This $14,800 Seagraves was ordered in February of 1951 and arrived in the middle of September.  It had been built to specifications drawn up by fire chief Sam Long and City Manager John Ames.  The unit boasted a 12 cylinder engine developing 202 horsepower, faster hose coupling, a larger boosting tank, and a more effective pumping system.  The Seagraves pumper was accepted following a trip to Des Moines for a five-hour pumping test.  A Seagraves company engineer remained until the Ames firemen were familiar with its operation.