Samuel Brookstone CAPT. ENGINE NO. 16
1320 Battery St.

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On the morning of the earthquake April 18th, 1906 our Company first removed the horses and apparatus to a place of safety in the street, from where we responded to a still alarm at Brennan near the pier. Arriving there we found Smith's Drygoods on fire, and took the hydrant on the corner and pumped water from the Bay. We worked under directions of Battalion Chief McKittrick and with the aid of other Companies were able to extinguish this fire at 12 midnight, April 18th. The church next to Smith's Drygoods collapsed, crushing several people who rushed into the street. Our next move was to Portsmouth Square where we reported to Chief Wellington who sent us to Bay and Oak streets, but finding three engines in line from that hydrant we searched the neighborhood for water but were unable to obtain any. Battalion Chief Nolan directed us to the corner of Gough and [indecipherable] streets and in connection with Engine Company No. 24, we led a line to the corner of Gough and Grove streets, fighting the fire at that point under the command of Battalion [Chief] Tidwelll. We fought the fire in this vicinity for sixteen hours finally saving the corner of Gough and Golden Gate Ave.

On April 19th, at about 4 a.m. we were ordered to Sevent and Shotwell streets, reporting to Battalion Chief McConnell. We were able to save the East side of Shotwell Street, north, and worked in this vicinity until three p.m. of April 19, 1906. Finding water at Fifteenth and Valencia streets, we led down to Mission St., fighting the fire at that point, but finding the pressure inadequate we removed to Eighteenth and Howard streets, connecting with a broken main.

We next endeavored to obtain water at Church and 20th streets, but finding other Companies in line at this point we assisted in this vicinity until the fire was extinguished on Nineteenth Street. We were finally ordered to our quarters at 11 a.m. April 20, 1906, having been in duty 53 hours.

S & P. [initials of Schindler and Platt, investigators for attornies]

(signed) Samuel Brookstone, Capt.