(Copy.)
FIRE BRIGADE Department,
Annual Report on Fire Engines.
HONGKONG, 5th January, 1888.
SIR, I have the honour to forward herewith a report on the state of the Government Fire Engines for the year ending 31st December, 1887.
No. 1 Floating Fire Engine by Merry Weather.
This engine is 19 years old, and was formerly a land engine on wheels, but was found too heavy for the roads and cumbersome of transportation; it was therefore put into a launch in March, 1883, and has since done good service. The Boiler is now 10 years old, and requires a new fire box. It was intended to execute this repair some months ago, but it was postponed pending the arrival of the new engine from England. The fresh water tanks are rusting internally, and require to be removed for scraping and painting and generally overhauling, I would recommend this be done immediately after the Chinese New Year.
The machinery and hull of the launch are in good order and with a view to increasing the speed of the launch, a new propeller of more suitable design is now fitted.
No. 2 Steamer by Merry Weather.
This Engine is 19 years old. It was fitted with a new boiler in 1878 and new steam cylinders by Messrs. FENWICK & Co. in 1886. The Engine is of obsolete type and too heavy for our roads, proof of which, it has on two occasions broken through the roads and sunk up to its axles. The engine has however done good service feeding the small engines on high levels with salt water. This engine should be supplemented by one of modern type lighter more powerful and a quick generating boiler (as the present one takes 25 minutes against the modern one of 7 minutes to raise steam.)
No. 3 Steamer by Shand and Mason.
This Engine is 8 years old and was formerly of the auxiliary cylinder type. It was altered last year upon my recommendation, the auxiliary cylinder removed and a balance wheel substituted, which has rendered the engine more efficient and has given every satisfaction. In consequence of the age of the boiler, I have reduced the working pressure of steam to 75 lbs. which has necessarily somewhat handicapped the engine in its work. In my last year's report I recommended a new fire box which I find it is impracticable to attach, and would suggest that Messrs. SHAND & MASON receive instructions to send out a new boiler complete, which we can fix here.
No. 4 Steamer by Shand and Mason.
This Engine is 5 years old and is in excellent condition. New valves have been fitted and the working parts adjusted.
No. 5 Steamer by Shand and Mason
Was supplied upon my recommendation last year. This engine is of the most modern type, and has proved a valuable auxiliary to our fire extinguishing apparatus.
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Stanley" Floating fire pump has only been used once during the past year, and is not available on emergency, as the launch is kept at Stone Cutters' Island.
The manual engines 9 in number, are all in good working order.
Generally. Though the calls on the Fire Brigade have been heavy this year, I am happy to state that no Engine has been totally disabled during a fire, and no serious breakdown has occurred at any time, yet I am still of opinion, we have not sufficient engines for the increasing size of the Colony, as two fires at the same moment would drain our resources, and an cugine laid up for repairs renders our appliances insufficient.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
H. E. WODEHOUSE, Esq., C.M.G.,
Superintendent, Fire Brigade,
&C.,
$c.
(Signed)
JOHN S. BREWER, Assist. Supt. and Engineer.
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