Engine Company No. 2

A HISTORY

ORGANIZED: 1802

DISBANDED: April 16, 1964

COMPANY QUARTERS

1802-1827 Market/Lime Street

1827-1857 18 Market Street (westerly side), corner of Milk Street

1857-1860 71 Spring Street (northerly side), between Park & State streets

1860-1864 154 Congress Street (southerly side), at head of Smith Street

1864 222 Congress Street (southerly side) between Lime & Pearl streets

1864 154 Congress Street, at head of Smith Street, near India Street

1865-1964 132-134 Congress Street (southerly side), head of North Street

COMPANY NAMES

1802-1832 “Cataract” (suction engine).Definition: A strong flood of water.

1832-1845 “Cataract” Hand Engine Company No. 2

1845-1848 (Cataract engine in reserve, with a company in form only)

1848-1861 “Atlantic” Hand Engine Co. No. 2

1860-1864 “Falmouth” Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 2 1865-1899 “Portland” Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 2 1899-1929 Engine Co. 2 (with Ladder 2 as a double company)

1929-1964 Engine Co. 2

COMPANY MOTTOS:

1802-1845

“Fecit” (Face It)

1865

“Pro-Bono-Publico”

COMPANY HISTORY

1801 – A 6th-size patent barrel fire engine was ordered by subscription, built by Joseph Bramah at his Patent-Engine, Lock & Water-Closet Manufactory, in the west-end of Piccadilly, in London, England.

February 11, 1802 – The engine arrived aboard ship (Minerva) after a 42-day voyage, stopping at Pepperellborough (Saco). A company formed, naming the engine “Cataract.” A small wooden Engine House was built on Market Street. Members repainted the Engine from Green to Vermillion Red. The engine then became known as “the old Lobster.” Years later, it was discovered to be a suction engine.

1827 – A large two-story brick engine house was built on the westerly side of No. 18 Market/Lime Street, at the corner of Milk Street (68-feet on Market by 23-feet). Cataract (E-2) quartered here with “Hydraulion” (E-8), and the “Deluge” (E-7) and Hose Co. 1 were quartered on the Milk Street side.

1845 – The 33-year old Cataract engine was put out of service, but was kept on Lime Street in reserve.

A new engine was built by Leonard Crockett of Portland, and named “Atlantic” Engine 2 in 1848. A 133-foot flag pole was erected at their Market Street engine house in 1850 to fly their company banner.

January 30, 1856 – Atlantic 2 disbanded per/Chief Davidson and Board of Aldermen. On February 26th, Atlantic reorganized and relocated to the Engine House at 71 Spring Street, between Park and State streets (formerly occupied by Ocean 4 and Torrent 6). Atlantic 2 was disbanded again July 29, 1861.

1860 – A second steam engine company had organized, as “Falmouth” Steam Fire Engine Co. 2. The Portland Company’s first-built steam engine (“Greyhound”) was loaned until the “Falmouth” was ready, in March of 1861. Falmouth 2 located in the two-story brick Boys Grammar School House and Engine House at 154 Congress Street, at the head of Smith, the former quarters of L-1 and Dirigo E-8. Sleeping rooms were fitted up and a Permanent Engineer, E.R. Hamblin, was appointed.

February 5, 1864 – Falmouth had mechanical problems and the Crew was assigned to the new Casco 5 engine. The Falmouth was repaired and reorganized February 6th with the Crew from Cumberland E-3, relocating to the old two-story wooden schoolhouse at Congress Street, between Lime & Pearl streets, opposite the 3rd Parish Church, renovated as a firehouse for Ladder 1. Steam E-3 moved to Brackett St.

June 6, 1864 – Falmouth Engine Co. 2 disbanded. The steam engine was moved back to the

154 Congress Street Engine House, at the head of Smith Street in reserve status, with no company

January 3, 1865 – “Portland” Steam Engine Co. 2 organized anew, with a new Portland Company steam engine and hose carriage at Munjoy Hill’s new 1864 two & ½-story brick firehouse at 132-134 Congress Street, opposite North Street. A Permanent Engineer was appointed and rooms fitted up for him in the engine house, which had only one centered apparatus door. A Crew of (20) Men formed.

1871 – Portland Steam Engine Co. 2 was reassigned the old 1862 Cumberland-3 (spare engine), which was in better condition. The 1865 steamer remained stored at Munjoy Hill as a PFD spare steam engine.

1878 – The old 1865 steam engine was rebuilt and reassigned again as Portland Engine 2.

1883 – Street Department drivers were appointed Permanent PFD Drivers for Engine and Hose 2.

October 22, 1883 – Engine Co. 2 received a new Silsby 3rd-size steam engine. The following year, Portland’s first one-horse, four-wheel hose wagon was purchased for Hose 2 from Talbot & Moulton.

November 14, 1899 – Engine Co. 2 became a “Double Company” with a new ladder & chemical truck assigned as Ladder 2 to Munjoy Hill with Steam Engine 2 and Hose 2. A Permanent Captain, Lieutenant, and two Permanent Men were appointed. (1911-with 8 Permanent Men)

April 28, 1903 – Ex-Hoseman Thomas W. Burnham, a former member of Steam Engine Co. 2, died in the line of duty, when badly burned at a General Alarm fire, Box 3-64, at the Sturdivant and Holyoke wharves fire, on April 26. Engine 3 Hoseman Clarence Johnson died May 22nd from this fire.

1906 – Engine 2’s Silsby Engine was totally rebuilt by the Amoskeag Company in Manchester, NH, and re-graded as a new extra-first size 1,100gpm steam engine. In 1912, Hose 2 added a second horse.

1917 – Engine 2 was reassigned Engine 1’s 1908 Amoskeag steam engine. The 1912 McCann hose wagon formerly assigned to Hose 8 and Hose 3 was reassigned to Hose 2 in 1920. Hose 2 horse “Tom” (Jerry’s Mate) died while being exercised on Munjoy Street, March 24, 1921.

1924 – Hose 2 was replaced with the 1905 Hose 5 wagon with a 6-way Morse Gun and Turret. The Morse gun was removed in 1926 and fitted on the High Pressure motor truck, along with Hose 3’s.

April 2, 1927 – Hose 2 was motorized, with a 1921 Reo hose & chemical combination (old H-6).

July 3, 1928 – Steam Engine 2 went out of service, when horse Benny died. His mate, Larry, was transferred to E-6’s firehouse, leaving only the horse-drawn Ladder 2 and the Hose 2 motor truck.

May 11, 1929 – Engine 2 was no longer a Double Company as Ladder 2 went out of service and Munjoy Hill’s last horses (Bob & Dick) were retired, along with L-6’s Fred & Joe (L-6 motorized).

September 3, 1929 – Engine 2 motorized with a new McCann 1,000gpm triple combination pumper.

April 1, 1938 – Engine 2 became a Permanent Company (Call Man Henry Chase was pensioned).

1947 – E-2 was reassigned a 1929 Seagrave 1000gpm pumper, formerly E-4 (McCann in reserve).

1963 – E-2 was reassigned a 1955 American LaFrance 1,000gpm pumper, formerly E-5.

April 16, 1964 – At 08:00 hours, Engine Co. 2 on Munjoy Hill was decommissioned and the Munjoy Hill Firehouse deactivated. Engine 2’s truck was reassigned to Engine Co. 1.

April 17th – Special afternoon Council Meeting held to take another vote on the firehouse closing and the old 1864 firehouse was re-activated and Engine Co. 1 was relocated there at 18:50 hours.

Engine 2 - Assigned Apparatus

1802 1801 6th-size barrel type suction engine, built by Joseph Bramah at his Patent-Engine, Lock &

Water-Closet Manufactory, West-end of Piccadilly, London, England (ordered by subscription)

Named “Cataract” (Shipped aboard Minerva, including two lengths of suction hose) L 176.9

In service 1802 (1801-ordered by subscription, 2/1802-bill of sale, 2/11-arrived)

OOS 1845 (1845-housed in City Stable, not in working order)

(Displayed inside new City Hall, July 4, 1866-destroyed in fire)

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1848 Hand-drawn hand pump suction engine “Atlantic”, built at workshop of J.R.Milliken & Co. in Portland, by Leonard Crockett, with 6 ½-inch cylinders, 11-inch stroke, hauling a new two-wheel Hose reel carriage, carrying 250 feet of hose.

Cost: $ 600

1845 (9/3-Council ordered an engine to be built by E. Wyer & Co.)

1847 (8/11-Committee on F.D. “Engine contracted for to be completed

Or contract w/some other person for engine as the City requires)

(10/13-Engine under new contract, will be completed in 2 months)

In service 1848 (4/25-delivered, engine trial, w/Hydraulion E-8, then to E-2)

OOS 1861 * 1898-presented to Portland Veteran Firemen’s Association.

On display at Portland Fire Museum.

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1861 Portland Company, James B. Johnson Patent, 1st-Class (600gpm) steam engine “Falmouth” E-2

built in Portland, cylinder-14-inches, stroke of piston-12-inches, weight-8755 lbs. $ 3,327

In service 3/21/1861 (July, 1860-Company formed using on-loan “Greyhound” engine)

(2/23/1861-engine trial, 3/21-2nd engine trial in front of City Hall)

OOS 6/6/1864

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1865 Portland Company, J.B. Johnson Patent, 2nd-Class steam engine “Portland” E-2, 8-inch cylinder, 11-inch stroke of piston, 4 & 5/8-inch sleeve pump, w/13-inch stroke, weight-6265 lbs.

Cost: $ 4,500

In service 1/6/1865 (1/2-on exhibition, 1/3-Company organized, 1/6-2nd engine trial)

OOS 7/1/1871

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1871 1862 Amoskeag 2nd-size steam fire engine, serial #54 (old E-3), straight-frame, single harp

Tank, 8½-inch cylinder, 12-inch stroke, 4 ¾-inch plunger pump, weight-5600 lbs.

In service 7/1/1871 (1871-rebuilt, 1877-a $155 Jigger purchased for E-2 company)

OOS 1878

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1878 1865 Portland Company 2nd-Class steam fire engine (former “Portland” E-2, rebuilt)

In service 1878 (1878-rebuilt) OOS 10/22/1883

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1883 Silsby, 3rd-size rotary pump steam engine, serial #751, built in Seneca, NY, wt.-7300 lbs.

Cost: $3,800

In service 10/22/1883 (10/19-arrived, 10/20-engine trial, 1885-rebuilt)

OOS 1906

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1899 Haywood ladder and chemical combination with a two-horse hitch, carrying 203 feet of ladders, with two 35-gallon chemical tanks and 500 feet of chemical hose (Double Co. w/E2)

Cost: $2,070

In service 11/14/1899 (11/14-arrived, Boston & Maine railroad, w/E-2, double company)

OOS 5/11/1929 (Decommissioned, E-2 as a Single piece Company)

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1906 Amoskeag Extra 1st-size (1,100gpm) Serial #788, International Power Co., Manchester, N.H.

8 ½-inch cylinders, 8-inch stroke, 5-inch pump Weight-9000 lbs. $4,000

In service 9/9/1906 (9/7-engine trial, 1908-as 1st-size)

OOS 1917

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1917 1908 Amoskeag 1st-Size (750gpm) steam engine, Serial #833, 8 ½-inch cylinders,

8-inch stroke, 5-inch pump, weight-8000 lbs. (former Steam Engine 1)

In service 1917 OOS 7/3/1928.

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1927 1921 Reo hose & chemical motor truck (old Hose-6), carrying a 35-gallon chemical tank, with 250 feet of chemical hose, 1,200 feet of 2½-inch hose, and 32 feet of ladders (Ran w/Steam E-2).

In service 4/2/1927 Out of service - 9/3/1929.

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1929 D.E. McCann, built in Portland, 1,000gpm triple combination pumper, w/100-gallon booster tank.

Cost: $10,350

In service 9/3/1929 Out of service - 9/23/1947.

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1947 1929 Seagrave 1,000gpm pumper (old E-4) with an 80-gallon booster tank

In service 9/19/1947 Out of service - 2/21/1963.

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1963 1955 American LaFrance 1,000gpm pumper (old E-5) with a 150-gallon tank

In service 2/21/1963 Out of service 4/16/1964

* Engine Co. 2 decommissioned April 16, 1964.

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