New York FDNY Boats 1

Original Feature Posted April 26, 2004 - Re-launched January 28, 2012
Page Reorganized December 2015 Updated March 21, 2023

NEW YORK CITY FIRE BOATS
There is perhaps no other city that comes to mind first when thinking about fire boats.
The Fire Department of New York City has a very long and historic history of fighting fires
on land and the sea. The city has 560 miles of waterfront and has long been one of the busiest
ports in the world.

Over the years many major historic incidents have occurred on the waters of New York
city and every one involved the response of fire boats. While many of the wharfs, warehouses,
and ships of the waterfront are no longer, the FDNY continues to respond to a wide variety
of emergencies. The September 11, 2001 World Trade Center collapse and the jet landing
in the Hudson River are two of the more recent.

The first fire boat in the city dates back to 1875. At its height, in the early 1900's, the FDNY
Marine Division had 10 fireboat stations within the city. Budget cuts in the late 1960's and 1970's
reduced the fleet to 4 Marine Companies. Marine 1, 2, 6 and 9.
In 1992 that dropped to 3 Marine Companies with the closing of Marine 2.
The current Marine Companies 1, 6, and 9 continue to provide service.

Always some of the most powerful fireboats in the world, the fleet of the FDNY was
capable of pumping in excess of between 10,000 and 20,000 gpms.
The "Firefighter" of Marine 9 is possibly one of the most powerful and famous of all
recent boats, although each boat holds its own special place in history.

Following 9/11, the department recognized the continued value of a fire boat fleet
and developed plans for upgrading the fleet to meet the needs of the future.
In the 2010 and 2011, three new and powerful boats entered service.
The older boats have either gone into reserve status or retirement.

Today, the FDNY operates the most modern and powerful fire boats in the world.
The two "big" boats, the "Three Forty Three" and "Fire Fighter II" are significantly
larger that all older boats and can pump twice the water, 50,000 gpm each!
The third boat "The Bravest" is the fastest of the fleet, cruising at 50 knots when needed.

The newest of the big boats was delivered in the Fall of 2015.
The "William M. Feehan" named for the Deputy Commissioner killed on 9-11
is a MetalCraft FireStorm 70 custom built 8,000 gpm boat
66' LOA and capable of a Maximum of 41 knots.

"Fireboat"
Embossed in the 9/11 Memorial on the wall of Station E10 - L10
at the foot of the World Trade Center.

The Big Boats
The "Three Forty Three" (Marine 1) and the "Fire Fighter II" (Marine 9)
are the two Big Boats in the FDNY.
Photo July 2012

Retired FDNY Marine 2
"John J Harvey"
~ Dazzle Paint Job ~
130' Length, 28' Beam, 9' Draft
18,000 GPM
Built in 1931 at Todd Shipyard, Brooklyn, NY
Retired in 1999
Now currently privately owned and operated.
Now sporting a very unique paint job since 2018!
Located at Pier 66 at 26th street on the West Side of Manhattan
at The Frying Pan.

FOR MORE ON THE HARVEY AND FDNY FIREBOATS
WWW.FIREBOAT.ORG
Find out how you can support the preservation of this great vessel
and maybe take a ride on her!.

"Water Display"
Fire Boats are all about pumping water... lots of water!
With an unlimited supply beneath the vessel, its only a matter
of how large the pumps are and how many nozzles (Deck Guns)
are available to deliver the water where it is needed.
The 1931 retired fire boat "John J. Harvey" (Marine 2)
put on a water display at the Blessing of the Fleet
in July 2011.

"Fire Fighter II" (Marine 9) puts on a traditional red, white, and blue water display on July 14, 2012
at the 2012 Blessing of the Fleet. The "Bravest" (Marine 6) behind the "Fire Fighter II" follows
with its water display.

"Big Guns"
The large capacity deck guns of the "Fire Fighter" and "McKean"
now in reserve / retirement at the Marine Division in Brooklyn.
July 2011

FDNY Marine Division
The FDNY Marine Division currently operates the following boats:

"THE FDNY FLEET"
Examples of various boats of the FDNY in 2012.
The two big boats "Three Forty Three" (Marine 1) and "Fire Fighter II" (Marine 9)
along with the "Bravest" (Marine 6), a summer boat (Marine 8) and one of the new
FDNY medical response boats (Marine 6 Bravo) during the July 14, 2012
Blessing of the Fleet in the Hudson.

"Marine Company 1"
"Three Forty Three"
2010 140' Fire Boat 50,000 gpm - Manhattan.

"Marine Company 1 Alpha"
2013 33' Safe Boat Fast Boat "Marine 1 Alpha" 1,000 gpm - Manhattan.

"Marine Company 1 Bravo"
2012 31' Safe Boat Fast Boat "Marine 1 Bravo" EMS/Medical Response Boat - Manhattan.

"Marine Company 6"
"Bravest"
2011 65' Safe Boat Fire Boat 7,000 gpm - Brooklyn.

"Marine Company 6"
"William M. Feehan"
2015 66' MetalCraft FireStorm70 - 7,000 gpm - Brooklyn.

"Marine Company 6 Alpha"
2013 33' Safe Boat Fast Boat "Marine 1 Alpha" 1,000 gpm - Manhattan.

"Marine Company 6 Bravo"
2012 31' Safe Boat Fast Boat "Marine 6 Bravo" EMS/Medical Response Boat - Brooklyn.

"Marine Company 9"
"Fire Fighter II"
2010 140' Fire Boat 50,000 gpm - Staten Island.

"Marine Company 9 Alpha"
2013 33' Safe Boat Fast Boat "Marine 1 Alpha" 1,000 gpm - Manhattan.

"Marine Company 9 Bravo"
2012 31' Safe Boat Fast Boat "Marine 9 Bravo" EMS/Medical Response Boat - Staten Island.

In addition to these primary boats,
the Marine Division maintains Reserve Fire Boats
and a number of small and seasonal boats
(Marine 3, Marine 4, Marine 8)
to augment the division during the summer boating season.

"THE FDNY FLEET"
The new Fire Boat fleet of the FDNY
The "Three Forty Three", "Bravest", and "Fire Fighter II"
July 2011

FDNY MARINE COMPANY 1
The new Marine Company 1 Station is located on the Hudson River at Bloomfield Street
opened in 2011. Home to the new Marine Company 1 "343" and "Marine 1 Alpha" small boat.

Marine Company 1
The new "Three Forty Three" and "Marine 1 Alpha" shown at their
temporary home on Pier 40 near West Houston Street on the Hudson River
in Manhattan July 2011.
The new home for Marine 1 opened in the Fall of 2011.

FDNY MARINE DIVISION HEADQUARTERS
The FDNY Marine Division Headquarters and home to Marine Company 6
is in the former Brooklyn Navy Yard.

FDNY MARINE COMPANY 6 & DIVISION HEADQUARTERS
Many of the FDNY Fire Boats were at the FDNY Marine Division
in Brooklyn in July 2011.
Left to right...
Reserve boat "Alfred E. Smith", the new Marine 6 "Bravest", the old Marine 6 "Kevin C. Kane",
the old Marine 9 "Fire Fighter" and the old Marine 1 "John D. McKean".

FDNY MARINE COMPANY 9
The brand new quarters of FDNY Marine Company 9 "Fire Fighter II"
located on Homeport Pier near Front Street in the Stapleton section of
Staten Island opened in the Spring of 2012. The new facility includes
an newly created protective "harbor" for the Marine units assigned there
protecting the boats from the sometimes rough waters of the lower New York harbor.

FDNY MARINE COMPANY 9
The former quarters of Marine Company 9 on Staten Island.
Replaced by the new station on the pier in 2012.

"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.

(Note: New Jersey shares many of the waterways around New York City
and several cities also operate fire boats)

"John J. Harvey"
130' Fire Boat of Marine Company 2 built in 1931 and served until 1999.
The Harvey could pump 18,000 gpm.
It famously came out of retirement to pump for 3 days during the
September 11, 2011 attacks on the World Trade Center.
It is now owned, operated, and preserved by a non-profit corporation.

Fireboat "Zophar Mills" at Engine 51 Quarters Pier 42 North River
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

The entire FDNY fireboat fleet at the Battery in Manhattan 1908
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" water display in 1913
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Cornelius W. Lawrence" and Tender "Smoke" at Marine Division Shops Eng 86
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Extensive Collection of Historical FDNY Fireboat images
can be found on the following pages

This amazing collection is courtesy of John Landers and Beth Klein.
Added August 2013 - Updated March 2023

Fireboat "Cornelius W. Lawrence" and her crew.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "Firefighter" in action with water tower.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "Fire Fighter" and "Abram S. Hewitt" battle a pier fire in 1954.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Beautiful photo of lower Manhattan in 1948.
The fireboat "Firefighter", Engine 57, is seen alongside Pier 1 (lower left).
The Marine Division moved to Pier A (right of Pier 1) in 1960
Photo Courtesy of Al Trojanowicz

The Fireboat "H. Sylvia A. H. G. Wilks" approaching Manhattan.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"H. Sylvia A. H. G. Wilks"
(1958-1972)
105'6" x 27' x 9'. 8000 gpm.
"Marine 7"

PAST FDNY FIREBOATS
(Info from Fireboats.org)
(Info from FDNY Marine 1)
(Info from FDNY Unofficial Page)

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"

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"

>--------------------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"

---------------------
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"

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"

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

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

GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN
(1904-1954)
117' x 24' x 9'6". 7000 gpm.
"Engine78"

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"

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

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

THE NEW YORK FLEET
(1908)
"Zophar Mills" 1882
"David Boody" 1892
"Seth Low" 1885
"The New Yorker" 1890
"William L. Strong" 1898
"Abram S. Hewitt" 1903
"George B. McClellan" 1904
"James Duane" 1908
"Thomas Willett" 1908
"Cornelious W. Lawrence" 1908

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

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

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" "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" "Marine 2"

FIRE FIGHTER
(1938-2011 )
134' x 32' x 9'. 20,000 gpm.
First Diesel - electric fireboat
"Engine 57" "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.
"Marine 7"

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

HARRY M. ARCHER M. D.
(1958-1994)
105'6" x 27' x 9'. 8000 gpm.
"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 5"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Modern Boats

"THREE FORTY THREE"
"Marine 1"
(2009- )
140' x 36' x 9' draft
50,000 gpm
Marine 1 - Bloomfield Street, Manhattan
Built by Eastern Shipbuilding,
Panama City, Florida
Replaced the McKean

"FIREFIGHTER II"
"Marine 9"
(2009- )
140' x 36' x 9' draft
50,000 gpm
Marine 9 - Front Street, Staten Island
Built by Eastern Shipbuilding,
Panama City, Florida
Replaced the "Firefighter" built in 1938

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

MARINE 1 - ALPHA
(2011- )
27' Safe Boat
With Marine 1 at Bloomfield St

SEASONAL UNITS (May to Oct)

MARINE 3
( )
Marine 3 - Kingsboro Community College,
Brooklyn

MARINE 4
( )
Marine 4 - Fort Totten,
Queens

MARINE 8
(2012- )
33' Safe Boat
7,000 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 Units" 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 1
Organized 1959
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 2
Organized 1959
Foot of Bloomfield St, Manhattan, North River 1959-1991
Disbanded 1991

"John J Harvey" 1959-1995

Marine 3
Organized 1959
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-

Marine 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 5
Organized 1959
Foot of East 90th St, Manhattan, East River 1959-1976
Disbanded 1976

Marine 6
Organized 1959
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 7
Organized 1959
Foot of Fulton St, Brooklyn, East River 1959-1970
Disbanded 1970

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

Marine 8
Organized 1959
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 9
Organized 1959
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-

THE 1908 FLEET
1908 photo of the FDNY Fireboats
John Landers - Beth Klein collection
Left to Right:
FB David Boody 1892, FB Zophar Mills 1882, FB Cornelius W.Lawrence 1908, FB William L Strong 1998,
FB Abram S Hewitt 1903, FB George B McClellan 1904, FB James Duane 1908, FB Thomas Willett 1908,
and FB The New Yorker 1890.
The Fireboat Seth Low 1885 was in reserve in 1908 and sold in 1909.

"Seth Low"
1885-1917
99' x 24' x 9'. 3500 gpm.

"Alfred E. Smith"
FDNY Reserve Fire Boat
Built in 1961
Currently at the Marine Division in Brooklyn.

Retired and disposed of in 2016.

MARINE COMPANY 1
FDNY Marine 1 Fire Boat "John D. McKean" at Pier A in Manhattan
photo 1986

OLD MARINE DIVISION HEADQUARTERS
New York City, New York
Pier A at the tip of Manhattan on the Hudson River.
Home to active and reserve fire boats.
One of my favorite photos of the old
Fire Boat Station taken in 1986.

FDNY MARINE DIVISION
Pier A from the top of the World Trade Center
The "Wagner" "Smoke II" and "Archer"
October 1986 photo

FDNY MARINE DIVISION
Pier A from the top of the World Trade Center
May 1990 photo
The "Wagner" and "Smoke II"
Pier A stopped being the Marine Division HQ in 1992.

THE FDNY MARINE DIVISION
The FDNY Marine Division at Pier A at the Battery in lower Manhattan
in the center of the photo.
October 1986 photo.

July 2012 view of lower Manhattan with the "re-building" of the World Trade Center
well under way as viewed from Marine 9 in Staten Island.

March 2015 view of lower Manhattan with the completed "1 World Trade Center"
aka "Freedom Tower" as viewed from Marine 9 quarters.

Also viewed from Marine 9 quarters is the "Statue of Liberty" with the
30 Hudson Street skyscraper and the George Washington Bridge beyond.

FDNY Fireboat
"John D. McKean"
Built 1954 - Retired 2011
129' length, 30' Beam, 0' draft
19,000 GPM
Photo April 2001

FDNY Fireboat - Marine Company 1
"THREE FORTY THREE"
The new FDNY Marine Company 1
Built in 2009 at Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida
Commissioned on September 11, 2010
140' Length, 36' Beam, 9' Draft
50,000 GPM - 11 Remote controlled monitors
3,600 gallons of foam
Equipped with large boom / crane
Cost estimated at $27 Million.

"MARINE 1 ALPHA"
Along with the 140' "Three Forty Three" Marine Company 1 operates
a 2006 27' SAFE fast boat equipped with a fire pump and able to get into areas
quickly for fire and rescue operations.

FDNY Fireboat - Old Marine Company 2
"John J. Harvey"
The old Marine Company 2 was built in 1931.
She served the city until retired in 1999.
Marine 2 was put into service for 3 days during
the September 11, 2011 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Marine Company 2
Retired in 1999 is now operated and maintained by a private
non-profit corporation that keeps the old boat running and
takes folks out for rides around the harbor.
Photos July 2011

Dazzled Marine Company 2
Check out the new "Dazzle" paint job on the "Harvey" since 2018.
April 2019 photos

FOR MORE ON THE HARVEY AND FDNY FIREBOATS
WWW.FIREBOAT.ORG
Find out how you can support the preservation of this great vessel
and maybe take a ride on her!.

FDNY Fireboat - Marine Company 3
In addition to the three main, full-time fire boat stations in the city,
the FDNY operates a few small boats seasonally at remote areas
of the city. The 27' Boston Whaler serving as Marine 3 operates
from a dock near the Kingsborough Community College in the
Eastern part of Coney Island in Brooklyn.

Additional boats operate from Ft. Trottin in Queens and
Great Kills Park on the south shore of Staten Island.

FDNY Fireboat - Marine Company 4
Safe Boat assigned to Marine 4 at Ft Totten in Queens.
33' 1000 gpm
Photo Aug 2017

FDNY Fireboat - Marine Company 4
Small boat assigned to Marine 4 at Ft Totten in Queens
(John Landers photo)

"WILLIAM M. FEEHAN"
"Marine Company 6 "

The newest of the FDNY Fire Boat Fleet was delivered to New York
in October of 2015 and christened on Friday November 20, 2015.

The boat built by MetalCraft Marine in 2015.
It is a scaled down version of the FireStorm 70
with a 66' LOA and a 18' beam and 3' draft.
It has a cruising speed of 32 knots and a max of 41 knots.
(2) 3,000 gpm pumps (8,000 GPM)
200 gallons of foam

The boat was named for FDNY Deputy Commissioner
William M. Feehan, age 71, who was killed on Sept 11, 2001.
He had an extensive 42 year career holding all uniformed ranks
including Chief of Department.

FDNY Fireboat - Marine Company 6
"BRAVEST"
Built in 2011 by SAFE Boats in Seattle, Washington.
Marine 6 was trucked across county.
The 65' Fast Fire Boat is capable of traveling at 50 knots
and can pump approximately 7,000 gpm.
It is stationed at the Marine Division HQ in Brooklyn.
Photos July 2011

FDNY Fireboat - Old Marine Company 6
"Kevin C. Kane"
One of the smaller vessels of the FDNY, the "Kevin C. Kane"
was built in 1992 and served actively as Marine Company 6 until
2011 when it was replaced by the "Bravest."
The Kane is 52' LOA with a 6,500 gpm capacity.
As Marine 6 it operated out of Marine Division HQ at the
former Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Photo July 2011

FDNY Medical Response Boat - Marine Company 6 Bravo
Built in 2012 by SAFE Boats in Seattle, Washington.
Bravo boats are designed with a wider, opening bow to allow for
easier patient care and movement.

FDNY Seasonal Boat - Marine Company 8
33 foot Safe Boat fire boat built in 2012 by SAFE Boats in Seattle, Washington.
One of several new boats in 2012.

The Fire Fighter has retired
and a group is trying to preserve the vessel as a historical museum.
FIREBOATFIREFIGHTER.ORG

The long time icon of the FDNY Marine Division,
the "Fire Fighter" was built in 1938 at a ship yard in Staten Island.
Diesel electric motors provided propulsion, pump drives, and power for the vessel.
The "Fire Fighter" was 134 in length and could pump 20,000 gpm
from an assortment of large caliber nozzles.
Marine 9 last served in Staten Island and was retired
in 2011 when the new "Fire Fighter II" went in service.

"Engine Room"
The power house engines below deck of the retired "Fire Fighter"

Greenport, Long Island
Retired FDNY Fireboat - Old Marine Company 9
"FIRE FIGHTER"

The "Fire Fighter" is currently located (2017) at the Greenport Maritime Museum
in eastern Long island. It underwent a major hull repair and painting in 2017.
The original paint scheme of the boat as delivered in 1938 was restored
with a black hull. The 501-C organization is trying to restore the vessel
so that it may last many more years.

FDNY Fireboat - Marine Company 9
"FIRE FIGHTER II"
Twin to the "Three Forty Three", the new Marine Company 9
"Fire Fighter II" went in service in 2011. She is also 140' in length,
with a 50,000 gpm pump capacity.
Marine 9 replaced the infamous 1938 "Fire Fighter"
and is assigned to Staten Island.

Marine Company 9
Staten Island Fireboat - Marine 9 "Fire Fighter II" puts on red, white, and blue
water display along with Marine 6 the "Bravest" during July 2012 Blessing of Fleet.

"BIG BOATS"
The "Three Forty Three" and "Fire Fighter II"
are probably the two most powerful fire boats in the world today.
Blessing of the Fleet.
July 2011

Marine Company 9
Staten Island Fireboat - Marine 9 "Fire Fighter II" at quarters March 2015

FDNY Medical Response Boat - Marine Company 9 Bravo
The "EMS" medical response portion of Marine 9
March 2015

"NYPD BLUE BOATS"
The New York City Police Department also operates a fleet of boats.
Some of them are shown in this feature.

FDNY FIRE BOAT
Fire Boat shown on the 9/11 memorial wall at Station E10 / L10 in lower Manhattan

Thank You!
Thanks to Bob who took the time to show me around the boats
at the Brooklyn Yard.

FDNY P1 The Marine Division	FDNY P2 The Old Boats
FDNY P3 Old Marine 1 "McKean"	FDNY P4 New Marine 1 "343"
FDNY P5 Old Marine 2 "Harvey"	FDNY P6 The Small Boats
FDNY P7 Old Marine 6 "Kane"	FDNY P8 New Marine 6 "Bravest"
FDNY P9 Old M-9 "Fire Fighter"	FDNY P10 New M-9 "Fire Fighter II"
NYPD P11 Police Boats	FDNY P12 New Marine "Feehan"
FDNY P13 Dazzled Old "Harvey"
FDNY Historic Page 1 Overview	FDNY Historic Page 2 1862-1885
FDNY Historic Page 3 1890-1898	FDNY Historic Page 4 1903-1907
FDNY Historic Page 5 1908-1908	FDNY Historic Page 6 1914-1938
FDNY Historic Page 7 1954-1958	FDNY Historic Page 8 1958-1992

FDNY Historic Page 1 Overview	FDNY Historic Page 2 1862-1885
FDNY Historic Page 3 1890-1898	FDNY Historic Page 4 1903-1907
FDNY Historic Page 5 1908-1908	FDNY Historic Page 6 1914-1938
FDNY Historic Page 7 1954-1958	FDNY Historic Page 8 1958-1992

FDNY P1 The Marine Division	FDNY P2 The Old Boats
FDNY P3 Old Marine 1 "McKean"	FDNY P4 New Marine 1 "343"
FDNY P5 Old Marine 2 "Harvey"	FDNY P6 The Small Boats
FDNY P7 Old Marine 6 "Kane"	FDNY P8 New Marine 6 "Bravest"
FDNY P9 Old M-9 "Fire Fighter"	FDNY P10 New M-9 "Fire Fighter II"
NYPD P11 Police Boats	FDNY P12 New Marine "Feehan"
FDNY P13 Dazzled Old "Harvey"
FDNY Historic Page 1 Overview	FDNY Historic Page 2 1862-1885
FDNY Historic Page 3 1890-1898	FDNY Historic Page 4 1903-1907
FDNY Historic Page 5 1908-1908	FDNY Historic Page 6 1914-1938
FDNY Historic Page 7 1954-1958	FDNY Historic Page 8 1958-1992