Katherine Bickford

In early May 1899, the Victoria Fire Department took delivery of a brand new Brantford Ontario built Waterous 2nd size Steam Pumper, one of four that the department would eventually acquire. The engine was named for Victoria Mayor Charles E. Redfern.

The Redfern was initially drawn by a two horse team, and received three horse draft gear after 1907 as the horses also didn’t tire as quickly sharing the 5 ton load of the steamer and the response time to a fire was shorter.

The Redfern was completely rebuilt to modern standards by the Victoria Fire Department Historical Society. As when it was built, the Redfern steam pumper burns coal.

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