Pumper Put-out to Pasture

Literally*. 

Though I don't purport to publish much Kingston Fire Department history here, there's no doubt that KFD had a significant presence along the waterfront. The Ontario Street Fire Hall's prominent hose-drying tower graced the city skyline just as much as City Hall's dome.

This Waterous steam fire engine was at one time the pride of the firehouse. Equipped with a 1,600-gallon boiler, the rig could pump water at 600 gallons per minute. Receiving its initial testing after its purchase in March, 1910 the $5,500 purchase price included a three-horse hitch and runners for winter use. Two horses were adequate in summer, but three were needed in the snow. A crew of two - fireman and engineer - would ride on board. 

Waterous dominated the Canadian fire engine market at the turn of the 20th century, having built an excellent reputation. With a factory in Brantford, their first motor fire engine was built in 1906. It seems that the steam fire engine would have arrived in Kingston by rail, depending on whether it could fit in a box car, possibly shipped on a flat car.

An interesting mechanical feature was how the boiler was started upon receipt of a fire call. At the Brock Street station, a gas-jet appliance was installed in the floor. As the steam engine was pulled out of the firehouse, a pilot light received the blast of gas and was ignited to a roaring flame. Then, kindling was ignited and steam already being produce on the way to the fire. Upon arrival, up to 40 pounds of steam pressure had already been produced.

The Waterous was out of work by 1924 when replaced by a motor pumper. Held in reserve until 1935 when sold to Mr. Cohen it ignited only an ignominious introduction to the next stage of its life. Rusting in Cohen's scrap yard when photographed in 1947, it began a new life when an industrious but anonymous plumber added a water intake pipe, a steam outlet pipe, and gave the engine a good cleaning. Upon lighting-up, 20 pounds of pressure could still be made. The emergency steam valve then cut in to release boiler pressure. All of this to what end, you may ask? 

The rig was enjoying a second career for an unknown number of years, being used to loosen aluminum grills inside battery cases. The grills were then re-sold. Early sustainability, helping the environment, a creative re-use for paid-off machinery, and generating a company profit all the while. 

(Watch for future KFD-based posts, if I'm able to light a fire under myself to do so. This post just might just make firemen cry in their beer. What if this relic had been maintained and preserved? Today's generations would not believe such a primitive machine ever existed for firefighting in the city!)

It seems likely the steam fire engine would have arrived in Kingston by rail (whether in a boxcar or on a flatcar is unknown). This unrelated photo, taken during a fire at the Grand Trunk shops in Hamilton in 1913, shows a different model of steam fire engine jury-rigged on an L&N flat car while fighting the fire. It appears the hose in the steam engine tender is supplying water being pumped. (Vintage Hamilton Facebook photo)

Three Library and Archives Canada photos of Waterous engines being shipped by rail:

*Or, You're Fired! Or, Before History and Innovation Thrived. There are many potential post titles possible.