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 5 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"
"Marine 3"

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
"William Gaynor"

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-

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 5
"1908"
The following special photos were submitted as listed below.
(Added August 2013 - Updated September 2017)

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GO TO PREVIOUS PAGE
Page 4 - Historic Collection 1903-1907
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ON THIS PAGE
1908 - Fire Boat "James Duane"
1908 - Fire Boat "Thomas Willett"
1908 - Fire Boat "Cornelious W. Lawrence"
1908 - "The FDNY Fleet"

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GO TO NEXT PAGE
Page 6 - Historic Collection 1914-1938
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Prev Top Next

Fireboat "James Duane" 1908

Fireboat "James Duane" launching in 1908
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"James Duane"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm
Built by Alexander Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Coal fired team turbine driven centrifugal pumps
4 deck pipes and a tower mast
Capable of 14 knots.
Foot of 35th St, Manhattan, North River
"Engine 85"
"Marine 3"

Note: The three fireboats built in 1908 by Alexander Miller & Brothers
were essentially identical. The Duane, named after the city's 44th Mayor,
and the Willett are identical, while the Lawrence has a lower profile
and no mast to enable travel under the bridges over the Harlem River.

Fireboat "James Duane" original paint
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"James Duane"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"James Duane"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
Built by Alexander Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Coal fired team turbine driven centrifugal pumps
4 deck pipes and a tower mast
Capable of 14 knots.
Foot of 35th St, Manhattan, North River
"Engine 85"
"Marine 3"

Closeup of "James Duane"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"James Duane" from the rear at the pier.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "James Duane" water display
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"James Duane"
Lawrence & Richard Gorman Family Collection

"James Duane and her crew"
Lawrence & Richard Gorman Family Collection

"FDNY Fireboat James Duane crew salutes their retiring pilot Richard Gorman"
Lawrence & Richard Gorman Family Collection

"FDNY Fireboat James Duane Captain shakes the hand of his retiring pilot Richard Gorman"
Lawrence & Richard Gorman Family Collection

"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

Fireboat James Duane Pilot Richard Gorman in the water tower in 1913
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "James Duane" at the smoldering remains of the Staten Island
Ferry Terminal fire in 1946
Photo courtesy of Al Tronjanowicz

FDNY Fireboat "James Duane" slides into place between the Standard Oil tug SOCONY 14
and a Penn RR tug ready to do battle at the Cunnard Lines pier fire in 1931
Photo courtesy of Al Trojanowicz

FDNY Fireboat "James Duane" and "Thomas Willett" battle a stubborn freighter fire.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "The New Yorker" joins in to help the "James Duane" and
"Thomas Willett" battle the stubborn freighter fire.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboats "James Duane" and "Thomas Willett" at the freighter fire.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat James Duane operates at the Burn's Bros lumberyard fire c.1917
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Marine Division Pilot Richard Gorman leads the men of the "James Duane"
into battle at the Burn's Brothers Lumberyard fire February 1917.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

FDNY Fireboat "James Duane" was called to Hoboken, NJ for this huge pier fire.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Written on the back of the photo

SPECTACULAR WATERFRONT FIRE RAZES THREE PIERS ON THE HOBOKEN, NJ SHORE

Pictured is a view of the New York Fireboat the James Duane as it poured over five thousand gallons of water per minute on Pier Sixteen, one of three piers consumed by fire which did damage estimated at well over a million dollars. This photo was made March 27, 1920 some thirteen hours after the fire started and it was still raging. The Duane was requested from New York and was part of a mutual aid request by the Hoboken, NJ fire department.

Fireboat "James Duane" wets down hot spots at a Brooklyn pier explosion in 1924.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "James Duane" fights a blaze aboard the "Aurora" in1931
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboats "James Duane" and "Thomas Willett give mutual aid to a New Jersey
Erie Freight pier fire in 1942.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "James Duane" conducts water display off lower Manhattan
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "James Duane" operates at a fire aboard the Suomi-Finland
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "James Duane" prior to sale in 1959.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

A color photo of the Fireboat "James Duane" in 1954.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Close-up of the Fireboat "James Duane" 1954
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Another color photo of the Fireboat "James Duane" 1955
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Color photo of the Fireboat "James Duane" 1955
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "James Duane" c.1959
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "James Duane" as Marine 3 approaching the dock - color photo
Photo by Joe Farren - William Noonan collection

Fireboat "James Duane" as Marine 3 with "Fire Fighter" approaching - color photo
Photo by Joe Farren - William Noonan collection

Fireboat "James Duane" as Marine 3 and "Fire Fighter" - color photo
Photo by Joe Farren - William Noonan collection

Former FDNY Fireboat "James Duane" in death at Wittie's Salvage Yard in Staten Island
Jim Murray Collection

Former FDNY Fireboat "James Duane" transfer of ownership document 1961
Jim Murray Collection

Prev Top Next

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" 1908

The "Thomas Willett" at its 1908 launching in Newburgh, NY
is welcomed by the Fireboat "The New Yorker."
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Thomas Willett"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
Built by Alexander Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Coal fire steam turbine driven centrifugal pumps
4 deck pipes and a tower mast
Capable of 14 knots.
Converted from coal to oil in 1926
Berth at former Engine 78, Foot of Gansevoort St, Manhattan, North River
"Engine 86"
"Engine 78"
"Marine 5"

Note: The three fireboats built in 1908 by Alexander Miller & Brothers
were essentially identical. The Willett was named after the first Mayor
of New York City. The Willett and Duane are identical vessels,
while the Lawrence has a lower profile and no mast to enable unimpeded
travel under the bridges spanning the Harlem River.

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" original paint scheme in Harlem River at Hell Gate.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Brand new Fireboat "Thomas Willett" at Pier 53 c.1908
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Thomas Willett"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm
Built by Alexander Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Coal fire steam turbine driven centrifugal pumps
4 deck pipes and a tower mast
Capable of 14 knots.
Converted from coal to oil in 1926
Berth at former Engine 78, Foot of Gansevoort St, Manhattan, North River
"Engine 86"
"Engine 78"
"Marine 5"

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" water display at the Independence Day 1908 celebration.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" water display at the Independence Day 1908 celebration.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection (2023)

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" and others from the fleet on Independence Day 1908
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection (2023)

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" underway
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" patrolling the Hudson River
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" on duty in the Harlem River c.1913
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" crew in dive gear 1913
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

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

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

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" from the stern.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" westside waterfront patrol in 1913.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboats "Thomas Willett" "David A Boody" and "William L Strong"
July 4, 1913 on the Hudson.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboats "Thomas Willett" "David A Boody" and "William L Strong"
July 4, 1913 on the Hudson.
(original of previous photo)
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" operates at the Black Tom Island explosion in 1916
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Thomas Willett" escorts troops heading for Europe for WWI on the Leviathan in 1917.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" shown at Pier 83
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Close-up of the "Thomas Willett" at Pier 83
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" battling 1924 cruise ship pier fire and collapse
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" pier flooding test
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" supplying new water tower public display
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" water display during celebration of the opening
of the Triborough Bridge to vehicle traffic July 11, 1936
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" battling a dangerous pier fire and collapse
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Thomas Willett"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
Built by Alexander Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Coal fire steam turbine driven centrifugal pumps
4 deck pipes and a tower mast
Capable of 14 knots
Converted from coal to oil in 1926
Berth at former Engine 78, Foot of Gansevoort St, Manhattan, North River
"Engine 86"
"Engine 78"
"Marine 5"

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" testing monitors at Engine 86 Quarters.
Also visible is the "Capt. Connell" at the dock.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" in drydock for repairs
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Fireboat "Thomas Willett"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Engine 78 Quarters of "Thomas Willett" c.1938-1959
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Thomas Willett"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
Built by Alexander Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Coal fire steam turbine driven centrifugal pumps
4 deck pipes and a tower mast
Capable of 14 knots.
Converted from coal to oil in 1926
Engine 78 station relocated to foot of 99th St. c.1908
then 90th St., Manhattan, Harlem River c.1930
"Engine 86"
"Engine 78"
"Marine 5"

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" at quarters in 1958
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Thomas Willett"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
Built by Alexander Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Coal fire steam turbine driven centrifugal pumps
4 deck pipes and a tower mast
Capable of 14 knots.
Converted from coal to oil in 1926
Engine 78 station relocated to foot of 99th St. c.1908
then 90th St., Manhattan, Harlem River c.1930
"Engine 86"
"Engine 78"
"Marine 5"

Fireboat "Thomas Willett" on deck at quarters.
From John Landers - Beth Klein Collection (2023)

"Thomas Willett"
(1908-1959)
132' x 28' x 10'. 9000 gpm.
Built by Alexander Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Coal fire steam turbine driven centrifugal pumps
4 deck pipes and a tower mast
Capable of 14 knots.
Converted from coal to oil in 1926
Engine 78 station relocated to foot of 99th St. c.1908
then 90th St., Manhattan, Harlem River c.1930
"Engine 86"
"Engine 78"
"Marine 5"

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Fireboat "Cornelius W. Lawrence" 1908

"Cornelius W. Lawrence"
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Cornelius W. Lawrence"
(1908-1955)
104'6" x 23'6" x 9'. 7000 gpm.
Built by Alexander Miller & Bros, Jersey City, NJ
Coal fired, steam turbine driven pumps
Lower profile super structure and no tower mast
Berth at foot East 132nd St, Manhattan, Harlem River
"Engine 87"
"Engine 51"
"Engine 66"

NOTE: The "Cornelius W. Lawrence" is one of three fireboats delivered
in 1908 by Alexander Miller & Brothers. The Lawrence was built slightly shorter,
with a lower profile, and no tower mast to enable swifter travel under the
numerous bridges spanning the Harlem River.

"Cornelius W. Lawrence" Engine 87 at 135th St in 1923
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Cornelius W. Lawrence" at quarters
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

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

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

Fireboats "The New Yorker" and "Cornelius W. Lawrence" working side by side.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Cornelius W. Lawrence" conducting waterfront inspections
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Cornelius W. Lawrence" with tug "Russell 8" in 1914.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Cornelius W. Lawrence" battles a barge fire under Queensboro Bridge in 1931.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Cornelius W. Lawrence" from above in 1949
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"Cornelius W. Lawrence" under way.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

Prev Top Next

The FDNY Fireboats Fleet 1908

FDNY Fireboats heading for the Independence Day 1908 celebration.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"The New York Fleet"
July 4, 1908

FDNY Fireboats heading for the Independence Day 1908 celebration.
(names added to identify the boats)
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"The New York Fleet"
July 4, 1908

FDNY Fireboats jockey for position at the Independence Day 1908 celebration.
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"The New York Fleet"
July 4, 1908

FDNY Fireboats jockey for position at the Independence Day 1908 celebration.
(names added to identify the boats)
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"The New York Fleet"
July 4, 1908

FDNY fleet at "Engine 57" and the Battery in Manhattan 1908
John Landers - Beth Klein Collection

"The 1908 Fleet"
(1908)
The 10 Fireboats of the FDNY at the Battery in Manhattan 1908.
The quarters of Engine 57 "The New Yorker" are right of center (with tower)
Pier A which served as the Marine Division from 1960-1990s is to the left.
New York operated 9 or 10 Fireboats from 1908 until the 1950s.