Capital Engine Company No. 1

(Salem Fire Department)

In 1865 firefighting in Salem progressed beyond the bucket brigade with the addition of Capital Engine Company No. 1 (Originally called Webfoot Engine Company No. 1). Now, instead of dipping buckets of water from horse troughs, Salem’s new fire engine could lower its suction nozzle into a body of water and draft water into the human powered pump that would send a powerful stream through a nozzle connected to leather fire hose.

To provide a reliable water source for the new fire engine, wood-lined water tanks, called cisterns, were dug in strategic locations thoughout the city. 3-inch lumber lined the 12-foot deep sides of the cisterns and 4-inch lumber covered the 16 x 16 foot opening. When full of water, Salem’s cisterns contained almost 23,000 gallons of water. Cisterns would remain a vital source of water for Salem Fire Department into the 1940’s.

On October 7, 1886, Capital Engine Company No. 1 was the second Salem engine company acquire a steam fire engine. The American LaFrance steamer (right) used by Capital Engine Company No. 1 was not retained by Salem Fire Department, but the Silsby steam engine (left) remains part of Salem Fire Departments antique apparatus collection.

Early records from Capital Engine Company No. 1 were not retained by Salem Fire Department. An 1868 copy of Capital Engine Company No. 1’s By Laws indicate the following members:

Officers:

  • President…………………………J. H. Albert
  • Foreman…………………………Sol Durbin
  • First Assistant Foreman……..H. G. Wright
  • Second Assistant Foreman….A. B. Croasman
  • Secretary…………………………Joseph Meyer
  • Financial Secretary……………G. P. Holman
  • Treasurer…………………………B. B. Drake

Members:

  • T. R. Blackerby
  • Samuel Bass
  • A. Belt
  • A. Backman
  • C. M. Cartwritght
  • B. Coffee
  • E. P. Cranston
  • R. H. Dearborn
  • L. Gisliner
  • J. K. Gill
  • J. J. Murphy
  • J. H. Moores
  • Adam Miller
  • J. W. McCully
  • E. M. Plamondon
  • R. H. Rice
  • T. McPatton
  • T. S. Scott
  • A. A. Starkey
  • H. Stapleton
  • A. L. Stinson
  • L. S. Scott
  • E. D. Towle
  • William Van Loan
  • Oliver Wiswell

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This article originally appeared on the original Salem Online History site and has not been updated since 2006.