| Historical notes: | Until the late 1920’s, the brigade’s largest pumping appliance was the 1891 Shand Mason Steamer (“Big Ben”). On 8th March, 1928, Big Ben fought its last fire at the George Hudson timber yard fire, (although it was held in reserve at Pyrmont until 1938). During 1919-20, the Board had considered purchasing an Ahrens Fox pumper, but the price was considered “excessive”. As a result, John Morris and Son were approached for quotations for a Motor Fire Engine.
Following the George Hudson fire, the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW decided in 1929, that Sydney needed a “motorised” fire engine which could, like its predecessor “Big Ben”, deliver 1000 gallons of water per minute. The Board sought tenders, approaching manufacturers such as Fiat in Italy, American La France, Ahrens Fox of the USA and Dennis, Leyland and Merryweather – all of England. The Ahrens Fox PS2 pumper, (made in Cincinnati, Ohio), became the obvious choice, since it was the only motorised, high pressure, piston-type pump being made in the world (in contrast to the gear and turbine pumps, which were the alternative). At the time it was ordered, the model had already been in production, virtually unchanged, for at least 11 years. Retired firefigher, Lewis Phillips said that “It was the only one of its kind in Australia … What makes the Ahrens Fox so unique is that the company in America built it with right hand drive to suit Australian conditions. Our workshops built and fitted the body.” (LP 1975:22).
It was installed at Headquarters station, as No. 8 pumper, in August, 1929. The Brigade Annual Report for 1929 states that: “An Ahrens Fox Motor Fire Engine, having a pumping capacity of 1000 gallons per minute, was imported and stationed at Headquarters…” - (NSWFBAR 1929:6). At a cost of £3817 8s 4d, the appliance was considered an asset to the Brigade (AMSC). The NSWFB Annual Report for 1929 states: “A new Ahrens-Fox Motor with a pumping capacity of 1000 gallons per minute was installed at Headquarters and has proved its efficiency under actual fire conditions.” - (NSWFBAR 1929:17).
Over the next 33 years, it went on to justify this early enthusiasm as it successfully filled the void left by the retirement of “Big Ben”. This, however, does not mean that the appliance did not have its critics. The criticism was made that the Ahrens Fox was too big for Sydney’s streets and water mains. These criticisms were silenced at the Goldsbrough Mort wool store fire of 25th September, 1935, when it proved to be the most valued piece of equipment in the fire service. Creating a new pumping record, it pumped continuously for days (FM 1962:10) and, in the process, delivered 4,320,000 gallons (19,656 kL) of water whilst draughting from a canvass dam being fed by six hydrants. Through all this, it was only pumping at half capacity! - (FN 1971:12).
Being such a large vehicle, and with so much weight situated over the front wheels, the Ahrens Fox PS2 was difficult to control. Firefighter (later Deputy Chief Officer) J.E. Meeve is quoted as saying that it was: “… exceptionally heavy in the steering. Most of the weight was over the front wheels and at slow speeds you really had to wrestle with it. Once you got going, he adds, the steering improved, but then the whole appliance would start bouncing up and down… She was supposed to be capable of 90 mph, but I doubt if anyone here ever tried to prove it!” – (FN 1971:9-10). Retired firefighter, Edward Easton, said that “The Fox was a brute of a thing to drive according to those who drove it…. It was an awe inspiring sight to see it racing out of Headquarters and dash through the city.” (EE 1995:7). The motor could be started either electrically or manually by means of the crankhandle. Cranking the motor was a feat of strength of which, only a few were capable of performing unaided. “… only two men achieved (this) feat! – firefighter (later Chief Officer) H. Pye and a firefighter named Blackburn.” – (FF1984:174).
In time, the Ahrens Fox was used less for fires and more for displays and training, (FN 1971:12), taking part in a public procession at Auburn on 4th March, 1961 and the Parramatta Centenary Celebrations on November 26th, 1961. It was last used as a pumping appliance at a fire at Rhodes on 9th July, 1955.
the 17th September, 1963, the Ahrens Fox was approved by the NSW Board of Fire Commissioners for handing over, in full working order, to the Museum of Applied Arts and Science on a permanent loan basis. However, after inspection of the vehicle at Glebe Fire Station in early September, 1963, by Norm Harwood, the museum’s then Curator of Transport, it was decided that the museum could not take delivery due to space constraints. Mr Harwood described the appliance thus: - “…It is a monstrous engine, nearly 28 feet in length, approximately 10 tons in weight with the engine driven pumps mounted in front of the radiator…” Following this, No. 8 Ahrens Fox is known to have been in storage at Liverpool Fire Station in 1967. It wasn’t until 4th July, 1968, that the museum finally took delivery of the fire engine. The vehicle was reclaimed in November 1979 by the Fire Brigades on formation of the Fire Service Museum and finally presented to the Museum of Fire at Penrith in 1985 for preservation. The Ahrens Fox PS2 pumper recalls an era, which has long since passed into the history of the NSW Fire Brigades. |