Firefighting equipment on display
Published 9:11 am Saturday, November 13, 2010
When a fire erupts today, several gas-powered fire engines are dispatched to extinguish the blazing inferno. But in the mid-1800s, firemen of that era used what was called “hand-tubs.”
Fighting a fire during those days was a laborious process that required the men to pump handles on either side of the hand-cart, producing enough pressure to shoot water from the hose. The faster and harder the men pumped, the further they could shoot the water.
A new interactive exhibit at the Museum at Southwestern Michigan College offers adults and children alike the opportunity to experience the work of those early firefighters. Designed and built by Tom Caskey, museum exhibit designer, the fire pump exhibit is interactive where visitors can pump the hand-tub and watch as the water traverses through a hose to extinguish a simulated house fire.
In the mid-1800s, Dowagiac had several devastating fires. Many of the buildings were two story structures, making it difficult for the former bucket brigade of citizens to safely and effectively put out a fire. The hand-cart with its tub of water allowed the firemen to shoot water from the ground to higher levels.
In addition to the fire pump interactive, the exhibit has on loan from the Dowagiac Fire Department the silver trumpet given to the city’s Patrick Hamilton Hose Company in 1860. The fire company was presented the trumpet for “accepting the second prize when they were entitled to the 1st at Battle Creek, July 4, 1860.”
Invited to the Battle Creek competition, Dowagiac’s fire company held its own against the fire companies of southern Michigan. While Hamilton Hose Co. performed admirably in other contests, it made its mark on history in the water-throwing distance contest.
The fire company pumped their Cowing accordion-style hand-cart harder and faster than anyone before them — and since. They set the world’s record for distance from a hand-cart by shooting the water 287 feet — the record stands to this day.
Unfortunately, most of the judges hailed from Detroit and instead of being fair arbiters, they awarded first prize to the Detroit crew. They attempted to award Dowagiac second prize, but the Patrick Hamilton men flatly turned it down. The Cowing Co. bestowed the silver trumpet to the Hamilton Hose Co. for its effort.
Visitors to the museum will also see the 1900s Round Oak fire hose cart and other fire department items associated with local history.
“We are really excited about adding the interactive exhibit to the gallery,” said Steve Arseneau, museum director. “This exhibit is part of our on-going effort to make the museum a fun, interactive experience that visitors of all ages can enjoy.”
The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College, located on the college’s Dowagiac campus, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission to the museum is free.
For more information, call (269) 782-1374 or (269) 687-1600 ext. 1374.