Utility Vehicles

By the editor

Utility vehicles were essential to everyday life in the Victorian age. Many were specially designed for the work they had to do.

For example, with the proliferation of horses following the improvement of roads, Dung Carts were essential for dealing with the huge quantities of dung found in major towns and on farms. At the same time, horse ambulances and knakers vehicles were common for horses which were injured or died in harness.

Towards the end of the 19th century, civilian ambulances, often fitted with rubber tyred wheels appeared for human casualties and emergency hospital cases.

The lack of main drainage led to Night Soil Cart to dispose of sewage from residential areas in towns and from cess pits in country areas, while iron-bodied Sanitary carts were used for refuse collection and street sweepings. The Water Cart, often fitted with rotating brushes, endeavoured to keep streets clean.

Municipal road construction and repair was assisted  by specialised four, or six, horse" road breaking" vehicles designed to break up the road surface and facilitate speedier repair.

Following the success of the Mail Coach, the General Post Office employed several designs of vehicle for the transportation and delivery of parcels and letters.

Finally, with the introduction of Fire Insurance the horse drawn steam fire engine appeared with its bright red livery.