1903 Canon Wagon
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Description
1903 Cannon Wagon. As Philadelphia grew upward as well as outward the ability to fight fires was compromised by the existing water systems and firefighting apparatus. To combat the issue the city created a new high pressure water system that served the center of Philadelphia from Vine to Pine Streets. This Cannon Wagon was built by the Bureau of Fire Shops in 1903 to work with that system. Designed by Batallion Chief John Meskill, it was pulled by two horses. The Cannon Wagon ran out of Engine 32 located at 239 S. 6th Street and was used until 1912 when it was replaced by a motorized "Pipe Line Wagon."
The Cannon Wagon is capable of receiving at each end of the 7 inch diameter length wise pipe water from four 3 1/2 inch fire hydrants at once. From the pipe the water enters two large deck-type turrets, one of which is a 3 1/2 inch nozzle and the other a 2 inch nozzle. At the same time it can also service four stretches of 2 1/2 inch hose. Because of the back pressure when operating, the wheels are locked and the four iron braces folded along the sides must be extended to keep it from tipping over.
On display at the Fireman's Hall Museum in Philadelphia.
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