1898 - Hamilton Fire Chief's Latest Invention

Hamilton Fire Chief Alex. Aitchison was not only a big man in Hamilton, literally, and figuratively, he was also a very famous inventor of fire apparatus. He and his inventions were known internationally, maybe of the pieces of apparatus he designed being used by fire departments across Canada and the United States.

On December 12, 1898, Chief Aitchison’s latest contribution to the advance of fire-fighting was the subject of the following article and illustration, carried in the Hamilton Times of that day :

““At Fitzcroft’s & Strickland’s carriage works, on Merrick street, stands the finest and most complete combination chemical engine and hose wagon in the world, and a cut of it appears on this page. This apparatus has just been completed, and will be put in commission by the Hamilton Fire Department in a few weeks, and the people of this city will have further cause to be proud of their fire fighters and equipment.

“The combination was built according to plans by Chief Aitchison, who was the inventor of that kind of fire-fighting apparatus, which has been adopted in all the foremost cities in America. It is superior in many ways to the combination as first invented by the Chief, who is also entitled to the credit for many of the improvements on it. This piece of apparatus, which will weigh two tons, loaded, is veritably a whole fire department in itself. It is equipped with 300 feet of chemical hose, 700 feet of hydrant and engine hose, play pipes, controlling nozzles, crowbars, pickaxes, plaster hooks, extension ladder and two hand extinguishers, in addition to the 40 gallon-chemical cylinder.

“There is a tool box for hose wagon equipment, another for chemical engineer tools and another for horse blankets and tarpaulins. A cage basket for firemen’s equipment, hats and rubber coats, extends from the seat to the rear of the wagon.

“One point of difference between this combination and all the others built heretofore is that the weight is at the front , the cylinder being placed under the seat instead of over the hind axle. The cylinder, too, is different from others in use, and was patented only a few weeks ago. It is stationary, instead of revolving. When put in action, a handle is turned, and this upsets a bottle of acid and sets a chain in motion. The chain mixes the chemicals thoroughly and quickly. This cylinder is known as the Down’s Agitator-Generator.

“Another feature of the apparatus are the roller bearings. These, the Chief claims, will reduce the draught almost one half. They are similar to ball bearings on a bicycle.

“There is a bell on the rear step, so men standing on it can attract the attention of the driver, on whose seat three other men can sit comfortably. In addition to being strong and complete, the outfit is beautiful, finished in red and white. The gearing is red with yellow stripes, and the box is white, with red stripes and gold lettering.

“The seat is upholstered in leather and three lights are attachable to it for night use.

“The apparatus was built by day labor, and the cost was about a third of the cost of any one of the other combination wagons, which are inferior, . Of course, the men on the job worked splendidly, Chief Aitchison being the superintendent. The work was done as follows : Woodwork, A. Strickland; blacksmithing, W. Fitzcroft; painting, W. Long; lettering, Wm. Dodson.”1

1 “Finest in the Wide World:  What is Said About the New Combination Engine-Wagon : Of the City Fire Department”

Hamilton Times.   December 12, 1898.


 

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