MODERN FIRE COMPANY HISTORY

Engine Company 27

MODERN HISTORY

December 19, 1864	The Howard Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1 was organized by the Charlestown Fire Department at 11 Elm St., and equipped with a William Jeffers Co. steam engine, Serial # 136, called the 'Mystic'.
June 15, 1867	Company moved into new quarters on the same site at 11 Elm Street, Charlestown.
July, 1872	Company received a new 1872 Amoskeag First Size steam engine, Serial # 415.
January 5, 1874	The City of Charlestown was annexed to Boston. Charlestown Engine Co. 1 became part of the Boston Fire Department, retaining its old number for the present time.
May 7, 1874	Charlestown Engine 1 was reorganized and made a Part-Permanent company.
May 16, 1874	The Board of Fire Commissioners voted to change designation of Charlestown Engine 1 to Engine Co. 27. This became effective the first week of June.
September 3, 1884	Company changed from Call to Permanent status.
December 15, 1894	The Board of Fire Commissioners voted to place Engine 27 at Ladder 9's quarters during alterations to their house.
May 29, 1895	Engine 27 returned to 11 Elm Street after reconstruction of their quarters.
June 11, 1902	Company received an 1890 Silsby Second Size steam engine, Serial # 977, ex-Engine 40 and rebuilt as a piston pump by the American Fire Engine Company.
May 22, 1907	Captain Edward D. Pope, Engine Company 27, died in the Line-Of-Duty.
September 21, 1908	The 'First' Great Fire in Chelsea occured. Engine 27 was among 14 engine companies, 2 ladder companies and a fireboat sent by Boston on Mutual Aid to Chelsea. The fire consumed 492 acres of land and destroyed 2822 buildings before being extinguished. Companies sent to Chelsea were: Engines Companies 6, 5, 11, 36, 27, 39, 26, 8, 10, 33, 9, 40, 4, 15; Ladder Companies 21, 22; Fireboat Engine 44.
June 25, 1914	A conflagration occured in Salem, Mass. Engine 27's horse-drawn steamer and hose wagon were sent to the fire via flatbed railroad car from North Station, along with Engines 6, 8, 26, 39.
May 20, 1916	Newspaper story: Profile of Captain B.F. Hayes of Engine 27.
July 17, 1923	Company received a new 1923 American LaFrance, Type 75, 750gpm motor pumper, Serial # 4338, Shop # 155, and a new 1923 American LaFrance, Type 75, motor Hose & Chemical Wagon, Serial # 4347, Shop # 342., replacing the horse-drawn apparatus.
1929	Hoseman John J. Boyle of Engine Company 27 was awarded the Walter Scott Medal For Valor. Citation
October 29, 1931	Company received a 1929 American LaFrance, Type 112, Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # 6667, Shop #369, ex-Engine 38.
April 22, 1938	Company moved to the quarters of Ladder 9 at 333 Main Street. The old firehouse at 11 Elm Street was closed.
August 9, 1939	Changed from Double to Single-unit operation. Company received a 1919 American LaFrance Triple Combination, 750gpm pumper, Serial # 2656, Shop # 127. The 1929 ALF Hose Wagon, Shop # 369, was sent to to Engine 34. The 1923 ALF pumper, Shop # 155, was sent to Engine 16.
February 16, 1944	Company received a 1932 American LaFrance, Type 310RC - V12, 1000gpm pumper, Serial # 7472, Shop # 186, formerly Engine 35.
June 1, 1948	Company received a new Mack, Type 85, 750gpm pumper, Serial # 85LS-1256, Shop #195.
July 6, 1948	Company changed from Single to Double unit operation. Company assigned a 1932 American LaFrance, Type 310RC-V12 1000gpm pumper, Serial # 7472, Shop # 186, in service as a Hose Wagon.
February 3, 1955	Company changed from Double to Single-unit operation. The 1932 American La France Pumper, Shop # 186, in service as a Hose Wagon, was placed in reserve.
July 1, 1961	COMPANY DEACTIVATED. The firehouse at 333 Main Street closed.
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