
New York City's fireboats have been a vital part of the city's firefighting efforts for over a century. The first fireboat, the "James Fenimore Cooper", was launched in 1904.
The James Fenimore Cooper was a significant improvement over earlier fireboats, with a top speed of 15 miles per hour and a pumping capacity of 1,500 gallons per minute. This allowed it to reach fires quickly and effectively extinguish them.
One of the most notable fireboats in New York City's history is the John J. Harvey, which served from 1931 to 1994.
New York City Fireboats
New York City Fireboats are a vital part of the city's firefighting efforts, and they've come a long way since the late 19th century when a fleet of ten large fireboats was maintained. The FDNY now operates a smaller fleet with a mix of large and smaller boats.
One of the oldest fireboats in the FDNY's fleet is the William F. Havemeyer, which was commissioned in 1875 and retired in 1901. It had a pumping capacity of 6000 gallons per minute. The Zophar Mills, another early fireboat, was commissioned in 1882 and retired in 1934, also with a pumping capacity of 6000 gpm.

The New Yorker, which was commissioned in 1890, was one of the largest fireboats in the FDNY's fleet, with a pumping capacity of 13,000 gallons per minute. It was retired in 1931. The William L. Strong, commissioned in 1898, was also a large fireboat with a pumping capacity of 6500 gpm.
Here's a list of some of the FDNY's fireboats, including their dimensions and pumping capacities:
The Fire Fighter II and Three Forty Three are two of the largest fireboats in North America, with a pumping capacity of 50,000 gallons per minute. The William M. Feehan, on the other hand, is a smaller fireboat that can pump 8,000 gallons per minute.
Fireboats of NYC
Fireboats of NYC have a long history, with the first fireboat, William F. Havemeyer, being commissioned in 1875. It had a pumping capacity of 6000 gpm and was retired in 1901.
The New Yorker, a fireboat from the late 19th century, had a massive pumping capacity of 13,000 gpm. This was significantly higher than many of its predecessors.
The FDNY currently operates a fleet of fireboats, including the Fire Fighter II, which is one of the largest fireboats in North America, with a pumping capacity of 50,000 gpm.
Fireboats of NYC
Fireboats of NYC have a rich history in the city, with the first fireboat owned by New York City being the William F. Havemeyer, commissioned in 1875.
The FDNY operates a fleet of fireboats, with the largest fireboats in North America being the Fire Fighter II and the Three Forty Three, both commissioned in 2010 and capable of pumping 50,000 gallons per minute.
The Fire Fighter II and Three Forty Three are also notable for being among the largest fireboats in North America, with the Fire Fighter II being one of the largest in the world.
The Fireboats of New York City have a long history of innovation, with the John Fuller being a chartered tug that provided firefighting prior to the city purchasing a fireboat.
Over the years, the technology and design of fireboats have improved, with smaller boats now able to provide the pumping capacity that required a large boat in the past.
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Today, the FDNY operates a fleet with a smaller number of large fireboats, supplemented by a number of smaller boats in the 10 meter range.
Here is a list of some of the notable fireboats of the FDNY:
The John J. Harvey is also notable for being a historic fireboat that was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, and is now a private excursion vessel.
The FDNY has a long history of preserving and honoring its retired fireboats, with the John D. Mc Kean being held in retired status since 2010.
The John D. Mc Kean is one of the many fireboats that have been preserved and are now being maintained by custodians like Ed Taylor and Miguel Valle, who are working to preserve the history of the retired FDNY Fireboat John D. McKean.
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Types of Fireboats in NYC
Fireboats of NYC come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 53 feet to 140 feet in length. The smallest fireboat in the FDNY's fleet is the Smoke, which stands at 53 feet long.
The FDNY's fireboats are equipped with different pumping capacities, with the smallest being 2000 gallons per minute (gpm) on the Smoke II and the largest being 50,000 gpm on the Fire Fighter II and Three Forty Three. These larger capacities allow the fireboats to tackle bigger fires.
The FDNY's fireboats also vary in speed, with the fastest being the Bravest, which can reach 40 knots (74 km/h).
Here are some key statistics about the FDNY's fireboats:
The FDNY's fireboats are an essential part of the city's firefighting efforts, and their varied sizes and capacities allow them to respond to a wide range of emergencies.
FDNY Fireboats
The FDNY Fireboats have a rich history, with the first fleet consisting of ten large boats that were commissioned in the late 19th century. These boats were a game-changer in firefighting, providing a pumping capacity of up to 13,000 gallons per minute.
The largest fireboat in the FDNY fleet is the Fire Fighter II, which was commissioned in 2010 and has a pumping capacity of 50,000 gallons per minute. This boat is one of the largest in North America, and its size and power make it a valuable asset in fighting fires.
Over time, the FDNY has adapted to changing technology and reduced the size of its fleet. Today, the department operates a mix of large fireboats and smaller, more agile boats. The smaller boats require smaller crews and less training, making them a more efficient option.
The FDNY fireboats are also equipped with advanced technology, including powerful pumps and hoses. The Fire Fighter II, for example, has a pumping capacity of 50,000 gallons per minute, making it one of the most powerful fireboats in the world.
Here are some of the notable FDNY fireboats, listed in chronological order:
The FDNY fireboats have played a crucial role in protecting New York City from fires, and their history is a testament to the department's commitment to innovation and excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the John J. Harvey fireboat still in service?
The John J. Harvey fireboat is no longer a fully operational fireboat, but it serves as an operational museum and education center, offering free public trips. It was briefly reactivated in 2001 for emergency service.
What is the biggest fire boat in the FDNY?
The Fireboat Three Forty Three is the largest fireboat in the FDNY, measuring 140 feet long and weighing 500 tons. It's a powerful vessel with a top speed of 18 knots, serving the FDNY since its launch in 2010.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireboats_of_New_York_City
- https://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Fireboats_of_New_York_City
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Forty_Three
- https://seahistory.org/museums-sites/fireboat-john-j-harvey/
- https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/hudson-valley/september-11th-22nd-anniversary/2023/09/11/fdny-september-11-miracle-on-hudson-fireboat-preservation
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