Merryweather fire engine in New Zealand.
This is the second of two photos sent over by Dane, showing the workshop of Eaton and Marshall, who were situated in Wanganui, New Zealand during the 1920s. The dominating vehicle in this scene is a fine Merryweather appliance, being tended to by various mechanics. It'd be interesting to know what lorry chassis the Merryweather equipment was fitted to in this view. The other photo, seen here, features various light cars being worked on in the same workshop.
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The Merryweather name has long been associated with fire-fighting equipment, stretching back several hundred years. In 1692, Merryweather introduced their first product, a leather fire bucket. In later years they would supply equipment to stately homes, factories and fire brigades across both the UK and the Commonwealth, continuing in production until the mid 1980s. Their equipment was fitted to a number of different lorry chassis during the 20th Century, the example in the photo above being a classic example. Their first motor-driven fire appliance was launched in 1903, replacing earlier steam-driven, horse-drawn appliances that this and other firms had produced. It is known that in 1910, Merryweather began to use Albion commercial vehicle chassis for their equipment, although the identity of that shown above has yet to be confirmed.
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Below is a clearer look at this vehicle's radiator, note the four-way split opening bonnet, solid rubber tyres (twin at the rear) and unusual radiator mascot. Dane advises that this engine, belonging to the Wanganui Fire brigade, served right up to the 1950's. A look around turned up this image, which seems to show the same fire appliance outside the Central Fire Station, Wanganui in 1919.
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Return to Old Car Photos Page No. 8. Some early images of Dennis & Morris fire engines can be found here, also at oldclassiccar, as can Dane's photo from 1962 of a Tilling-Stevens fire escape.
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