Popular Post 41chevy Posted April 29, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted April 29, 2013 Got to spend the better part of today on the Land Marked F.D.N.Y. Fire Fighter Fire Boat at Greenport. Joined the volunteers doing restoration work on it. She was built in Staten Island in 1938 at a cost of just under One Million Dollars. 138 feet long, 35 foot beam, a pair of GM 16-278A diesels of 1600 h.p. each. Worked the NYC port area for more than 70 years. Fought the fire on the Normande and was almost caught under the liner when it capsized. She spent close to a week at the Trade Center pumping water to the crews on site. She actually pumped so much water the pumps wore out. Re fitted and than retired in 2010/ 2011. She was the most powerfull fireboat in the world at one time. Nice to touch a part of history! Paul 7 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougsr Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 I like to see this kind of thing. I worked on ships and boats for a long time. I worked for twenty five or so years offshore on the drilling rigs. I got to see a lot of the world. I was an electrician. That brings back memories looking in that engine room. Keep up the good work. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h67st Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 That engine room is beautiful! Those big GMs are cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 The power plant looks great!Hat off for 70 years of service. Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADDOG93 Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Paul I guess we will meet up some day as I to will work on the Firefighter . Missed the oppurtunity to move her back in Jan as I was on Vacation in S C and missed the boat ! 10 hrs under her own power with out a problem after sitting for 2 years. The boat needs lots of work and will be moved to Newburg New York in the summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Reinhart Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 I`m a big fan of the FDNY..it`s great they are saving this old Vet..saw the new boat, the 343 when I was in the city 2 months ago.. Quote Still the Greatest Name in Trucks...Bulldogs rule, The rest drool....Member ATHS and ATCA... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 What a coinkydink, I joined their facebook group today. I was aboard Firefighter back in the late 90's, stopped by to visit and scored a ride when the got a run while I was there. And just two weeks ago I scored a tour of Firefighter II. Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADDOG93 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Randy do you know the owner of the Firefighter ? does Circleville [Warehouse] ring a bell ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 wow thats quite a tub,,,thanks for sharing paul,,,,,and lucky you...bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 I saw her in action that week after 9/11. Was flying in and out of Battery Park for seven days immediately after the attacks for the CT State Police, hauling Troopers and Cadaver dogs in and out of the city in Trooper One to assist NYPD. Had some down time and walked South in the Park and came upon Firefighter moored there in a marina, pumping away. Some sight, pumping right out of the Hudson, dozens of lines running off her supplying water to the scene that was still burning pretty heavily. I heard she was retired the week before 9/11 and was brought out of her retirement to assist, not sure if that's accurate though. Glad she's being preserved. Lot's of history in that fire boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 Paul I guess we will meet up some day as I to will work on the Firefighter . Missed the oppurtunity to move her back in Jan as I was on Vacation in S C and missed the boat ! 10 hrs under her own power with out a problem after sitting for 2 years. The boat needs lots of work and will be moved to Newburg New York in the summerWe will defiantly meet up. I'll be volunteering most every other weekend til mid June at least. I' m easy to spot...grey hair, goatee, a bad limp and a large cup of Joe at all times. Paul Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Randy do you know the owner of the Firefighter ? does Circleville [Warehouse] ring a bell ! I had heard a rumor that A.L. was involved and possibly had a stake in ownership, so he is indeed the owner?? If so, thats a great thing!!!! Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 Charlie Ritchie, of upstate Cold Spring, NY is president of the fireboat museum based in Greenport and Jeffrey Jonap is the director of operations for the boathttp://www.ufanyc.org/cms/contents/view/15134 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 41 Chevy- you may very well see me at some point. I was recently very active in the restoration of the former USCGC TAMAROA WMEC-166 until the project was scrapped by the owner due to lack of needed funds. As I have always been an admirer of fireboats and especially the Firefighter, I may very well become involved with this, just wish it wasnt out on the ass end of Long Island, thats a 3+ hour ride for me, probably more on a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. I am now facebook friends with Charles, and have been communicating with him. If the owner is who I think it is, I have been friends with him for a while- he owns a warehouse with about 200+ firetrucks. he is truly dedicated to preserving fire apparatus history- if it is indeed who I think it is. Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Wow...look at the engine room. Clean!!!(even after 70+ yrs) Very nice. Glad to see someone is going to do something with it. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADDOG93 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Bingo Randy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADDOG93 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Randy all those BIG GM diesel's and no ear plugs for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADDOG93 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Matt you did see the Firefighter[ marine 9] that day 9/11 but the boat was in service till 2011 The story is about the boat tied up next to it the retired Harvey witch sat from 1990 when taken out of service till about 2000 when it was saved from the scrap pile by a group of people. It was orderd back in service by the FDNY to ferry people to N.J. , after a few trips it then orderd to tie up at the Battery and start pumping and pumping it did for 3 days with out missing a beet Also tied up that day was the FDNY fireboat Mckean [ marine 1] The 3 fireboats supplyed the only water to the towers for 3 days ! In 2010 the Mckean was replaced by the 343, I have a shot of the 343 taken from my boat on it's first day of service 9/11 2010. The new Firefighter2 is a twin to the 343 , 50,000 gpm and 150 psi to anywhere in Manhatten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Just last week I was invited to attend the retirement party of a close friend on the job, which was held at Marine Co. 9's quarters, and was fortunate enough to receive a tour of Firefighter II. Have a boatload of pics- that boat is nicer than my house....Hell, the engine room is nicer than my house!!! Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADDOG93 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 THE 343 and the Mckean [ marine 1 ] that was just taken out of service that hour , in service 1954 till 9-11 2010 at 1200 hrs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADDOG93 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 The Firefighter heading back to it's birth 9-11 2010 Staten Island, One year before being replaced . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 41 Chevy- you may very well see me at some point. I was recently very active in the restoration of the former USCGC TAMAROA WMEC-166 until the project was scrapped by the owner due to lack of needed funds. As I have always been an admirer of fireboats and especially the Firefighter, I may very well become involved with this, just wish it wasnt out on the ass end of Long Island, thats a 3+ hour ride for me, probably more on a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. I am now facebook friends with Charles, and have been communicating with him. If the owner is who I think it is, I have been friends with him for a while- he owns a warehouse with about 200+ firetrucks. he is truly dedicated to preserving fire apparatus history- if it is indeed who I think it is.To bad you can't hit the Cross Sound Ferry from Bridgeport CT to Port Jefferson coming from Pa. Only about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours east of there. The Ferry fare is less than the tolls.Paul Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 (edited) MADDOG93, thanks for that. I was a little in awe during those days and wasn't really looking at the boat names. Those new ones are truly impressive, to say the least. Such a day, it altered my life significantly and it's never been the same since. Writing this from Afghanistan, pulling my third tour. I love NYC and make several trips a year there with my wife. Took my nieces and nephews to Ground Zero after I got home from my first tour in 2004. Edited May 1, 2013 by mattb73lt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Thank you for your service Matt and all those with you. 2 Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 Thanks for your service! I was a draftee in 1970... still in awe of you people! Thanks again! Paul 1 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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