Hotchkiss Hose Carriage

The vehicle chosen to replace horse-drawn vehicles was the "Hotchkiss Hose Carriage".

The first "high tech" Hotchkiss was purchsed in 1913. Thirty five of these vehicles were placed in commision between 1913-1925.

Offering 30-40 "horsepower" the Hotchkiss came from France and cost 820 Pounds each.

The Hotchkiss was equipped with a 200 gallons per minute Rotary Pump which was designed, manufactured and fitted by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Workshop. Also fitted were a 30 foot extension ladder, 1000 feet of 2-1/2 inch canvas hose and hand chemical fire extinguishers.

After the arrival of motorised fire engines, fire stations began to change.

Horses, stables, paddocks and blacksmith workshops were changed into motor bays, engine workshops and garages.

Doorways which only had been large enough for horse drawn vehicles, had to be enlarged so the new, larger motorised engines could be parked "inside" the fire station.

Image what a fire fighter from 1890 would think of a today's well-equipped "fire truck"...!!