As one of the United States's more significant seaports, there is a long tradition of fireboats in Baltimore.When Baltimore added the diesel powered fireboat Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., in 1956, she joined a fleet of older steam-powered fireboats, some of which had been launched in the 19th century. She was Baltimore's first new fireboat in 35 years.
| image | name | introduced | retired | pumping capacity | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract | 7/1/1891 | ? | 4400 | The city's first fireboat. In service 7/1/1891 as Engine Company No. 16 at "Commercial Wharf" in Fells Point, Moved to Municipal Pier 7 at the foot of President Street 9/15/1909. | ||
| 3/13/1911 | ? | 12,000 | In service 3/13/1911 at Municipal Pier 7 at the foot of President Street as Engine Company No. 39. Moved to Fort McHenry on 5/28/1917. Along with the FDNY fireboat New Yorker, which also was rated at 12,000, the Deluge was the most powerful fireboat afloat when it was built. | |||
| 4/22/1912 | The Marine Division of the Baltimore Fire Department was created, consisting of Engine Companies 16 and 39. | |||||
| Cascade | 6/27/1921 | In service on 6/27/1921 as Engine Company No. 49 at Municipal Pier 7 with Engine Company No. 16. On 12/16/1921, moved to B&O Railroad Company's Sugar House Wharf at the foot of Behhill Road in Curtis Bay. | ||||
| Torrent | 4/29/1922 | ? | Said to be similar to, but more powerful than the Deluge. In service as Engine Company No. 48 on 4/29/1922 at Pier 3 Canton Railroad, 5th and 14th Streets. | |||
| 10/1/1937 | On 10/1/1937, Engine Company No. 39 at Fort McHenry occupies its new quarters. A 2-story frame cottage 50' x 75' costing $7,5000. Built on the site of the former qusrters. The coal fired boilers converted to oil boilers by the Fire Department's repair shop. | |||||
| S.C. 428/ Cascade | 10/1/1949 | 12/1/1971 | Converted Navy Sub Chaser No. 428 was gifted to Baltimore. Renamed Fireboat Cascade 10/1/1949. | |||
| Mayor Thomas A'lessandro Jr | 9/14/1956 | ? | 12,000 | The city's first diesel fireboat. Dedicated 9/14/1956. Relocated to the City Pier at the Patapsco River Wastewater Treatment Plant, foot of Asiatic Avenue, Wagner's Point on 8/22/1958. | ||
| Mayor J. Harold Grady | 1961 | 2007 | 6,000 | Mayor J. Harold Grady, P.W. Wilkinson, and August Emrich were sister ships. | ||
| P.W. Wilkinson | 1961 | 2002 | 6,000 | Mayor J. Harold Grady, P.W. Wilkinson, and August Emrich were sister ships. | ||
| August Emrich | 1961 | 2002 | 6,000 | Mayor J. Harold Grady, P.W. Wilkinson, and August Emrich were sister ships. | ||
| 2003 | n/a | 1,500 | Built by SeaArk, is 30feet long, requires a crew of just two. | |||
| 2003 | n/a | 1,500 | Built by SeaArk, is 30feet long, requires a crew of just two. | |||
| 2007 | n/a | 7,000 | Built by Hike Metal, is 87feet long, powered by twin 1,650hp diesel motors, and requires a crew of at least four. |