Hose Wagons

[MFDPhoto1]

magicitybill:

Is that a split load? Clearly a coupling coming from the bottom of the load is connected to a line leading back up to the top?
Could they break that & lay two lines?

I attempted to re-focus the picture...is this any better ?

Your guess is as good as anyone's, and I doubt if there are many left from WDCFD (of 1915) that could answer your question, but it sounds logical in my humble opinion.

[magicitybill]

You are right! It is a great photo. I noticed that it is a three hourse hitch. Hose wagons are usually two & sometimes one. That is a two tank wagon and might be a little heavyer. If that hose load extends all the way up to the chemical tanks that is quite a load of hose. Could be the territory too.

That looks like an ambulance on the other side?

[FAO25]

You are right! It is a great photo. I noticed that it is a three hourse hitch. Hose wagons are usually two & sometimes one. That is a two tank wagon and might be a little heavyer. If that hose load extends all the way up to the chemical tanks that is quite a load of hose. Could be the territory too.

That looks like an ambulance on the other side?

Steam fire engines were frequently described by size, such as First, Second, Third etc. There were even Extra First Size Steam Fire Engines. I have a repro of a fire apparatus builder catalog from the late 1800's. It shows the hose wagons also designated by size like the steamers. First, Second and so on. It was based on hose bed capacity. It's possible that the First Size could have a 3 Horse Hitch I suppose. Especially for weather or hilly terrain. That being said the two chemical tanks would seem to put this apparatus in the Combination Wagon category. And as noted that could require the three horse hitch.

[MFDPhoto1]

magicitybill:

You are right! It is a great photo. I noticed that it is a three hourse hitch. Hose wagons are usually two & sometimes one. That is a two tank wagon and might be a little heavyer. If that hose load extends all the way up to the chemical tanks that is quite a load of hose. Could be the territory too.

That looks like an ambulance on the other side?

Look at Massillon's 1901 C.T. Holloway...it also had a (apparently rare) "3-horse hitch."  Yes, that is an ambulance on the right of the WDCFD H/W.

[Box 2565]

This chemical and hose wagon is the apparatus for Hose 12 in Dayton, Ohio.  I don’t believe the fire apparatus is the star of this picture.  Check out the features surrounding the wagon.  Windsor style “firehouse” chairs, just a little piece of the rail around the watch desk, a spittoon on the floor, wainscoting on the walls, decorative borders on the wall, and my favorite – the drop harnesses in place.  A glimpse of the modern fire station ala 1905!

[Box 2565]

The first photo shows the wagon assigned to Hose 1 in Beverly, Massachusetts while the second picture is Hose 2 at some unknown location.

[Box 2565]

The future is in the process of passing this hose wagon!  Due to the advanced age of the man at the reins and the fact that he isn't in uniform it makes me wonder if they were allowing a retired member to preside over the last run of the horses?  No motorized hose wagon in sight, but who knows...
Image from eBay.

[magicitybill]

In those days there was no retirement and many firemen worked a LONG time.   Driving might be a good spot for an older guy.

I Birmingham, AL in the fortys there were two old guys assigned to the water tower.  A fireman I knew told me they made a run with it one night and had to help those guys set it up! 

[Box 2565]

Liberty Fire Co. #5 - Reading, Pennsylvania
Image from eBay

[START WATER]

  ONE OF MY DOCTORS  FAVORITE STORIES WAS WHEN HE TURN 13  HE WAS ALLOWED  TOWALK THE HORSES  . THE HORSE AREA OF THE FIRE SERVICE  HAD TO BE THER BEST TIME TO BE A FIRE FIGHTER    WE USED TO KEEP A TAPE RECORDER IN THE FIRE MUSEUM  AND WHAN A OLD TIMER STOPPED IN WE TAPE  EVERYTHING HE SIAD  THERE WERE SOME GREAT STORY'S .

THE DOCTOR AND JACK ROBRECHT  WOULD CALL EACH OTHER EVER NIGHT AND ASK HEY YOU STILL ALIVE .  TWO OF THE BEST  OF THE BEST  BUFFS  EVER .    TWO GREAT MEN THAT I HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING

[MFDPhoto1]

Atlanta, GA
circa 1900 - Hose No. 1 in front of Central
Image courtesy Atlanta History Central