Washington Engine Company #1 |
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Mechanicville's original and famous Washington Engine Company #1 was formally organized on June 3, 1875 with a roster of forty-four charter members. With enthusiasm running high, the company made short shift of the difficulties of getting equipment and soon came into proud possession of the antiquated hand-pumper which down the years brought Mechanicville a great deal of fame with its long distance "squirting" capabilities at firemanic events. After the formation of the Washington Engine Company, and the excitement that came along with their presence in firemanic events, interest in firefighting activities grew a great deal. In fact, applications for membership came so thick and fast that it was soon necessary to form another company, not so much for community protection, but to take care of the overflow of would-be firemen. Accordingly, the Washington Hose Company No. 1 was organized. This outfit was equipped with a two wheeled hose cart and a few short lengths of hose. Only once, at this time, did the Washington refuse to put out a fire. On August 10, 1883 at 5:00 p.m., all of the church bells began ringing, calling for the firemen to go to a platform car which was on fire on the Delaware and Hudson just north of the old depot. The Washington Company responded quickly and on arrival refused to put out the fire. There were 40 barrels of kerosine on the platform car and they were all burning. Firemen said that if they put water on the fire, the burning oil would spread the flames and make matters worse. They stood by with hose ready. A telegraph pole caught fire and they put it out. From 1875 to the early 1880's,
The Washington Engine Company and the Hose Company were sufficient to
provide Mechanicville with efficient firefighting. But a steady increase
in community growth, with erection of several knitting mills and other
industries, increases in railroad facilities, and residential construction,
indicated the need of further, more modern protection. Accordingly,
the town balloted in favor of a plan to secure a steam pumper and to
organize a company to handle this new piece of apparatus. This was the
beginning of the D. E. LaDow Steamer Company. |