Thursday evening, September 27th, the Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown kicked off a celebration in honor of a milestone for volunteer fire departments, actively serving the local community of Middletown for 125 years. That history however, began with the founding members basing the name of the department from the winning yacht in what was then, a major event in local history. Many people are amazed when they hear that the Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown was not named because it was and is a volunteer organization. Rather it was named after the yacht "Volunteer". On September 30, 1887, a number of Citizens of Middletown met in a local building to form a fire Company, but could not agree upon a name for the Company, so a recess was declared. On that same day, in 1887, the International Yacht races were held, and over the nation intense national interest centered on the outcome. The American yacht "Volunteer" was pitted against a British yacht "Thistle". In those days, no radio existed to flash the news, so some of the group forming the new fire company journeyed to the local railroad station to learn, if possible the results of the race. While there, news as received over the telegraph that the "Volunteer" has run and won the race, and that America retained her yachting supremacy. They returned to the meeting, announced the victory of the "Volunteer" and amid the enthusiasm, it was decided to name our fire company, "Volunteer", after the famous yacht. The "Volunteer" was built in 1887 in the short time of only 66 days, by one of America's oldest shipbuilding organizations, the Pusey and Jones Corporation, which was based in Wilmington, Delaware. The "Volunteer" is still known as one of the greatest ships of all time. It represented a new innovation in design, and combined the best features of both English and American boat building. As a result, the "Volunteer" was a narrow, almost streamlined vessel, with a steel center-board and curved "rocker-type" keel. In addition to the heavier ballast, she carried more canvas than any other racing ship had at that time. She was so sparred and canvassed that she could take advantage of the slightest wind. Soon after the races, the Volunteer was purchased by a private owner and modified into a schooner. In 1910, the yacht was dismantled and scrapped in a New York salvage yard, but he legend and legacy still remain in the history of our local fire department!