Merryweather manual fire engine, c.1900, with 3 lengths of suction hose and strainer. The small manual engine was popular with private brigades long after the public and larger companies had adopted steam, and later the motor, fire engine, mainly because of its simplicity, easy maintenance and low cost. This Merryweather ‘Factory’ engine was used in Dorchester Prison. It was hand drawn and worked by 12 men.