SAN JOAQUIN ENGINE COMPANY
NO. 3
In 1855 the growth of the city demonstrated the need of additional fire
protection and the German citizens, with the initiative characteristic of them in
all matters tending toward the betterment of municipal conditions, formed a
company under the above title. Their petition containing twenty-eight
signatures, was received by the board of delegates on March 9, 1855, and that
body immediately announced their admission into the Stockton Fire Department.
The hand engine previously referred to in this volume as the "Piano
deck" was placed at their disposal. For a time they housed their machine
in a small wooden shed on Weber avenue opposite Lane's Mill. In 1856 the City
Fathers secured a lot at a cost of $300 and had erected, for the use of the
company, a two-story brick building. This structure, built by Wm. Saunders,
remained the home of the company until 1869, when it was torn down and the
building now occupied by the chemical company erected in its stead. The records
of the company have been unaccountably lost. From Tinkham's History of
Stockton, we learn that in February, 1857, the managers of a German ball
donated $50 of the proceeds toward the purchase of an alarm bell, $200 more was
obtained by the company and the City Council appropriated $125 for the erection
of a tower. The bell, the first to be used by the department, was purchased in
San Francisco and in due time arrived in this city. Upon being hung in the belfry
prepared for it, it was found to be cracked. Despite the inharmony of its peals
the company continued to use it until 1865, when a new one was obtained.
A new hand engine was purchased for the company in 1860. This machine was later
sold to a fire company at Livermore where it is still in use. Being desirous of
having a steam engine and finding themselves without the necessary funds, the
company concluded to raise the money by a lottery scheme. Great excitement was
created by the expedient, 371 prizes were offered aggregating in value $22,000.
Twenty thousand tickets were issued to be sold at $2 each. The management of
the affair was placed in the hands of a few prominent members and July 12,
1871, named as the date upon which the drawing would take place. A large number
of tickets were sold, many members of the company purchasing them in lots of
fifty, while the general public responded liberally. The date of the drawing
was postponed by the committee in charge to September 24th. As that date drew
near it became manifest that "old king graft" had been admitted into
the management. A large deficiency was found which necessitated the abandonment
of the project and the members of the company were compelled to reimburse the
purchasers of tickets out of their private funds.
We are told that "as far back as Plato's time (428 - 347 B. C.) the Romans
had engines for forcing water onto flames" but it is not of record that
Nero ordered them manned to save Rome from destruction. The first fire engine
mentioned in modern history was invented by a Dutchman, Jan Van der Heide, who
introduced his machine at Amsterdam in 1518. From that date until the
perfection of the steam engine but little progress was made by the students of
fire-fighting.
Two years after the San Joaquin's failure to secure a steamer, an invention
that has since proved to be the greatest foe of fire yet discovered by man, was
introduced to public notice. This, which was known as the "Babcock
Chemical Engine" was brought to Stockton and after several trials
purchased by the company for $3,500. A large element in the company was opposed
to the expenditure of such a large amount for what they called a "soda
water engine" and it was only by dint of much hard work on the part of the
late M. H. Bond and the present chief that a majority was secured to vote for
its purchase. In order to demonstrate fully the engine's ability the agent of
the manufacturers bought a small superannuated dwelling at the corner of
American and Anderson Streets, filled it with boxes and other combustibles and
saturated it all with kerosene. Together with many members of the company and a
large inquisitive crowd he hauled the machine to a point near the house
mentioned and ordered an assistant to set it on fire. Waiting until the flames
had gained a good headway he bravely advanced upon the foe, firm in the belief
that it would be a question of a moment when he would annihilate it. Alas! and
by this story we are reminded of the efforts along similar lines of a popular
Stocktonian who lately secured the agency for a flame-extinguishing device - he
lacked the knowledge necessary to successful fire-fighting, a knowledge that is
acquired by experience only, and after vainly endeavoring to put out the blaze
by playing the compound on the base of the fire he gave up the nozzle in
despair. Chief McCann caught up the hose and by playing on the flames in the
proper manner extinguished the fire without any difficulty.
The acquisition of this up-to-date piece of apparatus immediately placed the
company in the front rank of Stockton's Fire Department. The engine being light
and equipped with a speedy span of horses was easily first at every fire. In
nine "rolls" out of every ten the flames had gained but little
headway and were easily extinguished by the new equipment. "First
water," than which nothing is dearer to the old volunteer's heart,
threatened to become "an empty phrase to be conjured with in memory
only." Jealousy soon became manifest and every effort was put forth by
members of the other companies to belittle the work of the "Babcock."
Influence was brought to bear on the City Council and a resolution was
introduced in that body by Alderman Freeman "providing for the abolishing
of the entire allowance of the San Joaquin Engine Company on the ground that
the said company was a useless expense." Anent the above we copy the
following from the Independent of December 7, 1876: "We reprint herewith
an official communication from the Secretary of the Board of Delegates of the
Stockton Fire Department to the Council in relation to the Babcock fire
extinguisher and the necessity of retaining the same in the service of the
city: 'Hall of Board of Delegates, Stockton Fire Department, December 4, 1876.
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of the City of Stockton - Gentlemen: In
the name of the Stockton Fire Department and by a resolution duly passed at
their regular November meeting, the Board of Delegates protest against the
passage of what is known as the 'Freeman resolution,' and also against any
resolution that would effect the withdrawal of the Babcock extinguisher, now
owned by San Joaquin Engine Company No. 3, from service, for these reasons:
First, The superiority of the Babcock Extinguisher. Its simplicity - it
dispenses with complex machinery, reservoirs and suction hose. Carbonic Acid is
both the working and extinguishing agent. Second, Its promptness; it is always
ready. Five minutes saved is generally a building saved. Third, Its efficiency.
Bulk for bulk, carbonic acid is twenty times as effective as water. Fourth, Its
economy. Fifth, Its conveniency. Two men can manage it; 100 feet of its pliant
hose can be carried to any part of a burning building. Sixth, In saving from
water what the fire has spared. The efficiency of the extinguisher now in
service and owned by the San Joaquins has been proved on many occasions in this
city. The following instances which we call to your attention will, we trust,
be sufficient to convince you of its merits as an important aid in the Stockton
Fire Department.
'The Fire at Sedgwick's house; at Jack Douglas' house; the rear end of
Sargent's store; Ruhl's tinshop; R. S. Elsworth's house; and lately the fire at
Mr. Thomas' house.
'In our city, where cisterns are few and far between, it cannot be dispensed
with without working great injury to the Department, and an increased danger to
property. Should the machine be withdrawn from service the rates of insurance
would speedily double. In consideration of these facts we have full faith that
your honorable body will not take any action which will result in the
withdrawal of the said Babcock fire extinguisher. Yours respectfully,
(Signed)
J. E. BIGGER, Secretary S. F. D.' "
Under
date of August 1st, the following resolution was unanimously passed by the
board of delegates: "Whereas on Saturday evening, July 26, 1876, during a
fire at the house of Mr. J. B. Douglas, Mike McCann, steward and Ben. F.
Kohlberg, foreman of the San Joaquin Engine Company, by their exertions and
daring saved said house and displayed to its fullest capacity the workings,
efficacy and usefulness of the Babcock fire extinguisher, therefore be it
Resolved. That the thanks of this board are due and hereby tendered to said B.
F. Kohlberg and M. McCann for their daring, discretion and firemanlike conduct
during the fire at the house of J. B. Douglas, and for their displaying to its
fullest capacity the workings and capacity of the said Babcock extinguisher.
(Signed) JAMES H.
BUDD, President Stockton Fire
Dept."
The above resolutions were published in the local papers with an accompanying
statement of Mr. Douglas who fully concurred with its sentiments and added his
thanks to the officers and members of the company for their services. Many
other prominent citizens subsequently interested themselves in the matter and,
after much persuasion on their part, the better judgment of the council
prevailed and the Babcock remained in service. Mr. McCann continued to act as
driver until August, 1886, when he resigned to enter the grocery business. J.
W. Simpson was chosen to perform the duties of the position and the Babcock
continued to do its full quota of the work until the purchase of the new
chemical engine when it was retired and is now held in reserve.
A feature worthy of note in connection with the above is the long and faithful
service of Mr. Simpson at the post of driver. For over twenty-one years he has
piloted the chemical engine to the scene of danger and has never had a serious
mishap, a record seldom equalled, and one of which any fireman might well feel
proud.
From the date of their organization until the inauguration of the paid department, and they passed out of existence as an active fire-fighting body, the San Joaquins were noted for the assiduous interest evinced by them in all affairs of either a social or political nature, and they were always to be reckoned with on the occasion of a municipal election.
Transcriber Sally Kaleta.
Proofreader Betty Vickroy.
© 2002-2007 Nancy Pratt Melton.
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