(See page 109.)
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Heron or Hero was an Alexandrian mathematician of the 3d Century B. C.
He was the inventor of “Hero’s Fountain” in which a jet of water was
maintained by condensed air and of a machine acting upon the principle
of Barker’s Mill, in which the motion was produced by steam. _Fragments
of his works on mechanics have been preserved_ for more than 2000 years.
Lack of space forbids following, as could be done, the growth of the
modern steam fire engine from these primitive beginnings to its present
high point of excellence and widely extended use. Wherever civilized
men are gathered into towns and cities there can be found this
admirable mechanism affording protection to both life and property.
The Working Parts,
The Boiler, and
Its facilities for Transportation are the three essential parts of
the one mechanism which combined, form the steam fire engine. In
brief reference to the last qualification, it may be said that these
engines are drawn by hand, by one or more horses, or other animals and
_are self-propelled by both steam and electric power_; again the hose
carriage can be drawn by hand, by horses or can be attached to the
engine.
_The main working parts of the machine_ can be easily divided into two
parts, _the engine_ and _the pump_.
The boiler in all its details has been designed to meet the
requirements peculiar to the fire service and needs a full explanation
with illustrations.
_The auxiliary appliances_ found necessary for the operation of the
modern steam fire engine are large in number; this is owing to the
fact that the machine combines within itself so complete a system for
extinguishing fires. _The supplies_ needed for its maintenance and use
are also in proportion, as to quantity and variety, to its complex make
up.
_The boiler_, which is generally of the upright semi-water tube type,
is combined with the engine by means of a strong iron frame, which
carries all the appliances as well as the driver’s seat, and also forms
the body of the truck.
[Illustration: VERTICAL SECTION.