INVERCLYDE'S efforts to attract tourists received a major boost with the opening of the new fire brigade museum in Greenock’s Municipal Buildings.

Regarding the history of the service locally, a significant occurrence took place on Friday 15 November 1912.

On that day the official tests of the Greenock first motor-powered fire engine, which had just been purchased by the Corporation, took place before a large and influential group of individuals.

The Telegraph reported that the new machine, which weighed four tons, was of the latest type, and built on a compact and handy design.

Carrying the registration VS 212, it was supplied by Dennis Bros, of Guildford, London, at a cost of £1,085. The six-cylinder engine produced 75bhp and was said to perform well.

Its equipment included a turbine pump capable of delivering 500 gallons a minute at 140lbs pressure. The fire engine could throw jets of water 80 feet into the air.

More than 1,500 feet of hose could be carried and the machine had a 40 foot long telescopic ladder in two sections arranged over the machine on brass pillars, with a roller to facilitate removal.

The newspaper said the Fire Department, of which Bailie Orr was convener, was to be congratulated for providing Captain Taylor and his staff with the means of expeditiously and efficiently adding to the capabilities of the brigade.

The official tests were carried out at the west end of the Esplanade and were watched by members of the Corporation and other public bodies, large employers of labour and representatives from Glasgow, Paisley and elsewhere.

The powerful turbine pump was reported to have worked well and greatly impressed those witnessing the demonstration.

At the close of events, the invited guests were transported to Cathcart Square in a reserved tramcar and then went to the Harbour Trust Boardroom for lunch.

An unnamed Bailie, who proposed the toast of “Greenock Fire Brigade”, said he did not believe the old system of horse haulage would exist in Scotland much longer and said Greenock’s new motor fire engine was one of the finest being made in the country.

Today’s photographs, which appeared in the Telegraph of Monday 18 November 1912, show the new fire engine and the demonstration of water drawn from the Clyde being jetted 80 feet high.