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1879 Silsby steam pumper
I highly compliment the City of Marietta for saving many of their antique apparatus. This is the jewel in the crown of them all. In 1879 the City of Marietta purchased a Silsby Steam-powered pumper. It was the 655th steamer manufactured by the Silsby Manufacturing Company in Seneca Falls, NY. It's a 500-gallon pumper and can flow approximately two tons of water per minute. It served the city until 1921 when it was replaced by the 1921 American LaFrance pumper.
The steamer was named the "Aurora" by the local citizens. It was completely nickel-plated and is completely functional. The Silsby Steamer is one of only 5 still in existence.
I heard for years that the nickel plating was painted over during WWII to keep her from being scrapped for metal needed for the war effort and was only re-discovered during it's latest restoration. Supposedly it is in operable condition, but who would want to fire up such a valuable connection to the past?
I highly compliment the City of Marietta for saving many of their antique apparatus. This is the jewel in the crown of them all. In 1879 the City of Marietta purchased a Silsby Steam-powered pumper. It was the 655th steamer manufactured by the Silsby Manufacturing Company in Seneca Falls, NY. It's a 500-gallon pumper and can flow approximately two tons of water per minute. It served the city until 1921 when it was replaced by the 1921 American LaFrance pumper.
The steamer was named the "Aurora" by the local citizens. It was completely nickel-plated and is completely functional. The Silsby Steamer is one of only 5 still in existence.
I heard for years that the nickel plating was painted over during WWII to keep her from being scrapped for metal needed for the war effort and was only re-discovered during it's latest restoration. Supposedly it is in operable condition, but who would want to fire up such a valuable connection to the past?
I would love to fire up this fine piece of fire apparatus. I have run steam engines in the past.It is so fun.I am retired 3rd generation from Lynchburg (VA) Fire DEPT. We have a 1876 Silsby(554) in our posetion
Added by Rick Ware on 10 November 2015.
Added by Rick Ware on 10 November 2015.
Silsby was the largest builder of steam fire pumpers, manufacturing a range of six varying capacities or "sizes" over the years. They usually carried no crew or equipment, except for the coachman and the engineer, and suction hoses (not shown here) for hydrant or open water connection.
They were accompanied by one or more hose carts, which were either pulled by hose company firefighters or horse drawn, depending on their size and hose capacity.
British steamers, such as the Shand Masons, usually had a hose box as well, which incidentally also provided "seating" for a two or four man crew in addition to the coachman and engineer.
American steamers with this feature were referred to as "Continentals".
Added by Rob Johnson on 17 January 2018.
They were accompanied by one or more hose carts, which were either pulled by hose company firefighters or horse drawn, depending on their size and hose capacity.
British steamers, such as the Shand Masons, usually had a hose box as well, which incidentally also provided "seating" for a two or four man crew in addition to the coachman and engineer.
American steamers with this feature were referred to as "Continentals".
Added by Rob Johnson on 17 January 2018.
Nice, We are in the final stages of restoring our 1891 4 size steamer, #1004 It looks very close to yours. With some very minor differences. We also rediscovered all the nickel.
Added by Rob Ladd on 17 January 2021.
Added by Rob Ladd on 17 January 2021.
Other
Added by Stan Pratt on 08 May 2014.