Neptune Engine Company 2
Neptune 2 was organized in December, 1820, going into service in February, 1821. The company was first housed in a shed on the south side of Market Street, east of Main. Later they occupied a one-story frame house lower down the street, opposite Prospect Street.
Their first engine was a goose-neck built by Smith, of New York acquired in 1821 (seen below outside of their later quarters on Hotel Street.
Their first engine was a goose-neck built by Smith, of New York acquired in 1821 (seen below outside of their later quarters on Hotel Street.
Gooseneck apparatus seen much later (as a spare) outside of the Hotel Street Firehouse
November 13, 1839: Annual report of Chief Engineer Nathaniel Lane
Intelegencer - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
1840: Company received a new Gooseneck built by James Smith. Their next engine was a piano-box machine built by William Jeffers, of Pawtucket, R. I., and delivered February 22, 1861. It is pictured below in front of the firehouse on Hotel Street.
Photo sometime after 1842 at the Hotel Street Quarters
August 11, 1942: The Fire Association resoled to purchase from E.B.D Ogden his lot on Hotel Street for the site of an Engine House for which they were to pay $350.
September 12, 1842: The Hotel Street lot was purchased and a committee was appointed to make plans and designs.
1842: New quarters location was 10 Hotel Street, near Congress Street (Hotel street name was later changed in 1895 to Hamilton Street). Five years later (1847) they were burned out, but the house was immediately rebuilt. The quarters was on the south side of the street near Market Street. The firehouse is seen in the above two photos and this early 1900 photo below (when department was paid) of Chief John Stagg and driver George Pfitzenmeyer).
September 12, 1842: The Hotel Street lot was purchased and a committee was appointed to make plans and designs.
1842: New quarters location was 10 Hotel Street, near Congress Street (Hotel street name was later changed in 1895 to Hamilton Street). Five years later (1847) they were burned out, but the house was immediately rebuilt. The quarters was on the south side of the street near Market Street. The firehouse is seen in the above two photos and this early 1900 photo below (when department was paid) of Chief John Stagg and driver George Pfitzenmeyer).
Firehouse in background in this photo from 1890s
1857: from city directory: Foreman Thomas Farnon: Assistant Foreman: John Gillespie; Secretary William Swift; Edward Swift Treasurer; John Gillespie and William Swift Trustees
August 25, 1857: Issues regarding location of new firehouse
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
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May 3, 1858: Fire scene (assault by trumpet) incident between Engines 2 and 3
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
1862: Foreman Edward Swift: Assistant Foreman: William Evans; Secretary: William Freeland
April 9, 1863: Chief Engineer Peter Fields alerted the board that the hand tubs of Engine Company 2 and 5 had out-lived their usefulness and needed immediate replacement.
From the Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
1866: Foreman was John H. Hindle
1868: Foreman was John Hindle; Assistant Foreman Thomas Cadmus; Secretary: Daniel McCloud
February, 1872: the company purchased at their own expense a double pump Jeffers steam fire engine. The company was out of service for several months during 1875. In July, 1876, they were given a double pump steamer built by Joseph Nussey of Paterson.
1876: Company By-Laws
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Pictured below is the 1876 Nussey Steamer which was very similar to Paterson Engine 9's Nussey. Note the Engine Lamps now have "9," The apparatus belowcv is pictured in front of the Prospect Street Firehouse which explains the helmet with a 3 on the shield sitying on the seat. At the time of the photo Washington Engine 3 quarters was the Prospect Street Firehouse.
The Nussey engine was used until the spring of 1883, when the city authorities bought, refurbished and put in their charge the second size 1871 third-class engine, vertical works; double pump Jeffers steamer formerly run by them (pictured below).
Jeffers Steam Fire Engine at 10 Hotel Street Firehouse - Driver is John Breen
1872: Foreman David Turnbull (later the first Chief Engineer in Paid Department); Assistant Foreman: James Ward
1873: Foreman: Thomas C. Doremus Assistant William Dobson; President William Sommerville; Secretary Charles M. King
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Shield Shaped Badge worn by a non-exempt Firefighter member of company: Badge # 84
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Badge worn by Exempt Firefighter member of company: Badge # 137
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Shield Shaped Badge from Neptune 2
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Helmet with Shield Neptune 2
High Eagle Helmet
Helmet of fireman Charles Moore (listed as badge # 8 in the company roster below). His descendants later formed Moore's Funeral Home on Totowa Avenue. Note the fireman hold trumpet finial and the CM initials on the shield.
Side view showing finial
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Company Ring of Charles Moore
Company ring aboveand below the Parade Belt with slide and shield shaped badge of Charles Moore
Badge of Charles Moore
Exempt FF Badge of Neptune 2
Engineers Parade Belt with brass helmet holder slide
Newspaper stories on a potential company revolt - articles span July 3-7th, 1885
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July 16, 1880: Funeral of firefighter Alexander Burke who died July 15. Was a former member of Washington Engine 3 before joining Neptune 2 and at time of his death the President of the FMBA. His death was related to performance of duty when he acquired a cold and pneumonia while fighting the Danforth Works fire (March 67, 1889). The Engine House was draped for 30 days.
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Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 22, 1890 Plaque presented to Neptune Steam Fire Engine Co 2 Foreman James J. Franey. was displayed, in the Engine room at the Exempt home. Served as a wooden target which reminded the boys of the last outing of a volunteer company at Kearney, N.J. The well-riddled appearances of the target indicates the firemen could handle the rifle as well as the hose nozzle.
Bullet holes present
March 20, 1885: Company Roster & Badge #s
Foreman, THOMAS CADMUS, Assistant Foreman, FRANK DAVIS.
Secretary, DAVID I. TURNBULL, Treasurer, HIRAM BLANCHARD.
Badge Names Occupation Residence
Number
1 Joseph Mallison. . .Machinist. . . ..136 West 18th Street
2 Thomas Cadmus. ....... " ..... ... . ..18 Arch street.
3 David I. Turnbull..........."...........70 Jersey street
4 George Walker. ......... " . . .. . . .Birch &Wayne ave.
5 James Badley................... Machinist.......... 193 Mill street
6 Robert Mulligan .............. " ........ ..........238 Spring street.
7 William Dobson. ........ " ..........92 Prospect street.
8 Charles Moore........... " .......... Mill street
9 John J. Ellmore.. ....... " ..........40 Elm street.
10 James Lowe............ " ......... .190 Jersey street. .
11 David H. Wilson. .... ..Pattern Maker. . . , ..26 Mill street.
12 Thomas Bray. ........ ..Machinist. .........32 Jackson street.
13 H. Blanchard.. .......... Stationer. .. . . . . . . . .237 Main street.
14 Edgar Doughty. ....... .Machinist.. ........49 Pearl street.
15 William Andersen....... " ..........163 North Main street.
16 John Vanderhurgh. .... .Painter ............36 Ward street.
17 Anthony Fuchs......... Barber. ........... .23 Benson street.
18 Charles Wiley. ......... .Machinist. .........22 Washington street.
19 Samuel Walker.. ....... .Blacksmith ....... .108 Jersey street
20 Joseph Mulholland. . . .. .Silk Weaver. . . . . . .26 Oliver street.
21 Philip Zeitlinger ........ Barber. ............42 North Main street.
22 John H. Post. .......... Blacksmith ........10 Benson street
23 James Chadwick.. ...... Feed Merchant. . . . .40 Taylor street.
24 George Dohson.. ........ Machinist. .. ......92 Prospect street.
25 William B. Camphell.. . .. " ..........14 Furman street.
26 Frank Davis........... Silk Weaver. .......60 Van Houten street.
27 David Boyle... ........ Agent.... ......... 106 Mill street.
28 William Webster ...... .Machinist. .........19 Mulberry street.
29 William Doughty.-...... " ..........49 Pearl street.
30 John Stewart. .............. " ........ ..Cor. Main and Taylor
31 George Babcock......... Silk Weaver. .......16 North Main street.
32 James Zeluff. .......... .Sup't Fire Alarm. . .36 Bridge street.
33 William Patterson....... Machinist ........ ..210 Marshall street.
34 Christopher Brand. ..... Mason. ............70 Prospect street.
35 Frederick Garside. ..... .Ice Dealer. ....... .41 Prince street.
36 William Miller. ........ .Clerk. .............199 Van Houten street
37 Richard Fletcher. ...... .Machinist ..........61 Ellison street.
38 William Stodard......... " ..........39 Clinton street.
39 Samuel Arden. .......... Liquor Dealer. .... .277 Main street.
40 James Johnson........ .Machinist.. ........17 Mill street.
41 George James. . .. .. . .. .Teamster. ... ..... .Cor. Totowa Ryerson
42 Joseph Hobson......... Mason............ .69 Prospect street.
43 Richard Oliver. ......... .Boiler Maker.. . . .. .9 Paterson ave.
44 Archie lrwin............ " .......30 Matlock street.
45 Charles M. King... .... ..Clerk... .......... .91 Benson Street.
46 Chaises D. Beckwith.. . . Manufacturer. .... .Ramapo ave.
47 James Gillespie. ..... . .Machinist. ........ .Paterson ave.
48 Thomas Farnon......... " .........16 Union street.
49 Thomas Barton. ....... "................ .130 Beach street.
50 William Dobson, sr. ... .. " ......... .92 Prospect street.
51 Samuel Duncan ........ " .... .. . . . .118 Mill street.
52 Thomas A. Hart. ....... " ......... .396 Market street.
53 James Irwin............ Weaver ..... ......15 Van Houten street.
54 Edward Durdin. ........ " ".........................11 Bank street.
55 John Crotty. ............ Carpenter. .........14 Furman street.
56 Robert Carson.......... " .......... 167 Walnut street.
57 James B. Frainey ..... .Machinist. . . . . . .. ..427 Grand street.
58 Gardner T. Allwood. .... .Clerk . ........10 Smith street.
59 William Holley. ........ Iron Worker .......110 Clay street.
60 George Slingland.... ... Blacksmith .........361 Mechanic street.
61 Joseph Backlin......... .Machinist. .........21 Van Houten street.
62 James Mullin. ......... .Liquor, Dealer. . . . . .49 Oliver street.
63 James F. Stapleton. . . .. .Blacksmith. ....... .564 Straight steeet
64 William Johnson ...... Feed Merchant. . . . . 568 Main street
Foreman, THOMAS CADMUS, Assistant Foreman, FRANK DAVIS.
Secretary, DAVID I. TURNBULL, Treasurer, HIRAM BLANCHARD.
Badge Names Occupation Residence
Number
1 Joseph Mallison. . .Machinist. . . ..136 West 18th Street
2 Thomas Cadmus. ....... " ..... ... . ..18 Arch street.
3 David I. Turnbull..........."...........70 Jersey street
4 George Walker. ......... " . . .. . . .Birch &Wayne ave.
5 James Badley................... Machinist.......... 193 Mill street
6 Robert Mulligan .............. " ........ ..........238 Spring street.
7 William Dobson. ........ " ..........92 Prospect street.
8 Charles Moore........... " .......... Mill street
9 John J. Ellmore.. ....... " ..........40 Elm street.
10 James Lowe............ " ......... .190 Jersey street. .
11 David H. Wilson. .... ..Pattern Maker. . . , ..26 Mill street.
12 Thomas Bray. ........ ..Machinist. .........32 Jackson street.
13 H. Blanchard.. .......... Stationer. .. . . . . . . . .237 Main street.
14 Edgar Doughty. ....... .Machinist.. ........49 Pearl street.
15 William Andersen....... " ..........163 North Main street.
16 John Vanderhurgh. .... .Painter ............36 Ward street.
17 Anthony Fuchs......... Barber. ........... .23 Benson street.
18 Charles Wiley. ......... .Machinist. .........22 Washington street.
19 Samuel Walker.. ....... .Blacksmith ....... .108 Jersey street
20 Joseph Mulholland. . . .. .Silk Weaver. . . . . . .26 Oliver street.
21 Philip Zeitlinger ........ Barber. ............42 North Main street.
22 John H. Post. .......... Blacksmith ........10 Benson street
23 James Chadwick.. ...... Feed Merchant. . . . .40 Taylor street.
24 George Dohson.. ........ Machinist. .. ......92 Prospect street.
25 William B. Camphell.. . .. " ..........14 Furman street.
26 Frank Davis........... Silk Weaver. .......60 Van Houten street.
27 David Boyle... ........ Agent.... ......... 106 Mill street.
28 William Webster ...... .Machinist. .........19 Mulberry street.
29 William Doughty.-...... " ..........49 Pearl street.
30 John Stewart. .............. " ........ ..Cor. Main and Taylor
31 George Babcock......... Silk Weaver. .......16 North Main street.
32 James Zeluff. .......... .Sup't Fire Alarm. . .36 Bridge street.
33 William Patterson....... Machinist ........ ..210 Marshall street.
34 Christopher Brand. ..... Mason. ............70 Prospect street.
35 Frederick Garside. ..... .Ice Dealer. ....... .41 Prince street.
36 William Miller. ........ .Clerk. .............199 Van Houten street
37 Richard Fletcher. ...... .Machinist ..........61 Ellison street.
38 William Stodard......... " ..........39 Clinton street.
39 Samuel Arden. .......... Liquor Dealer. .... .277 Main street.
40 James Johnson........ .Machinist.. ........17 Mill street.
41 George James. . .. .. . .. .Teamster. ... ..... .Cor. Totowa Ryerson
42 Joseph Hobson......... Mason............ .69 Prospect street.
43 Richard Oliver. ......... .Boiler Maker.. . . .. .9 Paterson ave.
44 Archie lrwin............ " .......30 Matlock street.
45 Charles M. King... .... ..Clerk... .......... .91 Benson Street.
46 Chaises D. Beckwith.. . . Manufacturer. .... .Ramapo ave.
47 James Gillespie. ..... . .Machinist. ........ .Paterson ave.
48 Thomas Farnon......... " .........16 Union street.
49 Thomas Barton. ....... "................ .130 Beach street.
50 William Dobson, sr. ... .. " ......... .92 Prospect street.
51 Samuel Duncan ........ " .... .. . . . .118 Mill street.
52 Thomas A. Hart. ....... " ......... .396 Market street.
53 James Irwin............ Weaver ..... ......15 Van Houten street.
54 Edward Durdin. ........ " ".........................11 Bank street.
55 John Crotty. ............ Carpenter. .........14 Furman street.
56 Robert Carson.......... " .......... 167 Walnut street.
57 James B. Frainey ..... .Machinist. . . . . . .. ..427 Grand street.
58 Gardner T. Allwood. .... .Clerk . ........10 Smith street.
59 William Holley. ........ Iron Worker .......110 Clay street.
60 George Slingland.... ... Blacksmith .........361 Mechanic street.
61 Joseph Backlin......... .Machinist. .........21 Van Houten street.
62 James Mullin. ......... .Liquor, Dealer. . . . . .49 Oliver street.
63 James F. Stapleton. . . .. .Blacksmith. ....... .564 Straight steeet
64 William Johnson ...... Feed Merchant. . . . . 568 Main street
On each side of the door leading to the parlor of the Exempt Firemen's Association Home on Clark and Smith Streets are two large battle axes presented by the exempt firemen of Long Island City. Suspended over the axes is a large turtle shell, presented by Archie Irwin, of Neptune Engine No. 2, which is agreeable reminder of the famous turtle soups and other "cook-ups" that were in vogue in the volunteer days.
An incident connected to the "cook-ups" as these affairs were termed is well worth relating here. A party of gunners returning to an engine house from a pigeon match decided to have a stew. A simple-minded fellow at the house offered his services to pluck the birds and after accomplishing the task he placed them in the boiler, without further dreening. The serious offense merited some punishment, so a court was organized to try the thoughtless cook. After due deliberation he was found guilty and sentenced to be shot. The guns were merely loaded with powder, and at the word of command the guns were aimed at the ceiling and discharged. The result was very disastrous in the imagination of the victim who escaped from the house and ran down the street crying "I am killed: I am killed!"
Neptune 2 had a nearly seven feet long play pipe that was used by the members in their playing contests with their old goose-neck engine. These playing contests were great affairs. Besides the companies that engaged in them, the whole department would at times take an active part: the winning company would decorate their machine with brooms, indicating a clean sweep, and after an impromptu parade would celebrate the event by a "blow-out" at the engine house. Some post, unknown to fame, has commemorated one of these contests in the following verse:
There is a tub in hotel Street
of which I love to tell,
When oft I sit, with other boys
While listening for the bell:
She's the pride of the 5th ward,
I'll have you all to know,
And they call her growler engine -
Old Neptune Number Two.
Chorus
Oh, she's the gay bird, the night owl,
And the boys will pull her through;
And they call her growler engine,
Old Neptune Number Two.
They took her down to Allen's pole -
'Twas on a New Year's day;
The boys they want upon her work
And see how she would play;
She topped the pole and beat the tubs,
Which ne'er were beat before,
Among the rest was Number Three
And bully Number 4.
of which I love to tell,
When oft I sit, with other boys
While listening for the bell:
She's the pride of the 5th ward,
I'll have you all to know,
And they call her growler engine -
Old Neptune Number Two.
Chorus
Oh, she's the gay bird, the night owl,
And the boys will pull her through;
And they call her growler engine,
Old Neptune Number Two.
They took her down to Allen's pole -
'Twas on a New Year's day;
The boys they want upon her work
And see how she would play;
She topped the pole and beat the tubs,
Which ne'er were beat before,
Among the rest was Number Three
And bully Number 4.
Some of the companies had pet names for their machines, such as Black Hawk for No. 1; Growler No. 2, John Street Ghost for No. 4; Mickey Four, and old Hickory for No. 4; Potcheese, No. 5. The other companies did not follow the custom, although nearly all adopted some motto. The following from No. 4 is a specimen: "We ask for what is right, and submit to nothing wrong."
January 17, 1887: Membership Certificate for Order of American Firemen of James Zeluff, a member of Neptune 2 and also Superintendent of Fire Alarm telegraph
January 5, 1898: Fire and Water Committee meeting discusses the accident for Neptune 2 Steamer at Market and Main Streets - was it sabotage Driver John Breen exonerated
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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