On the night of the 10th of January, when the flames were raging with their utmost fury through the fallen ruins of the Pemberton Mills, at Lawrence, Mass., and the Washington Mills, together with other buildings, being in great danger, Mayor Saunders, of that city, deeming the force of the firemen present insufficient, forwarded a dispatch to Manchester, N. H., for assistance. The call was nobly responded to. By orders of Chief Engineer Hunt, the “Amoskeng” was sent. The dispatch was received about half-past twelve. No engine was in readiness at Manchester, and a dispatch was sent to Lawrence for one. An engine was started from Lawrence, went to Manchester, took a train with the steamer, its horses and company, and a carload of firemen, and returned, accompanied by Mayor Harrington and a part of the engineers. In just two hours and eight minutes from the time the telegram was received, the Amoskeag was at Lawrence, playing fou, streams of water upon the fire. The distance in twenty-six mules, making fifty-two miles travelled by the locomotive, which, with the loading and unloading of the machine, is remarkable time. Even amid so much terror and confusion, its arrival at the ruins was greeted with enthusiasm. And the firemen, who were nearly worn out with exhaustion, welcomed it with hearty cheers. It remained at Lawrence during the greater part of the next day, doing good service at the ruins.
This engine was built for the city on Manchester by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, under the direction of N. S. Bean, Esq whose portrait we give in this issue. It is the first one of its own peculiar kind, though many are being made by the Company now, and for lightness and time of firing up is unequalled. Weighing when empty five thousand five hundred pounds, is easily drawn by two horses, and will carry fuel sufficient to feed four or five hours. She will fire up and play two streams in less than four minutes from lighting the match; can get up steam as well while running as while standing. On one occasion she fired up and had two streams through four hundred feet of hose each in three minutes and forty seconds, drafting her own water. She will throw four seven-eighth inch streams through one hundred and fifty feet of leading hose each, horizontally; will throw one and one-fourth inch stream two hundred and forty feet.
These machines are being made as fast as the Company can get them out, and rent to various parts of the country; already have they gone to Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Illinois and other places-bidding fair to take first rank among the steam fire engines throughout the country.
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, New York, NY, December 1, 1860
