Archives
Hose Wagons
As the steamers, such as the Alex Logan, had no capacity to carry hose, they were accompanied by one or more hose wagons. Hose wagons were built by local wagon builders, and remained on the department roster for many years. Hose Wagon No. 11 is typical of the units acquired during the early 1900’s. It was pulled by two horses, and carried approximately 1200 feet of hose. During the winter months, Winnipeg often has enormous amounts of snow. The wheels of the hose wagons were often replaced with sleigh runners, permitting them to glide through the streets.
In 1910, the city began replacing the horse-drawn hose wagons with motorized units. By 1929, all of the Winnipeg Fire Department’s first line apparatus (units that have personnel assigned to them), were motorized. By 1935, Hose Wagon No. 11 was the last horse-drawn in the department’s inventory, but the horses that pulled it, Bobbie and Rosie, had been sold to a farm the year before.
In 1910, the department roared into the motor era, purchasing a 50 horsepower Webb hose wagon. It had neither a siren or a flashing light. Instead, just like the horse drawn hose wagons, it had a gong that was operated by the driver’s foot. Some of the early vehicles also had exhaust whistles, which emitted a high pitched sound. Despite the bells and whistles, the most effective warning device was the truck itself. Without a muffler, it generated enough noise to ensure that everyone knew it was coming: often blocks before its arrival.

Make & Model
Serial #
In Service
Additional notes
#1 WEBB
Horsepower 50 – 4 cylinders Gasoline
113012
Purchased 15/12/1910
Hose Capacity 2000 ft. 2 1/2″ Cotton rubber lined hose
Cost $4690.00
Agent Robert S. Bickle 305 Mc Intyre Block
Manufacturer, Webb Motor Fire Apparatus Co. Vincennes Indiana USA
Disposed 1923 replaced by LaFrance 2nd. MHW #1 Reg. 4196
#2 WEBB
Horsepower 50 – 4 cylinders Gasoline
123053
Purchased 12/06/1912
Hose Capacity 2200 ft 2 1/2″ Cotton rubber lined hose
Cost $5200.00
Agent-R. S. Bickle [as above]
Manufacturer, Webb Motor Fire Apparatus Co. St. Louis Missouri USA
Disposed 1924 replaced by GMC 2nd. MHW #2 Reg. No. 1988813
#3 WEBB
Horsepower 50 – 4 cylinders Gasoline
123054
Purchased 12/06/1912
Hose Capacity 2200 ft 2 1/2″ Cotton rubber lined hose
Cost $5200.00
Agent-R. S. Bickle [as above]
Manufacturer, Webb Motor Fire Apparatus Co. St. Louis Missouri USA
Disposed 1923 replaced by LaFrance- 2nd. MHW #3 Reg. 4197
#4 COMMER
Horsepower 60 – 4 cylinders Gasoline
FCB112
Purchased 17/12/1912
Hose Capacity 1800 ft. 2 1/2″ Cotton rubber lined hose & 6 men
Cost $5500.00
Agent-Darwin Motor Truck Co. Imperial Garage Osborne Pl.
Manufacturer Commercial Cars Ltd. England
New York branch 460 west 129 Street.
Disposed May 23, 1928 for $65.00 to Wpg. Wrecking97
#5 KISSEL
Horsepower 60 – 6 cylinders Gasoline
5746
Purchased 10/12/1912
Hose Capacity
Cost $5665.00
Agent-Boyce Carriage Co. 325-331 Elgin & 316-324 Ross
Manufacturer Kissel Motor Car Co. Hartford, Wisconsin, USA
Traded June 23, 1930 to Breen Motor Co.
as part payment for REO at $2150.00
#6 COMMER
Horsepower 60 – 4 cylinders Gasoline
FCB128
Purchased 13/05/1914
Hose Capacity 2000 ft. 2 1/2″ Cotton rubber lined hose
Cost $5625.00
Agent-Darwin Motor Truck Co.
Manufacturer same as # 4 MHW.
Disposed May 23, 1928 for #65.00 to Wpg. Wrecking Co.
#7 COMMER
FCB127
Purchased 13/05/1914
Hose Capacity 2000 ft. 2 1/2″ Cotton rubber lined hose
Cost $5625.00
Agent-Darwin Motor Truck Co.
Manufacturer same as # 4 MHW.
Disposed Feb. 9, 1928 for $50.00 with engine

#8 SEAGRAVE
Horsepower – 6 cylinders Gasoline
27118
Purchased 03/08/1920
Hose capacity 1000 ft 3 1/2 High Pressure, Cotton rubber lined hose.
Cost $10,762
Agent-Waterous Engine Works Co Ltd. 157 Higgins Wpg.
Manufacturer The Seagrave Co.
Disposed 1947 with the purchase of 3rd. MHW #5 Diamond T
#9 SEAGRAVE
Horsepower – 6 cylinders Gasoline
27119
Purchased 03/08/1920
Hose capacity 1000 ft 3 1/2 High Pressure, Cotton rubber lined hose.
Cost $10,762
Agent-Waterous Engine Works Co Ltd. 157 Higgins Wpg.
Manufacturer The Seagrave Co.
Disposed 1947 replaced by 1947 MHW #6 Diamond T
#9 SEAGRAVE
Horsepower – 6 cylinders Gasoline
27120
Purchased 03/08/1920
Hose capacity 1000 ft 3 1/2 High Pressure, Cotton rubber lined hose.
Cost $10,762
Agent-Waterous Engine Works Co Ltd. 157 Higgins Wpg.
Manufacturer The Seagrave Co.
Disposed 1947 replaced by 1947 MHW #6 Diamond T
#1 LAFRANCE
Horsepower ? – 6 Cylinders Gasoline
4196
Purchased 02/01/1923
Hose Capacity 1200 ft. 2 1/2 Cotton rubber, lined hose
Cost unknown cost for 2 Hose Wagons,
1 Pumper and 1-2 wheeled tractor
For conversion of Aerial No 3 from Horse drawn to Motor, $38,700.00
#3 LAFRANCE
Horsepower ? – 6 Cylinders Gasoline
4197
Purchased 02/01/1923
Hose Capacity 1200 ft. 2 1/2 Cotton rubber, lined hose
Cost unknown cost for 2 Hose Wagons,
1 Pumper and 1-2 wheeled tractor
For conversion of Aerial No 3 from Horse drawn to Motor, $38,700.00
#4 REO SPEED WAGON
7C2687
Purchased 1927
Disposed or converted to the Foamite Wagon approximately 1936.
#6 G.M.C.
1986569
Purchased 1928
#2 G.M.C.
1988813
Purchased 1928
Was at station No. 9 in 1929 and 1940
#7 REO SPEED WAGON.
Purchased 1925
Converted from Tractor on Ladder Truck 1930
#5 REO SPEED WAGON.
7C5574
Purchased 09/06/1930
Size 2 Ton Truck
Cost $2150.00 with Trade-in of MHW #5 Kissel/Commer
Was at No. 11 Station in 1940

1937 Diamond T
This vehicle was first on duty as #2’s Squad Wagon and covered a great portion of the west-end and all of the south end. It was replaced at #2 station with the first Booster Pump in about 1945.
It was sent to # 3 Station shortly after Capt. Mackay retired in 1945 to replace MHW #3 because he would not let the Chief dispose of the old wagon while he was Captain.
It later became the spare High Pressure when #3 Station got their first Pump in 1950.
#4 DIAMOND T
Purchased 1933
First purchased as a Rescue in 1933
Converted to a hose wagon in 1936.
Later converted to a Deluge Wagon
#2 DIAMOND T
Purchased 1937
Museum piece
#11 DIAMOND T
Purchased 1938
#5 DIAMOND T
Purchased 1947
Built as a High Pressure by the Repair Shop to replace MHW #8
#6 DIAMOND T
Purchased 1947
Built as a High Pressure by the Repair Shop to replace MHW #8
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