Okonmamakamesit is the full name of the hand tub that is housed at the Okos clubhouse at the corner of Washington and Summer streets. The history of the pumper and the group that cares for it is fascinating.
Hand tubs, or pumpers, were used in the 18th and 19th century to put out fires. The tubs were filled with water and taken to the fire, drawn by horses. Men pumped the hand tubs furiously to raise enough pressure to bring the water through the hoses to spray the flames and put fires out. It took a lot of strength and stamina to pump the water. By the end of the 19th century, steam-powered pumpers replaced hand tubs. However, by this time pumping hand tubs had become a sport, and throughout New England hand tub teams competed to see who could spray water the furthest. Musters are still an event and draw large crowds to watch the competition.
The Okommakamesit fire tub was built in 1861. It changed hands a few times and finally ended up in Marblehead in 1895. It was purchased by the Okos group specifically for sport. Hand pumping is one of the oldest recreational sports in the country. The name has Native American origins, and the Okos team has kept it. They admit it’s superstition, and fear of bad luck that has caused them to never change the name. It must have worked, because the Okos still have the best record of any of the Marblehead hand-pumping teams.
Originally connected with the Marblehead Fire Department, hand tub pumping events became well established, with the whole town coming out to the annual fall fire department parade and musters. The Okos even had a band, and they regularly played “Marblehead Forever” when they marched. The Okos, Gerrys, Mugfords, General Glovers, M.A. Picketts and Liberty Hose and Hook and Ladder companies all competed to pump the longest stream of water. These musters, or “pump offs,” still occur and are an amazing sight.
The public water system in Marblehead was originally established for fighting fires, and not for drinking water. The Town Meeting of 1877 voted to construct a reservoir at Redd’s Pond to provide water to fight fires. The threat of fire has always been a major concern. In a town of largely wooden structures, many precautions were necessary to protect buildings and people. From the early 1600s until plumbing was introduced in the late 1800s, accessing water to fill hoses and buckets was a challenge. Hand tubs were a good solution for a long time and are an important part of the history of firefighting. There hasn’t been a hand tub muster in Marblehead for many years, but it would be wonderful to see one happen again here in town someday.
Pam Peterson chairs the Marblehead Historical Commission. She is the former Marblehead Museum executive director.
