#1 Many combination chemical and hose rigs were built by Prospect. This 1919 Ford served with the Brookville, Ohio Fire Department. Steve Hagy
Prospect Fire Apparatus by Steve Hagy
(All photographs are "Thumbnails" -- click on the picture
to see a larger image.)
One of the more successful apparatus manufacturers of the teens and twenties was
The Prospect Fire Engine Company of Prospect, Ohio. This company produced large
numbers of pumpers, hose wagons, and chemical units on a variety of commercial
truck chassis.
#1 Many combination chemical and hose rigs were built by Prospect. This 1919
Ford served with the Brookville, Ohio Fire Department. Steve Hagy
The company traces its roots back to a partnership between C. H.
Sutphen and S. L. Wottring. This partnership eventually led to the incorporation
of the Prospect Manufacturing Company. Sales initially consisted of hand drawn
chemical wagons, hose reels, and ladder trucks.
Increased demand for fire apparatus that was mounted on a motorized car or truck
chassis led to the production of units assembled on the Ford Model T. In the
late teens Prospect began to produce pumpers. The capacity of the pump was
severely limited by the meager horsepower of the Model T. Although early pumper
deliveries were equipped with Hale pumps, Prospect quickly developed a highly
efficient rotary gear pump of their own design. Once the in house pump was ready
for production, sales of pumping engines to small town departments began to
skyrocket!
#2 Model T Ford’s were also used as pumpers such as this 250 gpm job that is
still owned by Monroe, Ohio. Steve Hagy
With a large variety of commercial trucks and quality motor cars to mount their
apparatus on, Prospect soon expanded beyond the offerings of the Model T and
began delivering a variety of hose wagons and pumpers using Reo, Stewart, GMC,
Chevrolet, Packard, Cadillac, Dodge Brothers, Graham, International, and Diamond
T chassis.
#3 Prospect built a number of apparatus on custom and commercial chassis
using front mount pumps. This 1923 Biederman for Tipp City, Ohio had the
chemical tanks replaced by a booster tank. Steve Hagy
Like many apparatus manufacturers Prospect offered a top-of-the-line custom
chassis. The “Deluge Master Fire Fighter” was actually a Biederman truck chassis
that was built in Cincinnati. Most deliveries of Prospect Deluge apparatus were
pumpers. However some one off units produced included a tractor for a water
tower delivered to Cleveland, Ohio in 1925, a large capacity hose wagon for the
Kodak Park Fire Department in Rochester, New York, and a 500 gpm quad that was
sold to Cambridge, Ohio.
#4 Chemical carts were a mainstay in the Prospect sales line. This nicely
restored 2 tank unit is owned by Christiansburg, Ohio and was built as a hand
drawn apparatus. Steve Hagy
Prospect was also an ambitious user of front mount pumps. Using a Chevrolet Six
chassis the front mount pump was able to achieve a respectable rating of 355 gpm
at 123 psi. Using a Ford Model AA chassis a capacity of 315 gpm at 120 psi was
developed.
Near the end of the company’s history custom units were assembled on Mars truck
chassis. Midlothian, Illinois, Grill, Pennsylvania, and the Milford F.D. (state
unknown) received pumpers on this handsomely styled chassis.
#5 This 1924 International/Prospect was the pride of the Thomasboro, Illinois
Fire Department. Prospect rigs were constructed on Chevrolet, Ford, Reo, Graham
Bros., Dodge and Biederman chassis in addition to IH. Chuck Madderom
One significant achievement of Prospect is that they developed an early airport
rescue firefighting vehicle. Curtiss-Wright Aircraft at Valley Stream NY
purchased the first “Airporter” in 1930. This apparatus was equipped with dual
tires both front and rear and when delivered was the best unit available for
this type of duty.
#6 New York state had numerous Prospect deliveries. The Marilla Fire company
specified a Stewart truck chassis for their pumper. The pair of Dietz lanterns
on the officers side with ladders and hard suction on the drivers side were
typical on most Prospect apparatus. Steve Hagy Collection
#7 This view of Davison, Michigan’s 1924 Dodge gives a good idea of the
compact size of some of these pumpers. Jack Connors
#8 SPAAMFAA member Bill Davis of Columbus, Ohio owns this 1925 Biederman/Prospect
pumper that originally served Dawson, Pennsylvania. The engine then went to
Lakemore, Ohio. Notice that the Biederman name is cast into the radiator shell
on Bill’s rig. The “Prospect Master Deluge Firefighter” nameplate was normally
placed on that spot. Steve Hagy
Unfortunately Prospect was a victim of the Depression. The company filed for
bankruptcy in 1932. When the assets of the company were sold, Keenan Hanley
purchased the firm and began building apparatus under the name of Hanley
Engineering Service. The exact number of fire engines produced by Prospect is
unknown but probably numbers in the hundreds. Many Prospect rigs survive with
fire departments and SPAAMFAA members.
#9 This 1926 delivery to Mifflin, Pennsylvania shows the typical front end
appearance of a Biederman/Prospect “custom“. Dan Martin
#10 Covington, Ohio owns this 1927 Biederman/Prospect. The paint and
lettering are in exceptional condition on this pumper and the rig also carries
most of it’s original equipment. This qualifies as the best maintained Prospect
I have ever seen. Steve Hagy
#11 Another 1927 delivery, this apparatus has a two tone paint scheme. The
large, plain bumper was a distinctive feature of the Biederman chassis jobs.
East Petersburg, Pennsylvania purchased this 450 gpm unit for $5475.00. Robert
Kimball
#12 With turnout coats and boots laying on the apparatus, this pumper is
ready to roll! A 1928 Ford Model A chassis was used for this delivery to Cedar
Springs, Michigan. Bob Barber
This short story is by no means meant to be a history of the company. SPAAMFAA
member George Hanley (brother of Keenan) wrote a comprehensive history of
Prospect that was published in 1997 under the title “Firefighters From
Prospect”.
#13 This 1929 Chevrolet also sports a 350 gpm front mount pump. The booster
tank is reminiscent of the style used on Pirsch apparatus during this period.
Peebles, Ohio was the original owner. Steve Hagy
#14 Reo chassis were occasionally used when constructing a pumper. The
Jamestown - Silvercreek, Ohio Fire Department maintains their 1929 delivery as a
parade piece. The downward cast suction inlet was a standard feature with
Prospect mid mount pumps. Steve Hagy
#15 The Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Company in Maryland owns this 1929 Ford
with a front mount pump. Notice the large siren on the fender and the electric
hand lantern mounted on the cowl. Dennis Adamski
#16 Midlothian, Illinois purchased this deluxe 500 gpm engine in 1930.
Mounted on a Mars chassis, this beauty reflects more modern styling. Dan Martin
Additional sources of Prospect photos that are available on the Internet
include:
Atglen Fire Department - This site has a photo of the 1924 Biederman/Prospect
that was the first motorized apparatus of this Pennsylvania community.
http://www.geocities.com/atglenfire1/
Cambridge Fire Department - Look in the apparatus section of this site for a
photo of the only know quad apparatus built by Prospect. There are other photos
of early Cambridge apparatus including a steamer and a chemical and hose truck
built on an Indiana chassis.
http://www.cambridgefd.org/
Chardon Fire Department - This Northeastern Ohio department maintains there 1928
Biederman/Prospect as a parade unit.
http://www.chardonfire.com/
Youngstown Fire Message Board - Look in the “Fire Apparatus Dictionary” section
under the “Apparatus by Manufacturer - Miscellaneous Builders” section for
Prospect photos.
http://www.youngstownfire.com/phpbb/
#21 Name plate used on some Prospect apparatus. Steve Hagy
#22 Some of the chemical tank arrangements that were available.
#23 This Prospect letterhead shows a pumper lettered for
the “M.S.Y.F.A.”. Can anyone identify the department that owned this apparatus?