Fireboats of Detroit facts for kids
Detroit is an important city with a big river, so it needs special boats to fight fires on the water. These boats are called fireboats. The Detroit Fire Department has used five different fireboats over the years to protect the city.
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Detroit's Fireboat Heroes
Fireboats are like floating fire trucks. They can spray huge amounts of water to put out fires on ships, docks, or buildings near the water. Detroit's fireboats have a long and interesting history.
The Early Fireboats
The first fireboats in Detroit helped keep the busy riverfront safe. They were powerful for their time.
The Detroiter
The very first fireboat was named the Detroiter. It was built in 1892. This boat served the city for about ten years. Sadly, it started to rot and couldn't be used anymore. It was taken out of service in 1902.
The James Battle
The James Battle joined the fleet in 1900. It was a very busy boat for over 40 years! After it left Detroit in 1941, it had an amazing second life. It was sold and became a tugboat. Later, it was even used as a fireboat again in Montreal, Canada, from 1959 to 1992. Eventually, it was taken apart, but parts of it, like its cabin, were saved.
The James R. Elliott
The James R. Elliott started its service in 1902. It worked as a fireboat until 1930. This boat had a truly unique journey after leaving Detroit. It was sold and turned into a ferry boat named the Normac. Later, it became a floating restaurant! It even sank once in 1981 but was raised and fixed. It continued to be a restaurant for many years. Its fate after a fire in 2011 is not known.
Later Fireboats and Today's Hero
As technology improved, so did Detroit's fireboats.
The John Kendall
The John Kendall joined the Detroit Fire Department in 1930. It served for a very long time, almost 50 years! It was retired in 1979. After its fireboat days, it was sold and changed into a tugboat. It was eventually taken apart in 1994.
The Curtis Randolph
The Curtis Randolph is Detroit's current fireboat. It started working in 1979 and is still active today! This modern fireboat is docked near Riverside Park, ready to respond to any emergency on the Detroit River. It helps keep everyone safe on the water and along the riverfront.
