FIREFIGHTER
Also known as: Fireboat FIREFIGHTER
Why it's listed
Fire Fighter is a working fireboat of the Fire Department of New York, berthed at the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island and assigned to Marine Company 9. Launched in 1938, she measures 134.3 feet long and has a riveted steel hull. Her four original centrifugal pumps can deliver 20,000 gallons of water per minute to eight deck monitors, many times the output of a typical fire engine of her day. She was New York's first diesel/electric fireboat and the first with propulsion controlled from the pilothouse. Designed by William Francis Gibbs and built by United Shipyards, she has been altered very little. Only a hydraulic tower, removed in 1962, and one hose reel have been lost. The nomination calls her the best example in the United States of a large port fireboat of the 1930s. She was also a popular exhibit at the 1939 World's Fair and is among the best-known American fireboats. She is one of ten American fireboats over fifty years old.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues she is the best-known American fireboat and the best surviving example of a major port's large fireboat of the 1930s, representing the culmination of American fireboat design. She was New York's first diesel/electric fireboat and the first with pilothouse control. She retains her original engines, motors, pumps, monitors and deck equipment, with only a hydraulic tower and one hose reel removed.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 89001447, listed June 30, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | St. George Ferry Terminal, Staten Island, New York |
|---|---|
| County | Staten Island |
| Listed | June 30, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001447 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1938-1988 |
| Architect / builder | William Francis Gibbs; United Shipyards |
| Architectural style | Architecture (Naval) |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated June 30, 1989 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Operating fireboat in constant service since 1938, in excellent condition after a major overhaul in 1982. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 41.09972, -72.36116 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 89001447.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5451353
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.