Antique clock returns home to Oceanic firehouse

Antique clock returns home to Oceanic firehouse
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

George Sperling (l-r), clock restorer and donator, Albert Mentel, president of the Oceanic Fire Engine Company, and Irven Miller Jr., a member of the fire company, with the vintage clock that was returned to the fire company on May 6. In the background is a photo of Thomas Worthley, the first chief of the Oceanic Company, who was probably the chief at the time of the Eatontown fire.
LONG BRANCH — A vintage clock completed a decades-long journey last month, ending up in the local firehouse where it originally hung more than a century ago.

On May 6, Irven Miller Jr. officially presented the antique timepiece to the Oceanic Fire Engine Company No. 1, the oldest fire company in Long Branch. Miller is a member of the fire company.

The clock was originally given to the Oceanic Company, currently located on Norwood Avenue, after the company responded to a fire in Eatontown in 1892, according to Dan Wilson, a member of the Oceanic Fire Engine Company.

The borough of Eatontown called the company to assist with the fire, and Oceanic Company responded with its Babcock Chemical Pumper.

The clock was presented to the company to thank the members for their help in fighting the fire

According to Wilson, years later the clock was discarded, ending up on a curb at some point in the 1950s, when it was rescued and restored by George Sperling's father.

Sperling, of Eatontown, has been restoring and repairing old clocks with his father for more than 50 years, according to Wilson.

At the fire company's May 6 monthly meeting, the clock was returned to its original owners and Sperling provided some insight into the history of the clock and its restoration.

"Albert Mentel, president of the Oceanic Fire Company Number 1, gratefully accepted the clock and thanked George for the generosity of his gift," Wilson said.

According to Wilson, the clock is currently hanging at the station where it originally was placed, a detail Wilson took care to replicate.

He said that while some members may not appreciate the history surrounding the clock, it's important to keep the clock where it originally was hanging.

"The clock has been missing since apparently the '50s," Wilson said. "So I think the work George has done to restore the clock has been great."

Contact Kenny Walter at

kwalter@gmnews.com.


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