legeros.com > History > Wilmington FD > Wilmington Fire Boats |
Created September 17, 2014
Updated March 8, 2022
Photo | Name | Years | Boat Information | Photo Information |
Marie | 1887-? | In November 1887, an agreement was signed by Captain E. D. Williams of the steam tug Marie, to equipped the craft as a fire boat. It was soon equipped with a steam pump and a 100 feet of hose. It could also pump steam from the tug's boiler into the hold of a ship, to extinguish fire. The Marie is mentioned as a fire boat in news articles as late as 1892. | ||
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Atlantic I | 1907-1914 | Hull: Wood Engine: Globe, two-cylinder gasoline, 25 HP Speed: 8 MPH Pump: Silsby steam engine, third-size Capacity: ? Built by the city. In 1910, staffed with three paid men, two on duty at all times, and moored at foot of Chestnut Street. |
Fireboat Atlantic I in front of
the Custom House, 1925.
New Hanover County Public Library / Dr. Robert M. Fales Collection |
Atlantic II | 1914-1949? | Make: ? Hull: Wood Engine: Gasoline, 25 HP Speed: 10 MPH Pump: American LaFrance with 125 HP gasoline engine Capacity: 1400 GPM In 1915, staffed with three paid men, and equipped with 600 feet 2 1/2-inch hose. |
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Atlantic III | 1949?-1963 | Make: ? Built: 1943 in Brownsville, TX Hull: Wood Length: 65 feet Engine: 230 HP Superior diesel, 44-inch propeller, 36-inch pitch Pumps: Hale, two stage (2) with 150 HP Mack gasoline engines Capacity: 2500 GPM or higher Built for government patrol duty, acquired by city in 1949, and stripped for fireboat conversion. Firefighting equipment included eight 2 1/2-inch outlets, and two tower-mounted deluge guns, each with full transverse and elevation controls. |
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. |
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Atlantic IV | 1963-1986 | 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. |
Star-News/Chris Nelson photo |
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Atlantic V | 1986-1999 | Former 1960s 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. |
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. |
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Atlantic V | 1999?-2007 | 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 |
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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 includes FoamPro Accumax system, with 500 gallons of foam aboard. Boat is equipped with 16 discharges including six monitors. Has four five-inch connections for land-lines. |
MetalCraft Marine photo |
Copyright 2023 by Michael J. Legeros