Hand Drawn Chemical Units

[Box 2565]

The department at Enhaut, Pennsylvania didn't have a lot of apparatus to work with around a century ago.  A couple of hand pulled chemical carts and a small ladder truck are all that is shown in this photo.

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This ad from 1916 still shows that Prospect was still building hand drawn chemical apparatus.

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This single tank chemical was built by W.S. Nott of Minneapolis.

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Christiansburg OH
1922 Prospect
Two 30 Gallon Tanks

[hoss]

New Marlborough, MA has this Child's hand pulled unit. I think originally served in the Turner & Cook Buggy Whip Factory.

[hoss]

This one sits on display in the Turner & Cook Buggy Whip Factory (now an antique shop) in Southfield, MA. The Southfield Fire Company was born out of this factory in 1930, and the New Marlborough Fire Co was born out of that in 1957. As a note this was a somewhat thrown together display as I believe the only local item there is the Chemical Unit, the helmets are not NMFD!

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The New England Fire Extinguisher Mfg. Co. - Northampton, Massaschusetts
Adopted for use by the U. S. Navy.

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For something as simple as a hand-drawn chemical cart, these two Obenchain - Boyer units had several differances.  The second cart has been equipped with a lantern, gong, a water buckets.

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Richmond, California - Meeker Fire Co. No. 4 with their 2-tank chemical unit.

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The gang at Nevada, Ohio with their single-tank chemical cart.

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This unit belongs to the "Centennial Fire Patrol".  I have never seen a three wheel chemical cart before.  I wonder if this was part of the fire protection for the 100th Centennial in Philadelphia.  The four men to the rear of the apparatus appear to be dressed as firefighters, two of the four are in one uniform and the other pair match but in a different style of dress, and one is wearing a badge.  The large building to the rear might provide a clue.
Image via eBay.

[MFDPhoto1]

1898 Hand-Drawn Chemical Eng.
Massillon State Hospital (Ohio)

I Cannot find much on this, only that it was placed in-service in Aug. of 1898 [at the opening of the hospital] along with a Hook & Ladder.  I have a feeling that both the eng. and ladder were Prospect's. 

It's too bad that over the years, the chemical tanks and hose reel were removed...leaving only the bed where these were once, and the 'lettered' tool box on the front.   

The photo is from a recent items at an auction in Indiana

[magicitybill]

I do not think that Prtospect was orgaized  untill about 1906.  I have never seen any ladder wagons by Prospect.  I think that another manufacturer for these carts is likley.

[MFDPhoto1]

I do not think that Prospect was orgaized untill about 1906.  I have never seen any ladder wagons by Prospect.  I think that another manufacturer for these carts is likley.

Thanks Bill, and as I said...I cannot find much on THIS chem. eng. used by the Massillon State Hospital, except that "they purchased a chem. eng, and ladder in 1893.  However, according to the ad. [posted on eariler], it states the that Prospect also made, "hook & ladder trucks, hand fire engines and hose reels."

Maybe someone would care to come up with the mfg. of this rig... 

Thanks in advance,

Bob

[magicitybill]

The book "Firefighters From Prospect" does show three photos of ladder wagons made by Prospect.

The toung on the hospital cart is distinctive.  I would look for a similar one as a clue to the manufacturer.

Bill