London Brigade in June, 1862, and their twelfth, in February, 1863,
upon orders given on the 4th January, 1862. But as the Committee of
the London Fire Brigade were now negotiating with Government to take
the duty of extinguishing fires off their hands, no orders for
steam-engines were given out by them after the above date.

* * * * *

STEAM FIRE-ENGINE COMPETITION,

CRYSTAL PALACE, LONDON, 1863.

Towards the close of 1862, several engineers and other gentlemen
interested in the improvement of steam fire-engines, offered prizes to
be awarded at competitive trials to take place in London. The
following is the Committee's published account of these trials which
were held in the grounds of the Crystal Palace Company on the 1st,
2nd, and 3rd July, 1863.

The Committee consisted of the following gentlemen, viz.:--

_Chairman._

HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND.

_Members._

THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF CAITHNESS.
LORD RICHARD GROSVENOR, M.P.
J. G. APPOLD, ESQ.
J. T. BATEMAN, ESQ.
W. M'BROWNE, ESQ.
T. R. CRAMPTON, ESQ.
W. M. CROSSLAND, ESQ.
W. FAIRBAIRN, ESQ.
T. HAWKSLEY, ESQ.
J. E. McCONNELL, ESQ.
HENRY MAUDSLAY, ESQ.
J. MATHEWS, ESQ.
J. NASMYTH, ESQ.
J. PENN, ESQ.
WILLIAM SMITH, ESQ.

_Hon. Sec._

CAPTAIN E. M. SHAW.

The engines were divided into two classes, the large class consisting
of those weighing over 30 cwts., and not exceeding 60 cwts. and the
small class of those not exceeding 30 cwts.

The prizes offered were 250_l._ for the best engine, and 100_l._ for
the second best, in each class.

The chief points to which the Committee directed their attention, in
addition to the consideration of cost and weight, were those relating
to the general efficiency of the machines as fire-engines, combining
among other points of excellence--

Rapidity in raising and generating steam.

Facility of drawing water.

Volume thrown.

Distance to which it can be projected with the least amount of loss.

Simplicity, accessibility, and durability of parts.

LARGE CLASS.

FIRST TRIAL.

Delivering 1000 gallons into a tank at a true distance of 67 feet, and
27 deg. from the horizon. Depth from which water was drawn, 4 feet 6
inches. The water in the boiler being cold when the signal was given
to commence, each engine commencing to work on attaining steam
pressure of 100lb. to the square inch.

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