Recounting the story of the major waterfront fire on the Wilmington, NC, waterfront on March 9, 1953.
Retrospective
Read retrospective (PDF) from 2009 by Chris Nelson.
Newspapers
Hugh Morson Photos
Via these blog posts: Greatest Fire in Wilmington’s History Rages on the Waterfront and 1953 Wilmington Shipping Co. Fire
Research resource alert. Via New Hanover Public Library, pair of National Board of Fire Underwriters reports for Wilmington in 1949 and 1958. These are highly detailed accounts of the fire department, the fire alarm and water systems, and more. Read digital versions in this library at https://legeros.com/history/library/_nbfu
And drop a line of you have other NBFU reports to contribute!
See also, Wilmington Fire History by Legeros.
Found a fine reference document about all things related to the Wilmington Fire Department. Standards of Cover from September 2023. Generously informative document that includes a nice history section. There’s even a full fleet listing on page 120.
Copied and stored here, read document (PDF).
See also, Wilmington Fire History by Legeros.
Presenting research notes on the history of ambulance and rescue services in New Hanover County.
See below for selected notes.
See this Google Drive folder for 200+ articles, including those referenced below.
1957, Feb – Cape Fear Ambulance Service was under new management, prices reduced, read an advertisement. [SN, 2/17/58]
1958, Oct – Cape Fear Ambulance Service ceased answering emergency calls in the city and county, due to losing money. The city started providing ambulance service through police department, using two police station wagons. Officers were also “fully trained in first aid.” The first police ambulance call was October 13, 1958. The county planned to equip the sheriff’s department to provide ambulance service. CFAS would continue making non-emergency “house calls.” [SN, 10/2/58, 10/6/58, 10/7/58, 10/13/58 ]
1958, Oct – Wrightsville Beach reported as having emergency ambulance service, through permanent use of a “fully-equipped” Civil Air Patrol ambulance. It operated from the police department and was maintained by CAP squadron members. Ambulance rides were free, but the squadron appreciated donations. [SN, 10/10/58, 10/16/58]
1958, Oct – County made 90 day agreement with Cape Fear Ambulance Company to provide emergency service to unincorporated areas, as a trial basis. [SN, 10/20/58]
1958, Oct – Civil Air Patrol squadron ambulances were operating at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, and a third was being obtained at Fort Fisher. [SN, 10/20/58]
1959, Feb – Cape Fear Ambulance Service ceased operating. [SN, 8/23/63]
1959, Feb – Ambulance Service Company started operation. Owner is Harold Jackson. By June 1963, the company operated four vehicles. [SN, 6/25/63, 8/23/63] Continue reading ‘New Hanover County Ambulance and Rescue Services History’ »
Research notes on the history of Wilmington Fire Department’s rescue squads and ambulances. See second blog posting for wider history of New Hanover County ambulance and rescue services.
See also, Wilmington Fire History by Legeros.
1969
WFD placed first rescue unit in service. [SN, 6/30/71] Was a utility-type truck and was not equipped for transport.
1971, June 30
Star-News reported that for the third budget year, the fire chief has requested funding for a boat, trailer, and outboard motor. Currently, only the fire boat was available for water rescue calls, which can’t reach most water accidents in the city. The budget request also included a $1,500 resuscitator and other breathing apparatus for the rescue truck.
1974, June 15
Star-News reported that the proposed city budget included $9,000 for a new rescue truck. This was an ambulance and WFD started transport services, though only for patients with life-threatening conditions.
1977, Apr 8
Star-News reported that a WFD underwater dive team had been operating for four years. The team consisted of sixteen members. Continue reading ‘Wilmington Fire Department Rescue Squad and Ambulance History’ »
This is a blog version of a Facebook posting.
Presenting fire apparatus past and present that have served at Wilmington International Airport.
1954 ALF Type O-11A – 500/1000/100/80
Likely serial #54L210, which was former NCANG
Included 80 gallons Chlorobromomethane
Possibly sold at auction, along with second 1954 ALF crash truck, at surplus airport property sale in June 1991. (Star News, Jun 3, 1991)
1964 Ford F-100 – 300#
Yellow Bird – June 1979 – Wayne Greer photo
1969 Oshkosh MB-5 – 400/400/30
CFR 19 – March 1990 – Ex-USN – Wayne Greer photo
1974 International/FireBoss – 400#/100
Chief 1 – June 1979 – Wayne Greer photo
1976 Oshkosh M-1500 – 1250/1500/180
CFR 2 – June 1978 – Wayne Greer photo
Also cited as a 1975 model (Star News, Feb 11, 1989)
1989 Ford F-250/___ #1 of 2 – 100/500#
CFR 14 – March 1990 – Wayne Greer photo
1989 Ford F-250/___ #2 of 2 – 250/500#
CFR 15 – March 1990 – Wayne Greer photo
1990 Oshkosh T-1500 – 1200/1500/200
CFR 18 – Wayne Greer photo
Cost $305,000 (Star News, Sep 29, 1989)
2001 Oshkosh T-1500 – 1500/1500/200/460#
CFR 16 – Patrick Shoop photo
2011 Rosenbauer Panther – 1850/1500/200/500#
CFR 18 – Patrick Shoop photo
2024 Oshkosh Striker – Specs go here
Rescue 1 – June 2024 – New Hanover County Fire Rescue photo
Not Pictured
The Wilmington Morning Star on October 8, 1946, reported that the airport–then named Bluethenthal Field–had two small pumpers, each with 300 gallon capacity, and eight men on duty.
The Star-News on January 15, 1950, reported that the airport had a pumper, a brush truck, and a “chemical crash truck,” all obtained through the War Assets Administration.
Airport History
Notes
Greer photos from the collections of Jon Umbdenstock and the late Jay Thomson.
The 1969 Oshkosh was acquired in a later decade.
The current incarnation of the airport fire department, operated by the county, was created in either 1972 or 1975, after the Air Force ceased providing crash fire rescue services, after they ceased regular operations at the airport. (Star News, August 9, 1981; Star News, Jan 9, 1982)
In October 1974, news articles reported that grant money for purchase of an estimated $120,000 fire truck had been received. Currently, the airport had an agreement with the 48th Fighter Interceptor Squadron to use their crash truck to fulfilling FAA ARFF regulations, until the county fire truck was available for use. Bids had been advertised in April 1974 for a “twin dual-agent skid-mounted fire extinguishing” system. [ Was this a separate unit from the crash truck that the grant money was received for? ] (Star News, Apr 7 1974; Oct 11, 1974)
The airport opened a new fire station in March 1981, located north of the passenger terminal. The prior fire station was a former Air Force maintenance hangar. The 8,200 square-foot building had slow-opening hangar doors, so the doors had to remain open at all times for quick response of fire apparatus. In cold weather, the trucks were hard to start and the building was uncomfortable for firefighters. (Star News, Sep 19, 1980; Star News, August 9, 1981)
Research notes about Wilmington and New Hanover County auxiliary firefighters during World War II. This was a national civilian defense initiative, and auxiliary firefighters were trained and equipped in cities and towns across North Carolina.
Wilmington Auxiliary Apparatus
Among the equipment acquired and developed for the program by members of the Wilmington Fire Department were five home-built fire trucks:
19__ International, half-ton pick-up – #1 of 2
19__ International, half-ton pick-up – #2 of 2
Bought new, it appears. Carried 165 gallons, 200 feet of ¾-inch booster hose with a “Panama booster bump,” five-gallon Indian fire pumps, 24-foot extension ladder, 12-foot ladder, and axes. The trucks could be used for grass fires, washing gasoline off the street, providing water for units answer calls outside the city, etc.
19__ Dodge truck – #1 of 3
19__ Dodge truck – #2 of 3
19__ Dodge truck – #2 of 3
Army surplus trucks. With 500 GPM centrifugal pump with motor, carried 250 gallons, equipped with two 3/4-inch discharged lines, and 150 feet of hose. Plus portable for drafting from creeks, wells, rivers, etc. Plus 100 feet of 2 1/2-inch hose and 200 feet of 1 1/2-inch hose. Plus 24-foot extension ladder, 12-foot roof ladder, axes, nozzles, pike pole, portable extinguishers, buckets, shovels, door-opener, etc. They could answer calls outside of the city, since they carried “a good water supply,” serve as reserve if a frontline rig was out of service, or “in case of a series of simultaneous fires or a major conflagration.”
Pictures
Top photo is probably/certainly a subsequent and permanent replacement for one of the wartime trucks. Like its counterparts in Raleigh, Durham, et al, it was probably staffed with a two-person crew and used for smaller fires, calls outside the city, et
Bottom photo shows four of the five wartime trucks.
More Reading
See also Wilmington Fire History by Legeros.
Top photo from 1985 history book, read digital version (pdf).
Bottom photo from the Wilmington Morning Star, June 10, 1945
News Clippings
Read assorted news clippings via (paid) newspapers.com in this Google Drive. They’re just a sampling, subscribe and search the service for many more.
While in Baltimore July 2010, for the occasion of the annual fire expo, Mr. History was poking around a random marina. Imagine his surprise when he found the T. B. McClintic, an old tug that had served the Wilmington, NC, fire department for a few decades as the fire boat Atlantic IV. Wish we’d taken more (and better) pics.
From Mike’s research notes, here’s a short history:
Make: Bath Iron Works
Built: 1932 in Bath, MA
Hull: Steel
Length: 64 feet
Weight: 85 tons
Engine: Diesel (3)
Pump: ?
Capacity: 2500 GPM
Tugboat built for US Public Health Department. Named T. B. McLintick, after doctor credited with cure for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Served health department from 1932 to 1958. Also used briefly as ice breaker. Acquired by city in 1963 for $300. Three diesel engines installed, as well as firefighting equipment. First duty was washing down decks of USS North Carolina before dedication ceremony. Retired 1986. Docked at Cape Fear Technical Institute for several months. Sold and later restored to original public health tug.
See the above research notes for longer narrative.
Star-News photo / Chris Nelson Collection
How about a dip into Raleigh-Wake civil defense history? Reader Scott Womack acquired a Raleigh Civil Defense Director badge and asks, who would’ve worn this? Let’s try to answer the question via some News & Observer articles and other sources.
Pre-History – During World War II there were numerous civilian defense initiatives both in Raleigh and around North Carolina. They ranged from blackout drills to volunteer squads of auxiliary firemen and auxiliary policemen.
1950, Sep – Hugh G. Isley was named Civil Defense Director for Raleigh. Volunteer position, it appears. Was there an earlier director? Doesn’t appear so. Was there an earlier city office of civilian defense, during the war? TBD.
1952, Feb – Sheriff Robert Pleasants was appointed county CD director. He appears to have been be the first county director. Source: County minutes.
1952, Sep – Raymond Snow succeeded Isley as CD director for Raleigh. Volunteer position, it appears.
1954, Feb – Col. David Hardee was named Civil Defense coordinator for Wake County. Was the first full-time role for the position in the county. This was a joint city-county role and office. The CD director position in Raleigh was presumably discontinued. The only other paid CD director in the state at the time was in Charlotte.
1956, Jan – CD directors were named in Cary, Wendell, and Knightdale. Previously announced were CD directors in Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, and Zebulon.
1961, May – Col. John Thorne succeeded Hardee as Wake County Director of Civil Defense. He previously held the position of Raleigh and Wake County Training Officer for Civil Defense. He was appointed after Hardee’s retirement.
1972, July – The county civil defense department was referenced as the Raleigh-Wake County Civil Defense Agency in a news story.
1973, Jun – Russell Capps succeeded Thorne as Wake County Director of Civil Defense. The office was also called Raleigh/Wake Civil Preparedness, as named in the 1973 budget document.
By July 1, 1976, the office was called Raleigh/Wake County Emergency Preparedness.
By July 1981, the office was called Wake County Emergency Management.
In 1976, the director’s role was expanded to include leading the newly created Wake County EMS. In/around that time, or within a few years, the director’s role was further expanded to include the role of county fire marshal.
Will update this posting as more information is found.
Source Documents
Available in this Google Drive folder.
Read More
“Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow: The North Carolina Civil Defense Agency and Fallout Shelters, 1961-1963,” by Frank Arthur Blazich, Jr. – College thesis
Auxiliary Firemen handbook from 1940s (PDF)
History of Wake County fire service governance (PDF)
This is a version of a Facebook posting from February 2021. It has been expanded with additional data. Last updated, June 10, 2024.
Introduction
This blog post presents research notes from newspaper stories about Wake County rescue squad responses to drownings in ponds, lakes, or creeks in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
Drownings were a common call type for the early squads, that included Raleigh (1953), Wake Forest (1952), and Wendell (1962). Boats, motors, oars, hooks, et al were among their early equipment. (Recall that patient transport services were performed by funeral homes at that time. Community rescue squads–along with private ambulance services and, later, Wake County EMS–evolved to fill that role.)
In fact, the Raleigh Emergency Rescue Squad was organized partially in response to a body recovery after a drowning on the Neuse River. The city manager requested help from the fire chief, after receiving multiple complaints about the body of a drowning victim that had not been recovered.
Read research notes (PDF).
Read about Wake County rescue squad histories.
See source documents (plus additional news articles) in this Google Drive folder.
