50

Trip on the Yosemite.

After leaving the central office the visitors
were conducted to the engine and
truck company on Franklin street and
shown the apparatus, the method of hitching
up the horses and the sleeping quarters
of the men. All of these
came in for the highest praise.
The next move was to the fire
tug Yosemite at the foot of LaSalle street.
The admirals and the captains and the
other salts who are accustomed to tread
the decks of leviathans constructed for
the purpose of destruction embarked on
board the little vessel, whose mission
is to save and not to destroy.
The moorings were cast off and
the Yosemite steamed down the river past
the life saving station and out into the
lake. There was a fresh breeze blowing
and the air was cold, but the boat
behaved well and the visitors did not
mind the chill wind. As it was
Sunday, the atmosphere was free of
smoke, and the day being a bright one an
excellent view of the city was obtained.
The high Masonic temple, the Auditorium
and the other lofty buildings stood out
prominently against the clear sky and the
voyagers expressed their astonishment at
the number of skyscrapers there were in
the city. After a short trip on the lake
the boat's nose was turned homeward,
and when in the river again
an exhibition was given of the
powers of the Yosemite in quelling a big
blaze. The hose was adjusted and several
streams turned on an imaginary fire.
Everything worked admirably, and it was
the opinion of the visitors that
nothing short of the lake of fire
and brimstone would stand a chance
against the onslaught of the
Yosemite. The party landed at the LaSalle
street dock, all delighted with their
trip. One of the English officers said
afterward, "I have enjoyed nothing more
than this inspection of your fire department.
It is wonderfully competent and
far ahead of anything I have ever seen."