09/28/06 149 W, 1 I - + 11 - 10 Early Raleigh Apparatus
Toward the end of the 19th Century, Raleigh's volunteer firefighters operated these types of apparatus, among others. The hand reel was also called a jumper reel. One end was connected to the hydrant and the hose was laid right to the fire. Next, the hand engine, also called a hand tub. The Victor Company used one of these, and from this manufacturer, until the 1880s or so. They would also pull a hand reel to the scene, with hose for the hand line(s). The suction hose was a fixed attachment. Hand-drawn hook and ladder trucks were used until about 1890. The type shown is both front and rear steer, which may or may not have been the type used in Raleigh. The images are from a Rumsey and Company reproduction catalog from 1878, available at a cool site called Handtub Junction.
