An Argyll Fire-tender to the Fore.
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Instructive Performance Comparisons.
Approximately six months ago (issue of the 22nd October, 1908), we published a photograph and some brief particulars about,the 5oh.p. fourcylinder Argyll .fire-tender which had been purchased by the Corporation of Dundee. This vehicle was supplied through Mr. T. A. Parsons, the manager of Rossleigh, Limited, 132, Nethergate, Dundee, and, as was anticipated by us, it has given an excellent account of itself in service.
We are indebted to Mr. J. S. Weir, the firemaster of the Dundee Brigade. for the two unique photographs which are reproduced herewith. In covering the prints to us, Mr. Weir writes :—
" I have great pleasure in stating that during the five months we have had our motor fire-tender it has attended 56 calls to fires without a single hitch. Every time it is turned out it does smart work, reaching the scene of fire in about half the time the horsed machines take. I have rothing to say against our faithful horses. I am glad to know the time has come when these intelligent animals are to be relieved to some extent of the trying work they have to do in the fire service. The cost of upkeep is about Jos. per week, against 3os. per week for a pair of horses. " I will point out a little experience we had theother day. I ordered out the motor tender and a horsed machine to a fire; the motor arrived a considerable time in front of the horsed machine at the fire. The horsed machine was ordered home eight minutes before the motor; the motor arrived first at the fire-station, and was ready for another call, which we did receive before the horsed machine reached the fire station.
" I have every confidence in our motor, and very often it is the only machine turned out for a fire. It depends upon the nature of the call how many machines are to be turned out Themotor has travelled 756 miles, and the petrol used is 135 gallons; repairs (trifling) all done by our own staff. The cost of the motor tender-escape was 1;746 complete, delivered at the Central Fire Station, Dundee. As far as I am concerned, I never wish to travel on any other machine to a fire than a motor machine."
This is important testimony, especially when one realises that it comes from a great lover of horses, and from a firemaster of long experience who has full knowledge of the best work that horses can do under a variety of circumstances.
We may mention, incidentally, that some striking tests were recently undertaken, at Dundee, in connection with one of the ranges of warehouses, in Dock Street and Whale Lane, which are used for the storage
of jute. The May-Oatway system is installed here, and the alarrn went off is minutes after the match was applied to a miniature bonfire. The Argyll tender reached the warehouse in two minutes and 21 seconds, and water was directed on to the " conflagrations " within three minutes and four seconds. The first horse-drawn steamer did not arrive until three minutes and 42 seconds after the alarm. The distance from the central station to the scene of the fire
was mile.
It is interesting to note that, following upon the original good reports from Dundee, the Town Council of Keighley, as was reported by us four weeks ago, ordered a similar Argyll vehicle. We understand that the Argyll Company, whose works are at Alexandria, N.B., and whose London office is at 6, Great Marlbarough Street, W., has many other important orders for motor fire-tenders, of the kind illustrated, practically on the point of settlement.