Fire Engine [Darley International Snorkel]

Maker and role
International Harvester Company, Manufacturer
Pitman Manufacturing Company, Manufacturer
Snorkel Lifts, Manufacturer
W S Darley & Company, Manufacturer
Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board, Commissioned by
 Production date
1971
 See full details

Object detail

Accession number
2002.18
Maker
International Harvester Company
Pitman Manufacturing Company
Snorkel Lifts
W S Darley & Company
Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board
Secondary maker and role
Veeder-Root: Manufacturer
Elkhart Brass: Manufacturer
Production period
1970s
Description
Darley International Snorkel fire appliance.

Manufacture: HEP appliance fitted to a factory built International CO8190 fire truck chassis with a Cincinnati Cab made by The Truck Cab Manufacturing Company.
Engine and output: Cummins diesel 9.1 litre V8, outputting 201kW. This engine replaced its original International petrol V8 engine.
Gearbox: Allison T112 six-stage automatic
Equipment: Pitman SFF AAL 'Snorkel’ HEP with 20-metre reach. A WS Darley Company 1250 pump delivering 5400 litres per minute and a 450-litre tank.
Crew: Four, one officer, a driver and two crew members.
Brief History
Tāmaki Makaurau had experienced a spate of serious fires between May 1971 and December 1973 with 70 major fires and emergencies requiring large turnout by the New Zealand Fire Service. On one occasion, the Snorkel was so urgently needed it was called out in the middle of its commissioning process to attend a fire at the Sheepskin Rug Shop in Penrose on 11th November 1971. Once commissioned, it was stationed at Auckland Central Fire Station from 1971 until 1981. It was then in reserve until 2002 for Auckland Central and Manukau Fire Stations.

The ‘Snorkel’ is a Hydraulic Elevating Platform (HEP) manufactured by Pitman Manufacturing and sold by the Snorkel Company (Missouri, USA.) It uses two booms to lift a fire control basket which could be used to rescue people from heights, and for water delivery. The lower boom is mounted on a turntable. The appliance also includes a pump, water tank and two hose reels which gave it the ability to act as a pumping appliance.

The appliance was joint venture between International Harvester (Chicago, Illinois, USA) and Wormald Brothers (Pōneke/Wellington.) International provided the factory-built fire chassis, while Wormalds supplied the Snorkel. Apex Motor Bodies in Tāmaki Makaurau completed the bodywork.
Marks
INTERNATIONAL / DARLEY / MELROSE PARK, ILLINOIS ESTABLISHED 1908 Maker's Plate
SNORKEL FIRE: RESCUE Sticker
Snorkel 65 FT. AUCKLAND METROPOLITAN FIRE BOARD Sticker
NEW ZEALAND / FIRE SERVICE Sticker
Media/Materials
Processed Material/Metal
Processed Material/Glass
Other name
Snorkel
Credit Line
International Harvester Company et al. 1971. Fire Engine [Darley International Snorkel], 2002.18. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).

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150 years of fire fighting in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
150 years of fire fighting in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

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