Subscriptions were solicited after this great fire and a steam fire engine was obtained from England at a cost of £1,098,108. In 1877 the City records show the following organization of the Volunteer Fire De— partment:

Engine No. 1—~hand~—Graft0n Street. Alex F. Watson, Captain and 32 men.

Engine No. 2—hand—Pownal Street. Banj. Rogers, Captain and 43 men.

Engine No. 3—handrPeake’s Wharf. Ralph B. Peake, Captain and his own men.

Engine No. 4«-—hand-——Kent Street East. J. W. Fraser, Captain and 51 men.

Engine No. 5—steam—~Grafton Street. A. N. Large, Captain and 25 men.

Engine No. 6—hand——Kent Steret East. This engine held in reserve.

Engine No. 7—steam—King Street. C. L. Strickland, Captain and 26 men.

Hook and Ladder Company located on Grafton Street with Engine No. 1.

J. M. Butcher, Captain and 46 men.

This force numbered 272 officers and men.

Charlottetown’s water supply at the time of incor oration consisted of 7 large underground water tanks and 61 pumps an wells in various parts of the city. This supply often proved unsatisfactory and the fire brigades had to resort to the Hillsboro River. In 1888, however, a system of water works was developed which resulted in 88 fire hydrants being placed in various sections of the city. Today, over 130 hydrants are in use in Charlottetown.

From 1888 to 1916 the Volunteer Fire Department was opened as an efficient unit and supplied with hand drawn hose reels and two steam fire engines. With the construction of the new City Hall in 1888 all the 8 subsidiary stations were concentrated in the New Fire Station which

greatly reduced the cost of maintenance.

Old Fire Engine in use in the 1800's.