A Glasgow Fire Brigade steamer.
Steam powered water pumps were used by Glasgow's fire brigade until the beginning of the 20th century, when they were replaced by cheaper motorised pumps.
The steamers were pulled by horses to the scene of a fire. Their boilers were lit in the fire station, so that there was a full head of steam by the time the steamer got to the fire and it could go straight into action. Steamers were designed to draw water from rivers, streams or ponds. However, from the 1860s supplies were piped to the city from Loch Katrine and the motor pumps were designed to draw water from the hydrants that were installed in Glasgow's streets.
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Museums
Keywords:
fire engines, firefighting, Glasgow Fire Brigade, steam powered water pumps, steamers
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