Historical Company Photographs

The following photographs and subsequent descriptive photographic information were obtained from a book written by a local author and historian titled 

Bristol, Rhode Island, Volume II, by author Richard V. Simpson, 

Arcadia Publishing 

Copyright Richard V. Simpson, 1998

ISBN 0-7524-1209-4 

The old Dreadnaught Station at High and Church Streets, c. 1895, with the hook-and-ladder truck and hose reel carriage on display. 

The company's horses were stabled in the rear flat-roofed barn. 

This station was built in 1847 and originally stood on the south of State Street; it was later moved to this location and destroyed by fire on March 9, 1899.

John E. Magee, first assistant engineer of the Dreadnaughts, c. 1903

The new Dreadnaught Station, with members turned out in full-dress uniforms.  c. 1910.

After the disastrous fire, Bristol architect Wallis E. Howe brought a design contract to Martin and Hall Architects.

The new station in the Colonial Revival genre was built by J.H. Wall for what was thought to be an outrageous sum --- $ 7,429.

Recently found in our archives was the original 4, yes FOUR page contract from Martin and Hall Architects

 to construct the fire station dated from 1900.

(Webmaster note: the front of the station originally had 3 doors facing High Street. 

With the advent of larger trucks; the middle door was eliminated therefore forming 2 larger apparatus bays.)

Rescue truck -- former Kinder Bros flower delivery truck. This 1937 Ford V8, 1/2-ton panel truck is also seen in the photo below decked out with its rescue gear.

This vehicle was the first in the Bristol Fire Department equipped with a two-way radio. 

Unfortunately, the vehicle would stall if the driver used both the radio and siren at the same time.

Bristol Fire Department equipment, c. 1950.

The trio in the foreground are former chiefs John Grabert, Robert J. Anderson, and Fred Guevremont.

Other volunteers are, from left to right, Arthur Aguire, Albert Rosa, Joe Paul in cab, and James Somas.

At the ladder truck are, from left to right, former Chief Norman Servant, Deputy Chief William Butler Sims and Roy Simmons.

At the Defiance Engine No. 3 are, from left to right, Arthur Sousa and former Chief Charlie Andrade. 

At the Hydes 1934 Ahrens-Fox Pumper are, from left to right, Henry Miranda, "Dumpy" Trask, and Jeff Goff

(Webmaster's note, the 1934 Ahrens-Fox pumper, far right background is still on the Bristol Fire Department roster as 

"Engine 10" and is used for parades and special occasions)

Dedication of the town's first new rescue vehicle, a 1950 Dodge van. This vehicle was originally designed for use as a bread or milk delivery truck.

From left to right they are (seated)

Ed Wilkinson, Roger Belmore, Tony Bottiglieri, Mike Flynn, Charlie Luther, Chester Hill, Captain Manny Vieira, Chief Oscar Rishe, 

George "Pip"Dion, Lenny Babbit, Luke White, Joe Viscione, and Ralph Nash;

From left to right they are (standing) 

Burt West, Felix Scott, Joe Sousa and John Clifford McKenzie. (Photo courtesy of Manuel "Mother Hen" Vieira Jr.)

Webmaster's note: the Rescue Squad was formed in 1947. Rescue was stationed at the Dreadnaught Station and consisted of an equal amount of members from each of the Bristol Fire Department's chartered companies currently listed as;

Defiance Engine & Hose Co. No 1 (Engine 3, Reserve Engine 5 & Brush Truck 1)

Dreadnaught Hook, Ladder and Hose Co. No. 1 (Ladder 1, Marine 1, Truck 6)

Ever-Ready Engine Company (Engine 2)

Hydraulion Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 (Engine 1, & Engine 10)

A grainy image of the original Dreadnaught station and Company members in full dress uniform.

This photo was taken on State Street prior to the building being moved to the current Church Street & High Street location before the building was destroyed by a fire on March 9, 1899. 

c. 1800's

A postcard photo of the station, the hook & ladder is on display on High Street while the hose carriage is parked on the side of the building. Note the peaked roof to the right, that was the new stable to house the horses.

c. 1910

A photo of an early motorized ladder truck. 

Judging by the dress of the spectators and clothing design, we believe that this was taken during a July 4th parade in the late 1920's or early 1930's.

c. 1930's

Photo of the 1940 Mack City Service Ladder with Booster System, it was in service from 1940-1982. 

Our older members state that you could 

"..walk the running boards from the driver side, all around the back to the passenger side."

In fact, the running boards were so wide; the building had to be modified for this truck. 

Note the brick column for the center door, the bottom of the column had to be modified (widened) to allow the width of the truck to fit into the building.

A photo of the members of the Bristol Rescue Squad housed at this station. 

The rescue squad consisted of members of the 4 Chartered Fire Companies in Bristol.

"Car-5" a modified Cadillac hearse is pictured on the right and had personalized license plates reading "Car-5"

Note that the brick columns from the prior photo were removed making one large bay. 

After this photo, the layout was changed yet again to the current 2-bay area.

Undated Department photo from the mid 1960's maybe early 70's

The 1961 Ward-LaFrance Snorkel truck is pictured in the upper right corner, The ladder truck is in the upper left corner;  the front of "Car-5" from the Rescue Squad is pictured on the lower right.

Most of the department fire apparatus at that time had open aired cabs, some without roofs.

The following information was taken from a website with Ward-La France Photos. 

Ward LaFrance/Hi Ranger 85ft elevating platform. These units were built by Mobil Aerial Towers inc. in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ward LaFrance sent the chassis sans bodywork to MAT for installation of the tower platform. Upon installation completion the rig returned to Elmira for bodywork and final painting. Although they were referred to as "Snorkels" by most firemen, they were not the same design as the original Pitman Snorkel that used a square tubular boom and a solid bar linkage system to level the platform while MAT used a lattice work boom and a cable leveling arrangement. If my memory serves me correctly, the above pictured rig was delivered to the Bristol, R.I. Fire Department in 1962. The cab is the new "Mark 1" design which a little later with some slight changes became the "P-80" or "Ambassador" cab.

From: http://home.covad.net/~geoley/ward.html

It appears that the photos were taken at what is now Colt State Park.

1940 Mack City Service Ladder with Booster System. 

Undated Photo

From the Battalion Chief James Vieira - Call sign 'Unit-9'

"This truck was in service until 1982 with a 1960 Ward LaFrance Snorkel. Both trucks were replaced with a 1982 Emergency-One 110' rear mounted ladder with a hurricane cab."

Undated Photo of Bristol fire apparatus. Most likely being held on Firefighter's Memorial Sunday. Held annually on the 2nd Sunday in June.

Undated Photo of Bristol fire apparatus. Most likely being held on Firefighter's Memorial Sunday. Held annually on the 2nd Sunday in June.

An undated photo of the Ward LaFrance snorkel parked along Byfield School (Church & High St)

Company Photo taken Sunday June 9, 2013 prior to the Firefighter's Memorial observances.