HISTORY OF ENGINE CO. 9
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COMPANY ORGANIZED: JULY 27, 1830
COMPANY MOTTO: "STEADY & STRONG"
COMPANY QUARTERS
COMPANY QUARTERS
1830-1831 Unknown
1831-1848 Casco Street, east side, near Cumberland Street (with Deluge #7)
1848-1853 Company disbanded.
1853-1864 Monument Street, at the corner of St. Lawrence Street
1864-1865 Congress Street, southerly side, at the head of North Street
1899-1803 1128 Forest Avenue, near Arbor Street (DFD Hose 3 quarters)
1903-1872 9-11 Arbor Street (1907-72; L-4 with E-9)
1972- 1600 Forest Avenue, Riverton (1975-87; Medcu-4 with E-9)
COMPANY NAMES
COMPANY NAMES
1830-1831 “Niagara”
1831-1848 “Niagara” Hand Engine Co. 9
1848-1853 Company disbanded.
1853-1865 “Pacific” Hand Engine Co. 9
1865 Hand Engine Co. 9 disbanded.
1899-1903 Hose Co. 9
1903-1929 Steam Engine Co. 9
1929- Engine Co. 9
ABRIDGED HISTORY
ABRIDGED HISTORY
March 15, 1830 – State of Maine Legislature approved an Act; “That the Selectmen of Portland are authorized to appoint a number of Enginemen for the new Fire Engine (“Niagara”), not to exceed 54, and also a further number, not to exceed 15, for a second Hose Company.
July 27, 1830 – A new engine company was organized for a new Thayer hand pump suction engine purchased by the Town of Portland. The engine was named “Niagara.” A July 30th newspaper article in the Portland Daily Courier stated, “This engine built by Mr. Thayer in Boston is superior in its workmanship – beautiful in its appearance, and powerful in its operation.”
1831 – A new two-story brick Engine House was built on the east side of Casco Street, near Cumberland Street for Niagara and Deluge engines, and City Hose Co. 2. Niagara was assigned #9 in 1832.
1837 – Engine 9 received a new two-wheel hose reel carriage, carrying 310 feet of leading hose.
1848 – Niagara Engine Co. 9 disbanded after a fire on August 11th for unknown reasons.
September of 1853 – Engine 9 reorganized as “Pacific” E-9, using their former 1830 engine, which was being used by Torrent 6. Engine 9 moved into a new one & ½-story wood-frame firehouse on Monument Street, at the corner of St. Lawrence Street (Munjoy Hill’s first fire company).
1854 – For a short time, Pacific 9 was reassigned the old 1837 Ocean E-4 engine and was sold in November. A new Engine was then ordered from Hunneman & Company. The new Pacific 9 engine arrived in late December and was placed in service on January 2, 1855.
1864 – Pacific Engine 9 relocated around the corner to a new two & ½-story brick Engine House on Congress Street, at the head of North Street. Because of a new steam fire engine for Munjoy Hill,
Pacific Hand Engine Co. 9 was disbanded January 2, 1865.
* February 16, 1871 – Section of Westbrook separated, and was named the Town of Deering.
1889 – A four-wheel hose wagon with 550 feet of hose was placed at Morrill’s Corner in a room at the horse railroad electric car house on Stevens Plains Avenue (in the area later named Bishop Street).
1890 – Hose Company No. 3 organized with 12-Men. For unknown reasons, they disbanded in 1891.
1892 – Town incorporated as a City. Hose 3 re-organized January 30, 1895.
1896 – City of Deering purchased Sewall Winslow property on Forest Avenue near the corner of West (Arbor) Street at Morrill’s Corner. The building was remodeled for Hose 3 quarters, a meeting room for Ward #2, residence for Hose 3 Driver W.H. Skillings and his Family, and the City team of two horses.
1897 – Hose Co. 3 received a new four-wheel hose wagon, carrying 1,000 feet of hose.
March 1, 1899 – City of Deering annexed to Portland and their fire department became a part of the Portland Fire Department. The Deering section was designated as, Wards 8 and 9.
March 21st – DFD Hose 3 was renumbered as Hose Co. No. 9. William H. Skillings was appointed Permanent Driver on July 11th, living in the same former wooden hose house.
1902 – A two & ½-story, three-door, brick firehouse was built at 9-11 Arbor Street, between Forest & Stevens Avenues, Morrill’s Corner, around the corner from Hose 9’s former Forest Avenue Quarters.
January, 1903 – Hose 9 moved into the new firehouse. Their first alarm was answered January 30th.
July 21st – The hose company was upgraded as Steam Engine Co. 9 with a spare 1870 steam engine (old E-3). The Board of Engineers had previously appointed on March 12th Maynard Little as the Permanent Engine Driver and F.E. Jordan as Engineman, later replaced by Charles Harmon.
1905 – Engine 9’s wagon was replaced with an 1887 Talbot & Moulton wagon (formerly used by H-5).
October 20, 1911 – A Permanent Captain and Hoseman were appointed (5 Permanent Men).
1912 – Engine 9’s wagon was replaced with an 1897 Talbot & Moulton wagon (formerly used by H-8).
September 20, 1913 – A 4/way Morse Gun with Monitor was purchased, and fitted on Hose 9.
December 7, 1920 – 1st-size 1908 steamer #836 (old E-4) assigned to Engine 9, along with two horses (Ned and Bill). E-9’s 3rd-size steamer #823 was sent to E-8 at Woodfords Corner and used sparingly.
December 9, 1921 – A Reo hose & chemical motor truck went into service as Hose-9, replacing the horse-drawn wagon, and Steam E-9 was used sparingly. A Permanent Lieutenant was appointed.
1924 – A hose tower was constructed at the rear of the firehouse. The #836 steam engine was replaced with the 1908 Amoskeag spare engine #837 from old Central Station, and sparingly used until 1926.
June 7, 1928 – Engine 9 became a permanent company (Call Man Alfred Southworth pensioned).
1929 – The 1921 Reo Hose truck was replaced with a 1916 American LaFrance 350gpm pumper as Engine 9, which was formerly used by Hose 8, then E-6 in 1926, after a junior pump was installed.
1937 – E-5’s 1924-American LaFrance 750gpm pumper was reassigned to E-9. The pumper was first upgraded as a triple combination with the addition of a 75-gallon booster tank and booster hose.
1954 – Engine 9 received a new American LaFrance 750gpm pumper with a 150-gallon booster tank, with a cab-over roof (a first in the PFD).
1956 – The firehouse doors of Engine 9 and Ladder 4 were widened and overhead doors installed. The center bay door remained original. New firehouse signs for both companies were installed in 1962.
February 14, 1972 – Engine Co. 9 relocated one mile away to 1,600 Forest Avenue in the Riverton area to a new one-story, two-door, brick, fire station. The old 1903 Engine 9 firehouse was closed after Ladder Co. 4 relocated to Engine Co. 8’s quarters at 386 Allen Avenue in North Deering on April 21st.
May 6, 1983 – Engine Co. 9 moved in with Engine 3 while asbestos was removed from their Forest Avenue firehouse, and then relocated to the old Arbor St. quarters from June 1st until October 28th.
Engine 9 - Assigned Apparatus
Engine 9 - Assigned Apparatus
1830 Stephen Thayer hand pump suction engine, built in Boston, named “Niagara” $700
Diameter of cylinders; 7-inches, Stroke of pistons; 11-inches
In service 7/27/1830 (7/26-exhibited for Town citizens, 1832-numbered as # 9)
(1837-New two-wheel hose reel carriage with 310 feet of hose)
Out of service 1848 (Niagara-9 disbanded)
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1853 Former Niagara E-9, Torrent E-6 engine, renamed “Pacific” E-9, with two-wheel hose carriage
In service Sept. 1853 (Located at new Monument Street firehouse on Munjoy Hill)
Out of service 1854 (E-9 using old 1837 Ocean 4 engine)
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1854 1837 Thayer hand pump suction engine (old Ocean E-4)
Diameter of Cylinders; 7-inches, Stroke of pistons; 11-inches
In service 1854
Out of service Nov. 1854 (Engine sold)
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1855 1854 Hunneman hand pump suction engine serial #537, built in Roxbury, MA. $1,250
Cylinders; 6 ½-inches, Stroke of Pistons; 15-inches Stroke, hauling a two-wheel hose carriage
In service 1/6/1855 (12/28/1854-left Factory, 1/2/1855-arrived, 1/6/1855-engine trial)
Out of service 1/2/1865 (Engine Co. 9 disbanded) (1865-to E-6, 1866-sold, South Paris)
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1899 1897 hose wagon, built by J.L. Sawyer and ironing work by Locke & York Co. on Casco Street,
Portland, carrying 1,000 feet of hose and two horses Wagon = $122, Ironing = $217
In service 1897 (3/21/1899-DFD Hose Co. 3 renumbered PFD Hose Co. 9)
Out of service 1905 (1906-sold to Cape Porpoise F.D. for $100 June 5th)
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1903 1870 Portland Company 2nd-size steam fire engine (old Cumberland E-3), with a two-horse hitch
In service 7/21/03 (7/21-reassigned to E-9 from E-6 who it was temporarily assigned)
Out of service 6/27/08 (1908-sold to Amoskeag Company with the Clapp & Jones engine)
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1905 1887 Talbot & Moulton two-horse hose wagon (formerly PFD H-5), carrying 1,000 feet of hose.
In service 1905 Out of service - 1912
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1908 1907 Amoskeag 3rd-size 550gpm steam engine, built in Manchester, NH, serial #823, 6 7/8-inch
Cylinder, 8-inch Stroke, 4 ¼-inch Pump, two-horse hitch (Exchanged 2 old steamers and $2,400)
In service 6/28/08 (1907-built, 2/4/1908-loaned to City until E-3 repaired, purchased)
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1912 1897 Talbot & Moulton two-horse hose wagon (formerly H-8), carrying 1,600 feet of hose.
In service 1912 Out of service 12/9/21.
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1920 1908 Amoskeag, 1st-size 900gpm steam fire engine, serial # 836 (formerly E-4), two-horse hitch
In service 12/7/20 (1921-used sparingly after the arrival of Hose 9’s motor truck)
Out of service 1924
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1921 Reo/Childs SCC-1 type hose & chemical combination 27hp motor truck, serial # 64947, with
35-gallon chemical tank, 250 foot chemical hose, 1,200 feet of 2 ½-inch hose, 32 feet of ladders.
$2,800
In service 12/9/21 (12/7-arrived, 12/9-accepted by Fire Committee)
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1929 1916 American LaFrance triple combination with a 350gpm junior pump (former H-8 and E-6)
In service 7/20/29 (1926-rebuilt 1916 chemical & hose truck, pump installed, to E-6)
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1937 1924 American LaFrance triple combination 750gpm pumper with a 75-gallon tank (old E-5)
In service 8/3/37 (75-gallon booster tank and hose added before reassigned to E-9)
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1954 American LaFrance 750gpm pumper w/cab-over roof, with 150-gallon tank (old E-5) $ 16,466
In service Dec. 54 (12/25-pump test)
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1974 1964 Ward LaFrance 1,000gpm pumper with a 500-gallon tank (old E-4)
In service 5/1/74
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1978 1974 American LaFrance 1,000gpm pumper with a 500-gallon tank (old E-5)
In service 1/19/78
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1983 1981 Ward LaFrance/Maxim 1,500gpm pumper with 500-gallon tank (formerly E-8, 1982 E-3)
In service 7/14/83
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1998 Pierce Dash with 4-door cab (white over red) 1,500gpm pumper with 750-gallon tank $
In service 10/24/98 (DPW #270, 8/1/1998-E-9 1st PFD Paramedic Engine Co.)
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2013 2011 Seagrave, Marauder II, 1,500gpm pumper with a 750-gallon tank and a 20-gallon Class-A
foam tank, DPW #242 (formerly Engine 4).
In service 9/29/13 (9/17-at E-9 loading equipment)
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2024 Pierce Enforcer, 1,500gpm pumper, 750-gallon tank, 25-gallon foam cell. $ 809,145
In service 12/24/24 (10/17-arrived, City #215)
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