Kentville Station Question

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Louis Comeau on Facebook asked the follwing question:

What are the 3 barrels on the roof of the Kentville station for?
http://dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?title=F ... ationf.jpg

I'm stumped. Anyone else?

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... 070&type=1

[Dan Conlin]

They are there to provide water to put out roof fires. The idea was for them to collect rain water to provide an instant source of water if a cinder started a roof fire. You usually see them in conjunction with roof ladders. In the photo you can see the tops of two of these ladders along the ridge line.

Many saw mills used them, especially steam powered mills which had cinders settling from boiler smokestacks. The restored Sutherland Steam Mill in Pictou county still has them:
http://museum.gov.ns.ca/ssm/en/home/default.aspx

Dan

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I thought they might be there to collect rainwater, I just didn't know why. As always Dan, thanks!

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And in the winter, wouldn't they freeze? Then what?

[Dan Conlin]

I am not certain but I think the ice would just expand pushing mainly upward like old fashioned milk bottles on the front steps. Barrel staves are pretty resilient.

Dan