University of Virginia Library

Fire Engine Circular

AMERICAN HYDRAULIC COMPANY.

The AMERICAN HYDRAULIC COMPANY, recently incorporated by the Legislature of
the State of Vermont, with a capital of One Hundred Thousand Dollars, having purchased
from Messrs. Cooper, Phelps & Campbell the right of manufacturing COOPER'S PATENT
ROTATIVE

FIRE ENGINES, FORCE-PUMPS, &c.

Will receive and execute orders with promptness and fidelity, to any amount, on reasonable
notice, either for the articles aforesaid, or for the conveying and supplying of water for cities
or villages.

The principle having been fully tested and approved by the literary and scientific, as well as
the practical mechanic, it may be deemed superfluous to add, here, any remarks upon the
subject; and the following are subjoined merely for the information of those who are yet
strangers to the invention:

The simplicity of its construction, its rotary motion, its admirable compactness and
unquestioned durability, are advantages of this machine, over those on the old principle, or
no slight importance. Independent of these advantages, there are others of still greater
magnitude. It will raise and discharge double the quantity of water, in a given time; or, in
other words, it requires the application of one half the power, only, to produce the same
effect. It discharges a more dense column. It is as little affected by the frosts of a northern
winter as by the heat of summer: and it can be made for one half the expence.

IT WILL RAISE DOUBLE THE QUANTITY OF WATER.

The fact is self-evident, that in operating the old Engines, to discharge the chamber or
cylinder once, the piston must pass twice through it; an ascending stroke to create a vacuum,
and a descending one to force the water. Half the time is consequently lost. In the rotative,
on the contrary, it is equally evident, that a continued vacuum is created, and a continued
discharge effected, by one and the same operation. As a further illustration of the point in
question, it may be observed,

IT CAN BE OPERATED WITH ONE HALF THE POWER.

The air vessel is totally dispensed with, and the power is applied directly upon the water. It
operates on no more than it discharges. On the other hand, as a consequence of the
alternating motion of the piston Engines, twice the surface is acted upon, and the friction, of
course, is comparatively two-fold. This is not all. The power necessary to overcome the
inertia of the water is both exerted and suspended at every stroke of the piston. But in the
rotative the current flows instantly, continuous, and uninterrupted.

Connected with this part of the subject is a fact of the first importance. The extreme
necessity of prompt and efficient action in case of fire, is beyond controversy. A sufficient
number of men to operate the rotative with effect, may be readily and easily convened,
either in cities or villages, while a delay, waiting the arrival of the number necessary to work
the old engines, might result in a total destruction of property.

IT IS COMPARATIVELY PROOF AGAINST FROST.

Those acquainted with the old engines, know,by sad experience, the evils of frozen valves
and obstructed pistons, and the necessity of resorting to means of thawing out the machine,
or suffer it to remain useless, even at times of fire. But a single revolution of the rotative,
discharges the ice that may have collected on the surface exposed, and an effective operation
is not retarded for a moment.

IT DISCHARGES A MORE CONDENSED COLUMN.

It is apparent to the man of chemical science, if not to the common observer, that water, in
the form of spray, thrown into an intense flame, is instantly decomposed, and, instead of
diminishing, increases its fury. The advantage of the Rotative herein, as before observed,
consists in dispensing with the air-vessel. In the old machine it is indispensable. Yet,
notwithstanding its use and importance to them, it constantly imparts a portion of air to the
water discharged, and thus far produces the evil complained of.

Hence it is evident, that the following are among the most material advantages of Cooper's
Rotative Fire Engine, over all others hitherto invented, viz:

They are more simple in their construction, more durable, and less liable to get out of order.

The number of hands necessary to work them does not exceed one half.

They are proof, with proper care, against the effects of frost.

The column of water is more condensed, and consequently strikes with more effect.

And last, though not least in the estimation of the wise and prudent, they can be furnished
for half the expence.

PRICES.

No. 1. Discharging one barrel per minute, 50 feet high, 80 feet distant; or through the hose,
each 100 revolutions, two barrels: plain, and plain mounting, 4 men, $150--with extra finish,
$175.

No. 2. Discharging from two to three barrels per minute, 60 feet high, 90 feet distant, or
through the hose, each 100 revolutions, about 4 barrels; 8 men; plain, and plain mounting,
$225.

No. 3. Discharging about 100 gallons per minute, 60 feet high, 90 feet distant; or through
the hose, each 100 revolutions, about 150 gallons--8 men, plain, and plain mounting, $250.

No. 4. With arms of the size of No. 3, but with increased diameter, and suction throats,
throwing more water; 12 men; plain, and plain mounting, $275.

No. 7. Equal in power to the Engines used by the Corporation of the city of New York, and
discharging the same quantity, $400.

No. 11. Discharging double the quantity of the best Engines in the city of New York, $600.

No. 20. Discharging three times the quantity of the best Engines now in use in the United
States, $1000.

Intermediate numbers, not named, in the same proportion. Force-pumps, for the supply of
cities, villages and manufactories, will be charged at about one half the prices named above.
Suctions for Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, will be charged at $100 extra--for No. 7, $125--for No. 11,
$150--No. 20, $200.

By order of the President and Directors, LUTHER FOOTE, Secretary.

D (printed), ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "Fire Engine." ASB calculated some figures on
the verso.