The 1941 Howe fire truck—acquired surplus by the Haines Volunteer Fire Dept. in 1959—stands proudly but outclassed by the new Seagrave truck the HVFD received Wednesday. 

The new 350 h.p. diesel truck has an automatic transmission; it will pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute and carries 3,000 feet of two and one-half inch hose. The 125 h.p. Howe is gasoline powered, will pump 750 gallons per minute, and carries 1,500 feet of hose.

The new truck, ordered 18 months ago, cost $64,900; today’s price would be $76,000, but the contract entered into a year and a half ago was binding, Fire Chief Frank Wallace said. He and Assistant Chief Chuck Jones drove the new truck 3,200 miles from Wisconsin to Prince Rupert, B.C. to catch the ferry Taku. 

What’s the future of the Howe? It will continue to serve the area, Wallace said. However, the fire department has a problem: where to house it. Anyone with a secure garage at least 30 feet long might get in touch with the chief.