Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-06
NOT TO ACCEPT BOAT
THE ,FIREFIGHrRR MUST HAVE
CHANGES MADE.

The Commissioners have decided to with
hold the acceptance of the Firefighter until
certain alterations have been made. This
action Is based on the following report OF
Chief Engineer William T. Belt of the fire
department. submitted to the Commission
ers today:
II have the honor to report that at 3:15
O'Clock pm. June 1. 1905. accompanied by
Machinist T. M. Robinson of this depart
ment. I visited the works OF Harlan & Hol-
lingsworth, Wilmington. Del. for the pur-
pose Of accompanying the f1reboat Fire
fighter to this city.
AT 1906 o'clock am. the I'd instant, the
Firehghter' left the dock on the Christians
creek for the Delaware river. were an Of
ficial test was held. which lasted for six
hours. The test commenced at II o'clock
am. and consisted Of running the boat over
q mile course under a steam pressure of 12j
pounds with 100 and 10 revolutions. the
boat making d speed OF over twelve miles
per hour. The speed test was finished at
1895 O'Clock pm
AT 12:40 o'clock pm. the test Of the
pumps was started and lasted until 4:05
o'clock pm. One of the pumps was found
to be out of order and the other one all
right The test was held under the super
vision of Mr.. William G. Cox, president of
the Harlan and Hollfngsworth Company;
Mr.. Crane. of Crane, Tams and Lemoine
Company, and Mr.. Lockhead, manager OF
the frSt-named firm.
AT 4:15 o'clock pm. the boat was tied
up to the docks to adjust the crane brass
pin. The same was finished at $50 O'Clock
p M, when we pulled out and proceeded
down the Delaware river for Washington.
At 1 20 o'clock am, the Sd instant we tied
up at the wharf at the Breakwaters for the
purpose of obtaining fresh water for the
boilers. This we were unable to get until
n Incl 4 4 oil olr laft
for Newport News, and we arrived there
at $40 o'clock am. There we again filled
the boilers and left Newport News at $50
O'Clock am, and proceeded up the Chesa-
peake bay and arrived at Point Lookout at
80 O'Clock pm, and proceeded up the
Potomac river and arrived off of Colonial
Beach at $50 o'clock pm. and anchored
for the night. AT 4:30 o clock am. the 9Th
instant. pulled anchor and left for home
arriving here at 1915 o'clock am. the same
day:
Il would respectfully state that during
the test Machinist Robinson and myself
paid particular attention to the different
parts of the machinery. pumps. pipes. etc.
We found. as 1 have stated before, one Of
the pumps out of order. I called Mr..
Cranes attention to it and he promised.
as well as Mr.. Cox. to come to Washington
In few days to remedy it and all defects
that we noticed. l had him and Mr.. Robin
trouble. which they were unable to do.
Two or three tests were given. When 1
left the boat at noon this day they were
still working on it, and If it Is remedied l
will give 1t a test this afternoon
The turret. or monitor pipes. were tried
and did not give satisfaction. I also called
the attention of Mr.. Crane and Mr.. Cox
to this fact. They both promised. how
ever. to have different style and make Of
pipes to replace the ones now on boat.
Il have the honor to state that as far
as the boat itself is concerned 1t comes
up to the specification with the following
exceptions: Change the style of monitor
pipes put in two 6-minute discharge valves.
pumps to be put in proper condition. and
two scuttle holes to be placed in the water
way 2 feet aft of the bit to relieve con-
ditions at that point.
IT have the honor to recommend that
the boat be not accepted until the fore
going changes are made"