Engine 227 (continued)
Brooklyn Fire Department 1886-1899:
ENGINE COMPANY NO. 27 : A MAJORITY OF VETERANS
Although a comparatively new company, Engine Company No. 27 is made up of a thoroughly disciplined and brave body of firemen, who are fully equipped and prepared for any call that may be made upon them. Some of them are new men in the fire service, but the majority are veterans. Taken as a whole they are a body of men of whom the citizens of Brooklyn have every reason to be proud.
Engine Company No. 27 covers a wide territory, which a few years ago had but scant protection against fire. Before No. 27 was called into existence,
the district now to covered by that engine was dependent in case of fire on the services of engine-companies stationed miles away and which could reach a fire within it only after long and trying runs. Commissioner Ennis realized the necessity for an engine-company in the district and promptly
organized one, and events have justified his excellent foresight in the matter.
No. 27's house is located on Herkimer Street, near Ralph Avenue, in the heart of the territory for whose protection it was organized. The section of the city in question has practically been built up during the past ten years, and 90 per cent. of the buildings within it are of frame construction, being erected outside the established fire-limits. It is an important district on account of the great number of public institutions which are located in it. Each of them gives shelter to hundreds of persons, most of them helpless. Should a fire break out in any of them, nothing would save the inmates but the prompt response of the Fire Department.
Hence it is -that a great responsibility rests upon the shoulders of the members of Engine No. 27, and they fully realize it. So far as is known no
fire which No. 27 has ever been called to was marked by a loss of life.
There are numerous educational institutions in the district, all fine, large and costly structures. Among them are Public Schools Nos. 25, 26, 28, 35,
57, 68, 70 and 73 which thousands of children are taught daily. The district is dotted all over with 33 immense structures such as asylums, hospitals and homes and retreats of various kinds. The principal ones are St. Mary's (Catholic) Hospital, the House of the Good Shepherd, in which over 400 women are quartered, St. Malachi's Home, St. Joseph's Institute for the Education of Mutes, the Sanitarium, St. John's Hospital, St. John's
Catholic Home for Boys, in which over 1,000 inmates are cared for, the Brooklyn Nursery and Infants' Hospital, St. Martha's Sanitarium, the Day
Nursery of the King's Daughters, the Howard Colored Orphan Asylum, the Zion Home for the Aged, the Hebrew Orphan Asylum. with its new structure now being built at Ralph Avenue and Pacific Street, the Brooklyn Orphan Asylum, the Church Charity Foundation Home for the Aged, and the Orphan. age, the Truant Home and the Wartburg Home for the Aged, the Bedford Dispensary, and the Brooklyn Diet Dispensary. There are many churches within the district, among them being St. Benedict's, St. Malachi's, Church of the Holy Rosary, the Presentation church, St. Timothy's, Ocean Hill Reformed church, the Beecher Memorial church, the Rochester Avenue Congregational church. Good Shepherd Episcopal church, and Embury Methodist Episcopal church.
The above list, extended as it is, does not by any means include all the institutions for whose protection against fire Engine No. 27 is responsible, but it will suffice to show the importance of the district covered by this engine which, by the way, has made a splendid record in keeping down the losses at fires to which it has been summoned. The district boundaries are Halsey Street, Kingston Avenue, city line on the south and the Queens County line. No. 27 responds to calls within these boundaries; second and third and special alarms call it miles beyond. No. 27's house is located at No. 979 Herkimer Street, between Ralph and Howard Avenues. It is a plain, two-story brick structure. 25 x 90 feet, fitted up in a solid and substantial manner. The company was organized in 1889, and it began service at 2.36 P.M., on Jan.
11, of that year.
The commander of this serviceable company is Foreman JOHN FRANCIS O'HARA, who is probably one of the youngest Foremen in the United States. He has been connected with the Brooklyn Fire Department over ten years and his record is A1. Foreman O'HARA is a native of Ireland, where he was born Sept. 22, 1860. He became a fireman Jan. 22, 1882, before he was twenty-two. After five years of excellent service, he was, on March 1, 1887, raised to the rank of Assistant Foreman. Two years later, when Engine No. 27 was established, he was appointed Foreman and placed in command of the company.
Assistant Foreman JAMES S. JONES is a Brooklynite by birth, born on the Fourth of July, 1859. He became a fireman on St. Patrick's Day, March 17,
1888. After three years' meritorious service he was promoted to the rank which he now enjoys. Transferred to Engine Co. No. 29, August 11, 1892.
Assistant Foreman MARTIN F. BRADY was appointed to his present office on Aug. 11, 1892, when Assistant Foreman Jones was transferred to Engine No. 29. Mr. Brady was born in Brooklyn Feb. 28, 1858, and was appointed to the Department on Jan. 15, 1882. His service was continuous with Engine No. 17, to which he was originally assigned, up to the date of his promotion and transfer to this company.
Engineer ELISHA SNETHEN is one of the veterans of the Department, having served as a fire-fighter for nearly a quarter of a century, during which
time he has served in various quarters of the city. He was born in New York, July 23. 1845 but has resided in this city the greater part of his
life. He was only twenty-four years old in September, 1869, when he was appointed. He proved himself a steady, careful man, faithful in the
performance of every duty assigned him, and on several occasions distinguished himself as a life-saver. On June 16, 1885, he was created
engineer, and when Engine No. 27 was organized he was assigned to it.
JOHN J. DEEGAN is a native of Brooklyn, born in 1841. It was late in life when he joined the Department, but he has shown himself to be a valuable
member of it. The date of his appointment is Dec. 15. 1885, since which time he has been attached to several companies. Fireman DEEGAN has a splendid army record as well. In 1862, when only a stripling, he joined the Union army, and served to the end of the war as a member of the 158th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., of which Gen. James Jourdan was commander. DEEGAN was a brave and an excellent soldier and rendered his country three years' service.
JOHN J. HUGHES, the driver, is a fireman of ten years' standing. He was born Sept. 23, 1854. in New York City. He joined the Department on June
19, 1882, and is known as a steady, trustworthy man. He has often assisted in the rescue of life at fires. On May 1, 1886, he was promoted to the
position of driver.
JOHN JOSEPH CANTWELL is a man with a gratifying record. During his career he has served his country as a fire-fighter, a soldier, and as a sailor in
the navy. Mr. CANTWELL is a native of the Green Isle, where he first saw light on Jan. 19, 1844. He came to America when but a boy. During the
Rebellion he joined the navy and served faithfully for fourteen months. He afterward joined the army and served nearly a year, when he was honorably discharged. He received his appointment as fireman, March 15, 1888, and the same day was assigned to duty on Hook and Ladder Company No. 8. On Jan. 11, 1889, he was transferred to Engine No. 27.
THOMAS McNAMARA is a veteran fireman with a long and honorable record. He was born in Ireland, July 31, 1848. He was appointed Nov. 19, 1876, and since then he has served with credit in various companies. He has assisted in the rescue of life on several occasions.
ALEXANDER JOHNSTON was born in New York City on Feb. 28, 1853, and nearly seven years of his life have been devoted to the Brooklyn Fire Department, of which he is one of the most valuable members. His commission is dated Dec. 15, 1885.
HENRY JOSEPH SMITH is a Brooklynite. He was born Sept10, 1861, and appointed to the Department June 15. 1887. He was first assigned to Engine
No. 19, as driver. After nearly four years' faithful service with that company he was, on March 25, 1881, transferred to Engine No. 27. He is a
plucky and energetic member of the force.
CHARLES FRANCIS CONNOLLY is a native of the great city which he serves as a member of the Fire Department. He was born June 5, 1862, and he joined the Department Jan. 2, 1889. During his connection with the service he has been noted as a reliable and efficient fireman and capable of performing the most difficult work that may be assigned to him.
Fireman PATRICK MCGRATH commenced doing fire duty on July 1, 1892. He was born in Ireland, on March 20, 1868.
- OUR FIREMEN : THE OFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE FROM THE FIRST VOLUNTEER TO THE LATEST APPOINTEE BROOKLYN, N. Y. 1892.
