JEFFERS STEAMER

PATERSON, NJ FD

Washington Engine Company 3 was organized and placed in service April 20th, 1828, in a two-story brick and stone building on the west side of Washington street (hence the company name), below Fair street. Their first engine was a goose-neck engine built by Ephraim Force, of New York.

October 2, 1860: Talk of new Steam Fire Engine

Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 24, 1860: Paterson Guardian - New steamer arrives and wheeled throughout the city

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 1, 1864: Jeffers steamer on way to Paterson stops in Brooklyn and is displayed

Guardian

July 4, 1864: a single pump Jeffers steam engine was placed in their charge. This was the first steam fire engine used in Paterson (pictured below).

May 2, 1908 Review article of the acquisition of the Jeffers steamer
The steamer arrived in Paterson on June 30, 1863

Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison

1863 Jeffers Steamer outside the Exempt Home on Clark Street

June 22, 1864: New steam fire engine will be received on July 4th and celebrated at a dinner in Continental Hall. The steamer will be first exhibited in New York City.

Guardian

July 4, 1864: Parade article from the Guardian: The new Steamer of Engine Company 3 had the place of honor and was tested for the public. It was a hand-pulled Jeffers Steamer and is now on display at the Paterson Museum.

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 8, 1864: The new "Musheen" - Test of the new Jeffers Steamer - Discussion of benefit vs cost of steamers as well as the ultimate need for a paid department and how that might be accomplished

Guardian

July 15, 1864: Common Council meeting discusses steamer test performance

July 16 Guardian

July 20, 1864: Fire and Water Committee meeting: accepted the contract for Engine 3 steamer which went to William Jeffers of Pawtucket, RI. There was a minor issue with hose stream.

Guardian

September 12, 1864: Washington 3 satisfactorily tests steamer at Mansion and East Van Houten Streets. A nearby horse was spooked and ran through the crowd.

Guardian

December 14, 1871: "The Town Clock" Fire: First Reformed Church, Old Post Office, several stores and residences. The steamer at left is likely that of Washington 3 and the Hook and Ladder in center being Eagle 1.

Courtesy Jim Eifler

Very early photo of Washington Engine Company 3 with Jeffers steamer and fancy hose cart outside of the 77 Prospect Street firehouse.

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 26, 1883: Old Jeffers Steamer sold and moved to Passaic Water Company

January 27 Paterson Press

Return of Steamer and Restoration to Exempt Association

April 24 1901: Exempt home doors being remodeled to accept Jeffers Steamer

Paterson Daily Press

On Clark Street outside Exempt Home with original lamp -- Dayspring Collection

Steamer outside of Exempt home: note driver seat and brass eagle on front chamber not seen in previous photo

1948 Parade

1948 Parade, with Bill Flynn on rear

1985 90th Aniversary Parade Antonio DeFranco photo

Photo labeled as Eric Opal - Date & Location ? Courtesy Richard Dugan

August 10 1973 Paterson News - courtesy Dennis Morrison

Note: The story is partially false. Engine 3 in Pataerson was called Washington 3 long before the steamer arrived in 1863. The appellation had nothing to do with Washington's birthday.

Photos while at Madison Ave Firehouse in early 1980s. Engine lamp closeups - this is likely not the original lamp but likely from a Washington 3 Hose Wagon or a later steamer used by the company

Dayspring Photo

Jeffers Builder Plaque on Boiler -- Dayspring Photo

Vincent Marchese Photo

Curran Bowering & Company of Paterson Plaque on boiler -- Dayspring Photo

Paterson Museum Photos: the next photo is at the "Learn Not to Burn" Exhibit in 1983

Below is a an additional closeup of the Engine Lamp and play pipe. The engine lamp raises several questions. The photos shows an Engine Lamp sitting on top of the steamer on display at Paterson Museum. However the original lamp would have screwed (fit very tightly) into the top of the chamber. There would not have been a swing holding the lamp on the original. Sometimes hose wagons had lamps which would use this type of swing hanger. The lamp belongs on the front brass chamber (note the unused knob on its top)

Vince Marchese photo

A supposition is that during a restoration this Washington 3 Engine Lamp did not fit on the 1863 Jeffers as it was likely was from their hose wagon or their later steamer of (an 1881 Amoskeag). A creative person came up with the “swing” hanger idea which could be anchored to the middle par of the steamer. There is a chance the lamp was original but somehow could not be reattached as it should have been and the restorers came up with the “swing.”

Below is a photo of one of the side engine lamps on its boiler.

June 1869: news clip attesting to the height of a stream the steamer could generate

February 22 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 13, 1902: A month after the Great 1902 Fire Exempts plan a parade

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

March 31 Paterson Daily Press

April 1 Paterson Daily Press

July 31, 1902: As reported on April 1, Led by Captain John McKiernan (a former foreman of the company) Exempts take out the hand-pulled1863 Jeffers Steam apparatus of Washington 3 to a raceway for a demonstration.

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 2, 1907: Paterson Daily Press compares Fire Fighting Apparatus of the 19th and 20th Century - 1863 Jeffers Steamer (hand-pulled) with the horse drawn 904 Metropolitan Steamer of Engine 9 on Main Street