Early engines
The Christchurch fire brigade was not only the earliest-established brigade in New Zealand; it was also one of the first to have steam-fire engines. Its first steam engine was “The Extinguisher,” bought in 1865, and the second was “The Deluge,” bought in 1871. The next significant milestone in the acquisition of fire-fighting equipment was the purchase in 1882 of the first chemical engine, called “Pioneer.”
This worked on the chemical reaction between acid and bicarbonate of soda, and it would go to the fire first, to be followed by a steam engine once that had got up steam. The brigade’s first motorised machine — a Wolseley-Siddely chemical fire engine — was bought privately in 1906 by the brigade’s superintendent. In 1908, it was sold to the Fire Board that had been formed in the previous year.
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Press, 14 November 1985, Page 21
Word Count
136Early engines Press, 14 November 1985, Page 21
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Acknowledgements
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