The Niagara No. 3 is the third handtub owned by the Town of Brunswick to bear that name; she was purchased in 1885 "to be used for firefighting only". Edward H. Woodside who at the time was Chief of the Brunswick Fire Department was appointed as the committee to purchase a new handtub. After visiting many towns and cities and looking over apparatus, which was for sale, he discovered the "N.A. Burpee" in the City of Rockland, Maine. That city owned two handtubs and had decided to dispose of one. Chief Woodside began negations that became exceedingly lively and the argument, which ensued, was more or less bitter. But the Chief finally carried out his charge and purchased the "Burpee" for $200.00, a large some of money in those days. The handtub was brought back to Brunswick and re-christened "Niagara No. 3", it served the town well as a firefighting machine as late as 1919. The Niagara is a Button Tub; she was built by William Button in 1872. Her weight is 3800 pounds, she has ten-inch cylinders, a five-inch stroke, two and ½ inch leading hose and a four-inch suction. The Niagara No. 3 held the New England championship for 23 years with a play of 238 feet 8 inches, made at Gardiner, Maine on September 14, 1889. She then bettered that record at New Gloucester, Maine with a play of 258 feet 2 inches. Her average play is one of the best in the country. She has won over $6000.00 in money and trophies that are now on display in the Pejepscot Historical Society located on Park Row in Brunswick. The Niagara is still owned and shown by the Brunswick Fire Department, she has not competed in several years.
Other Tubs owned by the Town of Brunswick include:
the "Mechanic" purchase in 1810
the "Hydraulion" purchased after the Great Fire of 1825
the "Protector No. 4"
the 1st "Niagara No. 3" purchased in 1848
the 2nd "Niagara No. 3" purchased in 1870
the "Kennebec No. 1" purchased in 1875