From the Richmond Dispatch, 3/6/1863, p. 1, c. 5

Trial of Fire Engines. – A trial was had at 12 o’clock yesterday of the relative capacity of the two fire-engines manufactured by Messrs. Ettinger & Edmond, of this city – one for the Common Council three years since, and the other lately completed on the order of the insurance companies for presentation to the corporation. The trial took place on the Basin bank, on the margin of which both engines were stationed. The capacities of the engines were found on trial to be nearly the same, though the advantage was slightly in favor of the new machines. A stream out of an inch and a half nozzle was thrown horizontally a distance of 240 feet, and perpendicularly about 130 feet.—Both engines worked admirably, and to all appearance jointly threw more water with greater force than a whole regiment of men with the old hand engines could have done. The new engine will soon be delivered up to the city and stationed on 10th street for use in case of necessity. The city is now well protected against the efforts of the incendiary.

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