THE NFD'S FIRST MOTORIZED AERIAL LADDER TRUCK


Bob Frey Collection

From 1911 to 1913, the NFD purchased its first pieces of motorized fire apparatus, which were all pumpers. However, a new firehouse had been built at Avon Avenue and South 13th Street, which was to house Engine 25 and Truck 9, but it was built to accomodate motorized equipment, thus making Truck 8 the last horse-drawn ladder company placed in service. The need now arose to purchase the department's first motorized aerial ladder truck.

On February 25, 1913, bids were requested by the city for the following motorized fire apparatus: two aerial ladder trucks; two pumpers, a hose and chemical wagon chassis; and three chief's cars. Two months later, on March 27, the following contracts were awarded based on the bids received: American LaFrance, for a pumper and aerial; Webb, for a pumper and aerial; and White, for the wagon chassis.

In late September, the NFD took delivery of the American LaFrance aerial truck, making it the first motorized ladder truck in the department's history. It was a Type 16, gas/electric-driven truck, with a 75-foot wooden aerial ladder, costing $11,500. It was mounted on a straight frame, but was tillered. Being in service prior to 1926, the rig was not assigned an NFD Shops Register Number, but it carried American LaFrance Serial #857. On October 2, 1913, at 18:05 hours, the rig was placed in service with Truck 9, where it served only until January 16, 1914, when it was reassigned to Truck 1, at 17:00 hours.

Well, Truck 1 and American LaFrance just didn't seem to go very well together. As with the 1938 American LaFrance that was written about in a separate story (See "Newark's First Metal Aerial Ladder Truck" elsewhere on the Newark History board), they began to experience problems with the rig.

On February 12, 1915, the rig was involved in a collision while returning from an alarm, and on December 23, 1915, the door on the motor housing was replaced with a new one.

On January 18, 1916, the steering rod had to be straightened, and the next day, the bumper was straightened. On August 23, the motor housing required repair.

Things stayed well for a while, but then the rig began to show its age after a collision on January 31, 1921, in which the ladder bracket and axle were damaged. It was taken to the Shops for repair. While in the Shops, the right wheel froze up and had to be repaired. The rig was returned to Truck 1 on February 19, 1921 after being fully repaired.

The next year, 1922, proved to be the beginning of the end:

February 3
The radiator and light system were repaired, and the left front wheel was replaced with a new one
March 20
The rig was taken out of service for general repairs, and to be repainted
April 25
One of the rear wheel motors burned out
April 28
The brakes required adjusting
May 5
One of the rear wheel motors burned out
November 15
The rear axle and radiator required repair

And in 1923, it continued:

January 5
Taken out of service to be overhauled
January 14
Out of service due to motor trouble
February 19
Taken out of service due to a broken front axle
June 27
Taken out of service to have new bolts put on the rear motor housing and to have it rewired
November 22
Taken to the Shops to be overhauled

Things finally quieted down until August 11, 1924, when the apparatus was involved in a minor accident with Water Tower 1. Then the mechanical problems set in once again during 1925:

March 9
The left rear axle broke
March 13
Taken out of service due to crank trouble
June 1
Brakes needed to be adjusted
June 22
Taken out of service to be overhauled
July 28
Rig out of service due to carburetor trouble
September 29
Taken out of service to be rewired
November 11
Out of service due to magnet trouble
December 3
"U" clip on right front axle snapped, requiring repair

During 1926, the apparatus was assigned NFD Shops Register #51, and many more mechanical problems occurred, keeping the rig out of service for extended periods of time:

January 29
The bracket on the tiller wheel required repair
May 12
Taken out of service for a new 75-foot aerial, as well as two, new front wheel motors
June 30
Taken to the Shops for several general repairs
July 25
The entire motor was rewired
November 23
Taken out of service for radius rod repairs, and new right front wheel
December 7
The resistance coils were replaced

On January 12, 1927, the rig went to the Shops to have a new motor placed on the right front wheel, and to have the left rear motor repaired, and on March 14, the rig was taken out of service for general repairs. On May 14, 1927, the apparatus was taken out of service with Truck 1 and reassigned to Truck 7, where it remained until January 1, 1931, when it was either placed in reserve as a spare, or junked.

So ended the career of Newark's first motorized aerial ladder.

A great part of this historical account was made possible by the meticulous historical research of Captain Joe Sperli, NFD. A tip o' the ol' high-eagle leather to Joe. I hope you enjoyed this highly detailed and enlightening glimpse back through Newark Fire Department history.