New York FDNY Historic Fireboats

Original Feature Posted April 26, 2004 - Re-launched January 28, 2012
FDNY Page 13 Added November 2013 Reorganized as Historic Page 6 Dec 2015
Updated March 21, 2023

RARE - HISTORIC - SOME NEVER BEFORE SEEN ONLINE
Many of the photos on this page are from the John Landers & Beth Klein collection.
These are some of the most rare, historic, and in some cases never before seen online
images of the Historic Fireboats of the Fire Department of New York.
I thank John for allowing CapeCodFD.com to share these with our viewers.

John Landers is a NYC Transit worker whose fascination with the FDNY Marine Division dates back
to his childhood invite on board the H. Sylvia A. H. G. Wilks by her Commanding Officer Lt. Summerbell.
John and his wife Beth Klein wish to share their collection with anyone interested.
If you require professional use of any of these photos please contact John at islandersb@aol.com

Noonan Collection
Additional photos taken by Joe Farren are part of the William Noonan collection.
2017

"New York City"
Map of New York City and the rivers, bays, and harbors protected by the FDNY.
Over 560 miles of waterfront are protected by the FDNY.

PAST FDNY FIREBOATS
(Info from Fireboat.org)
(Info from FDNY Marine 1)
(Info from FDNY Unofficial Page)
(Info from John Calderone's Fireboats of the FDNY)

The Historic Boats

>--------------------HISTORIC PAGE 1-------------------<

A brief overview and introduction to the
Historical Collection of FDNY Fire Boats.

>--------------------HISTORIC PAGE 2-------------------<

SENECA
(NYPD c. 1862-1881)
A side paddlewheel vessel obtained by the New York Police Department
was on very rare occasions reportedly used by the Brooklyn Fire Dept.
She was reportedly destroyed by fire in 1881.

JOHN FULLER
(On Call c. 1866-1875)
Perhaps the "first" firefighting boat in NYC.
A steam salvage tug equipped with Amoskeag fire pumps
Owned by John C. Baxter & Son
Rented as needed "On Call" basis.
Known as a "wrecking & fire steamer"
13 water streams
It served for 9 years 1866-1875
and then for years was rented to substitute for
fireboats Havemeyer and Mills when they were out of service.
Berthed at 307 West Street, Manhattan

PROTECTOR
(On Call c. 1894-?)
A 53 foot tug operated by the Newtown Creek Towing Co.
in Long Island City (now part of Queens) on the East River
was from time to time used for firefighting

WILLIAM F. HAVEMEYER
(1875-1901)
106' x 22' x 10'. 6000 gpm.
Built by Wood Dialogue & Company, Philadelphia
Wood hull vessel - coal fired steam powered
Berthed at foot of Pike Street, East River
"Engine 43"

ZOPHAR MILLS
(1882-1934)
120' x 25' x 12'. 6000 gpm.
First iron hull fireboat
Berthed at Pier 42, North River
Served 52 years.
"Engine 51"
"Engine 77"
Engine 51"

SETH LOW
(1885-1917)
99' x 24' x 9'. 3500 gpm.
Wooden vessel
Harbeck's Stores, then foot of Main Street
Brooklyn Fire Dept
"Engine 23"
F.D.N.Y. (Jan 1898)
"Engine 123"
"Engine 223"

>--------------------HISTORIC PAGE 3-------------------<

THE NEW YORKER
(1890-1931)
125' x 26' x 12'. 13,000 gpm.
Steel hull
Battery Park, North River, Manhattan
"Engine 57"
"Engine 77"

---------------------
Note
The newest, most innovative fireboats often
started out at "Engine 57"
with the previous boat being reassigned
to another boat site.
---------------------

DAVID A. BOODY
(1892-1914)
105' x 23' x 7'. 6500 gpm.
Wooden vessel
Brooklyn Fire Dept
"Engine 32"
F.D.N.Y. (Jan 1898)
"Engine 132"
Engine 232"

ROBERT A. VAN WYCK
(1898-1948)
100' x 24' x 12.6'. 6500 gpm
Only briefly named Van Wyck
Served as William L Strong
"Engine 66"

WILLIAM L. STRONG
(1898-1948)
100' x 24' x 12.6'. 6500 gpm
- Briefly Also Named the -
Robert A Van Wyck
"Engine 66"
"Engine 51"

>--------------------HISTORIC PAGE 4-------------------<

ABRAM S. HEWITT
(1903-1958)
117' x 25' x 10'6". 7000 gpm.
At foot of 13th Street
"Engine 77"
"Engine 232"
"Engine 77"

GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN
(1904-1954)
117' x 24' x 9'6". 7000 gpm.
"Engine 78"
"Engine 66"
"Engine 51"

VELOX
(1907-1922)
68' x 11'6" x 7'.
Tender

>--------------------HISTORIC PAGE 5-------------------<

JAMES DUANE
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
"Engine 85"
"Marine3"

THOMAS WILLETT
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
"Engine 86"
"Engine 78"
"Marine 9"

CORNELIUS W. LAWRENCE
(1908-1955)
104'6" x 23'6" x 9'. 7000 gpm.
"Engine 87"
"Engine 51"
Engine 66"

THE NEW YORK FLEET
(1908)
"Zophar Mills" 1882 - Engine 51
"David Boody" 1892 - Engine 132
"Seth Low" 1885 - Engine 123
"The New Yorker" 1890 - Engine 57
"William L. Strong" 1898 - Engine 66
"Abram S. Hewitt" 1903 - Engine 77
"George B. McClellan" 1904 - Engine 78
"James Duane" 1908 - Engine 85
"Thomas Willett" 1908 - Engine 86
"Cornelious W. Lawrence" 1908 - Engine 87

>--------------------HISTORIC PAGE 6-------------------<

WILLIAM J. GAYNOR
(1914-1961)
118' x 25' x 13.4'. 7000 gpm.
"Engine 223"
"Engine 51"
"Engine 77"
"Marine 7"

JOHN PURROY MITCHEL
(1921-1966)
132' x 27' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
Built at Standard Shipbuilding Co, Shooters Island, NY
Last steam fireboat, first oil burner
"Engine 57"
"Engine 232"
"Marine 6"
"Marine 3"

CAPT. CONNELL
(1922-1938)
56'6" x 12' x 6'6".
Tender

JOHN J. HARVEY
(1931-1999)
130' x 28' x 9'. 18,000 gpm.
First gasoline-electric powered boat
"Engine 57"
"Engine 66"
"Marine 2"

FIRE FIGHTER
(1938-2011 )
134' x 32' x 9'. 20,000 gpm.
First Diesel - electric fireboat
"Engine 57"
"Engine 223"
"Marine 8"
"Marine 5"
"Marine 3"
"Marine 9"

SMOKE
(1938-1955)
53' x 7' x 3.5'.
Tender

>--------------------HISTORIC PAGE 7-------------------<

JOHN D. MC KEAN
(1954-2011 )
129' x 30' x 9'. 19,000 gpm.
"Engine 57"
"Marine 1"

H. SYLVIA A. H. G. WILKS
(1958-1972)
105'6" x 27' x 9'. 8000 gpm.
"Engine 51"
"Marine 9"
"Marine 7"

>--------------------HISTORIC PAGE 8-------------------<

HARRY M. ARCHER M. D.
(1958-1994)
105'6" x 27' x 9'. 8000 gpm.
"Engine 78"
"Marine 6"

SMOKE II
(1958-2008 )
52' x 14' x 4'. 2000 gpm.
"Tender"

SENATOR ROBERT F. WAGNER
(1959-1993)
105'6" x 27' x 9'. 8000 gpm.
"Marine 8"
"Marine 7"
"Marine 5"

GOVERNOR ALFRED E. SMITH
(1961-2015)
105'6" x 27' x 9'. 8000 gpm.
"Marine 8"
"Marine 6"

BLAZE
(1961-1970)
20'x 8' - 600 gpm
"With Marine 8"

JOHN H. GLENN, JR.
(1962-1977)
70' x 21' x 5'. 5000 gpm.
"Marine 4"
"Marine 5"
(now Washington, DC Fire Boat 1)

FLAME
(1963-1974)
18' x 8' 680 gpm
"Special Unit"

JAMES F. HACKETT
(1970-1974)
29'3" x 8' x 2'.5" - 2500 gpm
"Special Unit"

JOHN P. DEVANEY
(1992-1994)
70' x 19' x 5'4" 7075 gpm.
"Marine 6"

ALFRED E. RONALDSON
(1992-1994)
70' x 19' x 5'4" 7075 gpm.
"Marine 9"

KEVIN C. KANE
(1992-2010 )
52' x 16' x 4'6". 6500 gpm.
"Marine 6"

---------------------------------

The Modern Marine Division

THE BIG BOATS

"THREE FORTY THREE"
"Marine 1"
(2010- )
140' x 36' x 9' draft
50,000 gpm
Built by Eastern Shipbuilding,
Panama City, Florida
Marine 1 - Bloomfield Street, Manhattan
Replaced the "John D. McKean" built in 1954

"FIREFIGHTER II"
"Marine 9"
(2010- )
140' x 36' x 9' draft
50,000 gpm
Built by Eastern Shipbuilding,
Panama City, Florida
Marine 9 - Front Street, Staten Island
Replaced the "Firefighter" built in 1938

"BRAVEST"
"Marine 6"
(2011- )
65' x 17' x 39"
7,000 gpm
Safe Boat
Marine 6 - Brooklyn Navy Yard
Replaced "Kevin Kane" built in 1992

"WILLIAM M FEEHAN"
"Marine 6"
(2015- )
66' 5" x 18' x 3'
6,800 gpm
MetalCraft FireStorm 70
Marine 6 - Brooklyn Navy Yard
Second boat for Marine 6

SMALL BOATS

MARINE 1 - ALPHA
(2012- )
33' Safe Boat
1,000 gpm
With Marine 1 at Bloomfield St
Replaced 2006 27' Safe Boat

MARINE 1 - BRAVO
(2012- )
31' Safe Boat
EMS Response
With Marine 1 at Bloomfield St

MARINE 6 - ALPHA
(2012- )
33' Safe Boat
1,000 gpm
With Marine 6 - Brooklyn Navy Yard

MARINE 6 - BRAVO
(2012- )
31' Safe Boat
EMS Response
With Marine 6 - Brooklyn Navy Yard

MARINE 9 - ALPHA
(2012- )
33' Safe Boat
1,000 gpm
With Marine 9 - Front Street, Staten Island

MARINE 9 - BRAVO
(2012- )
31' Safe Boat
EMS Response
With Marine 9 - Front Street, Staten Island

Additional small boats similar to the Alpha Boats
are also assigned to the the Marine Division,
Dive Team, and 3 Special Event boats
each located with respective Marine Co.s.

SEASONAL UNITS (May to Oct)

MARINE 3
(2012- )
33' Safe Boat
1,000 gpm
Marine 3 - Kingsborough Community College,
Brooklyn

MARINE 4
(2012- )
33' Safe Boat
1,000 gpm
Marine 4 - Fort Totten,
Queens

MARINE 8
(2012- )
33' Safe Boat
1,000 gpm
Marine 8 - Great Kills Harbor,
Staten Island

----------------------------------------
FDNY MARINE DIVISION HISTORY
Fire Boats and Company Locations over time
(Note: Consolidation of New York City and combined
Fire Department occurred in 1898)

When first organized FDNY Fireboats were designated
as Engine Companies.
As boats were relocated they maintained their Engine Co. assignment.
The 19th Battalion was established in 1905 including all the fireboats.
The fleet reached 10 boats from 1908 into the 1950's.
Changes have occurred over time as economics and changes in the
waterfront resulted in a reduction in the number of boats.
The "Marine Division" and designations of
"Marine Company" was created 1959.

Engine 43
Organized 1875
East River - 1875
Pier 40, Pike Street, Manhattan, East River - 1877
Pier 1, Manhattan, North River - 1879
Foot of Clinton St, Manhattan, East River - 1883
Pier 55, Grand St, Manhattan, East River - 1893
Foot of East 96th St, Manhattan, Harlem River - 1898
Marine E43 Disbanded 1903

"William F. Havemeyer" 1875-1901

Engine 51
Organized 1883
Pier 42, Manhattan, East River - 1883
Foot West 13th St, Manhattan, North River- 1884
Foot of Bloomfield St, Manhattan, North River - 1892
Foot West 13th St, Manhattan, North River- 1900
Foot of East 99th St., Manhattan, Harlem River - 1903
St George, Staten Island - 1908
Disbanded 1916 - 1922
Foot of Hyatt St, Staten Island - 1922
Disbanded 1934 - 1938
Foot of Hyatt St, Staten island - 1938
Pier 6, Foot of Hannah St, Staten Island - 1947
Disbanded 1948 - 1949
Pier 6, Hannah St, Staten Island - 1949 - 1959
Reorganized as Marine 9 - 1959

"Zophar Mills" 1883-1934
"William L Strong" 1938-1948
Replaced by "George B McCllellan" 1949-1953
"Cornelius W. Lawrence" 1953-1954
Replaced by "Fire Fighter" 1954-1959

Engine 23 - (Brooklyn FD)
Organized 1886
Foot of Furman St, Brooklyn, East River - 1886
Relocated foot of Main St, Brooklyn, East River - 1899
Became Engine 123 - 1899
Relocated foot of 42nd St, New York Bay - 1904
Relocated Foot of Main St, Brooklyn, East River - 1904
Became Engine 223 - 1913
Relocated Foot of 38th St, New York Bay - 1915
Relocated Foot of 37th St, New York Bay - 1932
Reorganized as Marine 8 - 1959

"Seth Low" - 1886-1916
Replaced by "William J Gaynor" 1916-

Engine 32 - (Brooklyn FD)
Organized 1893
Foot of North 8th St, Brooklyn, East River - 1893
Became Engine 132 - 1899
Became Engine 232 - 1913
Disbanded - 1914
Reorganized Foot of North 8th St, Brooklyn, East River - 1915
Relocated Foot of Noble St, Brooklyn, East River - 1922
Reorganized as Marine 6 - 1959

"David A. Boody" - 1893-1914

Engine 57
Organized 1891
Castle Garden, Manhattan - 1891
Battery Park, Manhattan - 1895
Pier 1, Manhattan, North River - 1941
Disbanded 1959
Reorganized as Marine 1 - 1959

"New Yorker" - 1891-1922
Replaced by "John Purroy Mitchel" 1922-1931
Replaced by "John J. Harvey" - 1931-1938
Replaced by the "Fire Fighter" 1938-1955
Replaced by "John D. McKean" 1955-1959

Engine 66
Organized 1898
Foot of Grand Street, Manhattan, East River - 1898
Foot of Grand St, Corlears Hook, Manhattan, East River - 1932
Disbanded 1955

"Robert A Van Wyck" 1898-
Renamed "William L. Strong" 1898-1938
Replaced by "George B McClellan" 1938-1953

Engine 77
Organized 1903
Foot of Gansevoort St, Manhattan, North River - 1903
Relocated to Foot of Main St, Brooklyn, East River - 1904
Relocated to Foot of Beekman St, Manhattan, East River - 1911
Relocated Seaside Landing, Far Rockaway, Queens - 1922
Relocated foot of Hyatt St, Staten Island - 1922
Relocated Foot of Beekman St, Manhattan, East River - 1922
Relocated Foot of Fulton St, Manhattan, East River - 1931
Reorganized to Marine 7 - 1959

""Abram S. Hewitt" 1903-
Replaced by "The New Yorker" 1922-1931

Engine 78
Organized 1904
Foot of Gansevoort St, Manhattan, North River - 1904
Relocated Foot of East 99th St, Manhattan, Harlem River - 1908
Relocated Foot of 90th St, Manhattan, Harlem River - 1930
Reorganized as Marine 5 - 1959

"George B McClellan" 1904-1938
Replaced by "Thomas Willett" 1938-1959

Engine 85
Organized 1908
Pier 75, West 35th St, Manhattan, North River - 1908
Reorganized as Marine 3 - 1959

"James Duane" 1908-1959

Engine 86
Organized 1908
Foot of Gansevoort St, Manhattan, North River - 1908
Relocated Pier 53, Ft of Bloomfield St, Manhattan, North Rover - 1910
Reorganized as Marine 2 - 1959

"Thomas Willett" 1908-1938
Replaced by "John J Harvey" 1938-

Engine 87
Organized 1908
Foot of East 132nd St, Manhattan, Harlem River - 1908
Relocated Ft of East 135th St, Manhattan, Harlem River - 1922
Relocated foot of Grand St, Manhattan, East River - 1952
Disbanded 1954

"Cornelius W. Lawrence" 1908-1953

Engine 223
Organized 1886 as Brooklyn Engine 23
Foot of Furman St, Brooklyn, East River - 1886
Relocated foot of Main St, Brooklyn, East River - 1899
Became Engine 123 - 1899
Relocated foot of 42nd St, New York Bay - 1904
Relocated Foot of Main St, Brooklyn, East River - 1904
Became Engine 223 - 1913
Relocated Foot of 38th St, New York Bay - 1915
Relocated Foot of 37th St, New York Bay - 1932
Reorganized as Marine 8 - 1959

"Seth Low" - 1886-1916
Replaced by "William J Gaynor" 1916-

Engine 232
Organized 1893 as Brooklyn Engine 32
Foot of North 8th St, Brooklyn, East River - 1893
Became Engine 132 - 1899
Became Engine 232 - 1913
Disbanded - 1914
Reorganized Foot of North 8th St, Brooklyn, East River - 1915
Relocated Foot of Noble St, Brooklyn, East River - 1922
Reorganized as Marine 6 - 1959

"David A. Boody" - 1893-
"John Purroy Mitchel" - 1931-

----------------

The "Marine Division" as it is known today was reorganized in 1959.
No longer would fireboats be referred to as Engine Companies.

Marine Co. 1
Organized 1959
Formerly Engine 57
Pier 1, Manhattan, North River 1959-
Pier A, Manhattan, Battery Park, Manhattan, North River 1960-1992
Relocated to Foot of Bloomfield St, Manhattan, North River 1992

"John D. McKean" 1959-2010
"Three Forty Three" 2010-

Marine Co. 2
Organized 1959
Formerly Engine 86
Foot of Bloomfield St, Manhattan, North River 1959-1991
Disbanded 1991

"John J Harvey" 1959-1995

Marine Co. 3
Organized 1959
Formerly Engine 85
Foot of West 35th St, Manhattan, North River 1959-
Foot of Bloomfield St, Manhattan, North River 1961-
Disbanded 1966
Reorganized 1996
158-57 Cross Bay Blvd, Queens (Seasonal May-Oct) 1996-2004
Relocated Gateway Marina, Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn (Seasonal) 2004-

"James Duane" 1959

Marine Co. 4
Organized 1962
Foot of 154th Pl, East River 1962-
Relocated Army Pier, Fort Totten, Queens 1963-
Disbanded 1971
Reorganized 1996
Fort Schuyler @ NYSMMA, Throgs Neck (Seasonal) 1996-1998
Relocated to Fort Totten, Queens 1998-

"John H Glenn Jr" 1962-1971

Marine Co. 5
Organized 1959
Formerly Engine 78
Foot of East 90th St, Manhattan, East River 1959-1976
Disbanded 1976

Marine Co. 6
Organized 1959
Formerly Engine 66
Foot of Grand St, Manhattan, East River 1959-1992
Relocated to Bldg 292, Brooklyn Navy Yard, East River 1992-
(Marine Division HQ)

"Governor Alfred E. Smith" 1961-1992
"Kevin C Kane" 1992-2011
"Bravest" 2011-
"William M Feehan" 2015-

Marine Co. 7
Organized 1959
Formerly Engine 77
Foot of Fulton St, Brooklyn, East River 1959-1970
Disbanded 1970

"H. Sylvia A.H.G. Wilks" 1959-1970

Marine Co. 8
Organized 1959
Formerly Engine 223
Foot of 38th St, Brooklyn, New York Bay 1959-1962
Foot of 52nd St, Brooklyn 1962-1970
Disbanded 1970
Reorganized Great Kills Harbor, Staten Island (Seasonal) 2005-

Marine Co. 9
Organized 1959
Formerly Engine 51
Pier 6, Staten Island 1959-
Relocated Slip 8, St George Ferry Terminal, SI 1967-
Relocated foot of 52nd St, Brooklyn, New York Bay 1976-
Relocated Slip 8, St George Ferry Terminal, SI 1977-
Relocated 355 Front St, Staten Island 1997-

"Fire Fighter" 1959-2010
"Fire Fighter II" 2010-

HISTORIC FDNY FIREBOATS
Page 6
"1914 - 1938"
The following special photos were submitted as listed below.
(Added August 2013 - Updated September 2017)

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GO TO PREVIOUS PAGE
Page 5 - Historic Collection 1908-1908
______________________________

ON THIS PAGE
1914 - Fire Boat "William J. Gaynor"
1921 - Fire Boat "John Purroy Mitchel"
1922 - Fire Boat Tender "Capt. Connell"
1931 - Fire Boat "John J. Harvey"
1938 - Fire Boat "Fire Fighter"
1938 - Fire Boat Tender "Smoke"

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GO TO NEXT PAGE
Page 7 - Historic Collection 1954-1958
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Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" 1914

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" Launching
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"William J. Gaynor"
(1914-1961)
118' x 25' x 13.4'. 7000 gpm.
Built by John W. Sullivan & Company, Elizabethport, NJ
The last coal fired NY fireboat built
Capable of 14 knots
Converted from coal to oil in 1937
Replaced the Seth Low
Foot of 38th & 37th St, Brooklyn, New York Bay
"Engine 223"
"Engine 51"
"Engine 77"
"Marine 7"

NOTE: The vessel was named for the 94th Mayor of the city.

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" Launching, hits water for first time.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The vessel was named for the 94th Mayor of the city.

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" at Launching ceremony.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The vessel was named for the 94th Mayor of the city.

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" takes dignitaries out for the inaugural cruise
July 3, 1914.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The vessel was named for the 94th Mayor of the city.

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" at foot of 37th St., Brooklyn -
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" at troop sendoff WWI 1914
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboats "James Duane" and "William J. Gaynor"
battling a blaze aboard the James Knox Polk in 1927.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboats "William J. Gaynor" and "Thomas Willet" battle a fire aboard
the "City of Montgomery" on March 6, 1933.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" at 50th Anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge
May 24, 1933.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" salutes USA military in 1934
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" attacks a stubborn freighter fire in Hudson River 1939
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" operating at a fire
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" and Tender "Smoke" operating at a pier fire
New York City Fire Museum Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" battling a pier fire
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" at the Fulton Street, Brooklyn 1958
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" at the Fulton Street, Brooklyn Quarters
New York City Fire Museum Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" as Marine 7 in 1959
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"William J. Gaynor" and "Thomas Willet" come to the aid of the
"City of Montgomery" on March 6, 1933.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"William J. Gaynor" and "Thomas Willet" operating aboard the stubborn
"City of Montgomery" fire on March 6, 1933.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" on the Hudson.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" as Marine 7 with the "John D McKean"
Photo by Joe Farren - William Noonan collection

FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor" underway as Marine 7.
From John Landers - Beth Klein Collection (2023)

Prev Top Next

Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" 1921

"John Purroy Mitchel" in the North River in 1928.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"John Purroy Mitchel"
(1921-1966)
132' x 27' x 10' 9,000 gpm
Built by Standard Shipbuilding Co, Shooters Island, NY
The first NY fireboat built with oil fired power
and the last to have steam turbine driven pumps
Replaced "The New Yorker"
"Engine 57"
"Engine 232"
"Marine 6"
"Marine 3"

NOTE: John Purroy Mitchel was the 95th Mayor of the city.

Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" display Fire Prevention Week
October 7, 1928
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: John Purroy Mitchel was the 95th Mayor of the city.

Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" helps celebrate the 20th Anniversary
of the Manhattan Bridge in 1929.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: John Purroy Mitchel was the 95th Mayor of the city.

"John Purroy Mitchel" water display at Manhattan Bridge
after returning to service in 1930 from an 8 month overhaul.
Submitted by John Landers and Beth Klein

NOTE: John Purroy Mitchel was the 95th Mayor of the city.

"John Purroy Mitchel" and Tender "Smoke"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: John Purroy Mitchel was the 95th Mayor of the city.

Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" water pressure test at the Battery in 1937
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: John Purroy Mitchel was the 95th Mayor of the city.

FDNY Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" has all monitors trained on a stubborn pier fire in 1937.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" working in the snow.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboats "John Purroy Mitchel" and William J. Gaynor battle freighter blaze.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" celebrates July 4, 1944
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" operated at a pier fire
Photo by Joe Farren - William Noonan collection

FDNY Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" at Marine Division shop
prior to being painted red in 1960
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"John Purroy Mitchel" at Pier A in 1961.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"John Purroy Mitchel" at Marine 3 Quarters 1963.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"John Purroy Mitchel" at Marine 3 quarters in 1963.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" in color in 1962
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" in color in 1963 at Pier A as Marine 3.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Former FDNY Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" in her afterlife.
Jim Murray Collection

A quick story on the John Purroy Mitchel; it was sold at auction in 1966 and some men arrived at the FDNY marine division with road maps from the gasoline companies showing the states from NY to Florida. They talked to the pilots and engineers and were advised they needed charts and the like if they had plans to move the Mitchel. The new owner J.C. Berkwit was certain they would be okay and assured the higher ups at the Marine Division as they were just going to hug the coast and remain in sight of land. They left and the boat ran aground off the coast of Delaware. The owner decided to swim ashore for help and drowned. The boat eventually was used as a shrimp boat then was used to dump chemicals in the ocean in off the Texas coast. One day a load of drums of toxic chemicals floated into the harbor and the Mitchel was seized by Texas maritime authorities. Later it was sold and was bought with the intentions of it becoming a restaurant in Freeport, Texas but that never panned out and it just rotted away in the marsh. Through all its post FDNY trials and tribulations the nameplate JOHN PURROY MITCHEL remained attached to the pilot house.

Former FDNY Fireboat "John Purroy Mitchel" in her afterlife.
Jim Murray Collection

Prev Top Next

Launch "Capt. Connell" 1922

The FDNY Fireboat launch "Capt. Connell" with the original crew
getting ready for service in 1922 with pilot James A. "Pop" Gallagher
(white t-shirt) who helps hold the Capt. Connell name plate.

From the James A. "Pop" Gallagher/Marie and Michael Rissetto Family Collection.
James Gallagher was the pilot of the New Yorker from 1893 to 1922 and then the
pilot of the Capt. Connell from 1922 to 1930.
"An absolutely fabulous and heroic FDNY Career."

"Capt. Connell"
(1922-1938)
56'6" x 12' x 6'6".
The fire department Launch "Capt. Connell was built in 1905
by Camden Shipbuilding, Camden, NJ.
It originally served the War Department.
While older than the Velox, the Connell was in better shape
and replaced the 1907 Velox in 1922.

The FDNY Fireboat launch "Capt. Connell" upon arrival to the FDNY in 1922.
The original pilot James A. "Pop" Gallagher is on the left side of the bow.

From the James A. "Pop" Gallagher/Marie and Michael Rissetto Family Collection.
James Gallagher was the pilot of the New Yorker from 1893 to 1922 and then the
pilot of the Capt. Connell from 1922 to 1930.
"An absolutely fabulous and heroic FDNY Career."

FDNY Launch "Capt. Connell"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

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Fireboat "John J. Harvey" 1931

Artist concept of the FDNY fireboat built in 1930.
It would later become the "John J. Harvey"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"John J. Harvey"
(1931-1999)
130' x 28' x 9'. 18,000 gpm.
Built by Todd Shipyards, Brooklyn, NY.
The first gasoline-electric powered fireboat
with 5 gasoline motors, 4 fire pumps, twin screws
Eight deck pipes
"Engine 57"
"Engine 86"
"Marine 2"

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

------

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" Pre-Launching c.1931 Bow view
{Library of Congress}

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" Pre-Launch c.1931 props
{Library of Congress}

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" Pre-Launch c.1931 Water Intake
{Library of Congress}

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

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FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" launching c.1931
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" during acceptance trials Dec 17, 1931
demonstrating to city officials the she is the most powerful fireboat in the FDNY fleet.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" at E-57 at the Battery.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" at E-57 at the Battery.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" at Pier 1
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

Fireboat "John J. Harvey" during first full tour in service 1931
under the George Washington Bridge.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" water display
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" at Bloomfield Street Quarters
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" testing radio communications equipment.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" testing the component boat.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

Fireboat "John J. Harvey" at Fried Fish disaster Dec 11, 1933
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

Fireboats "John J. Harvey" and William J. Gaynor taking a blow after getting control of
the Acme Oil Company explosion on Oct 13, 1938
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" going to work Mar 19, 1940
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" operating at a major pier fire
William Noonan collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" 10th Anniversary 1941.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

Fireboat "John J. Harvey" protects the waterfront in 1956.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

"John J. Harvey" being escorted to Camden in 1957 for renovation and repainting.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

"John J. Harvey" at Camden in 1957 for renovation and repainting.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

"John J. Harvey" at Camden in 1957 for renovation and repainting.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" Marine 2.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

"John J. Harvey" in 1971 at the Circle Lines Pier.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" at Marine 2 Quarters.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" Marine 2
Photo by Joe Farren - William Noonan collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" with powerful deluge guns
Photo Joe Farren - William Noonan collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" Marine 2
Photo by Joe Farren - William Noonan collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" at Bloomfield Street quarters in 1974.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

"John J. Harvey" during the Bicentennial in 1976.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Marine Division.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

FDNY Fireboat "John J. Harvey" and the "H. Sylvia A. H. G. Wilks"
Photo by Joe Farren - William Noonan collection

NOTE: The Harvey was named after the pilot of the Willett
who was killed during the SS Muenchen fire in February 1930.

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Fireboat "Fire Fighter" 1938

FDNY Fireboat "Fire Fighter" water display with water tower Oct 1938.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Fire Fighter"
(1938-2011)
134' x 32' x 9'. 20,000 gpm.
Designed by Gibbs & Cox
Built by United Shipyards of Staten Island
The first Diesel-electric fireboat delivered
Eight deck monitors and a 55 foot water tower
Replaced the John J Harvey at Engine 57
"Engine 57"
"Engine 223"
"Marine 8"
"Marine 5"
"Marine 3"
"Marine 9"