The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-04-16
ODD SUGGESTIONS
FOR NEW F|REBOAT
One Man Would Name 1t
After Egyptian God.
ALL SORTS OF DESIGNATIONS
Commissioner Macfarland Who Will
Decide Tomorrow Inclines to "Pro- S
lection" or "Firefghter."
ALL SORTS OF DESIGNATIONS

Commissioner Macfarland intends to
take half day off tomorrow to select
from the host of names suggested Tor
the new District fireboat that one he
will adjudge most appropriate
( He had no sooner intimated he was
in need of suggestions than he was
flooded with them. They came from all
parts CT the city. Had the competl-
ton been open a few DAYS longer ii is
to be doubted whether the Commission
er's files would have held all the offer
inEs.
Macfarland's Choice.
The names suggested are of all sorts.
They are fanciful or practical, common
or unusual. 1t is limited that the choice
has nearly been made, and that the mo-
smentouS question of christening the
new member of the Districts fleet Will
be decided by selecting one of the two
names first submitted. Protector or
Firefighter. Mr. Macfarland is under
stood to have a leaning toward the
latter.
Yesterdays contribution was the climax
of all the varied assortmentS handed in
during the week. The crop of sugges-
tons yesterday was prolific and wonder
full. There were a great many dupli-
cations. but Il number of the correspond
ents delved into new and novel realms
from which 20 pick a winning name.
Name of Egyptian God.
- One of these was the gentleman who
referred the Commissioner to an old
book on mythology, from which he
quoted the story of Campus, an
10, -hR f,
umph over the god of the Chaldeans,
1gnis. meaning fire. To settle the dis
pute between the two peoples over the
merits of their respective divinities the
priests arranged to bring the two wor-
thies together and let them fight it out
The myth says that Campus was a
pitcher of water with innumerable holes
stuffed with wax, so that at the begin
ming of the combat they were invisible.
Fire, the Chaldean god, melted the wax
so that Campus Immediately drenched
his opponent with water and totally ex-
tinguished, vanquished, and overcame
him.
Therefore it is suggested that the
fireboats be named appropriately Cano-
pus.
If the Commissioner doesn't immedi-
from another Offering: Vesta, Albert
or Watchful, or he may decide thai
Punctual or Experience is a suitable
cognomen, though these qualities are
still undetermined, as the boat is no
yet off the ways
Squirt" Is Proposed.
In the words of its sponsor, the Com
missioner might go Il great deal farther
and fare a great deal worse than TO Sc
lect the word Squirt. He proceeds t.
define the word according to Webster
and says that is just what the boat il
for and all it will do.
One writer, of prolific ideas, suggest.
these among others: Queen of the Pc
tomac, Maid of Potomac, Rescue, Cloud
burst, Mermaid, Potomac Belle. City o
Washington, Federal City. Analostan
Passing on. there is to be found tn,
designation Appomattox and two 9th
ers. Reliance and Conqueror There /.
some doubt as to the reason for wish
Ing TO dub the vessel Memoir. but it ap
pears in the list, together with The Ea
gle and many similar ones. \ Vermont