New York FDNY Boats 2

Original Feature Posted April 26, 2004 - Re-launched January 28, 2012
Reorganized December 9, 2015 Updated May 3, 2019

"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.

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!.

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 is the fastest of the fleet, cruising at 50 knots when needed.

VIDEO OF FDNY FIREBOATS
At work in the Early 1930's
at Cunard Lines Passenger Terminal and south piers
on the west side of Manhattan
Added Sept 5, 2013

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

"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)

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-

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-

FDNY MARINE DIVISION
New York City, New York
Pier A in lower Manhattan on the Hudson River.
Served as Marine Division Headquarters from 1960 - 1992.
Shown in 1986 photo is Marine Co. 1 "McKean" on right
and one of the reserve boats on the left.

FDNY MARINE DIVISION
Pier A from the top of the World Trade Center.
Boats shown appear to be the "Senator Robert F. Wagner",
"Smoke II" and "Harry M. Archer, M.D."
Photo October 1986

FDNY MARINE DIVISION
Pier A from the top of the World Trade Center
May 1990 photo
Pier A stopped being the Marine Division HQ in 1992.

FDNY MARINE DIVISION
Pier A at the Battery in lower Manhattan (center)
along with the twin towers of the World Trade Center.
Photo October 1986

MARINE COMPANY 1
Pier A was home to Marine Company 1 "John D. McKean"
Photo 1986

FDNY MARINE COMPANY 1
Fireboat 1, the "John D. McKean"
moved from Pier A north to the former home of Marine Company 2
at Pier 53 in 1992 when Pier A seized being a fire boat station
and Marine Co. 2 was disbanded.
Photos April 2001

Pier 53, at Bloomfield Street on the west side of Manhattan
was home to Marine Co. 2, then Marine Company 1.
The "new" Marine Company 1 station was built on this site
in 2011.

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HISTORIC FDNY FIREBOATS
The following special photos were submitted as listed below.
(Added August 2013 - Updated December 2015)

RARE - HISTORIC - SOME NEVER BEFORE SEEN ONLINE
Most of the photos of this collection 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

FOR THE FULL COLLECTION

Steam side Paddlewheeler "Seneca" in Brooklyn 1864
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Seneca"
(NYPD c. 1862-1881 )
This side paddlewheel vessel was obtained by the New York Police Department.
It was at one time used by NYPD to lure and arrest "Pirates" on the Hudson.
On occasion she was used by the Brooklyn Fire Dept for fire fighting.
The Seneca was reported to have been destroyed by fire in 1881.

Steam Tug "John Fuller" operating at a fire
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"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

BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY PHOTOS IN EXISTENCE OF THE FULLER
She is the tug on the right, right of center, next to sister tug the "Adelaide"
Shown fighting a fire in what appears to be a steam paddlewheel vessel and pier fire.

Steam Tug "John Fuller" operating at a fire
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"John Fuller"
(Rental c. 1866-1875)
Perhaps the "first" firefighting boat in NYC.
A salvage tug equipped with Amoskeag fire pumps
Rented as needed "On Call" basis.
Berthed at 307 West Street

BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY PHOTOS IN EXISTENCE OF THE FULLER
She is the tug on the right, right of center, next to sister tug the "Adelaide"
Shown fighting a fire in what appears to be a steam paddlewheel vessel and pier fire.

Drawing of the "William F. Havemeyer"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection
Image from Nov 11, 1882 cover of Harper's Weekly

"William F. Havemeyer"
(1875-1901)
106' x 22' x 10'. 6000 gpm.

Fireboat "William F. Havemeyer"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"William F. Havemeyer"
(1875-1901)
106' x 22' x 10'. 6000 gpm.
The "first" fireboat of the City of New York
Wood hull - coal fired steam powered
Had quarters on boat for the crew
Pike Street, Manhattan, East River
"Engine 43"

Close-up of Fireboat "William F. Havemeyer"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"William F. Havemeyer"
(1875-1901)
106' x 22' x 10'. 6000 gpm.
The "first" fireboat of the City of New York
Wood hull - coal fired steam powered
Had quarters on boat for the crew
Pike Street, Manhattan, East River
"Engine 43"

Drawing of the "Zophar Mills"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Zophar Mills"
(1882-1934)
120' x 25' x 12'. 6000 gpm.
First berth at Pier 42, North River
First with iron hull
Served 52 years
"Engine 51"

Photo (closeup) of the "Zophar Mills"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Zophar Mills"
(1882-1934)
120' x 25' x 12'. 6000 gpm.
First berth at Pier 42, North River
First with iron hull
"Engine 51"

Fireboat "Seth Low" on the East River
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Seth Low"
(1885-1917)
99' x 24' x 9'. 3500 gpm.
Harbeck's Stores, foot of Main Street, Brooklyn
Wooden vessel - copper bottom
Brooklyn Fire Dept
Engine 23

Fireboat "Seth Low" with fleet
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Seth Low"
(1885-1917)
99' x 24' x 9'. 3500 gpm.
Harbeck's Stores, foot of Main Street, Brooklyn
Wooden vessel - copper bottom
Brooklyn Fire Dept
Engine 23

"The New Yorker" an early photo
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"The New Yorker"
(1890-1931)
125' x 26' x 12'. 13,000 gpm.
Early photo shown prior to installation of the roof deck monitors and the name plate being placed
on the pilot house. Also shown with original style stack and square portholes.
Photos of the New Yorker showing square
portholes date to when the crew lived on board the vessel.

.
"The New Yorker" and crew on the bow
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"The New Yorker"
(1890-1931)
125' x 26' x 12'. 13,000 gpm
Steel hull - Coal fired Steam power
Castle Garden, Battery, Manhattan
"Engine 57"

        Fireboat "Robert A.Van Wyck"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection
"Robert A. Van Wyck*"
(1898-1948)
110' x 24' x 12.6'. 6500 gpm
Designed by H deB Parsons
203 gross tons
Berth Foot of Grand Street, Manhattan
"Engine 66"

*This boat was originally christened as the "William L Strong" but the name was changed to the
"Robert A. Van Wyck" prior to going into service (Van Wyck was the Mayor at the time).
It was renamed the "William L Strong" once again after the mayor's term ended..

Fireboat "William L Strong"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection
"William L. Strong"
(1898-1948)
100' x 24' x 12.6'. 6500 gpm.
Designed by H deB Parsons
203 gross tons
Berth Foot of Grand Street, Manhattan
"Engine 66"

"Abram S Hewitt" Water Display
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Abram S. Hewitt"
(1903-1958)
117' x 24' x 10'6". 7000 gpm.
Designed by H deB Parsons
Built by the New York Ship Building Company at Camden, NJ
Berth foot of West 13th St, Manhattan
"Engine 77"

"George B. McClellan" in 1948
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"George B. McClellan"
(1904-1954)
117' x 24' x 9'6". 7000 gpm.
Built by New York Shipping Co., Camden, NJ
Gansevoort St, Brooklyn
McClellan essentially sister ship to the Hewitt
"Engine 78"

On September 17, 1953 the "McClellan" operating as Engine 51
sustained an explosion on board which ultimately resulted in the death
of Marine Engineer John D. McKean.
A new Fireboat commissioned in 1954 would be named after John D. McKean.

"James Duane"
Lawrence & Richard Gorman Family Collection

"James Duane"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
Built by Alex Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Foot of 35th St, Manhattan, North River
"Engine 85"

"FDNY Fireboat James Duane Pilot Richard Gorman floods the deck from the manifold
to assist the crew in daily vessel clean-up"
Lawrence & Richard Gorman Family Collection

"James Duane"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" supplying new water tower public display
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection
"Thomas Willett"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
Built by Ale Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Converted from coal to oil in 1926
Berth at former Engine 78, Foot of Gansevoort St, Manhattan, North River
"Engine 86"

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

"Cornelius W. Lawrence"
(1908-1955)
104'6" x 23'6" x 9'. 7000 gpm.
Built by Alex Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Berth at foot East 132nd St, Manhattan, Harlem River
"Engine 87"

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

"The 1908 Fleet"
(1908)
The 10 Fireboats of the FDNY fleet at Engine 57 and the Battery in Manhattan 1908
Pier A (lower right) eventually served as Marine Division from 1960-1990s.

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

"The 1908 Fleet"
(1908)

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.

    FDNY Fireboat "William J. Gaynor"
   John Landers - Beth Klein Collection
"William J. Gaynor"
(1914-1961)
118' x 25' x 13.4'. 7000 gpm.
Converted from coal to oil in 1937
Replaced the Seth Low
Foot of 38th & 37th St, Brooklyn, New York Bay
"Engine 223"

FDNY Fireboats "John Purroy Mitchel" and William J. Gaynor battle freighter blaze.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection
"John Purroy Mitchel"
(1921-1966)
132' x 27' x 10' 9,000 gpm
Built Standard Shipbuilding Co, Shooters Island, NY
Replaced "The New Yorker"
"Engine 57"

FDNY Fireboat "Fire Fighter" in action with water tower.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection
"Fire Fighter"
(1938-2011 )
134' x 32' x 9'. 20,000 gpm.
First Diesel fireboat
Replaced John J Harvey
"Engine 57"

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

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

Note: The name H. Sylvia A. H. G. Wilks stands for the full name
Hetty Sylvia Ann Howland Green Wilks
who was a philanthropist whose donations set up several charities
that benefited firemen and their families.

Launching of the Fireboat "Dr. Harry M. Archer"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection
"Harry M. Archer M.D."
(1958-1994)
105'6" x 27' x 9'. 8000 gpm.
"Marine 6"

Small Fireboat "Blaze"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection
"Blaze"
(1961-1970)
20' x 8' x 2.5 draft - 600 gpm
Built by John Mathis, Camden NJ
Stationed at Cross Bay Blvd
Saw limited duty

Small Fireboat "James F. Hackett"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"James F. Hackett"
(1970-1974)
29'3" - 8' - 2.5' draft - 2500 gpm

FOR THE FULL COLLECTION

-------------------------
Thanks to John Landers and Beth Klein for sharing these amazing historical images
of these old FDNY fireboats
August 2013 - December 2015

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FDNY Fireboat - Old Marine Company 2
"John J. Harvey"
The "Harvey" was built in 1931. She served as Marine 2 until retired in 1999.
130' length, 28' beam, 9' draft.
18,000 gpm pumps.
Shown here at Derecktor Shipyard in Bridgeport, CT July 2007

The "Harvey" at her slip at Pier 66 near 26th Street, Manhattan west side.
July 2011

FDNY Fireboat - Old Marine Company 9
"Fire Fighter"
The "Fire Fighter" was built at a ship yard in Staten Island in 1938.
Served until 2011.
It is 134' in length, with a 32' beam and 9' draft.
20,000 GPM

FDNY Fireboat - Old Marine Company 1
"John D. McKean"
Built 1954 - Retired 2011
129' length, 30' Beam, 0' draft
19,000 GPM
Photo April 2001

Reserve Marine Company 1
Retired Fireboat "John D. McKean"
Former Marine Co. 1 now reserve at Marine Division.
July 2011

Retired Fireboat "John D. McKean"
Former Marine Co. 1 has been decommissioned and is being stripped
for disposal after 60+ years with the FDNY.
Shown at Marine Division
December 2015

Photos of the McKean in retirement up the Hudson River
around Verplanck, NY.
Aug 2017

FDNY Fireboat
"Harry M. Archer, MD"
Built 1958 - Retired 1994
105'6" length, 27' beam, 9' draft
8,000 gpm capacity
Photo 1986

FDNY Fireboat
"Smoke II"
Built 1958 - Retired 2008
52' length, 14' beam, 4' draft
2,000 gpm capacity
Photo 2001 at Brooklyn Yard
Photos May 2001

FDNY Fireboat
"Senator Robert F. Wagner"
Built 1959 - Retired 1993
105'6" length, 27' beam, 9' draft
8,000 gpm capacity.
Shown in 1989 at Pier A in Manhattan

FDNY Fireboat
"Governor Alfred E. Smith"
Built 1961 in Camden, New Jersey
105'6" length, 27' beam, 9' draft
8,000 gpm capacity
Photo May 2001, note World Trade Center towers
in the distance from Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Reserve Marine Company
Reserve Fireboat "Gov. Alfred E. Smith"
Photos July 2011

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

Former FDNY Fireboat
"John H. Glenn, Jr"
Built in 1962
Served with FDNY until 1977
70' length, 21' beam, 5' draft
5,000 gpm
Sold to Washington, DC Fire Department
Currently serving as DCFD Fire Boat 1

FDNY Fireboat - Old Marine Company 6
"Kevin C. Kane"
The "Kevin C. Kane" was built in 1992.
She is 52' in length, 16' beam, 4'6" draft
6,500 gpm
Replaced by new Marine 6 "Bravest" in 2011.

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 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