Paterson Volunteer Era
Passaic Engine Company 1
1815: The first engine used by the company was a cumbersome affair operated by hand brakes and a roller, underneath the box, upon which the rope was wound.
May 1822: Side brake, Gooseneck type tub made by Sayre and Force of New York Sold June 1835 to Boonton Iron works
Photo from 1882 when Exempts acquired the apparatus and returned to Paterson
May 1833: Smaller gooseneck tub Sold 18 months later
June 1835: Goose Neck apparatus "Black Hawk" by James Smith of New York
Lasted twenty years and was famous throughout the state, winning many competitions (washes)
Lasted twenty years and was famous throughout the state, winning many competitions (washes)
March 30, 1853: Van Ness Piano type engine - was so heavy and ineffective - sold to Waverly, NY at cost.
1855: Smith Piano Box engine (with a two wheeled jumper) acquired and used until 1866. In early 1861, sent to Dennison's of Newark, NJ improvement: additional cylinders, platform springs and tongue with reel for drag rope, levers polished and lengthened. Also garnished with inlaid ornaments and Passaic Falls and Valley of the Rocks paintings. Wheels were white with gold striping. A splendid signal lamp surmounted the pumper.
1859 photo by John Reid - courtesy Jim Eifler
John Reid Photo - courtesy Jim Eifler
John Reid Photo - courtesy Jim Eifler
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John Reid Photo - courtesy Jim Eifler
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Photo after the 1861 upgrade
May 1866: Single pump hand pulled, Banks Steam Fire Engine (Paterson's second steamer)
May 1871: Third Class double pump Harrel and Hayes (of Paterson) steam fire engine used until January 1886
November 1, 1885: First class double pump Button Steamer purchased (Serial #186). It was the last of the engines built by Button and Blake Company. It was the first steamer purchased by Paterson that came without a reel and rope, meaning it was not to be pulled by hand but rather by horses.
Neptune Engine Company 2
February 1821: Gooseneck hand tub built by James Smith of New York for $700. Barely functional in 1839
1840: New Gooseneck hand tub by James Smith of NY for $754.
February 22, 1864: Piano-box machine built by William Jeffers of Pawtucket, RI.
John Reid 1864 photo courtesy Jim Eifler
John Reid 1864 photo courtesy Jim Eifler
Jeffers Hand Pumper sold to Charlotte NC in 1875 (now restored)
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February 8, 1872: the company received at their own expense a 3rd-class, double pump Jeffers steam fire engine ordered in 1871. Specifics - water pumps 3 7/8 inches, stroke 7 1/2 inches, steam cylinders 6 1/2 inches. It had to be taken out of service in 1875
July 1876: 3rd class, double pump, Nussey Steam Fire Engine (built in Paterson). Used until 1883 when it went to Paterson Engine 9 (if one looks closely one can see a "9" engraved on the steamer lamps). This photo dates to when it was a spare (during paid FD era) parked outside the center bay of the 77 Prospect Street Firehouse
This photo is much later when it was a spare and after apparatus served at Engine 9
Spring 1883: Used the refurbished (with horse hitch) second size 1871 third-class Jeffers steam engine with vertical works and double pump
Washington Engine Company 3
1828: Goose-neck type hand tub by Ephraim Force of New York, used until 1856.
December 1856: Piano-box hand tub built by James Smith of New York.
October or November 24, 1860: Jeffers (of Pawtucket, RI) Steam Fire Engine arrives in Paterson. Placed in the charge of Washington 3 in July of 1861. Not used until 1864.
September 1881: second-class, double pump Amoskeag steam fire engine.
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Phoenix Engine Company 4
Organized 1828: Existed for 14 years. Their machine, seen below, was the only double-decker apparatus ever in service in Paterson. Builder is unknown.
Jackson Engine Company 4
1855: First engine was a piano-box hand tub built by James Smith of New York. Served until 1868.
1868: Steam Fire Engine built by the Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works. Below is the original engine lamp pictured above on the steamer depicts General (President) Andrew Jackson and his image (modeled after the battle of New Orleans).
Protection Engine Company 5
1832: Goose-neck hand tub built by Smith Brothers of New York City.
1865: Piano-box machine built by John Dennison of Newark, NJ. Used until 1870 when it was sold to Eufaula, Alabama.
March 1871: Hand-pulled third-class, double pump engine built by Richard Harrell of Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works.
1884: Silsby (of Seneca Falls, New York) Steam Fire Engine, third-size
Engine Company 6 (transient company)
Spring 1840: Used old Gooseneck hand tub of Neptune Engine 2 Disbanded 1842
Vigilant Engine Company 6
1867: 1855 Smith Piano-box hand tub formerly used by Passaic Engine 1
August 11, 1871: Third Class. 4th size, double pump Harrel and Hayes Steam Fire Engine built by Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works
1886: Clapp and Jones Steamer received, but had to be returned to factory for overhauling due to boiler leak. Entered service February 22, 1887.
Shown in 1905 photo at Engine 7 of paid PFD
Union Engine Company 7 (transient company)
Never received an apparatus
Lexington Engine Company 7 (transient company)
1868: 1856 James Smith Hand tub previously used by Washington Engine 3
Liberty Engine Company 7
1872: 1855 Van Ness Piano-box hand tub previously used by Engine 1 and then Engine 6
1879: Single pump Clapp and Jones Steam Fire Engine
Lafayette Engine Company 8
1872: Used an 1856 James Smith Piano hand tub previously used by Washington 3
1874: Double pump, third class with horizontal works, Steam Fire Engine built by Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works.
Paterson Steam Fire Engine Company 9
1883: Used a third class with double pumps, horizontal works built by Joseph Nussey (of Paterson Steam Fire Engine Company) previously used by Neptune 2. (Note rear engine lamp has a 9 on glass). Photo is when steamer was a spare positioned outside the center door of the Prospect Street Firehouse of Washington 3.