Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-07

5000 gallons of water per minute each, or a
total capacity of 5000 gallons per minute.
This is considered by the fire authorities
ample to Quench most any blaze that the
Ffrefghter may have to deal with in her
strenuous career. The contract price for
the vessel Is $40, 739, which includes every
thing appertaining to a fire boat, with the
exception of linen, blankets, flags, fire hose,
axes, carpets, awnings, etc. The workman
ship throughout is the very best, and the
Commissioners and fire department chief
well pleased with the craft. She will
be brought to Washington late in June I'M
der her own steam. and may bring pleas
ure party of Washington government OFF,
Gals.
The Boat Officers.
The Firefighter was provided for by ac-
ton of the second session of the Fifty
eighth Congress. 1t will be stationed on
the river front between M and N streets
southwest. The company for the boat will
consist of captain and lieutenant, as
signed from the land force; two licensed
pilots, two marine engineers, two stokers
and six privateS. During the time the
boat is at the dock the captain will be in
command but while it is under way the
pilot will be in charge.
For sixteen, years the Commissioners and
the fire department have done all in their
power to persuade Congress to provide
such boat. The need of a c1aft of this
valuable property situated along the river
front. The placing in service of the boat
Will AFFORD much greater protection to the
large ice plants. lumber yards, wood and
coal yards, as Well to the three large
Washington and Norfolk steamers, two of
which are often at their docks at the same
time There are also other large steam
boats and sailing craft with their wooden
docks, wharveS and sheds to protect
Heretofore this property has not been
adequately protected While fires are not
or frequent occurrence on the river front,
when they do occur it is most difficult for
the firemen to successfully fight them, es-
pecially If the wind is blowing from the d.
rection of the river. The sitting heat and
smoke is driven into the faces of the fire.
men and they are handicapped in their
work, while on the river side there is no
smoke, but only the blaze. SO that by means
pr the fire boat the seat of such conf1agra-
ton can be reached.
Instances Cited.
During the past sixteen years there have
been several large fires along the river
front, two of which came very near devel-
oping into confiagrations, and which were
only prevented by the excellent work of
the fremen.
The department, on April II, 1902 at sol
O'Clock In the afternoon, responded to an
alarm from box No. AS for fire In the
plant of the American Ice Company, locat-
IL,
which required a fifth alarm before the
flames could be subdued. The wind and fire
draught carried embers from the scene of
the fire to AZ and streets southwest and
at that point ignited two houses. The
blaze also leaped to It'll and Water streets
and set fire to hotel at that point. Dur
ing the progress of this fire the whole OF
the city was left without protection from
fire After the new fire boat Is placed in
commission such conditions will be elm
mated to great extent, as three steam fire
engines with the fire boat properly care
for all fires which may occur along the
river 'front.'. unless something much out of
the ordinary should happen.
Practically Constructed of Steel.
The new boat will practically be con-
structed of steel and in such manner,
breaker. The vessel will be 101 feet in
length and have beam of % feet with
9-foot draught. 1t will be capable of MAX
ing twelve knots an hour. AS to it's equip
ment, it will have a displacement of 5000
gallons minute and can throw fourteen
21s-lnch hose streams with 1A-inch tips. 1t
VIII also have two deck monitor pipes that
VII. be capable of throwing and 4-inch
streams, respectively.
When the District appropriation bill was
before the conference committee Mr. NJ I.
Weller. chairman of the committee on river
and harbor of the Board of Trade was ask
ed for certain information relative to the
fire boat. Mr.. Weller stated that "he was
going to the Capitol to get the boat" Chief
Engineer Belt remarked that If he succeed
ed Mr.. Weller should have heartfelt
handshake. Mr.. Weller left for the Cap
itol and some time afterward returned to
the chiefs office with his hat off and his
right hand extended toward the chief, and
said: well. chief, l got the fire boat"
Mr. Weller got good old-fashoned grasp.