Early Photographs of Fire Engines from Boston, New York, and elsewhere

1931 photo of the George Washington fire engine. This fire engine was purchased by George Washington in 1775 at Philadelphia and regarded at the time as the most efficient type of engine. The engine is still in good condition.

Fire engine with the initials FDNY on the side. The fire engine is being filled with water, photograph taken sometime around 1911.

Two men with fire engine. Photograph taken sometime between 1910 to 1930.

Photograph shows fire fighters and steam fire engines in front of the Alexandria, Virginia fire department which was taken over by Union forces in early 1863.

1913 New York City photograph showing firemen with their fire engine. Because of the massive amount of fires and monetary damages, in 1913 the fire prevention bureau was established in the fire department of New York City. In 1912 15,633 fires were reported, with a total loss of $9,069,500. In the first year of the existence of the bureau the number of fires was less by 1,800, and the loss by $2,300,000.

Photograph taken in the 1890's of a big pump fire engine.

Boston Fire Department rushing to the scene of duty, Boston, Mass. Taken around 1901. The Boston Fire Department would not be using horse drawn engines for long. By 1909 they had two steam automobile fire engines. The new fire engines were 80 horse-power and delivered 1,100 gallons of water per minute, with a speed of 25 to 30 miles an hour.

Here is a 1851 engraving of "Boston firemen. Cleaning the machine". In 1851, the Boston Fire Department responded to 333 alarms in the city with a overall loss of $386,000.

Here is a 1858 engraving of "The self-propelling steam fire-engine, "J.C. Cary". Self-propelling steam fire-engines were among the first of this chemical class of machines manufactured in this country, Initially their use was very limited because of increased weight and cost. There was also the fear of running these fire engines through the streets with pedetrians. Soon they would show to be as reliable as fire engines led by horses.


Photos from the Library of Congress.