Shop built engine

[Ex-Chief]

What ever became of Engine 324's shop built pumper? In 1939 Mayor Lauardia had the Shops build it's own pumper since the cost of new apparatus was getting out of hand. The finished product cost more than a manufactured rig. It was never repeated. Was the pumper ever reassigned after Eng 324; was it used as a spare; what ever happened to it?

 

[memory master]

Good question Chief. Could it have gone away with the rigs from the Worlds Fair Dept? Have no fear. The guys on this board have answers and photos of just about anything FD related so the answer will be here soon.

 

[guitarman314]

  I see that they were still using it in 1946 but there's a big gap until they got a 1958 Mack C. This looks like a trip to the Mand Library is needed to solve this.

 

[mack]

Shop-built pumper: Engine 49 on Welfare Island was reassigned Engine 324's shop-built pumper - date unknown - and Engine 324 received an Ahrens Fox pumper. Period of use of the shop-built pumper by Engine 49 is unknown but Engine 49 was disbanded when the mental hospital facilities closed (approx. 1960).

Engine 324 was organized in 1939. They had two different Ahrens Fox pumpers - reassigned from other companies. One AF pumper was reassigned in 1939 and then replaced by the shop-built pumper. The other was reassigned to Engine 324 in the 1940s - apparently replacing the shop-built engine - which was then sent to Engine 49 on Welfare Island.


Engine 324:

- Reassigned a 1939 HT model AF pumper reassigned from Engine 325 - date unknown.
- Reassigned a 1938 SC model AF pumper that had been used by Worlds Fair Engine 332 after the Fair ended in 1940.
(http://www.1939nyworldsfair.com/worlds_fair/wf_tour/misc/NYFD_01.htm)


Engine 324 later had a 1952 WLF pumper reassigned from Engine 252 - date unknown.

I could not find how long either company used the shop-built engine or it's later use.

 

[guitarman314]

Engine 49 on Welfare Island was reassigned Engine 324's shop-built pumper - date unknown.


Engine 324 had two different Ahrens Fox pumpers assigned in the 1940s:

    - They were reassigned a 1938 SC model AF pumper that had been used by Worlds Fair Engine 332 after the Fair ended. 

    - They also had a 1939 HT model AF pumper reassigned from Engine 325 - date unknown. 

Engine 324 had a 1952 WLF pumper reassigned from Engine 252 - date unknown.

  The 1952 WLF (shop #2976) was sent to E324 around the start of the "War Years" (1967) in a swap so E252 could have E324's 1958 Mack C closed cab pumper.

 

[guitarman314]

I just read in the FAJ FDNY WLF book that the 1939 Shop Built pumper was kept on the roster until 1960.

 

[mack]

I just read in the FAJ FDNY WLF book that the 1939 Shop Built pumper was kept on the roster until 1960.

Thanks Gman. That would seem to match approximately when Engine 49 on Welfare Island was disbanded - approximately 1958.

Maybe the shop-built pumper's history could be:

1938-39 - Displayed at 1938/39 NY Worlds Fair
1939 - Assigned to Engine 324 after Fair ended
1940s? - Assigned to Engine 49, Welfare Island. Engine 324 assigned an Ahrens Fox pumper.
1960 - Decommissioned

Note: Blackwell's Island/Welfare Island/Roosevelt Island had a long NYC history with a prison (1830s), a mental hospital (1850s), FDNY Fire Academy training location (1960s), and currently with modern housing and FDNY SOC. Engine 49, originally a Combined Fire Company, protected the island until the prison and hospital were closed.

http://www.correctionhistory.org/html/chronicl/nycdoc/html/blakwel1.html
http://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2009/05/roosevelt-island-new-yorks-former-city.html


Engine 49's former firehouse 1960s:




Welfare Island/FDNY Fire Academy1960s:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fdnyhome/sets/72157629548038400/comments/

- thanks memory master

 

[memory master]

Mack, I have to disagree with you on the E49 fire house. 49's quarters was a three story red brick single house which sat just to the south of the Welfare Island bridge ramp. It was used for a while for training purposes such as "pulling ceilings", etc. by the Probie's at the training center which was just north of the bridge. The picture posted was that of the Mask Service Unit's quarters and repair shop which was right by the 59th Street, Queensboro, Edward I. Koch Bridge or what ever else they call it now. (all the same bridge) In fact, the firehouse was just opposite the entrance to the bridge elevator which was used by all vehicles to get to the Island prior to the bridge being built at 36th Avenue & Vernon Blvd. in Queens.

 

[CVILLE7111]

So, were those newer quarters built specifically for the MSU and/or Engine 49?

 

[raybrag]

Anybody got a picture of the beast?

 

[memory master]

So, were those newer quarters built specifically for the MSU and/or Engine 49?

I believe it was for MSU although I have been know to be wrong :-[

 

[memory master]

Come to think of it, there was a cover photo on a 1960? WNYF of a foam training exercise that went awry and it showed L116 and a FF covered in foam in front to the old E49 quarters.

 

[mack]

Mack, I have to disagree with you on the E49 fire house. 49's quarters was a three story red brick single house which sat just to the south of the Welfare Island bridge ramp. It was used for a while for training purposes such as "pulling ceilings", etc. by the Probie's at the training center which was just north of the bridge. The picture posted was that of the Mask Service Unit's quarters and repair shop which was right by the 59th Street, Queensboro, Edward I. Koch Bridge or what ever else they call it now. (all the same bridge) In fact, the firehouse was just opposite the entrance to the bridge elevator which was used by all vehicles to get to the Island prior to the bridge being built at 36th Avenue & Vernon Blvd. in Queens.

memory master - You are correct.  The picture I posted was the Mask Service Unit firehouse.  Thanks for the correct identification.

This is Engine 49's firehouse - approximately 1960:

   

   

   


Engine 49 was a combined company and protected Welfare Island (formerly Blackwell Island) 1882-1958.  A Manhattan company - 8th Battalion 3rd Division 3

 

[fdhistorian]

So, were those newer quarters built specifically for the MSU and/or Engine 49?

The firehouse at 750 Main St, Roosevelt Island was planned for an engine company in the 1970's.  Initially it was for a new company and later that changed to Engine 260, though neither plan happened.  In 1981 the Safety Battalion was established there.

 

[68jk09]

Also later on in the '80s after the Safety BN moved to Randall's Island 750 Main St on Roosevelt Island became a Fire Marshall Base then around 1988 the FMs left & Car 13 David (a CPT & a FF) the original Rescue Liaison (forerunner of the Rescue Ops Chief) moved there & was subsequently joined by Rescue Services after leaving Bradford St (332) then as today 750 Main St became a full SOC FH.....also when Rescue Service's left Bradford St Safety BN*2 was organized there but later disbanded.

 

[Ex-Chief]

Wow! I sure didn't expect such a response along with a short history lesson. Thanks much. Raybrag, there's a photo of "The Beast" on page 105 in Wheels of the Bravest. That's what got me curious in the first place. Thank you all again for the responses.