Posted by: hannaheath on 06/06/2008 09:14 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/19/2008 09:53 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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Gold Country Fireman’s Muster on June 21st~22nd~By Hanna Alldrin
Murphys, CA….Join firefighters from across the state as we enjoy an old time tradition of friendly competition and to celebrate the 150th birthday of the San Andreas Fire Department in historic down town Murphys for the first ever Gold Country Fireman’s Muster. The muster will be held on June 21st and 22nd in Murphys. This event will include antique engine competitions and……
Steamers and hand pumpers, Saturday night dinner, equipment displays, bucket brigades, hose carts on Saturday, pancake breakfast and kids games. This event is fun for the whole family. Angels Camp Fire Department will also be doing “Fill the Boots for Burns” helping raise money for burn prevention and victims.
The first Fireman's muster was held on July 4, 1849 in Bath, ME. There were 5 hand tubs present that day and, unlike today, the streams were played perpendicular. After that muster, there were many more contests held throughout New England during the second half of the 19th century. However, many of these musters were run under different kinds of rules.
In 1890 the New England States Veteran Fireman's League was formed. The League set up standard rules for Fireman's Musters and many of these rules are still in effect today, almost 100 years later. Every summer there is a full schedule of musters throughout New England & New York.
The object of a Fireman's Muster is to see which hand tub can shoot a stream of water the longest distance. Each hand tub has fifteen minutes to do as many streams as they want, any stream shot over the fifteen minutes limit is disqualified.
The longest stream over 100' is their official score. To measure a stream, paper with footage markers along each side, is rolled out starting at 100' and extending to 290'. Water drops are measured to the nearest foot then a yard stick, up to the furthest drop of water with the diameter of a dime, is used for exact measurement.
The size of a tub's crew, as well as wind conditions, has a great deal to do with the length of their streams. With favorable conditions, these hand tubs are capable of throwing a stream of water well over 200 feet.
For more information about this upcoming event call (209) 728-8785
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