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FIRE AND WATER |When all was ready, each machine in turn, after being coupled to the hose, blew smoke from its funnel and puffed vigorously. Its pump labored, and a stream of water shot from the distant nozzle and flew up towards the bell tower. The engine of the Century Steam Fire Engine Company of Chatham forced its stream the highest. When its spout soared clear over the roof of the main building, so loud a sigh of wonder and satisfaction issued from the throng that the walls quivered like those of Jericho. This engine was adjudged the winner. The council bought it for the sum of $4,ooo, and paid $i,ioo more for 1000 feet of hose and a reel. The existing fire-brigades were then re-organized around this new equipment. Thos. Avers was appointed First Fireman at a salary of $ioo a year, and Mather Willson, Second Fireman at a salary of $50 a year. One brigade of 23 men, stationed at the Town Hall, was placed in charge of the steamer; another of 30 men, equipped with a new hand-engine, was stationed at the Junction; and a hook-and-ladder brigade was restationed at the Old Village Hall. Furthermore, since the steamer could theoretically pump a mighty torrent, the council had to provide new reservoirs. Thus we find it having a well dug on the Congregational Square, placing tanks of 5oo-barrel capacity each at a number of other strategic points, and supervising the construction of a wharf-like structure on the bank of the Grand at William Street and at the Nith Bridge, upon which the steamer could be backed to pump water from the rivers. And later in i88o, Councillor Turnbull moved that: 4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4 l l The Old Steamer. 123