In 1907 we delivered a chemical engine to the Bridgeport Fire Department, consisting of a standard 40 horse-power Locomobile chassis, equipped with special tires and a body carrying chemical apparatus and having room for ten or more firemen. This car was placed in commission on December 1 7th, 1907, and proceeded to answer all alarms. The Fire Commissioners estimated that the apparatus paid for itself inside of three months. It has been in service forty-three months, at this writing, and has answered 1 1 49 alarms of fire. The cost of maintenance and operation has been at the rate of about $1.32 per alarm of fire.

The great practical value of this chemical led the commissioners to purchase a car for the fire chief together with two other pieces of motor-driven apparatus, all of which are in successful operation. Another result was the purchase of Locomobile firefighting apparatus by neighboring cities and towns, such as Waterbury, Stamford, Greenwich, Fairfield and Stratford; and more distant points such as New Owing to the obvious demand for Locomobile cars for this important service, we have developed a special chain-driven, 40 horse-power chassis, having a very long frame and a wheel base of 148 inches. An example of fire apparatus built upon this chassis, is the chemical engine of the Independent Engine Company of White Plains, shown on page 91.

Salvage Corps Cars. Owing to the successful use of a Locomobile by Chief Swingley of the St. Louis Fire Department, the Underwriters Salvage Corps of that city bought a Locomobile. The body was built after the designs of Chief Glanville. The good service performed by this car may be illustrated by the following comparative statement quoted from a yearly report of the Salvage Corps.

The Salvage Corps in Newark, N. J., bought a similar car. It gave such good service that after several years of use a second Locomobile was put in commission.

Police Patrol Wagons.

A Locomobile Police Patrol Wagon built for the City of Baltimore proved so successful that it enabled the Police Department to dispose of three wagons and eight horses. During the first year it covered 9000 miles in city and suburbs, and was not out of commission one day. Baltimore now has four of these Locomobile Patrol Cars, each having a wheel base of 148 inches and a 40 horse-power motor. Sixteen men can be carried, twenty-one in an emergency.

The City of Bridgeport also has operated a Locomobile Police Patrol successfully for some years. Marshal Farnan of the Baltimore Police Department uses a “30″ Locomobile, and said in an address before the International Association of Police Chiefs: “It has proved such a valuable addition to our equipment that I wonder how we ever got along without it.”

Newspaper Cars.

The Locomobile is particularly well adapted to the rapid delivery of newspapers on account of its reliability. It will stand up to hard and fast work. About five years ago we delivered to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle a 1907 chassis on which was placed a light delivery body. This car proved so satisfactory that more Locomobiles were purchased from year to year. There are now eleven of our cars at work, the largest number in use by any newspaper in this country.

Delivery Wagons.

We strongly recommend the use of a rebuilt Locomobile chassis equipped with a suitable body, for delivery purposes. The cost of the chassis is moderate and satisfactory bodies may be obtained at reasonable prices. There are many such cars in regular daily service, giving excellent satisfaction in every way. We would refer to the chapter on Rebuilt Cars on page 173, also photographs of such cars on pages 55 and 128. More information will be furnished on request.

Ambulances.

The speed, smooth running and easy riding qualities of the Locomobile fit it for the important service required of an ambulance. The City of Bridgeport, Conn., has used a Locomobile Ambulance successfully for a number of years. A Locomobile Ambulance sold to a private hospital in New York City gave such good satisfaction that it resulted in an order for another car.

Municipal Cars.

For the past seven or eight years Locomobile cars have been used with continued success for municipal service in the large cities. For example, the various city departments in New York employ thirteen Locomobiles. Some of these cars have been in service since 1904. Wherever steady service is demanded the Locomobile is always appreciated.