A06 PARTICK

1 Pump Escape, 1 Pump, 1 Turntable Ladder Wholetime. CLOSED.

Stations

1870s to 1893 Wilson Street (now Gullane Street)
1893 to 1907 Anderson Street
21/5/1907 to 1985 Clyde Street/Hozier (Beith) Street. 122 Beith St                         Photo

 

Firemasters

? to 18/3/1907 Firemaster Graham
18/3/1907 to 1912 Firemaster Hugh Weir
From 1912 Glasgow's then Strathclyde's Firemasters

 

Appliances

 

 

1866   Horse Hose and Ladder HoLadd
1902   Shand Mason Steamer
1911 YS106 Halley/Halley/Mather and Platt MP
1948? BGE206 Dennis/Dennis (Liomsine) P
1948? CGE752 Dennis/Dennis (Limosine) P
1948? FYH58 Bedford/Leyland-Gwynne 700/900 EHU
1948? GLR811 Austin K2/Home Office FoT
1948? GXA66 Leyland Beaver/Merryweather 100’ TL
1944? GXH37 Austin K2/Home Office ATV
1944? GXM712 Fordson 7V/Tangye HU
1944? GXN288 Fordson Van (ATV)
1950 JGB689 Dennis F12/Dennis PE
? JUS784 Leyland Comet/Windover P
? MGB853 Dennis F14/Dennis/Metz TLP
? YGG209 Leyland Firemaster/Haydon PE
? 586EGE AEC Mercury/Merryweather PL
1962 941FGE AEC Marquis/Haydon WrL
? 865HGB AEC Mercury/Haydon PL
? 136KGD AEC Mercury/Haydon PL
1964 BGG994B Austin FFG/Mitchell CU
1965 FGG394C AEC Mercury/Dennis/Metz TLP
1973 GGE395L Dodge K850/Carmichael/Simon Scoosher MK2A WrL/Sch
1974 OGD142M Land Rover 108/Bennett RRU

 

  First Second TL
  JGB689?    
  YGG209 941FGE MGB853
1976 GGE395L ? ?
1980 FGA139T GGE395L          -
1983 LGD626Y       -           -

 

MGB853 Dennis F14/Dennis/Metz 100' TL
YGG209 Leyland Firemaster/Haydon PE
941FGE AEC Marquis/Haydon P
GGE395L Dodge K850/Scoosher MKII/Carmichael Sch WrL/Sch
LGD626Y Bedford KG/Fulton and Wylie Fire Warrior WrL

 

Notes

In 1973 this was station C3 of the Glasgow Fire Service.

1870s? to 1912 Partick Fire Brigade
1912 to 1941 Glasgow Fire Brigade
1941 to 1948 National Fire Service
1948 to 1975 Glasgow Fire Service
1975 to Strathclyde Fire Brigade

 

Closed between April and July 1985? Was a one pump station when it closed.

Partick’s Fire ground was covered by West, Knightswood and North West Fire Stations when it closed.

On Saturday, 15th March, I attended a test of a new steam fire engine for the Burgh of Partick Fire Department. The test took place at the Public Park, Partick. The fire was kindled in the boiler at 4-19p.m., and in 7 minutes 49 seconds after, a pressure of 100 lbs of steam was shown on the gauge when the engine was started, and a 1 1/8 inch jet was thrown to a height of 150 feet; two ¾ inch jets were then substituted for the 1 1/8 inch jet, which gave two beautiful jets of water to a height of 130 feet; then three jets took the place of the two, one ¾ inch and two 5/8 inch jets, which gave three good streams of water to a height of 100 feet. This completed the test. This engine is constructed to throw 350 gallons of water per minute and is one of Shand Mason’s latest pattern, with patent steam expansion arrangement for saving steam. This engine complete costs £475.
(From Firemaster Taylor’s quarterly report to Greenock Corporation Fire Engines committee 10/4/1902)

 

OPENING OF

NEW FIRE STATION

PARTICK

May 21st 1907

by
Provost White

The Old Fire Brigade Station in Anderson Street, which was opened in 1893, having become inadequate for the growing needs of the Burgh of Partick, the Town Council in 1905 decided to proceed with the erection of a New Station on ground held by them at the corner of Clyde Street and Hozier Street.
The New Station is designed to meet all requirements for some time to come. In addition to accommodation for the permanent staff of firemen and their families, the buildings include Engine Room, Stables, Watchroom, Workshops, Hose Tower, and Recreation Rooms. The Engine Room is of commodious dimensions, being 62 feet by 36 feet, and is directly attached to an eight stalled stable. Adjoining the Engine Room is situated the Watchroom, in which is placed the switchboard and apparatus for complete communication with every part of the Burgh, and also with each fireman’s house. The switchboard is one of the most complete and latest devices in the kingdom, and has both alarm and telephonic connection from each fire box on the streets; and the system also provides intercommunication between the various Burgh Departments. Private lines from public works are also led onto the switchboard, and a few vacant places have been provided for future extension. Alongside are placed the indicators of the May Otway apparatus, which have been installed by several firms in the Burgh.
The Smithy, Engineering Repair Shop, Hose Tower, and Offices in connection with dwelling houses, are situated on the north side of the courtyard, the Engineering Shop being provided with an overhead travelling crane and a repair pit. The Hose Tower is 86 feet in height, and will provide ample room for the cleaning and drying of hose.
To the north of the entrance from Clyde Street are the Store Rooms, Muster Room, Lamp Room, and Office in connection with the Lighting Department.
Above the Engine Room is situated the large Recreation and Reading Room, which will be furnished with library, billiard table, &c., for the use of staff when off duty.
The buildings were designed by Mr. James Miller, F.R.I.B.A., A.R.S.A., Glasgow, and are of terra cotta brick with stone dressings, treated in a simple yet effective manner after the style of the later Renaissance.
The Contractors for the works were as follows:- For mason, brick, and steel works, Mr James Speed; for joiner work, Messrs. A. Niven & Son; for plaster and cement work, Messrs Jas. Cruickshank & Son; for slater work, Messrs. J. McQuat & Son; for plumber work, Mr A. Low; for painter work, Messrs. J. Lindsay & Son; for tile work, Messrs. Haddow, Forbes & Co.; for electric wiring and fittings, The Taylor-Smith Electrical Co. ; for heating, Messrs. Jas. Cormack & Son; for grates, ranges, &c., Messrs. Dobbie, Forbes & Co.; and for fencing and stairs, Mr Allan Gibson.
The total cost of the buildings will be about £15,000 exclusive of the site. The measurers for the buildings were Messrs. Dansken & Purdie, Glasgow; and the whole works have been carried out under the supervision of the Architect and an Inspector from the Master of Works Department.

 

 

Opening of New Fire Station

PARTICK

May 21st, 1907, at 3 p.m.

 

 

Programme

Company will assemble in Engine Room
Formal Opening by Mrs. White calling out the Brigade
Company photographed at front of Station.

Retire to Recreation Hall. Refreshment, & c.

 

Toasts

The King
The Burgh
The Architects, Measurers & Contractors

 

Replies

Mr. Millar, Architect.
Mr. Purdie, Measurer.

(The Programme had 2 photos of the station, 1 of Provost White and 1 of the alarm panel along with a plan showing the layout of the station.)

 

Abstract from Partick Gazette
Prominent men of the District
Hugh Weir Esq. Firemaster of Partick
 

Mr Hugh Weir whose portrait appears in our issue of today was born in Govan, but in early life his parents removed to Partick where he was educated at Mr Wylie’s school in Douglas Street. On leaving school he was apprenticed to the Tinsmith trade with Messrs Alexander Wood & Sons, Stockwell Street, Glasgow. Subsequently completing his apprenticeship with D & W Henderson at Meadowside Shipbuilding yard, where he remained until his appointment as a permanent fireman of the Partick Fire Brigade under Firemaster Graham. Prior to this Mr Weir was for a short period an auxiliary member of the Brigade which he joined in January 1891. At that time the Brigade consisted of one permanent Firemaster, one auxiliary Deputy Firemaster and several auxiliary firemen. The fire station was then located in Wilson Street but in May 1893 it was removed to Anderson Street. In those days when a fire occurred it was customary for the Burgh Police to call the auxiliary firemen from their work or homes, in addition to the large bell being rung from the roof of the Police Buildings while the horses to draw the fire tender or hose carriage had to be brought from the stables of Mr Alexander Morrison in Walker St. Shorty after the appointment of Mr Weir as a permanent fireman Firemaster Graham received an additional appointment of Inspector of Lighting for the Burgh and thus when not otherwise engaged Mr Weir was employed in the making and repairing of lamps in connection with public lighting & c, In May 1894 he was appointed Deputy Firemaster and to the position of Firemaster on the 18th March 1907 in room of Mr Graham resigned. On the Brigade entering the finely equipped fire station in Hozier Street in May 1907, the staff which may at present be said to be in a transitory state was practically changed from an auxiliary to a permanent one. It is pleasing to record that all the appointments then made were from the auxiliary staff and that with one or two exceptions all still remain in the service of the Burgh. Those who have had the privilege of inspecting the Fire Station and seeing a turnout of the Brigade must have been struck with the order and smartness which prevails every where showing that Partick possesses in Mr Weir a man who may be safely entrusted with the control of her Fire Department. Previous to joining the public service Mr Weir was well known to the community as a member of the Partick Thistle Football Club. He is a member of Dowanvale United Free Church and of the “Sir Walter Scott” (Partick) Lodge of the Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds (Ashton Unity) Friendly Society. In bringing this sketch to a close we have only to add that the citizens of Partick may rest assured that in Mr Weir they possess a Firemaster who will keep his force in a state of preparation fit for any emergency.
(Typed from a hand written document, hopefully I have read all the words correctly)

 

 

Partick Fire Station

In the 1870s, the Partick Fire Service was a force of five firemen. By the time of the annexation, it had grown to a full time professional force of a firemaster, a deputy firemaster, and ten firemen.
The first fire station was in Wilson Street, now Gullane Street, near the police office. In the event of a fire, the police summoned the firemen from home or work by ringing a bell from the roof of the police station. In 1893, the fire station moved to Anderson Street.
This fire station became inadequate for the needs of the expanding burgh and a new station was built in Hozier Street (Beith Street). The picture shows the opening ceremony on 21st May 1907. Mrs. John White wife of Provost White opened the station. In 1914, an extension was built to provide additional houses for the staff.
The station was closed in 1985 and the building was bought by the Meadowside and Thornwood Housing Association and converted into 23 flats.

Early Motor Fire Engine

This vehicle was delivered to the Partick Fire Service in 1912. It was built by the Halley Company of Yoker and was a highly sophisticated piece of apparatus for its day as it was able to pump 500 gallons of water per minute. After the annexation, the vehicle was stationed at Ingram Street Fire Station in the centre of the city. The people of Partick were extremely unhappy at this move and the appliance was eventually returned to Partick.
There were four photos with the article three of the buildings and one of the appliance.
(Partick Anecdotes compiled by Robert M. Paul. Pages 30 & 31.)

 

Partick Fire Brigade

The first station was in Wilson (Gullane) Street and in the early days those unfortunate enough to have a fire had to pay for services rendered, with a fee charged for each fireman involved. A new station was built at Clyde Street and Hozier (Beith) Street in 1907. A notice of closure was served in 1985 and the building has now been converted to housing. During conversion, workman uncovered a 73 year old 'time capsule' which had been placed within the brickwork by the then Firemaster, Hugh Weir, with photographs and documents describing day-to-day life at this busy fire station.
(Partick Remembered by Bill Spalding, ISBN 1 872074 70 7)

 

 

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