The Torrent Fire Company
Torrent Fire Company 1853
Standard
April 13, 1853
New Fire Engine. The new fire engine and hose carriage, built in New York for the fire wards here, arrived lat week, and was landed “in good order and well conditioned,” as per bill of lading. The newly formed company, whose services have been accepted to man the engine, took charge at once, and after having put it together, run it down the street in gallant style, and lodged it in the present, temporary building. Several trials were made of its power in throwing water, which we are happy to say have proved the engine to be a superior one. We cannot say as much for the hose, which burst in one or two places; these defects, however, can soon be remedied. The fire company is an excellent one, composed of young men belonging to the town—with J. Little, captain; H. Ames, 1st Lieut.; and George Moore, 2nd Lieut. Should their services be required, we are safe in saying they will proved themselves equal to the task, as the company is composed of half, hearty, spirited young men, who are neither afraid nor ashamed to work, and both are able and willing.
Standard
April 27/1853
The property commonly known as “Happy Corner” on Water and William Henry streets, containing one lot and a half, was sold at public auction yesterday, to Mr. D. Bradley, for 400 pounds. This site is said to be one of the most eligible stands for business in St. Andrews, and adjoins the property owned and occupied by Mr. Bradley pervious to the late fire.
Standard
June 8/1853
No. 1 Torrent Fire Company
On Monday evening last, the Company belonging to Torrent Engine, turned out in their new uniforms with the Engine and hose carriage, for the purpose of trying the Engine. They marched up Water street, and presented a very neat and orderly appearance; the dress is a fireman’s cap painted black, with a guard of triangular form in front, on which is gilded the figure 1; blue shirt with red collar and facings, dark overhauls, fastened with a broad leather belt. Several experiments were made with the Engine as to its capacity in throwing water. With upwards of 150 feet of hose a large stream was thrown over Mr. Street’s two story brick house, and with 80 feet of hose a steady stream was thrown into and over the belfry on the Scotch church, a distance of 70 feet. In fact the Engine gives entire satisfaction, and we may add, that should the services of the gallant Company be called into requisition, that fine body of men will be found “ready” and willing to do their duty.
Standard
Aug 3/1853
Torchlight Procession: As stated in our last, want of time and space precluded an extended notice of the late Torch Light Procession of Torrent Fire Company, No. 1. We think the affair demands a more particular description at our hands, as being the first of the kind our town ever witnessed and also most creditable to the parties concerned.
Torrent Company has been organized but a few months, and has charge of one of Smith Piano Engines, which will compare favorably as to finish and execution with any machine of its size in the province. The company is composed of young men of the town, and we think it no unseemly boast to say, that for zeal, activity and good conduct, they are excelled by none. Their willingness and endurance were, we think sufficiently and satisfactorily tested at the fire which consumed Mr. Watt's house.
This company a few weeks ago, resolved on making a demonstration, either by a trial excursion among the brethren on the river, or in such other manner as might be generally acceptable; and at last fixed upon a Torch Light Procession. At sunrise, on the morning of the 26th ult., the flags from the bell tower of the Town Hall gave the signal of preparation. At a house somewhat later, the unusual display of flags across the streets excited the curiosity of our good people, most of whom could not tell why the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew, with Erin's green banner, were floating over their heads as they passed along. The heaps of flowers continually arriving, and the multifarious preparations, gave note that the "Boys of the Fire Brigade," were about.
The day, which had been gloomy all through, settled down at evening into a most appropriate darkness, and the fun commenced. The largest crowd that has been assembled in our town for the past 20 years gathered around the Engine-house, impatiently awaiting the appearance of the Machine. At a quarter before 9, the Engine, most tastefully and beautifully decorated with such flowers as St. Andrews ladies know how to bestow--and drawn by two splendid white horses, made its appearance in the square, when the Procession was formed as follows:--
BANNER.
Officers, with Branch Pipes.
THE MACHINE.
Band.
Members, two and two, with torches.
Banner.
The procession started from the Engine House,--passing through the principal streets, and halting at different localities where stunning cheers were given for the ladies who had so liberally favoured the company with flowers and decorations. On returning to the Engine-house, after three hearty cheers for the Queen, the firemen repaired to Bradford's hotel, where an excellent collation awaited them and their guests, the fire wards with other gentlemen of the town. After the usual amount of feeding and toasting, the company were enlivened by songs or speeches. But the charm of the evening was the singing of the Quartette Club of the Company, which was entirely unexpected by the guests, and was perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the whole. The company and guests separated soon after 12 o'clock, each and all highly gratified with the evening's entertainment--Some of the "boys," however, having procured a . . . and music, danced the sun up.
The decorations of the engine elicited admiration in all quarters. The band, with one exception, was composed of members of the company. The whole affair was the most pleasing we have ever witness in this place and the general impression of the close was that Torrent Fire Company were of the right stamp.