Historic Fireboat
John J. Harvey
Annual Hudson River Trip
August 13 to 24
Arrives in Kingston,
Friday, August 15, 6:00 pm
Saturday, August 16, 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Open to the public for dockside tours
 Fireboat John J. Harvey Click for a larger image |
The historic fireboat John J. Harvey will leave New York City on August 13 for her annual cruise to Albany, stopping at Hudson River towns along the way offering free rides, tours and demonstrations. Once again this year, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and Save Our Ships New York launch the "Blue Links" campaign aboard the historic fireboat John J. Harvey to resuscitate and rebuild the waterfront infrastructure that once lined the water's edge.
Complete schedule for the John J. Harvey's Hudson River Trip
The John J. Harvey was built as America's first large modern fireboat in 1931 for the New York Fire Department (NYFD). Retired in 1994, she was declared surplus in 1999 and offered at auction as scrap by the City. She was purchased and restored to operation by a group interested in raising the awareness of important historic vessels to the history of the City, the Hudson River and our nation.
On the morning Sept. 11th, the John J Harvey was pressed into active service again. She began by evacuating people from a seawall near the Battery, but was soon asked by the NYFD to join the fireboats Fire Fighter and McKean on the seawall by the World Trade Center. Water pressure in the hydrants around the World Trade Center had failed, and the John J. Harvey was recruited to provide pumping capacity to fight the fires.
The Harvey worked at the site until Friday when water pressure was finally restored in the hydrants. During this time, the fireboats were the only source of water for fighting the fires at the World Trade Center. Remarkably, this 70 year old fireboat which had been sold for scrap by the City played a very important role during the Sept. 11th crisis. As a result, the fireboat John J. Harvey received several significant awards.
The Steamship Historical Society of America honored the John J. Harvey as the 2001 Ship of the Year. "The ship of the year award is presented to a vessel that contributes to the goals of the society and is making a significant contribution to the history of engine-powered vessels."
The National Trust for Historic Preservation presented the John J. Harvey the National Preservation Award, "For capping a distinguished career of service by coming out of retirement to provide invaluable aid in New York City's hour of need."
As a historic vessel, she does not meet the strict standards set by the US Coast Guard for carriage of passengers for hire, so all trips on John J. Harvey are free. If you board the Harvey, it is as a guest of the owners, and you will be asked to acknowledge this in writing.Home Page for the John J. Harvey
Awards received by the John J. Harvey
These periodic newsletters and announcements are published to promote the historic, cultural, and maritime resources of the Hudson River.
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