The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-03-19

OF course, the boat never has to go
far enough down the harbor to en-
counter any very heavy weather, but
she is seaworthy craft and could ride
out q heavy sen it it were necessary.
The boat answered first alarms on
ninety regular boxes. There were two
additional boxes to which she re-
sponded on second alarms, and three
others to which she went on third
alarms. Her crew had to possess q lot
of qualifications that were not re-
quired of the firemen in the tire-bouses
on land. For instance, there were
four Of them who had licenses as pilots
and FIVE were licensed as engineers. en-
titling them, by permission of the fed
eral government, to fill similar posi-
tions on any craft which sailed the
waters about New York City. The
captain of the company, the lieuten-
ant and two Of the hosemen were the
licensed masters and pilots. These
men were not only qualified to take the
| -
New York, but were fully competent
to operate her to the best advantage
when they arrived at the scene of the
| fire.
In case of an alarm from box to
which the fire boat responds. the crew
tumbles aboard as quickly as the men,
bers of a land company could get on
the engine and hose wagon, and with
her whistle shfieking warning to all
boats to make way, the fire boat heads
for the scene of trouble while the men
dash into the cabin and don their rub
ber coats and helmets, so that by the
time they reach the fire they are all
ready to tackle it. Every man has his
station, just as be would on war
ship, and the men 60 to work on the
FIRE in business-liks manner.
4 On the main deck forward there
were four big nozzles. worked by levers.
and from which could be thrown pow
erful streams two or three inches in
, diameter as desired, and on top Of the
pilot houses were two other nozzles of
similar dimensions, all six being so To-
, Gated and arranged that they could
throw their streams straight ahead or
to right or left as the case required.
; The crew called these six pipes the
> bow guns and the appellstion seemed
, very appropriate, because the streams
, of water are thrown with force ap-
, preaching that of a projectile from d
!, gun, aud when they strike, something
, has to give way.
On the main deck forward of the
pilot house, there were, supplementary
to the bow guns, a dozen pipes, con
tnected with the powerful pumps, te
!, which could be attached lines of hose
Throwing either two or three incl
. stream, and they could be played thru
= either the extra heavy hose carried or
!, the fire boat or thru sthe ordinary hose
. from q land house. was informed
that ordinarily, there is no necessity oI
coupling up to land house hose, be
cause IN. the fire boats equipment
there was over mile length of heavier
and more durable hose than is used b,
!. the ordinary fire engine company, ant
= thru it could be forced much NOR,
= 4 powerful streams than the ordinar,
). hose could take. The captain ant
: men OF the New Yorker appreciates
:. the responsibilities resting upon then
:, as the crew or the fire boat, and the.
= were exceedingly proud of her abilitie
i. and accomplishments.
re- The life was monotonous, but tn
~ constant attendance on his duties o
10 any fireman is also monotonous, ant
D. there were few, if any, of the outfit o
,e engine 81 that would have been will
NJ ing to exchange his billet for one in
If lard company. had the opportunit
Is occurred.
m In conclusion wish to add that tn
ty mascot or number twenty-one of tn
lie fire boats crew was a small but e1
IN ceedingly active monkey who wa
IA named Jocko This little, fellow ha
at been provided with miniature firt
,r, mans uniform, little helmet and
Of small badge, and he looked solemn an
ke funny enough running along the afte
he rail to which he was tied, to caus
lg many people to stop and admire hl
Ii, many laughsble tricks. In order {
comply with par. II of our Bylaw