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
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]
Deluge was Milwaukee's first diesel powered fireboat.
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.[3]
Deluge was retired in 1984.[4] The last fire she fought was in 1975.[5] 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.
References
- ^ a b
George Archer (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 24 August 2012.
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"Milwaukee's Diesel Fireboat "Deluge"". Pacific Marine. January 1950. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
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Mary Ann Cahill (8 August 1978). "Fireboat System Something Special". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 40. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
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Paul Bargren (9 February 1984). "Old city fireboat retires in October". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 12. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
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"Fireboat DELUGE docked at the confluence of the Milwaukee and Menominee rivers". Milwaukee Public Library. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
The DELUGE, built 1941, last fought a fire in 1975, and was replaced by an amphibious craft in 1984.
- ^
Bruce Gill (8 March 1986). "Firefighter boat called unsafe by union chief". The Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 3. Retrieved 24 August 2012.