Former FDNY Fireboat John J. Harvey
Original use: New York City fireboat
Current use: Restoration project.
Built: 1931 at Todd Shipyard, Gowanus Bay, Brooklyn
Dimensions: 130' x 28' x 9'6".
Displacement: 436 tons.
Construction: Riveted steel.
Speed: 15 knots (originally 17+)
Original power: Twin 1050 HP Westinghouse electric motors powered by five Sterling Viking II gasoline engines.
Current power: Re - powered in 1957 with Fairbanks Morse 600 HP OP Diesel Engines that supply electricity to the original electric motors..
History: Launched in 1931, John J. Harvey was the first, large modern fireboat of the FDNY. At that time she was the most powerful fireboat in the world, with pumping capacity of 18,250 GPM. She remains the fastest large fireboat in the world, having attained 20 MPH (17.3 knots). She has served at many important fires, and has greeted countless ships to New York harbor with traditional water displays. She was the first large fireboat powered by internal combustion engines, and was the longest serving in FDNY, in commission from 1931 to 1995.
From 11-14 September, 2001, she was called back into service, as Marine Company No 2, to help supply water for firefighters at the site of the World Trade Center disaster.
Website: www.Fireboat.org
Status: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Skipper: Robert Lenney (FDNY, retired)
Contact: Info@Fireboat.Org