Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-06-19
Motor Fire Engines for Neighbors.

MOtOr FIRE EnBneS IOr NefSnDors'
Following the example of Hanover
the automobile has been introduced
into the fire brigades of the larger
towns in Germany, and the Fire de-
partment wishes to make the auto
mobile useful for small towns, viii
lagos and country districts. For these
purposes at present only steam mo-
tor fire engines can be taken into
consideration, as vehicles driven by
electricity depend entirely upon the
source of current, and the reliability
OF explosion motors leaves much still
to be desired. The steam motor fire
engine, in its present construction,
cannot be used for the purpose In
view, as its radius of action depends
upon the water and fuel. The guam
tity carried on the engines of Han
over sufflces for secure service
within the radius of a large city or
its nearest suburbs, but not for longer
distances. The idea of taking in
water and fuel during the trip would
be attended with difficulties and
cause considerable loss of time
The following experiments were
made in this direction: The quanti-
ty of fuel and water necessary for
distance OF eighteen miles was as
certained approximately by short runs.
The load which the engine could
draw over paved and unpaved streets
was determined. and as n result OF
these experiments n provisional
Then the stack or chimney of the
fire engine was equipped with spark
tender for fuel, etc, was provided.
catchers, and the back of the ash
plate, to prevent the scattering of
sparks, was provided with narrow
mesh fire netting, after which longer
trial courses could be undertaken.
The trials, made under the special
direction of the fire inspector of Han
over, showed very satisfactory re-
suits. The engine was driven be-
tween Hanover and Neustadt-am-
Rubenberge, fifteen miles, I'm fifty
six minutes; later, sixty miles from
Hanover, via Neustadt-am-Ruben-
berge, to Nlenburg on the Weser
and back TO Hanover. For the run
itself hours "A minutes were re-
quired, but the engine had TO travel
against heavy wind. the streets and
roads were slippery, and between
Neustadt and Nienburg numerous
hills and elevations. some of them
considerable, had TO be climbed.
However, after the arrival of the en-
glne in Nienburg the Volunteer Fire
Department was treated to an exhi-
bition of the steamers power and
utility by throwing water at fire.
AS these trials took place without
any accident to the machine, and as
the engine also showed no defects, Il
was demonstrated that II is quite
possible 10 send steam motor fire en-
gines to distant points TO render as
slstance.
The distance at which steam mo-
tor iire engine may render effective
assistance, as regards oxtinguIshlng
fires, has been established as being
about fifteen mile; and such a dis
tance can be driven In an hour at
most. The tender must carry, be-
sides the required hose materials,
SUFFICIENT water and fuel so that the
engine can make fifteen miles with
out stopping, and thon, upon arrival
at the fire. still be able to furnish
water for an hour without Interrupt
tlon. II will doubtless not be difficult
20 obtain within an hour, In the
nelghborhood of the Are, further fuel
required. by locked coal boxes and
kerosene tanks In the respective en-
gine houses.
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