Inside look at FDNY Floating Engines (aka fireboats) by our own 'Professor' Gary Greenbaum.
FDNY Marine Companies
Introduction: The Genesis of NYC Fireboats
The need for "floating engines" in 1865.
The first leased fireboat, the John Fuller (1866-1875), detailing its acquisition and early
operations.
Transition to the first city-owned fireboat, the William F. Havemeyer (1875-1901).
Early Innovations and Expansion (Late 19th Century)
Introduction of the Zophar Mills (1882-1934) as the first iron hull fireboat.
Fireboats from Brooklyn (pre-consolidation): the Seth Low (1885-1917) and the David A.
Boody (1892-1914).
Long Island City's Protector (1894).
The New Yorker (1890-1931) as a powerful and landmark vessel with its shore station.
The Robert A. Van Wyck / William L. Strong (1898-1948) and the Abram S. Hewitt (1903-
1958).
Defining Moments: Major Marine Disasters
The North German Lloyd disaster (1900), emphasizing the challenges and heroism of the
fireboat fleet.
The tragic General Slocum fire (1904) and the role of the fireboats in rescue and recovery.
Evolution of the Marine Division (Early 20th Century)
The organizational changes, such as the establishment of the 19th Battalion (1905) and the
Marine Division.
The significant fireboat additions of this era: the George B. McClellan (1904-1954), and the
fleet of James Duane, Thomas Willett, and Cornelius W. Lawrence (1908), noting their
advanced turbine-driven pumps.
The William J. Gaynor (1913-1961).
Modernization and the Diesel Era
The John Purroy Mitchel (1921-1966) as the last FDNY steam fireboat.
The John J. Harvey (1931-1999) and its gasoline power.
The Fire Fighter (1938-2018) as the first diesel-powered boat and its significant pumping
capacity.
Later additions: John D. McKean (1954-2010), H. Sylvia A. H. G. Wilks (1958-1972), John H.
Glenn, Jr. (1962-1977), and Governor Alfred E. Smith (1961-2016).
Support Vessels and the Lasting Legacy
The role of tenders and smaller boats like Velox, Smoke, Captain Connell, and Smoke II.
Honor of the "Heroes and Chiefs" – personnel who died in service and those who rose to
leadership positions from the Marine Division.
The great traditions and worthy emulation of the FDNY fireboat fleet.
FDNY Marine Companies
Introduction: The Genesis of NYC Fireboats
The need for "floating engines" in 1865.
The first leased fireboat, the John Fuller (1866-1875), detailing its acquisition and early
operations.
Transition to the first city-owned fireboat, the William F. Havemeyer (1875-1901).
Early Innovations and Expansion (Late 19th Century)
Introduction of the Zophar Mills (1882-1934) as the first iron hull fireboat.
Fireboats from Brooklyn (pre-consolidation): the Seth Low (1885-1917) and the David A.
Boody (1892-1914).
Long Island City's Protector (1894).
The New Yorker (1890-1931) as a powerful and landmark vessel with its shore station.
The Robert A. Van Wyck / William L. Strong (1898-1948) and the Abram S. Hewitt (1903-
1958).
Defining Moments: Major Marine Disasters
The North German Lloyd disaster (1900), emphasizing the challenges and heroism of the
fireboat fleet.
The tragic General Slocum fire (1904) and the role of the fireboats in rescue and recovery.
Evolution of the Marine Division (Early 20th Century)
The organizational changes, such as the establishment of the 19th Battalion (1905) and the
Marine Division.
The significant fireboat additions of this era: the George B. McClellan (1904-1954), and the
fleet of James Duane, Thomas Willett, and Cornelius W. Lawrence (1908), noting their
advanced turbine-driven pumps.
The William J. Gaynor (1913-1961).
Modernization and the Diesel Era
The John Purroy Mitchel (1921-1966) as the last FDNY steam fireboat.
The John J. Harvey (1931-1999) and its gasoline power.
The Fire Fighter (1938-2018) as the first diesel-powered boat and its significant pumping
capacity.
Later additions: John D. McKean (1954-2010), H. Sylvia A. H. G. Wilks (1958-1972), John H.
Glenn, Jr. (1962-1977), and Governor Alfred E. Smith (1961-2016).
Support Vessels and the Lasting Legacy
The role of tenders and smaller boats like Velox, Smoke, Captain Connell, and Smoke II.
Honor of the "Heroes and Chiefs" – personnel who died in service and those who rose to
leadership positions from the Marine Division.
The great traditions and worthy emulation of the FDNY fireboat fleet.