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1947 SEAGRAVE 65' AERIAL TRUCK OF THE
N.L.R.F.D.
NLRFD'S First Aerial Ladder Truck
Ordered in 1945 - Delivered Feb. 1947- Sold in 1985
(Photo By Lee Clark)
Thanks to Mrs. Gretchen Spinelli for allowing use of this picture. The '46 Seagrave Ladder Truck,
obviously still new. Check the paint job. Also note the Company Designation is still "5."
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE SEAGRAVE 65' AERIAL:
Brand of Apparatus: Seagrave
Year of Manufacture: 1946-47
Date of Order: May, 1945
Date of Delivery: February, 1947
1947-1982 Central Station:
Company 5 from 1947 until early 50's
Company 1A: Early 50'S - 1982
1982-1985: Reserve Aerial- Number Designation unknown.
65' Aerial Ladder, ground ladders, tarps, life net, .portable spot light, 250 GPM Pump,
150 Gallon Booster Tank, V-12 Engine, Standard Transmission, Ground Ladders: Wooden,
Significant Facts:
First Aerial Apparatus owned by the NLRFD. Was used for grass fires,
and an occasional structure in early years when other companies
were out. Originally carried a crew of Four. Life net is visible on right rear of truck.
Truck was sold at auction in 1985 to Glover Truck
Sales. Eventually sold to a party in Tennessee.
"emergency"fireman, while others would man the new "truck on order" and others were needed for the
newly annexed areas of NLR. (Levy which was a separate city which voted to become part of NLR, Park Hill
and Rose City.) Another article from the February 14, 1947 Arkansas Democrat stated that two four-man crews would
be needed to operate the new aerial truck. The Captains of the "Day Shift" and "Night Shift" were
named in the article. NLRFD had two twelve-hour shifts at this time.
This had to be my favorite Fire Apparatus of the NLRFD. It was sold at a public auction in 1985.
It was purchased by Glvoer Truck Sales and sat on their lot on East Broadway for quite some time. It is my
understanding that it was sold in Tennessee. If only I'd had the $2500 to buy it!
The Segrave Aerial Truck has been found!
CLICK HERE
(Photo from Bob Franklin)
In this picture of the '47 Seagrave, the number on the driver's door is "5." The Ladder Company
was Company 5 until the early '50'S. This picture was made at North Little Rock Senior High at
22nd and Main Streets. Apparently a flag pole was having new ropes installed. Note that the "old gym"
was just under construction during this picture. Also, note the vehicle behind the aerial truck.
It looks like an early 50's Chrysler product.
(Photo by Lee Clark)
One sunny day in the late 70's, I found "1A" getting washed. Note the fireman's boots
on the roof in the second picture. In the first picture, soap is still on the vehicle. I still
remember how the paint was worn off the front fenders at this time.
(Photo by Lee Clark)
The crew was a lone driver at this point. Station 7 housed "7A" which was the Snorkle. This truck was already a legal antique.
OLD MEETS NEW IN 1982
BELOW IS ARE TWO PICTURES THAT MUST HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN THE FALL OF 1982 SOON AFTER
THE ARRIVAL OF THE 1982 AMERICAN LA FRANCE REAR MOUNT AERIAL TRUCK.
(This was a NEW 1981 model, delivered to NLR in late July or Early August of '82. Stories abound that
this was to be a FDNY truck and was turned down because of only one rear axle.)
The pumper visible in the top picture is the 1981 American La France soon to be put in service as Engine 1.
I happened to drive by Central Station on the day that the 1981 La France Aerial was delivered. The driver from
American La France kept asking where the "regular" aerial was. He could just not believe that the old Seagrave
was still in regular service and was not a reserve! My biggest surprise about the '81 American La France was that
it did NOT have a white top. The two new pumpers already delivered did have white tops.
(The Above Photos of the 2 Aerials:
Courtesy of Lee Church, Chief - Sherwood F.D.
NLRFD Capt Charlie Youngblood, Driver Goerge Gibbs and Hoseman Z.D. Williford.
The first aerial ladder truck of the NLRFD - A Seagrave 65' Aerial, delivered in February, 1947.
Thanks to Ida Jane Ueckman, daughter of Capt C.A. Youngblood, for permission to use this historic
photo and the equally historic photo directly below. Thanks to Capt (ret) Jim Dancy for obtaining these
photos for the Unofficial Website. Mrs Ueckman states that the ladder truck was new when this photo
was taken outside the Youngblood home (large 2 story house) on W. 18th Street in North Little Rock .
The photo below was taken at the same time. Note the Company Designation "5."
Thanks to Ida Jane Ueckman, daughter of Capt C.A. Youngblood, for permission to use the historic photos
of the Seagrave Aerial Truck. Thanks to Capt (ret) Jim Dancy for obtaining these photos for the Unofficial Website.