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North Carolina Steam Fire Engines Database

This page is a catalog of all steam fire engines that served in North Carolina. Known rebuilds are listed accordingly. Contact Mike Legeros to contribute or correct information. Read histories. See present-day photos.
 
Last updated May 1, 2022

See history chart - jpg | pdf | 2.4M 

Change log.

  Department Builder / Model Year Size Serial # Survived Notes Sanborn Map Citations NCSFA Proceedings Citations, 1892, 1894-1901
  Camp Greene American / Metropolitan 1902 3rd 2813 X See Charlotte 1902 steamer for history.    
1 Charlotte Clapp & Jones 1866? 1st?     Delivered January 1867. Operated by Hornet Steam Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 until 1873. Named "Captain Jones" (Charlotte Observer, Jan 12, 1925)

Then by Pioneer Steam Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 2 starting in 1874. 

Need confirmation of model year.

Bill of Sale for Clapp & Jones Steam Fire Engine, 455 Water Street, New York, to City of Charlotte, dated January 16, 1867. Paid in full on January 26, 1867. $4500. Source: Tom Link.

Was "condemned" and replaced with new engine in 1873. News story in 1874 mentions it in "good condition and perfectly serviceable." Was also overhauled and "made good as new" in 1874 by fire department personnel for operation by new Pioneer Fire Company.

Pumped at the Holton Building fire on November 19, 1901. Source: Charlotte Observer, Nov 20, 1901.

Removed from roster by 1911.

Sources: News articles ; Sanborn. 
  • Sanborn 1885 - Two steam engines
  • Sanborn 1890 - Two steam engines
  • Sanborn 1896
    • One Clapp & Jones 1st Class
    • One Hayes & Harrils 1st Class
  • Sanborn 1900
    • One Clapp & Jones First Class, double piston
    • One Patterson "  "  "  "  "  " 
  • Sanborn 1905
    • One Clapp & Jones first class, double piston
    • One Metropolitan "  "  "  "  "  "
    • One Harrill & Hayes "  "  "  "  "  "
  • Sanborn 1911 - One Metropolitan third-size, 650 GPM
  • Sanborn 1929 - No steam engine listed
  • 1892 - Two steamers, 22 men
  • 1894 - Two steamers, 22 men
  • 1895 - Charlotte #1
  • 1896 - same
  • 1897 - same
  • 1898 - EC#2, 4 men
  • 1899 - Two steamers
  • 1900 - Two steamers + one steam engine not in use
  • 1901 - Active steamers not specified, one steamer not in use
2 Charlotte Harrell & Hayes 1873? 1st     Delivered by October 22, 1873. Builder name cited as "Harrel & Howe", "Hayes & Harrils", and "Patterson" in various sources, meaning Harrell & Hayes of Patterson, NJ.

Need confirmation of model year.

Alternate citation, Charlotte Observer, Nov 24, 1916, says built by Patterson Steam Fire Engine Company of Patterson, NY, in 1869, and brought to Charlotte in 1870.

Removed from roster by 1911. Traded for motor vehicle in 1916. [Need to confirm.]

News reported that the old Hornet steam engine, housed at the Dilworth station, was sold and would be scrapped by the new owner. Source: Charlotte Observer, Nov 24, 1916.  

Sources: News articles ; Sanborn; King.
3 Charlotte American /
Metropolitan		 1902
[h]		 3rd
[h]		 2813
[h]		 X

Ordered Oct 16, 1901. Cost $4,500. Named Old Sue. Capacity 650 GPM.

City officials decide that the "old fire engine steamer, at the Dilworth department, which has been in disuse for months on account of much needed repairs, placed in good condition by the Jerrill [Harrell?] & Company at a cost not to exceed $200. Source: Evening Chronicle, Aug 10, 1911.

Leased to the Army after fire on December 30, 1917, at a hospital at Camp Greene. The camp operated until 1919. Housed in later years at the Morris Field fire station.

Restored in 1999 by fire department members. Also operationally restored, and is still fired and demonstrated at special events. Housed at CFD administrative building.

Source: News articles; Sanborn; Hass; FD info..

4 Durham LaFrance
[news] [s]		 1902? 3rd     Named Black Pattie. Ordered October 1902. Delivered February 1903. Capacity 600 GPM. Purportedly the first steamer in the state delivered with rubber tires.

Need confirmation of model year. Or could be 1903 model year.

The 1996 DFD history book includes the likely incorrect account of a second steamer also delivered in 1903, named Black Jack.
 
Sources: News articles; Sanborn; Hass; FD Info.
  • Sanborn 1902 - No steam engines listed
  • Sanborn 1907 - One LaFrance No. 3
  • Sanborn 1913
    • One LaFrance No. 3
    • One Metropolitan No. 2, drawn by auto truck
  • Sanborn 1937 - One Metropolitan, 750 GPM, in reserve
  • 1901 - No steam engines
5 Durham ALF /
Metropolitan		 1912
[h]		 2nd
[h]
[news]		 3368
[h]		 X

Delivered July 8, 1912. Capacity 750 GPM. Pulled by motor vehicle by 1913, housed at Station 1 in 1920, purportedly last used in 1922 [source: 1943 news story], still in reserve in 1937. Still owned by FD.

Sources: News articles; Sanborn; Hass; FD Info.
6a Elizabeth City Silsby 1873
[c]		 3rd*
[c]
[news]		 413
[c]		 Named Inez, for oldest daughter of Fire Chief G. Scott Bell. Previously served San Antonio, TX. Purchased approved in April 1888. Rebuilt by Silsby in 1902, see below.

Sources: News articles ; Sanborn; Conway.
  • Sanborn 1885 - "No steam engines"
  • Sanborn 1891 - One Silsby No. 3
  • Sanborn 1896 - One Silsby #3
  • Sanborn 1902 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1908 - Two Silsby steamers
  • Sanborn 1914
    • One Silsby 1st class
    • One Silsby 2nd class
  • Sanborn 1923 - One Silsby 1st class
  • Sanborn 1931 - One Silsby, 500 GPM, towed
  • 1892 - One Silsby, Ablemarle Steam [Fire Company]
  • 1894 - AFC
  • 1901 - AFC
6b Elizabeth City Silsby 1902
[c]
[h]		 2nd
[c]
[h]		 2888
[c]
[h]		 X Rebuild of 1873 steamer. Still named Inez. Delivered July 8, 1902. Operated by Albemarle Fire Company. Still on roster in 1931 and towed by motor vehicle.

When the steamer was retired, volunteer fireman Robert Jennings salvaged the engine and brought her to Miles Jennings Company's scrapyard. During World War II, during the scrap drives. he hid the steamer to prevent its discovery. After the war, Jennings donated the steamer to ECFD, where it was displayed outside a fire station. When the Museum of the Albemarle opened in 1967, the steamer was placed in the museum.

Sources: News articles; Sanborn; Conway; Hass; Legendary Locals of Elizabeth City, Marjorie Ann Berry, Arcadia Publishing, p117
7 Elizabeth City Silsby ? 1st

[?]		 ?  

Named Betsy, for woman who donated land on which the town was charted. Purchased circa July 1902. Cost $5,000. Delivered by October 30, 1902.

Need model year.

City officials on June 9, 1902, started the process to purchase a second fire engine for the city, as the "need for two engines [had] been long apparent." And the "disastrous results of the last two fires" had "aroused" the city fathers to action.

Sources: News articles; Sanborn.
8 Fayetteville Silsby 1885? 5th
[c]		 834
[c]		 X Named James D. McNeill, for the famous fire chief and citizen. Delivered December 14, 1885. Bought or later paid through pledged contributions, as listed in Feb 1886 newspaper. Operated by Chicora Steam Fire Engine Company. Still in service in 1914, reserve unit by 1923. Still owned by FD.

Need confirmation of model year.

Note: Conway lists 1882 model year. Based on news accounts and other info, seems more likely steamer was purchased new.

Sources: News articles; Sanborn; Conway.
  • Sanborn 1885 - "No steam engines"
  • Sanborn 1891 - One new Silsby No. 5
  • Sanborn 1896 - One fifth class Silsby
  • Sanborn 1901 - One fifth class Silsby
  • Sanborn 1908 - One 5th class Silsby
  • Sanborn 1914 - One 5th class Silsby
  • Sanborn 1923 - One 5th class Silsby, in reserve
  • Sanborn 1930 - No steam engine listed.
     
  • 1892 - One Silsby, Chicora SFE Co. No. 1
  • 1897 - CSFEC
  • 1898 - same
  • 1899 - same
  • 1900 - same
  • 1901 - CSFEC, Silsby
9 Goldsboro Silsby 1882
[c]		 5th*
[c]
[news]		 701
[c]		 Named Mary Alice, for young deceased daughter of fire chief. Purchase authorized circa May 1, 1882. Delivered by July 27, 1882. "Silsby Rotary No. 5." Capacity over 600 GPM. Operated by Eclipse Company.

Town originally planned to purchase a Silsby steamer in September 1879. What happened?

Towed by motor vehicle by 1918. Upon delivery of first motor pumper in 1919, placed in reserve. Still in reserve by 1924. In 1940, retired and placed in Herman Park. Scrapped for metal during World War II.

*Listed as 3rd class by Sanborn.

Sources: News articles; Sanborn; Conway.
  • Sanborn 1885 - One steam fire engine
  • Sanborn 1891 - One steam fire engine
  • Sanborn 1896 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1901 - One Silsby, drawn by horses
  • Sanborn 1908 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1918 - One Silsby 3rd size, towed by auto
  • Sanborn 1924 - One 3rd class Silsby
     
  • 1894 - Silsby, Eclipse SFEC
  • 1895 - ESFEC, also "steamer not used at fires"
  • 1896 - Same, including "steamer not used at fires"
  • 1897 - Same, but steamer no longer listed as "not used"
  • 1898 - Goldsboro SFEC1, LaFrance
  • 1899 - E#1
  • 1900 - E#1
  • 1901 - Eclipse SFE
10 Greensboro LaFrance 1886
[c]		 3rd
[s]*		 117

[c]		 X Delivered around Dec. 10, 1886. Named General Greene. In  September 1904, with delivery of new steamer, city planned to soon send the old steamer to the factory to be overhauled. Upon return, to be placed in reserve. Reserve unit by 1905? Displayed at Greensboro Historical Museum.

*Listed as 6th class by Conway.

Other sources: News articles; Conway.
  • Sanborn 1885 - "No steam engine"
  • Sanborn 1888 - One No. 3 LaFrance
  • Sanborn 1891 - One No. 3 LaFrance
  • Sanborn 1896 - One No. 3 LaFrance
  • Sanborn 1902 - One LaFrance, two-horse
  • Sanborn 1907 - Two LaFrance steamers, 500 GPM
  • Sanborn 1919
    • One first-size American LaFrance, 1200 gallons, in reserve
    • One third size American LaFrance, 700 gallons, in reserve
  • Sanborn 1925 - One Ahrens steamer, "about" 500 GPM, in reserve

Notes: Ahrens is likely or certainly an error from Sanborn.

  • 1892 - One steamer, Greensboro Steam Fire Co. No. 1
  • 1894 - LaFrance, GSFEC#1
  • 1897 - Same,
  • 1899 - Same
  • 1900 - Same
  • 1900 - Same
11 Greensboro LaFrance 1904
[c]		 2nd
[c]		 496
[c]		 X Delivered by Sep 7, 1904. Capacity 750 GPM at 120 pounds per square inch, supplying three 2 1/2-inch hand lines. Reserve unit by 1919. Used as reserve through 1930s. Last pumped [at a fire?] in 1940. Purchased 1940 by Mr. D. R. Callaway, Winston-Salem, for display in parades. Purchased 1951 by V. K. O'Meara in Florida, for display in Hileah Fire Museum. Moved 1955 to new O'Meara fire museum in Blowing Rock, NC. Later moved to Gatlinburg, TN, for display at Goldrush Junction Amusement Park. Purchased 1970 by Cedar Point Amuseument Park, Ohio. Completely restored in 1970 and 1971. Sold by Gray's Auctioneer's in November 2019.

Sources: Gray's Auctioneers info, News articles; Sanborn; Conway
12 Greenville LaFrance c1898
[s]		 5th     Contract for purchase July 20, 1897. Delivered by Oct, 1897.

Operated by Hope Fire Company. Hand-pulled through at least March 1899.  Reserve unit by 1911. Removed from roster by 1923.

Source: News articles; Sanborn.
  • 1896 - "No steam engines"
  • 1898 - One LaFrance No. 5 new
  • 1900 - One LaFrance No. 5
  • 1905 - One No. 5 LaFrance
  • 1911 - One LaFrance, in reserve
  • 1916 - One LaFrance, 500 GPM
  • 1923 - No steam engine listed
  • 1900 - Hope [FC], LaFrance
13 Kinston Silsby 1895? 3rd
[news]		     Bought having been "just rebuilt and warranted for ten years, same as a new one." Delivered on March 22, 1895.

Need confirmation of model year. Could be 1894, if rebuilt in prior year.

Named Caswell No. 1. Capacity about 500 GPM. Originally hand-pulled, but promptly converted to horse-drawn, as once the steamer arrived at a fire, the firemen were "too tired to fight the blaze effectively." In 1904, Caswell Fire Company No. 1 organized.

Placed in retirement when the waterworks system was installed and "direct pressure" from hydrants was "as good as that of the engine." Still in service in 1914, reported sold by July 29, 1922, to an agent of a "motor engine manufacturer."  

Source: News articles; Sanborn; FD info.
  • Sanborn 1891 - "No steam engines"
  • Sanborn 1896 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1901 - One Silsby, drawn by horses
  • Sanborn 1908 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1914 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1925 - No steam engine listed
     
  • 1895 - Silsby, Kinston FC
  • 1896 - Same
  • 1897 - Same
  • 1899 - KSFEC#1, Silsby
  • 1900 - Same
  • 1901 - Same
14 Monroe Silsby 1886
[c]		 5th*
[c]		 556
[c]		 X Cost $3,500. First stored in local livery stable. Operated by Acme Fire Company, among others. Reserve unit by 1908, still reserve by 1922. Stored at Old Station 1, later moved to glass case at Jaycee Park. Returned to FD in recent years, housed at Station 1 awaiting restoration.

Source: Conway, OH.
  • Sanborn 1885 - "No steam engines"
  • Sanborn 1892 - One "Silsbee" "improved" steamer, 2000 GPM, "throws stream 280 [feet]", $3,500
  • Sanborn 1897 - One "Silsbee" "improved" steamer, 2000 GPM, "throws stream 280 [feet]", $3,500
  • Sanborn 1902 - One Silsby 2nd class
  • Sanborn 1908 - One Silsby, in reserve
  • Sanborn 1914 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1922 - One Silsby, 500 GPM, "can be trailed [towed? trailered?]"
  • Sanborn 1930 - No steam engine listed
  • 1892 - One Silsby steamer, Acme SFE Co. No. _
  • 1894 - Silsby, Monroe SFC
  • 1899 - same
  • 1900 - same
  • 1901 - same
15 New Bern Amoskeag 1865
[c]		 3rd
[c]		 127
[c]		   Delivered April 25, 1865. Operated by Palmer Engine Co. No. 1, which was soon renamed to New Bern Steam Fire Engine Company. Capacity 550 GPM. Originally hand-pulled, with horses procured for its use in July 1866. More information

Sources: News articles; Conway; Bartholf.
  • Sanborn 1885 - Two steam engines
  • Sanborn 1888
    • One Silsby
    • One Button, both have patent drop harness and "can get up steam"
  • Sanborn 1893
    • One Silsby
    • One Button, both have patent drop harness and "can get up steam" in 2 1/2 or 3 minutes
  • Sanborn 1898
    • One Silsby
    • One Button
  • Sanborn 1904 - Two steam fire engines, with horses for same "working on streets"
  • Sanborn 1908
    • One Silsby
    • One Button
  • Sanborn 1913
    • One Button, New Bern No. 1 fire company
    • One Silsby, Atlantic fire company
  • Sanborn 1924 - No steamers listed
  • 1894
    • Silsby, Atlantic SFEC
    • Button, New Bern SFEC,
  • 1897
    • Atlantic
    • New Bern
  • 1901
    • Atlantic
    • New Bern
16 New Bern Button 1884
[c]		 4th
[c]		 155
[c]		 X Delivered mid-October 1884. Cost $4,000 less $1,110 trade-in allowance for the Amoskeag steamer. Operated by Button Company. Still in service in 1913, but removed from roster by 1924. Displayed at New Bern Firemen's Museum. Capacity 500 GPM. More information

Sources: Conway; Bartholf
17 New Bern Silsby 1879
[c]		 4th
[c]		 604
[c]		 X Purchased in April 1879, after company brought steamer to the city for their consideration, and after special election on April 17 was called, for citizens to vote on the proposed purchase. Operated by the Atlantic Steam Fire Engine Company. Pulled by two horses donated by Elijah Ellis, whose name appeared on the side of the steamer, and started the tradition where the fire company named apparatus after a mayor, former chief, or someone notable to the company. Still in service in 1913, but removed from roster by 1924. Displayed at New Bern Firemen's Museum. Capacity 600 GPM. More information

Sources: News articles; Conway; Bartholf
18 Raleigh Gould 1870
[mjl]		 2nd
[mjl]		     Delivered April 7, 1870. Rescue Steam Fire Engine Company. Hand-drawn for first seven years or so. Also transported by train with horses, for some mutual aid calls. Last public appearance in 1902. More information.

Sources: Legeros; Daily Standard, Apr 8, 1870.
  • Sanborn 1884 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1888 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1896 - One Gould, in reserve
  • Sanborn 1903 - One Gould, in reserve
  • Sanborn 1909 - One third-class Metropolitan
  • Sanborn 1914 - One Metropolitan 3rd class

 
  • 1892 - Gould, Rescue SFEC#1
  • 1894 - Gould steamer not in use
  • 1895 - Gould, second-class, not in use
  • 1896 - same
  • 1899 - One steamer, reserve
  • 1900 - same
  • 1901 - One steamer not in use
19 Raleigh ALF /
Metropolitan		 1905
[h]		 3rd
[h]
[news]		 3061
[h]		 X Authorized for purchase April 10, 1911. Delivered July 1905. Cost $5,000. Capacity 600 GPM. Operated by L.A. Mahler Fire Company. By 1915, was special-called. Was reserve unit at least 1931. Later served as a fixed steam pump at the State Fairgrounds. Returned to FD in the 1950s [?]. Operationally restored in 2012. More information.

Sources: Legeros; Hass; News & Observer, Apr 11, Jul 12, 1905; Morning Post, Jul 11, 1905.
20 Reidsville Silsby 1883
[c]		 4th*
[c]		 763
[c]		   Cost $4,500. [Reidsville Review, Feb 27, 1889]

Listed by Sanborn as "auxiliary" unit by 1901. Still in service by 1914, disappeared from roster by 1922.

*Listed as 2nd class by Sanborn.

Source: Conway.
  • Sanborn 1890 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1896 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1901 - One Silsby rotary (auxiliary)
  • Sanborn 1908 - One Silsby 2nd class
  • Sanborn 1914 - One Silsby 2nd class
  • Sanborn 1922 - No steam engine listed
  • 1892 - Zeb Vance SEC
  • 1894 - Company No. 1
  • 1901 - Silsby
21 Rocky Mount Silsby 1896
[c]
[h]		 5th*
[c]
[h]		 2471
[c]
[h]		 X Cost $2,600. Horse-drawn by 1901, motor-pulled as a reserve unit by 1917. Restored in recent years, displayed at Rocky Mount Fire Museum.

*Listed as 2nd and 4th class by Sanborn.

Sources: Conway; Hass; FD Info;
  • Sanborn 1896 - "No steam engines"
  • Sanborn 1901 - One Silsby 2nd class rotary, drawn by horses
  • Sanborn 1907 - One Silsby 4th class rotary
  • Sanborn 1912 - One Silsby, drawn by mules
  • Sanborn 1917 - One Silsby, in reserve, "drawn by auto truck"
  • Sanborn 1923 - One Silsby, in reserve, "drawn by auto truck"
  • 1897 - Rocky Mount FEC#1
22 Salem Button 1886
[c]		 5th
[c]
[fdh]		 190
[c]		   Purchased March 1886. (Alternate date, June 1886, as the Western Sentinel on June 24, 1886, reported the new fire engine as having been ordered.) Delivered by October 21, 1886. [Western Sentinel, Oct 21, 1886] Weighed 3,000/5,000 pounds, pumped 400 GPM, and cost $2,700. Was nickled plated with wheels and other wood work painted with gold-leaf trim. When tested, the time to steam was recorded as reaching 2 pounds in 3 minutes, 5 pounds in 4 minutes, 22 pounds in 5.5 minutes (and water started flowing at the nozzle), 50 pounds in 8 minutes, 80 pounds in 10 minutes, 100 pounds in 10.5 minutes. With 140 pounds of steam and 180 pounds of water pressure, the 7/8 nozzle produced a stream that reached 193 feet. With two 50 foot sections of hose "siamesed" into one nozzle, 155 pounds of steam, 190 pounds of water pressure, 200 feet was reached. With 500 feet of hose + 7/8 nozzle + 130# steam + 260# water, 204.5 feet was reached. With 1000 feet + 7/8 nozzle + 140# steam + 260# water, 180 feet was reached.  [Union Republican, Oct 28, 1886]

Operated by Rough and Ready Fire Company. Reserve unit by 1907, still on roster in 1912.

Sources: News articles; Conway; FD Info.
  • Sanborn 1890 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1895 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1900 - One Button 5th class, single-piston
  • Sanborn 1907
    • One LaFrance 4th size
    • One Button, 5000 pounds
  • Sanborn 1912
    • One LaFrance 4th class
    • One Button
  • 1894 - Button, Rough and Ready FEC
  • 1898 - Rough and Ready
  • 1899 - Rough and Ready, Button
  • 1900 - Same
  • 1901 - Same
23 Salem LaFrance 1905
[c]
[fdh]		 4th
[c]
[fdh]		 512
[c]
[fdh]		 X Still on roster in 1912, when town merged with Winston-Salem.

Sources: Sanborn, Conway.
24 Salisbury ALF /
Metropolitan		 1907
[h]		 2nd
[h]		 3216
[h]		   Delivered February 3, 1908. Cost $5,500. Motor-drawn by 1922, reserve unit by 1931. Scrapped for metal in 1942 during World War II.

Previously cited as 1908 model year.

Sources: News articles; FD Info; Sanborn; Hass.
  • Sanborn 1907 - Steam engine not listed
  • Sanborn 1913 - One American LaFrance 2nd class, drawn by two horses
  • Sanborn 1922 - One American LaFrance, 750 GPM, drawn by auto trucks
  • Sanborn 1931 - One American Lafrance, 600 GPM, auto-drawn, in reserve
  
25 Statesville LaFrance 1881? 4th
[news]		 Delivered January 19, 1882. Cost $3,880. Rotary engine. Weighed about 4,000 pounds. Placed in storage with installation of city waterworks in 1899, and sold in 1903 to the Biltmore Fire Company [in Asheville?].

Presuming purchased new. Need confirmation of model year.

Town originally evaluated a larger and more expensive LaFrance, and decided in August 1881 to return it to the company.

Sources: News articles; FD Info.
  • Sanborn 1885 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1890 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1895 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1900 - "No steam engine"
  • Sanborn 1905 - "No steam engine"
  • Statesville FC, LaFrance, 50 men, white
  
26 Washington Silsby 1888
[c]		 5th*
[c]		 899
[c]		 X Purchased circa Sep 27, 1887. Delivered circa Oct 25, 1887. Ocean Steam Fire Engine Company. Rebuilt 1902, and possibly changed from 1st size to 3rd size engine. See Sanborn citations. Reserve by 1912, fought last fire in 1937. More information

*Listed as 1st and 3rd class by Sanborn.

Sources: News articles; Conway; Web
  • Sanborn 1891 - One Silsby, new
  • Sanborn 1901 - One Silsby 1st class, being rebuilt
  • Sanborn 1904 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1911 - Steam engine not listed
  • Sanborn 1916 - One Silsby 3rd class
  • Sanborn 1924 - One Silsby, 500 GPM, used only in general alarm
  • 1899 - Ocean [FC]
  • 1900 - Same
27 Wilmington Silsby 1868
[c]		 2nd
[c]		 192
[c]		   Delivered March 2, 1869. Named "John T. Rankin." Operated by Wilmington Steam Fire Engine Company. Is 1869 the correct model year, instead? Retired February 1875.[wfdh]

Was this returned to Silsby with purchase of Little Giant?

Source: See below.
  • Sanborn 1884 - Three 2nd class steam fire engines
  • Sanborn 1889 - Three 2nd class steamers
  • Sanborn 1893 - Three 2nd class steamers
  • Sanborn 1898
    • One Silsby No. 4 in active service
    • One Silsby No. 3 in active service
    • One Button in reserve
  • Sanborn 1904
    • One Silsby No. 4 in active service
    • One Silsby No. 3 in active service
    • One Button in reserve
  • Sanborn 1910
    • One Nott first-size
    • One Silsby fourth-size, rebuilt with Nott boiler
    • One Button third-size, rebuilt with Nott boiler
  • Sanborn 1915
    • One Knott first-class
    • One Button third-class
    • One Silsby third-class
       
  • 1892
    • Wilmington SFEC
    • Howard Relief FEC
    • Cape Fear SFEC
  • 1894
    • WSFEC#1, Silsby
    • HRFEC#1, Button
    • CFSFEC#3, Silsby
  • 1895 - same
  • 1896 - same
  • 1897 - same
  • 1898
    • SC#2, Silsby
    • EC#2, Silsby
    • Button not in use
  • 1899
    • SC#1, Silsby
    • EC#2, Silsby
    • Button not in use
  • 1900 - same
  • 1901
    • EC#1, 8 men
    • EC#2, 7 men
    • No. 3 Button not in use
28 Wilmington Button 1870?
[news]		 3rd
[wfdh]		     Delivered Sep 8, 1870. Placed in service Sep 14, 1870. Cost $4,000. Operated by Howard Relief Company. Named A. Adrian.

Returned to Button as part of purchase agreement in 1885, on/around Feb. 24, 1885.

Source: See below.
29 Wilmington Gould 1871? 3rd
[news]		     Delivered August 2, 1871. Operated by Cape Fear Steam Engine Company.  More information

Need confirmation of model year. Returned in 1887 as part of purchase agreement, on/around Jun 24, 1887.

Source: News articles; EBF; WFD historian.
  Wilmington Button 1873
[c]		   61
[c]		   This is a reference found in Conway's book, but nowhere else. Did he mean the Button steamer delivered in 1870, perhaps?
31 Wilmington Silsby 1874
[c]		 5th
[c]		 481
[c]		   Delivered by February 1875. Operated by Wilmington Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1. Named "The Little Giant."

Returned to Silsby as part of purchase agreement in 1886, on/around Aug 5, 1886.

Source: See below.
32 Wilmington Button 1885
[c]		 3rd
[c]		 161
[c]		   Named "A. Adrian". Cost $4,000. Delivered February 12, 1885. [Alternate delivery Jan 1, 1885, wfdh] Placed in service Aug 5, 1886.[wfdh] Operated by Howard Relief Fire Engine Company No. 1.

New Button boiler on/around Feb 15, 1888.[wfdh] Rebuilt with Nott boiler by 1908, part of purchase of 1908 Nott.[wfdh] Reserve on/by Feb 12, 1913[wfdh].

Source: See below.
33 Wilmington Silsby 1886
[c]		 3rd
[c]
[news]		 857
[c]		   Delivered July 29, 1886.[wfdh] Placed in service August 5, 1886.[wfdh] Named "The Atlantic." Cost $3,800. Retired early 1906?[wfdh] Repurposed for first fire boat, Atlantic, February 1906.[wfdh]

Source: See below.
34 Wilmington Silsby 1887
[c]		 4th
[c]
[news]		 886
[c]		   Purchase authorized April 18, 1887. Delivered Jun 7, 1887. [Alternate Jun 16, 1887, wfdh.] Operated by Cape Fear Steam Fire Engine Company No. 3. Rebuilt with Nott boiler by 1910. Reserve by/on February 12, 1913.[wfdh]

Source: See below.
35 Wilmington Nott 1908?
[news]		 1st
[news]		    

Purchased Jun 1, 1908. Delivered Oct 24, 1908. Cost about $5,000. Named W. A. French.

Source: News articles; Sanborn, WFD historian.

36Wilson Silsby 1887
[c]		 5th 914  

Delivered by June 13, 1888. Reserve by 1911. Still on the roster in 1913.

Source: News articles; Conway.
  • Sanborn 1888 - One Silsby No. 5 to arrive by May 1
  • Sanborn 1893 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1897 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1903 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1908 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1913 - One Silsby
  • Sanborn 1922 - No steamer listed.
  • 1892 - Silsby, Phoenix SFEC#1
  • 1895 - PFEC
  • 1897 - Wilson No. 1
37 Winston LaFrance 1882
[c]		 4th*
[c]		 39
[c]		 &  Purchase authorized Apr 4, 1882. Company quoted $4,000, town offered $3,800. Delivered May 5, 1882. [People's Press, May 11, 1882] Likely a reserve unit by 1907, and likely removed from roster by 1912. See Sanborn citations.

Source: News articles; Sanborn; Conway; FDH.
  • Sanborn 1885 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1890 - One steam engine
  • Sanborn 1895 - Two steamers, one rotary and one double-piston
  • Sanborn 1900
    • One LaFrance 3rd class, double-piston
    • One LaFrance 3rd class, rotary
  • Sanborn 1907
    • One LaFrance 3rd size, double-piston
    • One LaFrance 3rd size, rotary
    • One LaFrance 3rd size in reserve
  • Sanborn 1912 - Two 3rd class LaFrance

 
  • 1892 - One LaFrance
  • 1894
    • SC#1, LaFrance
    • SC#2, LaFrance
  • 1895
    • SC#1, LaFrance
    • SC#2, LaFrance
  • 1896 - same
  • 1897 - same
  • 1898
    • SC1, Silsby
    • SC2, LaFrance
  • 1900
    • WSFEC#1
    • WSFEC#2
  • 1901
    • WSFEC#1, LaFrance,
    • WSFEC#2, LaFrance
38 Winston LaFrance 1893
[c]		 3rd
[c]		 252
[c]		 &  Likely removed from roster by 1912. See Sanborn citations.
 
Source: Sanborn; Conway.
39Winston LaFrance 1903
[c]		 3rd
[c]		 487
[c]		   Operated by Winston-Salem FD after merger in 1913.

Source: Conway; FDH.
 Winston-Salem           Winston and Salem merged in 1913.

They last used a steamer on August 8, 1922, at a large fire that threatened the entire downtown area.

Still researching the dispositions of the two Salem and three Winston steamers at the time of the merger and after. 		Sanborn 1917: One LaFrance 3rd class, 500 GPM  

*Denotes a discrepancy between the steamer size as cited, drawn from builder lists, and the steamer size as referenced in Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. In most cases, the builder list is consider more accurate, as Sanborn citations are often inconsistent from year to year, for a particular municipality.

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