Fire Engines Photos

False.. It was purchased using donations of two generous citizens of SF. Vancouver had sent the boat to scrap.

Added by Johnny E on 22 January 2009.

This Vancouver-to-San Francisco fire-boat - any more details on her ?

She is definitely an older ship-design; that has been modernized.

From The Web; some of her history:

www.sffiremuseum.org/fireboats.html

Briefly, from this 'Site:

San Francisco, California, USA apparently has the 2 Fire-boats - both similar vintage.

Firstly, the "Phoenix - Fire Boat #1", built 1954, which pumped 6400 US gpm (24, 230 litres per min)ashore to the Relay Pumping set-up during the 1989 Earthquake fires.

Secondly, this vessel shown, the "Guardian - Fire Boat #2" ex-Vancouver BC "Fire-Boat #2", served 1951 to late 1980's; pumps' capacity 20, 000 Imp gpm (90, 920 litres per min). From 1971 on - was Vancouver's only fire-boat; thence sold off to scrap-yard. She was replaced by 5 smaller, fast-response fire-craft maintained by the 5 cities' Fire Dept's that share the Vancouver marine area.

After the 17 Oct/1989 Loma Prieta earth-quake and devastation; a number of San Francisco folks raised the funds, and with volunteers' efforts, saving her from the scrap-yard torches and sailing her down to San Francisco, to go into service there.

That is Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and not Vancouver, Washington State, USofA; which is further down the Pacific Coast. Both ports named after the renowned naval hydrographer and explorer, Captain George Vancouver RN, of King's Lynn, County Norfolk, England. ( Er, now part of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (<:] ... )

Great photo - so few of those classic Harbour Fire Boats left afloat.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B


Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 23 January 2009.

More of these classic Fire-Boats, in USA:

New York Fire Dept has at least a couple of these classic Fire-Boats, still in service:

"John D. McKean", built 1954, 19, 000 US gpm (79, 900 litres per minute)

"Fire Fighter", built 1938, 20, 000 US gpm (75, 700 litres per minute)

The retired "John J. Harvey" 1931-1999, 18, 000 US gpm (68, 000 litres per minute) is under restoration, and fund-raising is going on.

Details on these, and NYFD's other fire-boats, at :

www.fireboat.org/history/fleetlist.asp

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 25 January 2009.

Vancouver was to scrap her! I know, I am from Vancouver. Everyone tried to stop the junking of this ship, plus keep it working in Vancouver with our fire boys like it had since the 1950's! I was glad she went to SF and not the scrap pile. A rich Canadian was one of the ones who saved the ship, but the Vancouver city mayor did not want her! All the cities on the west coast should have fire boats as large fires and earthquakes can/will happen at anytime.

Added by Richard Scott on 08 March 2010.

I was one of three Pilots who brought the Fireboat down from Vancouver in December. WE faced 24' seas and at times we were surfing at almost 15 knots coming down the Pacific Coast. I still have the Life Ring "vancouver fire boat #2 hanging on mt fence at home

Added by STEVE ROBINSON on 21 August 2011.

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