Autos | Hose Wagons | Ladders | Pumpers | Rescues

In 1910, the department roared into the motor era, purchasing a 50 horsepower Webb hose wagon. It had neither a siren or a flashing light. Instead, just like the horse drawn hose wagons, it had a gong that was operated by the driver’s foot. Some of the early vehicles also had exhaust whistles, which emitted a high pitched sound. Despite the bells and whistles, the most effective warning device was the truck itself. Without a muffler, it generated enough noise to ensure that everyone knew it was coming: often blocks before its arrival.


Make & Model Serial # In Service Info
#1 WEBB

Horsepower 50 - 4 cylinders Gasoline

 113012 15/12/1910 Hose Capacity 2000 ft. 2 1/2" Cotton rubber lined hose
Cost $4690.00
Agent Robert S. Bickle 305 Mc Intyre Block
Manufacturer, Webb Motor Fire Apparatus Co. Vincennes Indiana USA
Disposed 1923 replaced by LaFrance 2nd. MHW  #1 Reg. 4196
#2 WEBB

Horsepower 60 - 4 cylinders Gasoline

 123053 12/06/1912 Hose Capacity 2200 ft 2 1/2" Cotton rubber lined hose
Cost $5200.00
Agent-R. S. Bickle [as above]
Manufacturer, Webb Motor Fire Apparatus Co. St. Louis Missouri USA
Disposed 1924 replaced by GMC 2nd. MHW #2 Reg. No. 1988813
#3 WEBB

Horsepower [as above]

 123054 12/06/1912 Hose Capacity [as above]
Cost and Agent [as above]
Manufacturer [as above]
Disposed 1923 replaced by LaFrance- 2nd. MHW #3 Reg. 4197

#4 COMMER

Horsepower 60 - 4 cylinders Gasoline

 FCB112 17/12/1912 Hose Capacity 1800 ft. 2 1/2" Cotton rubber lined hose & 6 men
Cost $5500.00
Agent-Darwin Motor Truck Co. Imperial Garage Osborne Pl.
Manufacturer Commercial Cars Ltd. England
New York branch 460 west 129 Street.
Disposed May 23, 1928 for $65.00 to Wpg. Wrecking
#5 KISSEL

Horsepower 60 - 6 cylinders Gasoline

 5746 10/12/1912 Hose Capacity
Cost $5665.00
Agent-Boyce Carriage Co. 325-331 Elgin & 316-324 Ross
Manufacturer Kissel Motor Car Co. Hartford, Wisconsin, USA
Traded June 23, 1930 to Breen Motor Co.
as part payment for REO at $2150.00
#6 COMMER

Horsepower 60 - 4 cylinders Gasoline

 FCB128 13/05/1914 Hose Capacity 2000 ft. 2 1/2" Cotton rubber lined hose
Cost $5625.00
Agent-Darwin Motor Truck Co.
Manufacturer same as # 4 MHW.
Disposed May 23, 1928 for #65.00 to Wpg. Wrecking Co.
#7 COMMER FCB127 13/05/1914 Horsepower, Hose Capacity, Cost, Agent and Manufacturer
same as MHW #6
Disposed Feb. 9, 1928 for $50.00 with engine

#8 SEAGRAVE

Horsepower - 6 cylinders Gasoline

 27118 03/08/1920 Hose capacity 1000 ft 3 1/2 High Pressure, Cotton rubber lined hose.
Cost $10,762
Agent-Waterous Engine Works Co Ltd. 157 Higgins Wpg.
Manufacturer The Seagrave Co.
Disposed 1947 with the purchase of 3rd. MHW #5 Diamond T
#9 SEAGRAVE 27119   Same as above except was replaced by 1947 MHW #6 Diamond T
#10 SEAGRAVE 27120   same as #8 and 9
#1 LAFRANCE

Horsepower ? - 6 Cylinders Gasoline

 4196 02/01/1923 Hose Capacity 1200 ft. 2 1/2 Cotton rubber, lined hose
Cost unknown cost for 2 Hose Wagons,
1 Pumper and 1-2 wheeled tractor
For conversion of Aerial No 3 from Horse drawn to Motor, $38,700.00
#3 LAFRANCE 4197   Same as above
#4 REO SPEED WAGON 7C2687 1927 Disposed or converted to the Foamite Wagon approximately 1936.
#6 G.M.C. 1986569 1928  
#2 G.M.C. 1988813 1928 Was at No. 9 in 1929 and 1940
#7 REO SPEED WAGON.   1925 Converted from Tractor on Ladder Truck 1930
#5 REO SPEED WAGON 7C5574 09/06/1930 Size 2 Ton Truck
Cost $2150.00 with Trade-in of MHW #5 Kissel/Commer
Was at No. 11 Station in 1940
#4 DIAMOND T   1933 First purchased as a Rescue in 1933
Converted to a hose wagon in 1936.
Later converted to a Deluge Wagon

#2 DIAMOND T   1937 No specs. available Museum Piece

1937 Diamond T

This vehicle was first on duty as #2's Squad Wagon and covered a great portion of the west-end and all of the south end. It was replaced at #2 station with the first Booster Pump in about 1945.

It was sent to # 3 Station shortly after Capt. Mackay retired in 1945 to replace MHW #3 because he would not let the Chief dispose of the old wagon while he was Captain.

It later became the spare High Pressure when #3 Station got their first Pump in 1950.
#11 DIAMOND T   1938  
#5 DIAMOND T   1947 Built as a High Pressure by the Repair Shop to replace MHW #8
#6 DIAMOND T     Same as above

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