Crisfield's steam pumper
was put into service in 1885 with hope that the City of Crisfield would
not experience another disaster like the Great Fire of 1883, that leveled
the lower part of town. The new Clapp and Jones pumper had only been in
service for a short period of time, when the call for mutual aid came from
the City of Salisbury by telegraph. According to historical records this
efficient piece of fire fighting equipment, along with skill and knowledge
of the members of Crisfield Fire Company No. 1, the ravage of fire was
stopped, thus saving the newly constructed Wicomico County Courthouse from
sure destruction. Two hundred and nine buildings, including a large part
of the business district was lost to the flames that night.
It is interesting to
note that the telegraph for mutual aid from Salisbury Fire Co. was dispatched
at around 7:30 P.M. on the night of October 17th, 1886. Crisfield's pumper
with a crew of men arrived at the train station in Salisbury around 9:00
P.M. that same night. With todays modern diesel trucks and excellent highways
it would take 35 minutes or more to cover the same distance today.
Crisfield's steam pumper
stayed in service to the community until 1928 when it was taken out of
service and stored in the rear of the firehouse on Broadway. After completion
of a new fire hall in 1961, the old pumper was stored in various locations
throughout the town. In 1985 it was stored in the Tawes Building on lower
Main Street. In 1985 it was obvious that the pumper was in need of repair.
It had been painted with several coats of silver and gold paint, which
had faded and peeled. The boiler had been cracked by the freezing weather
of many winters. The pride of Crisfield had been reduced to a rusting antique.
The members of the Crisfield
Fire Company at a regular meeting decided that if the pumper was not going
to be repaired and taken care of, it should be sold. The vote was unanimous
to restore the old pumper and not to sell it. A special committee was formed
to undertake the task.
The pumper was stripped
down to its chassis and then sand blasted. All the brass parts including
three steam pressure guages, one steam whistle,and blow off valves were
completely dismantled. All the brass parts were polished to their orignal
shine, the pumper was spray painted with the orignal colors of paint. The
boiler was not repaired, but the pump was freed up and lubricated [it appears
that it will still pump water]. The wheels were sanded down and repainted
the orignal color of red. One of the orignal hose nozzles was found in
town, which was later donated to the company. This nozzle was polished
and returned to its holder on the engine. During the restoration on October
11, 1987 a large fire broke out in the downtown section of Crisfield. Our
company responded with all of its equipment and 53 men. The fire soon got
out of control and calls for mutual aid went out to nearby cities. Salisbury
repaid a debt due over 100 years by responding with a much needed ladder
truck, 3 other pieces of equipment, and 22 men. Fifteen companies,26 pieces
of equipment, and 164 men fought the raging blaze that night. The old steam
pumper was the only piece of equipment left at the station that night,
all it could do was serve as a reminder that history will repeat itself.
Crisfield's steam pumper
is now restored and in very good condition. It is stored in the Firehouse
and out of the weather, where it should remain in good condition for many
years to come.
After the great fire
in Salisbury in 1886 the citizens of that city sent a card of thanks to
the members of the Crisfield Fire Company in apprecition of their assistance
in stopping the progress of the blaze, thereby saving much property and
preventing the total destruction of the town. This beautiful framed certicate
still hangs in the meeting room of the Crisfield Fire Hall. It to like
the steam Pumper was in bad need of repair.
In January of 1989, The
Historical Committee of the Crisfield Fire Department restored the orignal
plaster frame, and inspected the document. The paper document was found
to be in good condition considering its age. We decided to replace the
old mat with a new acid free one, but decided to retain the orignal glass
which was filled with bubbles and ripples. After returning the old certificate
to its restored frame we sealed the back with a dust cover also made of
acid free material. The steam pumper and the card of thanks are both now
restored, and should remain in good shape for many years to come. They
both serve to remind us of the fact that our cities not only need dependable
fire equipment, but the willing spirit of its volunteers and assistance
of its dependable neighbors.
Historical Committee
Crisfield Volunteer Fire Company
March 12th, 1989
Document by Chief Engineer Phil
Goldsborough
Last updated
Nov. 2006
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