1924 Seagrave 800 GPM Pumper
 (Apparatus #72) (Educational Chassis)



This 1924 Seagrave 800-GPM pumper was part of an order of twelve engines
and five city-service ladder trucks purchased in ’24 to replace the final roster
of horse-drawn apparatus in the SFD.  Already modified with pneumatic tires
in 1934 and a windshield in 1940, it is shown here in 1947 at its quarters at
Station 32, where it remained until it was placed in “reserve status” in 1949.



Once in “reserve”, it continued to be maintained and used as a replacement for
other engines when they were in the shop for maintenance or repairs.  Reserve
rigs were also placed in service by off-shift personnel during multiple-alarm fires.
The crew at Station 37 can be seen here in 1962, preparing to put App. 72 “in
service” so their first-line rig can be sent to the shop. (A portion of Engine 37’s
regular rig, a 1950 Maxim, is visible in the background.)



As is the case with so many old fire engines, App 72 fell into disrepair after
the Seattle Fire Department sold it to a private party in 1964.  Subsequent
owners in 1970 weren’t able to do much better, and by the time the rig was
offered to members of the LRFD in 1974, there wasn’t much left of this
venerable old rig.  Any thoughts of restoration were quickly dismissed because
of its deplorable condition and also the fact that so many parts were missing.
It was offered to us as a “parts” rig for the other Seagraves in our fleet.



But members of the Last Resort Fire Department use rigs for parts only as a “last
resort”.  Consequently, in 1978, it was decided to “restore” the rig, but to do it a
little differently than normal.  By turning it into an “Educational Chassis”, and with
all sheet metal body parts removed, you are able to see what it looks like under the
hood, under the fenders, and literally under everything else.  Each “system” (intake,
exhaust, cooling, electrical, steering, brake, transmission, etc.) is color-coded for
easy identification, and the accompanying chart on each side of the rig helps you
“follow the colors”.

 

The parts display at the rear of the rig even gives you an “inside” look at what
makes an old fire engine run.  As unusual as this rigs looks, it nearly always draws
the majority of attention at static displays.  When parked alongside our ’20 Seagrave
pumper (App. 12), it creates an interesting comparison.

 

                         ~  Apparatus 72 Company Assignments  ~

                 1924 – 1949                                      Engine 32 - 4321 SW Alaska St
                 1949 – 1964                                      Reserve
                 1964 . . . .                                       Sold

 
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