1890 - 1930   
Paterson's Steam Fire Engines 

Steam  fire Engines, pulled by hand, first appeared in the Paterson Volunteer Department in 1862. Over the next 20 years, because of their increasing size and weight, horses became necessary to pull steam fire engines. As horses required full-time observation and care there was a transition from a volunteer to paid department. Select companies began paying drivers in 1884 and all companies by March 20, 1890.  Motorization of apparatus started in 1910 and was completed by 1920. The last steamer left the department in 1931. ​

Steam Fire Engines by Company

Engine Company 1

March 20, 1890:  1886 First Class double pump Button and Blake (of Waterford, NY) Steam Fire Engine (Serial #186). This was the company's last ever built steamer.  

1903: May 27 - First Size American LaFrance Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine ​

​1912: Nott Propelling Motor attached to the First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine ​

1917: Commercial Truck Company Electric Tractor to power the apparatus

Engine Company 2

March 20. 1890: 1871 (refurbished in 1883) third-class Jeffers double pump steam engine with vertical works

1903: May 30 1884 Second Size Silsby Steam Fire Engine (serial 782) - formerly E5

1904: American LaFrance First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine ​

1917: Commercial Truck Company Electric Tractor attached to steamer 

Engine Company 3

March 20, 1890: 1881 Amoskeag Second-class double pump  steam engine ​

1895: 1876 Clapp and Jones Steam Fire Engine

190?: December 12 - 1891 Third Size Silsby Steam Fire Engine (serial 996)

 1905: 1886 (rebuilt in 1905) First Class double pump Button and Blake (of Waterford, NY) Steam Fire Engine (Serial #186). 

1913: First Size Ahrens Fox Continental Steam Fire Engine with Christie Front Drive tractor

1915: Steamer reverted to horse drawn (after accident with tractor)

1917: Commercial Truck Company of Philadelphia Electric Tractor (serial 19020)

Engine Company 4

March 20, 1890: An 1883 Second Size Clapp and Jones Steam Fire Engine ​

1905: December 12 - First Size Nott Steam Fire Engine

1913: First size American LaFrance Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine (formerly used at E9) motorized with Christie Front Drive tractor

January 1920: Commercial Truck Company Electric Tractor added to steamer (serial #19021)

Engine Company 5

1890: Second Size 1884 Silsby Steam Fire Engine (serial 782)

1903: May 30 First Size American LaFrance Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine

1912: Nott Propelling Tractor attached to Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine

Engine Company 6

March 20, 1890:  Second Size Clapp & Jones Steam Fire Engine, purchased in 1886

1905: December 12: 1884 Second Size Silsby Steam Fire Engine with rebuilt boiler             (serial #782)  (Former Engine 8)

1907: February 28 Second Size Nott Steam Fire Engine

1913: Christie Front Drive Tractor attached to Nott steamer

Engine Company 7

March 20 1890: An 1876 Third Size Clapp & Jones

​1895: 1876 Third Size Clapp & Jones

1903: May 27 - Third Size 1891 Silsby Steam Fire Engine (serial 996)

1904: Second Size 1886 Button Steam Fire Engine (serial 176) Former E1

1908: September 27 Second Size 1886 Button Steam Fire Engine with a 1905 Fox Boiler

1918: First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine with Commercial Truck Company Electric               Tractor (serial 7093)

Engine Company 8

March 20, 1890: An 1874 Harrell and Hayes Steam Fire Engine with a Walker Hose Wagon

1890: Third Size 1890 Silsby (serial 974) 
           Later acquired 1884 2nd size Silsby (Serial 782) Steamer boiler rebuilt (? date)

1905: December 12 First Size Nott Steam Fire Engine (serial # 633) ​

1913: Christie Front Drive Tractor attached to the steamer

1916: A new Christie Front Drive Tractor attached to a new Continental Boiler from
          Ahrens Fox

Engine Company 9

March 20 1890: An 1876 Second Size Nussey Steam Fire Engine 

1891: New Third Size Silsby Steam Fire Engine (Serial # 996)

1903: May 27 - 1886 Second size Button Steamer (serial 176)

1904: First Size American LaFrance Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine

1913: First Size Nott Steam Fire Engine

1914: Continental Boiler by Ahrens Fox put on the Steam Fire Engine

1917: Commercial Truck Company Electric Tractor (Serial # 7099) attached to steamer ​

Engine Company 10

1917: Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine with a Commercial Truck Company Electric Drive ​

1931: 1913 First Size Continental Steam Fire Engine with a Commercial Truck Company                    Electric Tractor in 1917 (serial  7091)