Title
Tuscaloosa Fire Department Hose Brigade
Subject
Fire fighters
Fire engines
Description
The hose cart was an early fire fighting apparatus that was first pulled by hand, then by mules. It supplemented the bucket brigade squads. It was a hand-operated mechanical pumping device mounted on a wagon; the ensemble, was called "Empress." Empress required the services of twelve men for pumping purposes alone. No less than six men on each side, pushing and pulling lustily, could handle the big hand pump which worked on the see-saw principal.
Date
c. 1860
Type
Photograph
Identifier
592
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
12 inches by 14 inches