Amoskeag Steam Fire Engine
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.
