1913 NEW LEWES FIRE ENGINE

HISTORY OF LEWES FIRE COMPANY

THE NEW 1913 AMERICAN LAFRANCE FIRE ENGINE IS PURCHASED.

At the garage of William Walsh on this December evening much excitement was noticed as a new American LaFrance Fire Engine was delivered. The gasoline driven fire

engine had been purchased by the Lewes Fire Department for $4750.00 from a company in

Elmira, New York . The 1913 Wilmington Evening News made note that the vehicle was

of the newest design and will reach the speed of 40 mph. It carried 7 men, had at least a 1000

feet of water hose, two 40 gallon chemical cylinders, two 3 gallon extinguisher, a twenty

foot extension ladder,

Big excitement was had when being unloaded when it caught fire which was extinguished quickly.

The new fire wagon was driven about the area to be shown off and let residents know the Lewes Fire Department was ready to fight fires.

In 1886 Ebe Lynch organized and was chief of the Lewes Fire company, housed at

the corner of Third and Chestnut Streets, then the Town Hall. They had 100 feet of water hose,

a set of ladders and a horse drawn chemical wagon with gleaming copper chemical tanks

The 30 gallon tank was filled with water and sodium bicarbonate so that when a small tank

of sulfuric acid was added it produced carbon dioxide to send the water to the fire.

Abstract: Delaware Diary by Michael Morgan in Delaware Beaches Delaware Coast Press, Wednesday 12 June 2019.