3-021-133 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Experiments with l'Extincteur on the Thames Embankment [in London] before the Prince of Wales, 1868. 'The Prince and the Duke of Sutherland are known to take a particular interest in the organisation and action of all means of extinguishing fires. They have lately turned their attention to Dick's patent portable self-acting fire-engine, named "L'Extincteur"...three temporary structures were put up...The first of these was...filled with tar and naphtha; the second was...filled with a dozen of tar and other casks, firewood, and shavings; the third represented three sides of a carpenter's shop...filled with workbench, shelves, firewood, shavings, and other inflammable materials, all saturated with tar and naphtha...Mr. Farie gave his Royal Highness an explanation of the principle and mode of charging and using the machines. He then proceeded to set fire to the tank, and in a few moments there was a great body of fire, accompanied by dense smoke. A small-sized extincteur was brought to bear on it, and the whole mass of fire was almost instantaneously extinguished...The result of all these experiments excited much astonishment; and his Royal Highness...was pleased to express to Mr. Farie his entire satisfaction with all that he had seen'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.