the com
nissioners were given hearing in caucus.
during which plans for buying a new
| steamer were unfolded. 1t required but
few moments for the commissioners TO
gain their point, 1t being decided the ap-
preparation asked for should be made.
After the fire commissioners were heard,
Chairman James M. Dixon of the Water
Commission, accompanied by Commission
er w. G. Cam. appeared also aud after
pressing the needs of repairing the ma
chinery at the old water works,
which is corroding and becom-
| ing irredeemably damaged from
neglect, it was decided an appro-
priation should also be made for that pur-
| pose. AS in the case of the first resolu-
ton, there was no opposition the aldermen
! being unanimous in the belief that both
! appropriations should be made.
| Chairman Cunningham of the fire COM
missioners was seen after the meeting as
to the time the new steamer will be
| bought. Inasmuch as there are no re-
strictions, the only thing being that the
| commissioners were to agree with the
! finance committee about the payments 1t
was decided to purchase it at once. 1t
will be ordered from the La France En-
gine Company, at a cost of $500. The
| commissioners and finance committee de-
| cided to make a cash payment of 81 900,
while the deferred payment, which will
! bear no interest, will be payable al any
time during the present year. An under
standing has already been had by which
the order can be placed and work on the
steamer proceed without delay.
The engine win excel anything now in
the department, being a powerful propeller
with a capacity of Loo gallons a minute
1t win weigh 1900 pounds, stripped, but
! when coal, tOO.s and firemen are aboard,
the weight will run up TO So 900 pounds
! Such a pOnderous bulk would apparently
require several horses, but it is stated only
two will be used, since the superior con-
strueuon of the engine Will make it more
easily drawn than lighter machines of the
Old pattern. II will be especially built too,
/ for Savannah, in view of which any adj
vantage over the streets here can be easily
| taken in the construction. By the terms
Of the agreement, the engine will be fin
ished and delivered within ninety days,
! bright, oiled and ready for business. An
expert machnist from the factory will
come along to put it in running order, and
will remain in Savannah until the firemen
are familiar with it's mechanism
Chairman Cunningham said the engine
will be placed at headquarters, at Indian
and West Broad streets, in place of the
| little steamer there, which will he used
only as a reserve. If the one at head
quarters is not used as a reserve, how
ever, there may be a general shift of 0p-
! paratus, as may be considered best for the
service. The object of placing the new
| steamer at headquarters, IL is stated, is
10 furnish additional protection to the mer-
| camille districts, business houses along the
! Bay, and all property along the wharves
! The extent of the increased facilities is no
! better shown than in the fact that the
| steamer now al the central station on
| Oglethorpe avenue, drawn by three horses,
only throws $50 gallons a minute and is
considered the finest south of Baltimore,
while the new engine throws $50 gallons
more and is of the type used in New
| York. The addition viii place Savannah
on a fair footing with other cities the
same size and give the facilities which
have been so long needed. The new com
missioners feeel eiated over the rapid and
successful strides made toward raising the
fire department to a high scale of eff
| cheney.
Along with the new engine comes an i'm
provement in the old water works, which
| viii greatly strengthen the water supply
! The Council seems to have had no hest
| fancy in making either appropriations both
of which apparently go in the main to the
! benefit of the fire department Bids have
! been advertised for to make needed re-
! pairs to the machinery, building, appurte-
nances and fixtures of the plant. which
insures an early start and prompt COM
pleiion of the work. The repair of this
machinery, which pumps from twenty-five
wells, viii be quite an auxiliary to the
Springfield road plant. 1t is understood
! the mains VIII be connected when the cd
{ plant is again ready to operate, which will
make the water supply equal to most any
demand.