A question was raised by Mike McAuliffe to Bill Post regarding the Fire Commissioner Quinn's reluctance to purchase new Snorkels for SS-3, Snorkel 1 (which later became SS-3), and most notably, Snorkel 7. The inquiry questioned why Quinn, who seemed to have a deep affection for the Snorkels, failed to replace them despite their widespread use at the time. Some departments even used small Snorkels as second-piece engines, and companies like Crown were producing high-quality models on the West Coast. Additionally, the Los Angeles Fire Department had two Snorkels they were eager to sell. It seems that acquiring a used or even a new one shouldn't have been too difficult.
It always struck me as odd that during the 1970s, when the south side of Chicago was experiencing a lot of activity, there was only one Snorkel—Snorkel 3—available. Whenever a still and box came in from the south side, you'd often hear someone asking, “Snorkel 5 to Snorkel 3?†It felt like an oversight, especially given the city’s needs.
Thank you in advance for any insights you might have.
Mike, you've hit the nail on the head. Money was indeed a major issue for the Chicago Fire Department in the 1960s. That was one of the reasons why, from the early 1960s up until late 1966 and into 1967, the department focused on purchasing unique or "specialty" apparatus. This included things like the Magirus 144-foot and 100-foot aerial ladders, Snorkels, Snorkel Squads, Fog Pressure Wagons, the original helicopter (441), jet rescue boats, ambulances, and chief buggies.
The CFD was desperate for capital funding. In fact, the City of Chicago had to go before the voters in 1966 and 1967 with a campaign to secure approval for a bond issue. This was meant to fund much-needed infrastructure, including new fire engines. I even remember a special half-hour TV broadcast on Channel 9 that highlighted the need for updated equipment. Some of our apparatus, like several tractor-trailer hook-and-ladders, dated back to the 1920s. Commissioner Robert J. Quinn appeared on the show, saying, “I don’t see how the voters could keep us from getting new fire apparatus,†which was desperately needed.
The bond passed, and it allowed the department to make some significant changes. For instance, Snorkel Company 1 was reorganized into Snorkel Squad 3, and three Fog Pressure Wagons were purchased to serve as second pieces for the Snorkel Squads. Snorkel Squad 3 officially began service on May 16, 1965, at 2858 W. Fillmore, which had previously housed Engine 66 and Squad 7. On that day, Engine 66 was moved to Engine Company 44, and Squad 7 was taken out of service.
Another key reason the CFD didn’t replace Snorkel 1 was due to a lack of space on the West Side. To accommodate Snorkel Squad 3, Engine 66 had to be relocated, and Squad 7 was removed. At the time, Squad 7 was one of the busiest squad companies in the city, so Quinn decided to replace it with a more modern and better-equipped unit. This made sense. Meanwhile, Squad 3 remained in service because Snorkel Squad 2 was located in a new station with ample space.
Part of Quinn’s reasoning for deploying Snorkels 4 through 7 in 1961 and 1962 was to ensure each of the seven fire divisions had one. Snorkel Company 1, being the smallest at 50 feet, was moved from Engine 50 on the south side to Engine 109 on the west side. The only fire station in the 2nd Division with enough room was Engine 109, which had a two-bay layout. One bay already housed Truck 32, a 1954 FWD tillered aerial ladder with an 85-foot wooden ladder and a long rear overhang. Since Snorkel 1 was only 50 feet and had no long front overhang, it was the only one that could fit.
During the early 1960s, the south side wasn’t much better than the west side in terms of fire station size. There were three divisions on the south side: 4, 5, and 7. Division 5 had room for Snorkel 6 at Engine 46, thanks to its large bays. Division 7, covering the southwest side, had only Engine 84’s station as a viable location for a Snorkel. After moving Snorkel 3 from Engine 50 to Engine 84 in 1962, the 4th Division had no Snorkel assigned for nearly two years until Engine 28’s new station opened.
This is part one of a three-part article.
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