A3422

Rochester parish fire pump or 'manual fire engine'; wheeled manual pump; pump mechanism is still operative; prior to restoration most of the lead cistern lining had gone; three wheels were very badly damaged, and steering yoke had detached completely; the original siphon for directing the water is missing (most of these early manual fire pumps including Newsham’s were fitted with long copper branchpipes so that a jet of water could be placed directly onto a fire from the engine), but a replacement one has been fitted (June 2016). The Rochester pump was built to Newsham's Patent Design, circa 1725, although this engine was probably made later; there is a reference to the City fire engine in the Meeting Day Book RO/AC3, dated 16th May 1741: 'Mr Mayor this day presented a fire engine for the City's use upon condition that the same shall stand in such place or places in the City as Mr Mayor and his family shall from time to time direct'; the current Mayor was George Gordon.

mid 18th century

wood, lead alloy, iron