Because Of The Smith Tower..
On September 27, 1927, the
Seattle Fire Department took delivery of this Ahrens-Fox, Model
NS-4, triple combination pumper and hose, at a cost of $13,000.
It was purchased because at that time its powerful pumping capacity
could push water to the top of Seattle's Smith Tower, which at 42
stories, was the tallest building west of the Mississippi.
The most distinctive features of Apparatus 100's
front-mounted piston-pump are the spherical-shaped air chamber and
cylindrical-shaped vacuum chamber. When pumping near capacity,
especially if pumping from a "draft", the reciprocating action of
the pistons sometimes create a "pulsating" effect in the water
streams. The large air chamber, on the "discharge" side of the
pump, is designed to reduce this effect by equalizing the pressure,
thereby smoothing out the water streams.
After experiencing numerous
problems with the braking system, the S.F.D. shops installed 4-wheel
hydraulic brakes, a new bumper and new front fenders in 1931.
In 1936, a shop-built windshield was installed. After being
sold in 1955, the rig fell into disrepair until is was discovered in
1964 and completely restored.
Only FOUR Ahrens-Fox pistons
pumpers were delivered new in the state of Washington. They
were purchased by the cities of Tacoma, Everett, Aberdeen and
Seattle. Of those four, only Aberdeen's and Seattle's exist
today.
App. 100 on display - 2009
Historical Photos . . .
App 100 (Engine 2) 1927-1946
(Photo taken 9-27-34)
Photo credit: Seattle P-I Collection, MOHAI
App 100 in its final days with the SFD - in reserve at Station 28
Shown here with Engine 28 and Ladder 12 in 1955, just days before
being sold
App 100 prior to restoration - 1964
~ Apparatus 100 Company Assignments ~
1927-1946 Engine 2 - 2334-4th Ave
1946-1949
Reserve
1949-1950
Engine 6 - 101-23rd Ave S
1950-1955
Reserve
1955
. . . . Sold
~ The Stations ~
SFD Fire Station #2 (1921-present)
App 100 (Engine 2) 1927-1946
SFD Fire Station #6 (1932-2013)
App 100 (Engine 6) 1949-1950
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