An Early Fire Brigade Steam Pump

A machine which played an important role in Stockport of bygone days was this steam pump bought for the town's Fire Brigade in 1892, when, it is thought, this picture was taken in the yard of the Fire Station in Corporation Street. The machine was capable of pumping 450 gallons a minute, and was extremely efficient even when compared with present-day pumps.The fire was always laid, and immediately a fire call was received a watchman would light the fire with a taper. By the time the machine reached Great Portwood Street there was sufficient head of steam to start pumping. The oil-can, which can be seen behind the driver's seat, was used as a flare-can for carrying in front during fog.The machine was made by Shand Mason & Co., of London, which later became Merryweathers, the country's leading fire appliance makers, and was one of the last horse-drawn appliances used by Stockport Fire Brigade.The brigade became completely motorised in 1931, when the use of a horse-drawn turntable ladder was discontinued.

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Image ID: 5678
Class number: S/N 73 More like this
Photographer: Stockport Advertiser
Date of image: 1963:09/12/1963
Area: TownCentre
In copyright?: Yes

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