1899 Seagrave Second Size Hose Wagon: A LEGO® creation by Lego Fire Museum Inc. : MOCpages.com

1899 Seagrave Second Size Hose Wagon

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This is an 1899 second size hose wagon. It was built by the Seagrave Fire Apparatus Company of Columbus, Ohio. This Hose Wagon is typical of the hose wagons built during the 1890's. It was pulled by two horses.

About this creation

Steamers generally did not carry hose. They were accompanied by one or more hose wagons. Very often an "engine company" would consist of a steamer and a hose wagon manned by six to ten firefighters.

Hose wagons were built by countless local wagon builders. They were similar to the many other types of horse wagons of the period. In snowy climates during the winter months the wheels of the hose wagons were often replaced with sleigh runners.

Initially hose carts carried leather hose on large reels. They could not carry much if any other equipment. If they were horse drawn they could only accommodate two or three firemen on the tailgate. From about 1880 onwards new hose wagons replaced reel style hose carts. Cotton jacketed, rubber lined hose, was developed in the 1870's. This hose could be flaked down in the bed of these wagons instead of rolled up on a reel. Hose wagons now could carry hose in a hose bed along with tools, ladders and coal for steamers.

A second size hose wagon could carry about 800 feet of 2 ½ inch hose, a pair of fire extinguishers and assorted tools. Three or four firemen could ride in the hose bed, usually on a removable plank seat. A first size wagon was slightly bigger. They could carry up to 1200 feet of hose. These also could carry a ladder and/or chemical tanks.

Few hose wagons have survived. When fire departments phased out their horse drawn apparatus they sold off their hose wagons. Teamsters, merchants, and farmers still used horse drawn wagons during this period. They bought these well-built hose wagons. At that time little thought was given to historic preservation of the hose wagons. Steamers were more of an investment and many more of these were preserved by fire companies. BFD55@Gmail.com.

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cyberfrank 2010

November 23, 2010

cool job!,if you could have added the rest of the team,[men-horses]it could have been better,i like to show the principal element at first,then add the context in wich it lives with. this carriage is awesomely built,i look forward other models from you,you re really gifted!