The new motor fire engine - "Fire King " This engine was designed in 1899 by Messrs Merryweather and Sons who have manufactured several similar engines for abroad and have others in hand for Liverpool , Plymouth , Portsmouth and other English towns . It can attain a speed of thirty miles per hour on the level and can mount inclines up to one in six at a fair speed . It burns oil and shows no sparks or smoke. 20th December 1902