Fire Engine [Merryweather]
Maker and role
Merryweather and Sons Limited, Manufacturer
Production date
1907-1908
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1982.62.8
Production period
Description
1907-08 Merryweather fire engine, ex Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Sydney, Australia. This fire engine is considered to be the second oldest motorised fire engine in the world. The Science Museum in London has a similar engine dating from 1904. This vehicle served with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Sydney, before being brought to New Zealand in 1969 by a private individual.
4 cylinder, 2 bank engine, solid tyres.
Engine: "Aries" 4cyl. petrol
Pump: 250gpm Merryweather Hatfield
Tank capacity: none fitted
Crew: 1 Officer & 4 firemen
Served with: Sydney (NSW) Metropolitan Fire Board
4 cylinder, 2 bank engine, solid tyres.
Engine: "Aries" 4cyl. petrol
Pump: 250gpm Merryweather Hatfield
Tank capacity: none fitted
Crew: 1 Officer & 4 firemen
Served with: Sydney (NSW) Metropolitan Fire Board
Brief History
This fire engine is considered to be the second oldest motorised fire engine in the world. The Science Museum in London has a similar engine dating from 1904. This vehicle served with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Sydney, Australia, before being brought to New Zealand in 1969 by a private individual.
Engines like this greatly improved the brigade’s fire-fighting abilities. They arrived at the scene faster, and could pump more water at the fire at a greater pressure than before.
Many of the provincial New Zealand fire brigades were formed in the late 19th century, and often their first motorised fire engine was one like this. Whanganui was the first motorised fire brigade in Australasia, having acquired a Merryweather ‘Fire King’ steam engine in 1903. Although this example was not used in New Zealand, it is similar to fire engines that were used in Dunedin, Wellington and Christchurch.
This pump cannot be operated from a pressurised supply, but only from open water. It was acquired by MOTAT in 1973 and has been fully restored.
Type: Petrol-operated fire pump
Manufacturer: Merryweather & Sons Ltd
Country manufactured: England
Engine type: ‘Aries’
Engine capacity: 4-cylinder, petrol
Pumping capacity: 1136 litres (250 gallons) per minute
No. of firemen needed: 1 officer & 4 firemen
Engines like this greatly improved the brigade’s fire-fighting abilities. They arrived at the scene faster, and could pump more water at the fire at a greater pressure than before.
Many of the provincial New Zealand fire brigades were formed in the late 19th century, and often their first motorised fire engine was one like this. Whanganui was the first motorised fire brigade in Australasia, having acquired a Merryweather ‘Fire King’ steam engine in 1903. Although this example was not used in New Zealand, it is similar to fire engines that were used in Dunedin, Wellington and Christchurch.
This pump cannot be operated from a pressurised supply, but only from open water. It was acquired by MOTAT in 1973 and has been fully restored.
Type: Petrol-operated fire pump
Manufacturer: Merryweather & Sons Ltd
Country manufactured: England
Engine type: ‘Aries’
Engine capacity: 4-cylinder, petrol
Pumping capacity: 1136 litres (250 gallons) per minute
No. of firemen needed: 1 officer & 4 firemen
Marks
MERRYWEATHER LONDON Embossed
METROPOLITAN / FIRE BRIGADE Painted
METROPOLITAN / FIRE BRIGADE Painted
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Merryweather and Sons Limited. 1907-1908. Fire Engine [Merryweather], 1982.62.8. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Public comments
Be the first to comment on this object record.