Water towers

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Water Towers (German: Wassertürme) were special vehicles used by fire departments in the United States .

The water towers had erectable and extendable, multi-part masts. There was a water cannon on the mast, which was turned in all directions by ropes that reached down to the ground. The first water tower was developed in 1876 by the brothers Abner and Albert Grennleaf . The tallest water tower reached a height of 75 ft (about 23 meters) and was built by Henry Gorter . The vehicle was a predecessor of today's fire engines with extinguishing arms .

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