In 1915 the Silsby Steamer was shipped by train from Ottawa to the Village of Russell, Ontario to help save the village from a fire that threatened to destroy the whole village.

Bytown Fire Brigade members Perry Hall and John McCarthy brought the Silsby to Russell as part of a celebration of the founding of the village and launch of a children's book telling the story of the fire and the heroic efforts to save the village entitled

"Silsby Saves The Day"

The Silsby Steamer is one of the Bytown Fire Brigade's premiere artifacts and was loaned from our collection to the Russell Historical Society for the book launch and celebration.

The engaging children's book was authored by Tom Van Dusen and illustrated by Rebecca Menard and faithfully tells the story of how "Silsby Saves the Day".

There's a children's book written by

Tom Van Dusen and all the drawings were done by Rebecca Menard that tells the story of how the "Silsby Saves the Day".

Visit the BFB Store to purchase a copy of the book.

THANK YOU to
Bytown Fire Brigade (BFB) Photographer
Bob Dupuis
for the awesome pictures!

Visit the BFB Store to purchase a copy of the book.

THANK YOU to Bytown Fire Brigade (BFB) Photographer Bob Dupuis for the awesome pictures!

THANK YOU to
Bytown Fire Brigade (BFB) Photographer
Bob Dupuis
for the awesome pictures!