Deluge (fireboat, 1949)
| History | |
|---|---|
| Christened: | 1 April 1949 |
| Out of service: | 1984 |
| Fate: | Sold c.1985 |
| General characteristics | |
| Length: | 96.5 ft (29.4 m) |
| Beam: | 23 ft (7.0 m) |
| Draft: | 6.75 ft (2.06 m) |
| Installed power: |
|
| Propulsion: | Twin screws |
| Watercannon: | 4 × 3,000 US gal/min (0.19 m3/s) 1 aft on an extendable tower 1 forward equipped to spray foam |
Deluge was a fireboat built for the Milwaukee, Wisconsin fire department.[1] She was christened on 1 April 1949. According to The Milwaukee Journal, "Deluge will be the most modern and one of the most powerful fire fighting craft west of New York city."'
Deluge had a low enough profile to proceed under the State Street Bascule Bridge and the Cherry Street Bascule Bridge, without requiring them to be raised.[1]
In 1978 The Milwaukee Journal reported that a recent refit had made her the only fireboat in North America equipped with an aqueous film forming foam delivery system.[2]
Deluge was retired in 1984.[3] She was to be replaced by an amphibious firefighting vehicle, sparing the cost of the eight crew trained to operate Deluge.
In 1986 the chief of Milwaukee's fire department and the head of the firefighter's union disagreed on whether Deluge's replacement was safe.[4] Joseph Ruditys, President of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association noted that the vessel was a used vessel, that dated back to service in the War in Vietnam, and that it had required 600 hours of repairs. Chief William Stamm said the repairs were normal, and that the new vessel was safer than Deluge.
References
- 1 2 Archer, George (1 April 1949). "Deluge Is Launched at Bay City, Mich. Is Duly Christened and Will Be Ready in May". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 25. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ↑ Cahill, Mary Fran (8 August 1978). "Fireboat System Something Special". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 40. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ↑ Bargren, Paul (9 February 1984). "Old city fireboat retires in October". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 12. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
- ↑ Gill, Bruce (8 March 1986). "Firefighter boat called unsafe by union chief". The Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 3. Retrieved 2012-08-24.