Wilmington Fire Boats

Atlantic III

1949-1962

Make: ?
Built: 1943 in Brownsville, TX
Hull: Wood
Length: 65 feet
Beam 64 feet 8 inches
Draft: 6 or 7 feet
Engine: 230 HP Superior diesel, 44-inch propeller, 36-inch pitch
Pumps: Hale x 2, two-stage with 150 HP Mack gasoline engines, 1250 GPM each
Capacity: 2800 GPM

New notes, June 2024

1947, Jan - City officials went to Charleston, to investigate a possible fireboat replacement. The craft was described as built in 1943 in Charleston. [Was that incorrect?] [BR]

1947, Nov - After a "six-year hunt," P-76 boat recently purchased from the US Maritime Commission in Charleston, SC. Will arrive on Monday. Has 21 foot beam, 64 feet 8 inches in length, with a draft of six or seven feet. Equipped with 225 HP diesel engine. [WMS, 11/29/47]

1948, Jun - Boat has been completely overhauled and the new housing completed. No name had been decided upon. [BR]

1948, Dec - two 1,000 GPM pumps had arrived. And by that date, the name Atlantic III had been selected. Also, a new wharf was built for the new fireboat at the foot of Grace Street. [BR]

1949, Jan - Two 235 HP motors were installed, after the craft was acquired in 1948. Former "Navy transport craft" [SN, 1/5/49]

1949, Mar - Expected be placed in service in April 1. [SN, 3/5/49]

1949, Apr - Final inspection by National Fire Underwriters Association conducted on April 19. City paid $13,500 for craft, $16,000 for motors and pumps, and $2,000 for installation. A new boat, by comparison, would cost about $65,000. Pumps were rated at 2,000 GPM. [SN, 4/19/49]

1949, May - Crewed by "eight men and a skipper," with Captain C. H. Register named to lead the crew. Craft is a "converted Army freighter." Capable of pumping over 2,500 GPM. Speed averaged over 13 MPH. Overall length of 65 feet with 22.5 foot beam. Designed by Navy and built for Army. [SN, 5/19/49]

1950, Jan - New paint job. [SN, 1/25/50]

1950, Aug - Snapshot. Averaged about 45 calls per year. Captain was Charles Register, has served 31 years on WFD fireboats. Only fireboat captain between Washington DC and Jacksonville, FL. [SN, 8/13/50]

1950, Sep - Fireboat capacity cited as 2,800 GPM. [SN, 9/12/50]

1952, Mar - Newspaper editorial suggests looking into decommissioning fireboat and relying upon private tags instead, like Charleston, SC. [SN, 3/16/52]

1955, May - Fireboat station at the foot of Grace Street is unfit for habitation and must be repaired or abandoned, said City Manager. Council approved repairs estimated at $3,600. City was planning to build a new fireboat station, approved in 1950, but new Station 1 used up the bond issue funds. [SN, 5/29/55]

1956, July - City officials have decided to scrap the boat, and sell for junk. The fireboat did not answer an alarm last year. It has not been funded for new budget year. It's staffed with three firemen. [SN, 7/2/56]

1956, July - City will not dispose of fireboat until assurances are given for waterfront fire protection. Fireboat has had no calls in last 18 months. The issue will be studied. [SN, 7/23/56]

1956, Dec -The fireboat hasn't answered a call in 23 months. In the event of fire, assistance could be provided by the Navy reserve fleet at the Brunswick River Layup Basis, but would take at least 45 minutes to arrive. [SN, 12/13/56]

1957, Feb - Snapshot, fireboat was being painted and is painted almost every year. [SN, 2/21/57]

1957, Dec - The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was considering reducing staffing of its bridge operators, but will continue round-the-clock staffing, because the fireboat cannot pass without the bridge being opened. [SN, 12/12/57]

1958, Jan - Crews have returned to the Grace Street fireboat station. It was abandoned several years ago, and the boat was placed on a standby basis with a reduced crew. Staffing was reduced to one on duty at a time, and they slept on the boat. The fireboat station has had repairs, performed by firemen, and the second floor has been closed off. [SN, 1/3/58]

1979, Nov - City's last wooden fireboat. [SN, 11/12/79]

Fireboat Atlantic III on Cape Fear River, circa 1947
New Hanover County Public Library / Dr. Robert M. Fales Collection

Hose & Nozzle magazine archives, courtesy Troy FD, picture appeared in August 1955 issue.

Hugh Morson photo, undated at Azalea Festival, Hose & Nozzle magazine archives, courtesy Troy FD.


Star-News photo, from February 17, 1974, news article.

Atlantic IV

1962-1986

Make: Bath Iron Works
Built: 1932 in Bath, ME
Hull: Steel
Length: 64 feet
Weight: 85 tons
Engine: Diesel
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, and was docked at U.S. Quarantine Station at Curtis Bay, MD. Also used briefly as ice breaker [at Curtis Bay?]. 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.

New notes, June 2024:

1961 - Craft cost city $300. Built as a Navy Patrol Boat. [SN, 11/12/79]

1961, Dec - City re-advertised bids for converting craft into fireboat in December 1961. [SN, 12/2/61]

1961, Dec - Two bidders for the $10,000 budgeted conversion were rejected, because the two Wilmington companies bids were $17,849 and $17,951. [SN, 12/14/61]

1962, Apr - Pumps were tested on the converted craft in April 1962. [SN, 4/26/62]

1962 - One of its first duties as a fireboat was washing down the decks of the USS North Carolina, before its dedication as a war memorial. It also pump some 135,000 gallons of water into the ballast tanks, to settle the ship into its berth. [SN, 11/12/79]

1971, May - Bids rejected for construction of a dock for the fireboat, all exceeding the $18,500 project budget. Council then accepted an offer from Almost Shipping Company to dock the fireboat at their facility at no cost. [SN, 5/11/71]

1973, May - Fireboat moved to new location on Water Street, between Princess and Market Street, at a dock made vacant after the recent reduction of Coast Guard vessels stationed here, from two to one.

• In recent years, firemen have referred to the fireboat as "Orphan of the Water," because it has never had a permanent mooring site.
• In 1969, the city constructed a docking facility for the craft at the foot of Market Street, but that space is now used by the Naval Reserve minesweeper USS Strike.
• The fireboat is cross-staffed by an engine company at Station 1. [SN, 5/11/73]

1979, Nov - Snapshot.

• The fireboat's equipment includes floating nozzles, that divers can user to be propelled and spray water remotely from the craft.
• The fireboat answers 12 to 15 "genuine emergencies" each year.
• The craft has a nine-foot draft, so it's "nearly impossible to use in many parts of the water," which reduces its effectiveness.
• It cannot get close enough to shore, for example, to fight a burning tank farm.
• By this time, the Grace Street fireboat station was closed, and the craft was cross-staffed by personnel from Station 1.
•  The boat requires a crew of four: pilot, engineer, and two to man the turrets.
• When pumping at full capacity, the pumps propel the boat faster, lending a "jet effect" to the craft. It can propel entirely using its nozzles, if the main engine fails. [SN, 11/12/79]

1981, Aug - Boat has been moved from its downtown dock location to the state port, to make room for construction of the Water Street Plaza at the end of Market Street. [SN, 8/1/81]

1983, Mar - Snapshot, one of the boat's pilots is Captain Hybert G. DeVane, who is one of the three assigned to the fireboat. He has piloted the boat for three years. [SN, 3/2/83]

1986, Aug - City postponed resolution authorizing the sale of the boat, to allow any preservation groups to intercede. The craft currently requires $2,500 of annual upkeep. [SN, 8/10/86]

1987, Feb - City has put the boat up for sale, accepting sealed bids. [SN, 2/26/87]

1987, Mar - Boat purchased by David Harless, Ocracoke resident and marine engineer for NCDOT. Purchase price $5,555.95. Boat was docked at the Cape Fear Technical Institute. Owner planned to restore the boat, and keep at least one pump operational for parades. [SN, 3/10/87]

1987, May - New owner estimates he will spend $30,000-$40,000 on a restoration that will take a least one year. [SN, 5/3/87]

1987, Nov - Boat was located Bordeaux Salvage & Construction Company, undergoing restoration by the owner. He estimates two years to complete and wants to make the boat a floating museum with free admission. [SN, 11/7/87]

1987, Nov - The owner left his job in Ocracoke in September and moved to Wilmington. He works security at Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point. [SN, 11/7/87]

Star-News photo, Chris Nelson Collection

 
Morning Star photo from November 12, 1979, news story.

Atlantic V

1986-1999

Make: ?
Model: ?
Built: 1962
Hull: ?
Length: 
Beam: 
Draft: 8 1/2-feet
Pump: 4,000 GPM x 2

Former 1962 Navy fire boat. Unveiled September 1986, after undergoing a two-year, $200,000 restoration. The steel-hulled craft had sunk once while in Navy service, and was raised and refurbished. But corrison both inside and outside caused the craft to sink at its dock site in 1999.

Specs cited by Wayne Greer/Jay Thomson in Flickr photo posting:: 1962, with 2000 GPM pump.

New notes, June 2024.

 1982, May - City decided to start looking for a new fireboat about three years ago, after repairs on the craft "knocked a hole" in the steel hull.

• New craft was acquired, and the fire chief hopes to have it in operation within a year or so.
• Was a decommissioned Navy fireboat that was discovered in Portsmouth, VA.
• Bought by city for $1,500, a standard flat fee to handle paperwork.
• Fire chief has requested $30,000 for refurbishing, which he expects will take a year.
• The 60-foot, steel-hull boat is presently in dry dock at the state port.
• WFD mechanics were working on the two 600 HP engines, with help from two state prison inmates on work release.
• The old boat had only a single 300 HP engine.
• The new boat can travel 16 knots max, compared to 6 or 7 of the old boat.
• The new boat has an 8 1/2-foot draw, and will be unable to access some places close to shore.
• The new boat has two 4,000 GPM pumps, compared to the old boat's pair of 1,200 GPM pumps.
• The new boat will also have a 10,000 GPM foam system.
• TBD is where the boat will be moored.
• The old fire boat dock was demolished when the new waterfront park was built.
• It may be docked at the state port, like the current boat. [SN, 5/30/82]

1983, Mar - Craft had been "confiscated by the US Customs Service" prior to the city's acquisition. [SN, 3/2/83]

1984, Mar - Council debated if the city still needs a fireboat and decided that it does. City plans to spend about $100,000 repairing and equipping the craft. [SN, 3/29/84]

1986, Aug - The city has spent two years and $200,000 repairing and restoring the boat. [SN, 8/10/86]

1986, Sep - Completed boat was tested in September 1986.

• Has four GM six-cylinder engines, can propel the craft three times the speed of the old boat.
• It has less draft and more horsepower.
• Will officially enter service within the next few days.
• Will be manned by four-person crew and serviced daily.
• The boat is expected to be needed at least once a year. [SN, 9/13/86]

2006, Feb - Craft sank at the dock seven years ago. It was not replaced for several years, until development along the waterfront "created new urgency" for a replacement. [SN, 2/23/06] [WFD SOC]

Fireboat Atlantic V on Cape Fear River during Preservation Week, May 11, 1987
Star-News/Jack Upton photo, via New Hanover County Public Library Digital Archives

 
Wayne Greer photo via Jay Thomson collection.

Atlantic V #2

Service years TBD

Make: Harbor (?)
Model: ?
Built: 1979
Hull: ?
Length: 34 feet
Beam: 11 foot 9 inches
Draft: 44 inches
Pump: 500 GPM
Crew capacity: Three

Older Coast Guard boat that was re-purposed as a second Atlantic V. The department mounted a 500 GPM pump on the deck. Alternately cited as a 32-foot Willard. Used mostly in the Intercostal Waterway, creeks, and marinas on the east side of the city. Eventually scrapped due to needed repairs.

 
Wayne Greer photo

Atlantic VI

2007-present

Make: MetalCraft Marine
Model: Firestorm 50
Built: 2007 in Kingston, Ontario
Hull: ?
Length: 50 feet
Engines: Cat C-18 (2), 885 HP at 2220 RPM
Speed: 40 knots
Pump: Hale 3000 (2)
Capacity: 7000 GPM, nearly

Firefighting equipment included FoamPro Accumax system, with 500 gallons of foam aboard. Boat was equipped with 16 discharges including six monitors. Had four five-inch connections for land-lines.

New notes, June 2024.

2006, Feb - Council voted to purchase $1.5M craft.

• With twin screws, it will pump 5,000 GPM and travel as fast as 28 knots fully loaded.
• Some of the cost was defrayed by a $350,000 grant from the US Department of Homeland Security. Construction would take about ten months, after a recommendation for a specific fireboat determined over two to three months.
• Bhe boat would be docked downtown. [SN, 2/23/06]

2007, July - Boat was dedicated.

• First brand new fireboat in city history.
• Equipped with four monitors, with combined capacity of 7,000 GPM.
• Two of the monitors are remote controlled, so crews on shore can direct the streams from 300 to 400 feet away.
• The 50-foot craft can travel at 38 knots or about 47 MPH.
• Can turn at full speed or stop instantly.
• Can operate in water as shallow as four-feet. Also equipped with foam system, and can carry as much as 500 gallons of foam concentrate.
• Four-person crew is assigned to Engine 1.
• Docked at Conlon Pierce behind the chamber of commerce. [SN, 7/24/07]

MetalCraft Marine photo

Mike Legeros photo, June 2024

Fireboat Station - Sanborn Maps

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps depict the fireboat station at the foot of Water Street, which was erected by 1910 and still used in 1955.

Sources

• Bill Reaves research, from Bill Reaves Collection, New Hanover County Public Library. Read document at https://legeros.com/history/library.
• City of Wilmington Fire Department Assessment by Emergency Services Consulting, Inc., October 2006
• Daily Review, Nov 8, 1887
• Hose & Nozzle, Jul 1956
• MetalCraft Marine
• Morning Star, Jan 13, 1892
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, 1910, 1915, 1955
• Star-News, Mar 10, 1987; May 3, 1987; Feb 23, 2006, Apr 10, 2008
• Star-News, assorted. See clippings in this Google Drive.
• Wilmington Fire Department, Standards of Cover, Sep 18, 2023, retrieved from https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/public-safety/documents/wfd-standard-of-cover.pdf
• Wilmington Fire Department Yearbook, Taylor Publishing, 1985.

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