A complete history of the Boston fire department,including the fire-alarm service and the protective department, from 1630 to 1888

Part One

Fires, and La-tfs concerning their Prevention; Fire Apparatus and Members of Companies from the Settlement of the Town to the Granting of the City Charter in 1822.

Part Two

The Reorganization of the Department from a Volunteer to a Paid Force; Fire Records; Building Laws; Engine Companies and their Officers, up to 1873.

Part Three

A Complete Record from the Appointment of the Board of Fire Commissioners, in 1874, to December 31, 1888, including the Fire Record; to which is added a Roster of Companies since 1874, the Permanent Members, with a Portrait and Biographical Sketch of each, including the Ex-Chief Engineers and Fire Commissioners, Present Board of Commissioners, Maps of Districts, and Portraits of District Chiefs; together with the Repair-Shop, Fire-Alarm Service, and Boston Protective Department.

BY

ARTHUR WELLINGTON BRAYLEY,

Compiler of the “ American Dramatic Directory etc.

Illustrated

BOSTON, MASS.:

JOHN P. DALE & CO., PUBLISHERS, 17 Boylston Street.

1 8 8 9.

Copyright, 1888,

By JOHN P. DALE AND ARTHUR W. BRAY LET.

All rights reserved.

PRESS OF

BOSTON.

Introduction

THE information for the History of the Boston Fire Department has been very difficult to obtain, owing to the unsatisfactory manner in which the records have been left. In fact, there is no register of events made by the department in existence, the data previous to 1840 being scattered over numerous sources. In the task of research, I have given the care and patience the subject demanded, and trust I have succeeded in combining into one volume all the important matters in relation to the department that heretofore have been distributed through hundreds. The location of the various engines, hose-carriages, and ladder-trucks, and the companies attached to each, have been traced, as far as it has been possible to do so by the existing records, from their organization up to the date of closing this history, except from 1822 to 1860, at which time the membership became so large (each company having from fifty to one hundred and fifty members on the roll-book), that to mention all their names would occupy a large amount of space, and would be of no great value, as they can be obtained at the office of the Board of Fire Commissioners. I have therefore deemed it sufficient to mention only the officers.

The work of obtaining photographs and biographical sketches of members of the present department was begun during 1888, since which many changes have been made in the companies, so that by the time the portraits of one company were engraved, a member of the company represented by the plate would be transferred to other quarters, and he succeeded by another, thus making it impossible to retain a complete company for any length of time. It was found, therefore, impracticable to take notice of such changes after December 31, 1888, at which time the accompanying plates correctly

represent the companies formed at that time. The work of obtainin')

IV

INTB OD UCTION.

in g the photographs, and grouping the entire force in its proper order, has been a task the difficulties of which only those who have had a similar experience can comprehend. I am sorry to say, in this particular, that, despite the care and attention given the matter, four errors were made (in the plates of Engine Company No. 23, Protective Company No. 1, and Ladder Companies Nos. 1 and 4) ; these are accounted for, however, in the records of the respective companies which they represent. In a few cases a portrait is omitted, and in others onl}r brief mention is made of a member. This is entirely the fault of the parties themselves, as they would not take the trouble to furnish me with the necessary matter. There being no photograph of the first executive head, Samuel D. Harris, in existence, the plate of portraits of ex-chief engineers is necessarily incomplete. The portraits of Messrs. Sawyer and White are missing from those of the ex-commissioners, as both these gentlemen refused to furnish me with a photograph. The old relics, except the two engines illustrated in the frontispiece, are the property of the Bostonian Society. The names of members of each company since 1874 were, in most cases, furnished by the foreman of their respective commands. In some of the records the names of those who did duty only as substitutes are omitted, and where dates of appointments and resignations of members are left blank, it is owing to the fact of there being no records to supply the correct information.

The plan of this History is original with the author ; it is therefore with feeling akin to trepidation that he places it before the public ; but it will fulfil his desire should it give to the people of Boston the necessary records of a service of which they may justly feel proud, and the citizens of the United States a history of the first department organized in this country for the purpose of protection from that most gratifying servant but fearful master, fire.

A. W. BRAYLEY,

Boston, Mass, Oct. 30, 1889.

Chapter I. 1627-1679

Purchase of Massachusetts Bay Patent, 1. — Departure of the Colonists; Settlement in Boston; Boundary of the Town, 2. — Growth; The First Fire, 3. — The First Building Law ; Action taken regarding the Prevention of Fire ; The Terrible Conflagration of January 14, 1653, 4. — Law for Protection against Fires, 5. — The First Water-supply for use in Case of Fires, 6. — The First Mention of Water-engine; The Origin of the Conduit, 7. — Where located, 8. — Order regarding its Destruction ; The Law regarding pulling down Buildings, 9. — The First Bellman, or Fire Patrol; Allowances to Owners of Houses for having their Buildings Demolished ; Provision regarding Gunpowder, 10. — Fire in a Brew-house ; Large Fire, July 19, 1672; Burning of the Castle on Castle Island ; Burning of the Conneys Tavern, 11. — The Terrible Fire of November 27, 1676 ; District over which it raged ; Anecdote of Rev. Increase Mather regarding this Conflagration, 12. — Order of the Town regarding the Straightness of the Streets; Increase of the Fire Patrol, 13. — Use of Gunpowder for the First Time in blowing up Buildings at Fires; Daring Attempts of Incendiaries; Vote to send to England for Fire-engine, 14. — The First Engine Company; Where located; The Terrible Fire of August 8, 1679, 15. — The Water-supply; Action of the General Court regarding this Calamity, 16. — An Important Building Law; The Town-watch; Division of the Town into Four Quarters and Wards, 17. — Origin of the Board of Firewards, 18. — Undiminished Reign of the “ Fire Bugs,” 19.

Chapter II. 1680-1710

First Fire in 1680; House of Major Phillips on Fire, 20. — Petition for Abatement of Rates; Negro Woman sets Fire to Mr. Lamb’s and Mr. Swan’s Houses; Incendiary found Guilty and burned to Death; Serious Fire, October 24, 21. — Ralph Carter to receive Twenty Shillings per Annum for keeping the Water-engines in Order; Buildings of Wood prohibited; Amendment, 22. — Privilege granted to take Water from the Conduit ; Trouble between the Engine Company and the Town ; Chimney-sweeps appointed by the Town, 23. — Serious Fire, August 11, 1690; A Youth burned to Death; Large Fire foot of Fleet Street, August 2. 1691, 24. — Order for Water-engines from England ; The Quantity of Powder to be kept in a Building, 25. — Training of Engine Companies; Rescue of Goods at the Dock Fire; Appointments made to procure an Engine from England, 26. — Arrival of

VI

CONTENTS.

Engine ; The Style of Engine used, 27. — Engine-house built ; Inspectors appointed ; Eire in Mr. Sewali’s House, 28. — Chimney-sweeps advertised for ; Disastrous Eire, October 2, 1711; Cornhill in Ruins, 29. — District burned, 30. — The Style of building Houses; Proclamation from the Governor; Effective Means of Gunpowder; Division of the Town into Eire Districts, 31. — The First Board of Firewards; Persons recompensed for having their Buildings blown up with Gunpowder 32. — Autographs of the First Board of Firewards, 33.

Chapter III. 1711-1739

The Town-house built; Proposal for Public Wells and Buckets, 34. — Orders regarding Conduits; Superintendent of Ladders appointed, 35. — Town compelled to borrow Money to purchase Fire-engine ; Necessity for more Engines ; Location of the Six Engines, 36. — First Change in the Board of Firewards; Incorporation of the First Fire Society, 37. — Bill of Supper ; Organizing of the Alert Fire Association ; The Assistant Fire Society; The Vigilant Fire Society, 38. — William Wilson, Inspector of Engines ; Fire at the Stone Goal ; First Appointment of Foreman of Engine Company, 39. — Duty of Foremen of Engines; Members of No. 3 Company; The Foremen’s Annual Petition ; Organization of the Entire Department, 40. — Members of Copper Engine No. 5; Location of No. 1 Engine; of No. 9; of No. 7 ; of No. 4; of No. 2 ; of Copper Engine No. 3, 41. — The First Water-engine made in this Section ; Changes in the Department ; Error in Old Engraved Tablet of Foreman of Engine Co. No. 7; Mr. Rowland Houghton, Inventor of the Engine, 42. — Tablets of Names of Foremen of Engine Co. No. 7, 43-4. — Damage of the North Engine; First Mention of Hose ; Changes in the Department, 45. — Slight Fires ; Mr. Hainslop contracts for Chimney-sweeping; Member of No. 7 arrested, 46.

Chapter IV. 1740-1759

Premiums to be paid to Engine Companies ; Members excused from Military Duty ; First Premium for Attendance at Fires, 47. — Fires in May, 1740; An Engine for West Boston; Firemen Exempt from Jury Duty; Membership of Engine Company at West End, 48. — The Old Engine of Captain Earle; Fire at the Rope-walk in West End; The Department complained of for not carrying Sufficient Hooks; The Marlborough Engine, 49. — New By-Laws regarding Chimney-sweeping; Fire at Mill Bridge; The West and North Engines, 50. — Changes in No. 9; Fire at the South End; Change in the Locations of Engines, 51. — New Act regarding Board of Firewards ; Changes in Different Companies ; The First Election of Firewards, 52. — Returns for Choice of Firewards; Town-house Burned, 53. — Faneuil Hall offered for Use of the Court; Removal of Engine No. 9, 54. — Governor Hutchinson desires Engine No. 2 removed; The South Engine; Captain Blower resigns; The Number of Firewards increased, 55. — Fire in Marlborough Street; Changes in the Board of Firewards; Firewards elected, 1755; Dutch Ship wrecked, and Purchase of an Engine; New Company formed at the North End; Terrible Fire, January 13, 1756, on Hanover Street, 56. — Election of Firewards, 1757 ; Governor excuses One Hundred Men from Military Duties: First numbering of Engines; List and Names of Engine Companies, 57. — The Entire Department supplied with Buckets, 58. — The Largest Fire for Several Years, 59.

CONTENTS.

Yll

CHAPTER Y.

1760-1763.

The Great Eire, March 17, 1760; The Great Fire, March 20, 1760; Where the Fire began, 0. — A List of the Sufferers, 61. — Copy of Vote passed by the Great and General Court, 62. — Description of an Eye-witness ; Petition to Parliament for Relief, 63. — Donations from all Parts of the Country, 64. — Incidents ; An Act for Better rebuilding the Town ; More Speedy Methods for extinguishing Fires adopted, 65. — Change in the Board of Firewards; Removal of Engine No. 1; Large Fire in January, 1761; Faneuil Hall on Fire, 66. — Order regarding Members of the Department, 67. — Number of Ladders owned by the Town; Enginemen to assist the Watch; The Block House burned on the Common; Changes in the Companies; Well for holding Salt-water at the Dock, 68. — Where the Town Ladders were kept ; Large Fire on the 10th of June; Changes in the Department; Severe Fire in Newbury Street, 69. — Engine-house No. 8 burned; Number of Firewards inadequate, 70.

Chapter VI. 1764-1774

Prevalence of Small-pox; Fire at Harvard College; Fire in Auchmuty Lane, 71. — Changes in the Engine Company; The First Complaint regarding a Foreman; Petition of Engine Company No. 8 to the Selectmen; A New Company organized; The First Badge and Fire-hat adopted; Names of Firewards elected for 1765, 72. — Mr. David Wheeler manufactures the First Complete Engine in the Town; The Stamp Act Riot; The First Fire in 1766, 73. — Choice of Firewards; Repeal of the Stamp Act; The Obelisk burned on the Common, 74. — Changes in Engine Companies ; Large Fire, February 3, 1767; Other Fires, 75. — Mr. Wheeler asks to build a New Engine; Fire-engines prohibited from beingimported; Orders regarding Hats; Changes in the Department; Firewards elected, 1768; Engine No. 10 taken in Charge by the Town, 76. — Changes in the Department; Large Fire, January 30, 1769; The Jail on Fire, 77. — Changes in the Department; Fire in January, 1770; The Boston Massacre; Fire in the Old South Church, 78. — Other Fires; Hon. John Hancock presents the Town with a New Engine; Changes in the Department, 79. — The Fire in January, 1773; Changes in the Companies : Pumps used, and where located ; Fire in the Custom-House; The First Church built by the Scandinavians destroyed ; Changes in the Department, 80. — The Last Fire of the Year; Changes in the Firewards; Terrible Fire and Loss of Life, 81.

The First Fire in 1775; Changes in the Board of Firewards; Committee to inspect the Engines ; Fire in the Barracks of the British Troops, 82. — Charlestown fired, June 17 ; Firewards appointed ; Castle William burnt ; Firewards elected ; Barracks on Cobble Hill burned, 83. — -Enginemen drafted in the Army; A Committee appointed to investigate the Reduction of the Enginemen ; Increase of Premiums for Engines, 84. — Other Fires ; Fine for disobeying Firewards ; Masters of all the Engines apply to the General Court, 85. — Appointments for 1783; Sleds provided in

CONTENTS.

viii

Winter ; Changes in the Firewards, 86. — Fire near Oliver’s Dock ; Two Men killed ; Change in Firewards, 87. — Fire in Cold Lane ; Petition to establish a Fire-office Insurance, 88. — Long Poles and Buckets provided for Engine Companies; Change in Companies; Fire in the Jail, 89. — Terrible Fire, April 19, 1787; Dr. Belknap’s Letter giving an Account of the Fire, 90. — Map of the Burnt District, 91. — Full List of the Sufferers and the District burned, 92. — Changes during the Year; The Board of Firewards elected; Appropriation by the Town for a New Engine, 93. — Changes in the Companies, 94.

Chapter VIII. 1790-1797

Changes in the Companies; Records of Engine Companies No. 1; No. 2; No. 3; No. 4: No. 5; No. 6; No. 7, 95. — No. 8; No. 9; No. 10; No. 11; The Rules and Regulations; Meetings of the Board of Firewards, 96. — The Ship “ Lydia” destroyed by Fire at Long Wharf; Other Fires for the Year; Changes in the Department; Fires for the Year 1792, 97. — New Engine to take the Place of No. 6; Engines damaged by Malicious Persons, 98. — Large Fire, July 10, 1794, 99. — Ropewalk on Site of Public Garden; Other Fires fortffe Year, 100. — The Incorporation of the “ Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society,” 101. — The “Aqueduct Corporation;” Introduction of Water from Cochituate Pond, 102. — Fires on State Street; On School Street; The Ropewalk of Jeffrey and Russell destroyed ; The First Fire in which the Loss was covered by Insurance; The Firewards increased to Twenty-four,

103. — Changes in the Companies ; General Jackson asks for Use of Engine ; Legislature passes New Building Law; The Federal-street Theatre destroyed by Fire,

104. — Changes in the Firewards; Engine No. 4 to water the Streets; First Mention of Hose; Large Fire on Washington Street, 105. — Enginemen excused from Jury Duty, 106.

Chapter IX. 1800-1803

Change in Board of Firewards; The Fires for the Year 1800; The First Hydrant in Boston; The Town presented with a Large Valuable Engine; Engines possessed by the Town ; Their Membership, 107. — Large Fire, December 16 ; The First Brick Block; Large Reward for Incendiaries, 108. — The Fires of 1801 ; Disastrous Fire, Januarjr 18, 1802, 109. — Enginemen ordered to wear Caps and Badges at Fires; Inspection of Engines by the Firewards; Fires of 1802, 110. — Buildings not to be moved without Permit ; Experiment of using Pumps at the Wharves ; Columbian Museum destroyed ; Fire in the Old Navy- Yard; New Law discussed regarding Wooden Buildings, 111. — Changes in the Companies, 112.

Chapter X. 1804-1817

Severe Fire, January 21, 1804; Number of Enginemen increased; Committee formed to ascertain the Cause of Fires; Firewards elected, 1805, 113. — Ladders to be placed at various Places; A Fair Sample of all the Old Records, 114. — Large Fire. February 19, 1806 ; Other Fires for the Year ; Firewards chosen, 115. — Columbian Museum

CONTENTS.

IX again destroyed ; Large Fire on Fish Street ; Ropewalk burned at the West End; Fire Record for the Year; Hose imported from Holland, 116. — Removal of Engine-houses ; Changes in the Department ; Changes in the Firevvards ; List of Fires of the Year, 117. — Number of Staffs for Use of Firewards; An Improved Powder-carriage ordered; Changes in the Department; Fires during the Year; Change in the Firewards; New Engine of the Squirt Principle; Other Fires, 118. — The Three- Feet Battlement Law repealed; Firemen mark their Hats with Chalk; Board of Firewards, 1811; Chimney-sweeps ordered to wear Badges; Fires of the Year; The Question of Hose, 119. — Staffs of the Firewards purchased; Fires in February; One of the Fireward insulted; Engine placed at South Boston; Fears regarding English Cruisers, 120. — Engine Companies placed at Various Bridges; Materials to destroy the Canal Bridge ; Fires during the Year; First Use of Goose-necks for Engine-pipes, 121.— The Subject of Gunpowder; The Massachusetts Fire and Marine Insurance Company established, 122. — Fires during the Year; The Blowing up of the Ship “ James and Thomas Handyside Perkins ” by a Negro, 123. — Fires for the Year, 124.

Chapter XI. 1818-1822

Changes in the Firewards; The Exchange Coffee-house Fire, 125. — Firewards to be increased; Changes; Other Fires of 1818; Legislation regarding Fires; Trouble between the Ward and Engine Companies, 126. — Trickery on the Part of some of the Engine Companies; Selectmen to appoint a Number of Men to convey Ladders and Hooks to and from Fires ; The Fire Alarms to be rung on the Church Bells, 127. — The First Hook and Ladder Company organized, August 4, 1820; Fires of the Year, 128. — List of the Members of Ladder 1; The Insurance Companies grant a Premium; Firewards chosen, 1821; Disastrous Fire in Broad Street; Other Fires, 129. — Change in the Companies ; Unusual Number of Wells dry, 130

Chapter I. 1822-1824

Portraits of ex-Chief Engineers, 134. — Act to form the Town of Boston into an Incorporate City; The Subject renewed. 1791; The Measure rejected, 135. — The Disadvantage of Town Government; The System defeated; The First Steps toward the Change, 136. — A Jealous Feeling, and how it was overcome; The Executive Board, 137. — Its Adoption, January 7, 1822; The City Charter; Election of City Officers ; The Meeting in Faneuil Hall; Firewards elected, 138. — The First Act of the New Board ; Names of the Men and their Engines ; Hose brought from England burst on First Trial, 139. — The Mischief caused principally by “ Catos ” ; Law regarding Buildings; Fires for the Year, 140. — ^ Josiah Quincy, Mayor; The Fire Department to be altered; Complaint of the Citizens regarding the Firewards, 141. — The Feeling among Enginemen ; Petition for more Compensation, 142. — The Vote of the Council; Alarm of the Citizens regarding the Trouble; Opinion of Foremen; All the Companies ordered to resign; The Engines placed under the Care of Aldermen, 143. — Citizens volunteer their Services ; Location of the Engines ;

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CONTENTS.

Change in the Board of Fire wards; Fires for the Year; Large Fire, April 7, 1824, 144. — Terrible Holocaust, July 7, 145. — Other Fires of the Year, 146.

Chapter II. 1825-1826

Duty of Each Member; Returns of the Officers, 147. — Two Engines ordered from Philadelphia; Another one from New York; William Barnicoat as Foreman; Fire in Doane Street, 148. — The Firemen embarrassed by Lanes; Much Property stolen; Fire in Court Street; The Widening of Streets; An Independent Fire Department, 149. — Regarding Reservoirs and purchasing of Engines, 150. — The Fault lies, not in the Men, but the System, 151. — New Bill; The Circular to Members of the Legislature, 152. — The Effect, 153. — The Idea of a Hose System ridiculous, 154. — The Mayor’s Circular on the Question, 154-7. — An Independent Fire Department organized ; Committee appointed to prepare an Ordinance ; Changes in the Department, 158. — Thomas Melville declines serving; His Letter of Thanks; Fires of the Year, 159. — Samuel Harris appointed Chief Engineer; Engineers appointed; Changes in the Firewards, 160. — The Last Meeting of the Wards; Fire Companies in Different Wards ; Engine from New York arrives ; The New Engine badly injured, 161. — All Enginemen to be Twenty-one Years of Age; Notice in the “ Sentinel,” 162. — Number of False Alarms; New System regarding the Sounding of Bells; The Suffolk Fire Society formed; Changes in the Department, 163.

Chapter III. 1827-1831

The Chief's First Report; Doubt regarding the Power of Firewards; Letter from the Mayor, 165. — The City appropriates $10,000; Engine No. 6 disbanded; List of Members of the Department; Cause of Dissensions, 166. — Changes in the Officers, 167. — The First Schedule of the Location of Fire Plugs ; The Department held in High Estimation; New Houses for a Number of Engines, 168. — Meeting of the Engineers, January 1, 1828; Bugle Band to be attached to the Department; Rules regarding the Department; Engine-house No. 13 burned; Changes, 169. — The Chief Engineer resigns, 170. — Address of Mayor Quincy, 171. — Temporary Chief chosen; The Department hard to fill with Members; Thomas C. Amory appointed Chief; Assistant Engineers resign ; Their Vacancies filled, 172. — Location of New Reservoirs; Fire at the Custom-House; Engine No. 5 burnt; Other Fires; Changes in Commanding Officers, 173. — The Board of Engineers; Engines in Good Condition and Sufficient for the City; The Condition of the Hose bad; The Ladder Service inadequate ; The System of giving Alarms on the Bells not satisfactory, 174. — Gum Elastic Cement applied to Hose ; Incorporation of the Charitable Association of the Boston Fire Department, 175. — Letter from Chief Amory to Mr. Neil Dow, of Portland, Me. ; Changes in the Department, 176. — Rules regarding the Department; Appointments in the Board of Engineers; The Quarters of Engine No. 10 set Fire, 177. — The Entire Department dine together at the Old State-House, July 4; Changes in the Entire Department, 178. — Disastrous Fire on Broad Street; The Engineers for the Year, 179. — Changes of Officials for the Year, 180.

CONTENTS.

XI

CHAPTER IN.

1832-1834.

Several Heavy Fires in 1832 ; The City Hall burned; Engine sent to Fayetteville as a Gift ; The Board of Engineers ; Their Report of Fires ; Engine-house is set Fire, 182. — The Veteran’s Certificate; A Gift to Chief Amory; Changes in the Offices, 183. — The Board of Engineers ; Rules and Regulations for the Department, 184. — General Jackson visits Boston ; Row in Tremont Theatre ; Song relating to Engines Nos. 7 and 14, 185. — Change in the Engine Companies; The equipment of each Company; A Muster of the Entire Department; The Constables to attend Fires and be paid $1; Changes in the Service 1834, 186. — Reservoirs constructed during the Year; The Destruction of the Ursuline Convent, Charlestown, 188. — The Attack on the Building, 189. — Meeting of the Citizens; Resolutions offered, 190. — Committee appointed to investigate, 191.

Chapter V. 1835-1842

The Department in Dissension; Chief Amory resigns ; Assistant Engineers appointed, 192. — Engine Company No. 8 surrenders its Engine; Names of Engines; The Schooner “Sarah” blown to atoms, 193. — Chief Tileston resigns; Change in Officers, 194. — William Barnicoat elected Chief ; The Apparatus inspected, September 29, 195. — Inventory of the Entire Department; Money borrowed by the City to carry out Changes ; Engineers appointed, 196. — The Broad-street Riot; Testimonies of the Principals, 197. — Continued, 198. — Hollis-street Church struck by Lightning, 199. — Engine Companies permitted to employ a Horse; The Ward Company Records, 200. — Report of the Department, 201. — Changes in Offices for 1839; Number of Alarms during the Year; Howard House burned, 202. — Reservoirs added ; Engine Company No. 11 objects to a New Order; Compensation of Members, 203. — Changes in the Department; Alarms during the Year; Large Fire on Atkinson Street; Engine-houses Nos. 1 and 2, of Roxbury, set Fire, 204. — Changes in the Companies; New Ordinances passed, 205.

Chapter VI. 1843-1851

Serious Fire oil Washington and School Streets; Botanic Garden burnt, 206. — Department Changes; The Pay of the Members increased; Large Number of Buildings fired by Incendiaries, 207. — The Franklin School-house burned; Engine-house No. 17 set Fire; Engine Company No. 20 disbanded, 208. — Changes in the Department; Incendiaries at Work, 209. — Reduction in the Board of Engineers; Changes in the Department ; The Lyman School in East Boston destroyed ; The Howard Athenaeum burned, 210. — Changes in Assistant Engineers; Other Fires, 211. — New Building Laws framed;. The Question of Water-supply, 212.— Changes in the Department, 213. — Large Fire on Washington Street; Engine No. 18 first used Cochituate Water, 214. — Hydrants placed in Different Parts of the City; Number of Alarms; Rules and Regulations revised, 215. — Company

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CONTENTS.

Changes ; Large Fire ; Order for a System of Telegraphic Fire-alarms ; Charges against Chief Barnicoat, 216. — The Fay of the Department; Burning of the East Boston Ferry-boat, 217.

Chapter VII. 1852-1857

Changes in the Board of Engineers ; Companies reorganized, 219. — Tremont Temple destroyed, March 31; The National Theatre burned; The First Alarm given by the Telegraphic System; Three Children burnt to Death, 220. — Changes in the Assistant Engineers; First Communication regarding Steam Fire-engines, 221. — Number of Alarms during 1853; Old North Church on Fire; Changes regarding Engines; Chief Barnicoat resigns, 222. — Elisha Smith appointed Chief; Contract for the “ Miles Greenwood ; ” Department Changes ; Number of Alarms during the Year, 223. — Changes in Company Officers ; Alarms during 1855, 224. — Revision of the Ordinances ; Superintendent of Fire-alarms; The “Miles Greenwood” put in Service, 225. — Changes in Assistant Engineers ; Death of Chief Engineer Smith; George W. Bird elected Chief; Company Changes in 1856; Gerrish Market burned, 226. — Terrible Loss of Life at a Fire; The Court-House damaged; Large Fire in East Boston, 227. — The Last Parade of the Department ; Office of Special Fire-police ; Salaries of Hosemen, etc. ; Order regarding wearing of Badges; Changes in the Department, 228. — Alarms during the Year, 229.

Chapter VIII. 1858-1862

Trial of Steam-engines against Hand-engines ; Assistant Engineers chosen, 230. — Large Fires in 1858; Two Small Steam Fire-engines purchased, 231. — The Members of Steam-engine Company No. 8; Location of “Old Melville” and “ Miles Greenwood,” 232. — Names of Companies disbanded ; Compensation of Steam Fire-engine Companies ; Large Fire in Commercial Street ; The House of Reformation at Deer Island burned ; The Entire Department equipped with Steam Fire-engines and Horse Hose-carriages, 233. — The New Law regarding the Department, 234. — The Pay of Members ; Police Stations supplied with Ropes and Stakes, 235. — Engineers to serve as Special Police ; List of Steam-engine Companies in Service ; List of Horse Hose Companies, 236. — Ladder Companies and their Members, 237. — Other Apparatus in Use, and their Location; Iverosene-oil Works burned at East Boston; A New Fire Ordinance, 238. — Cocliituate Water supplied to Reservoirs ; Department Changes, • 239. — Large Fire on Long Wharf, 240. — Changes in Companies during the Year; Members enlist in the War, 241. — Faneuil-Hall Market burned, 242. — Number of Alarms, 243.

Chapter IX. 1863-1867

Report of Chief Bird; Changes and Promotions, 244. — The Rand & Avery Fire; The National Theatre burned ; The Draft Riot on Cooper street, 245. — Changes in 1864 ; Increase of Compensation, 246. — Total Alarms in the Year; Masonic Hall burned; The “Herald” Office destroyed; System of Fire-alarms rearranged, 247. — The Old Province House destroyed; Promotion and New Members, 248. — Hinckley Locomotive Works destroyed; John S. Damrell succeeds Chief Engineer

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xiii

Bird, 249. — The Pay-roll revised; New Members and Changes, 250. — Large Fire in South Boston; Improvements in Various Engine-houses, 251. — A Self-propelling Engine; Trial of Liquid Fuel, 252. — Chief Damrell’s Report regarding the Water-supply ; Rules and Regulations regarding Badges, 253. — William Barnicoat’s Death; Promotion and New Members; Fires, 254.

Chapter X. 1868-1870

The Annexation of Roxbury; The Apparatus added to the City; Coal-houses located in Different Parts of the City, 256. — The Organization of the Insurance Protective Department; Changes in the Department, 257. — The Pay-roll; Serious Accidents, 258. — The Methodist Church on Warren Street destroyed; Other Fires and Injuries; Districts assigned to Engineers, 259. — New Houses erected during 1869; Circulating Water-heaters, Hose Protectors, and Fire Extinguishers purchased; The Peace Jubilee, 260 — New Members, 261. — Many Fires in Different Sections; The Ferry-boat “Lincoln” burned; The Coliseum Building on Fire, 262. — Dorchester annexed to Boston, January 3, 1870; The Organized Force of that Territory; New Engines for the Department; Changes in the Companies, 263. — Additional Fire-alarm Signals; Large Fire and Loss of Life at Granite Bridge, Dorchester, 265. — Fire on Travers Street, 266. —