THE GREENPOINT MONITOR MUSEUM
"ROAD SHOW"
May 2, 2003

Presented At:

J.H.S. 126 - "JOHN ERICSSON SCHOOL"

Page 2

George, a graduate of JHS 126, remembers the days
when he learned about the USS Monitor and its designer
John Ericsson at JHS 126 - "John Ericsson School".
This year marks the 200th Anniversary of John Ericsson's birth.
John Ericsson was born on July 31, 1803.

Lieutenant John Ericsson in the Swedish Army.

Janice introduces the class to John Ericsson's fire engine.
In 1829, while working in London, England, John Ericsson
designed a new steam fire engine called the "Conqueror".
Steam powered the fire engine's water pump. Horse power was used to
pull the engine. This new fire engine was used for the first time in
London to stop a fire at the "Argyll", a famous London concert hall.
This fire threatened to destroy the City. The City's old hand operated
fire pumps froze in the cold during the fire while the "Conqueror's"
steam engine continued to operate for five hours. Also the water from
the "Conqueror's" hose reached much higher heights than that
of the old hand operated fire pumps. The "Conqueror"
did not save the "Argyll" but it did save the City.

Over the years the steam fire engines improved no longer
requiring horsepower to move.
George demonstrates the power of steam using
a model steam fire engine. The boiler of the "Road Show" fire engine
not only activates the water pump but also makes the fire engine move.

The "Road Show" fire engine is a
model of a German fire engine built in 1903.

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George J. Weinmann, Webmaster

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