Deluge (ship, 1949)

For other uses, see Deluge.

The Deluge was a fireboat built for the Milwaukee, Wisconsin fire department. She was christened on April, 1 1949. According to The Milwaukee Journal the "Deluge will be the most modern and one of the most powerful fire fighting craft west of New York city."'

The 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.

In 1978 The Milwaukee Journal reported that a recent refit had made it the only fireboat in North America equipped with an aqueous film forming foam delivery system.

The Deluge was retired in 1984. She was to be replaced by an amphibious firefighting vehicle, sparing the cost of the eight crew trained to operate the Deluge.

In 1986 the chief of Milwaukee's fire department and the head of the firefighter's union disagreed on whether the Deluge's replacement was safe. Joseph Ruditys, President of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association noted that the vessel was a used fessel, that dated back to service in the War in Vietnam, and that it had required 600 hours of repairs. Chief William Stamm said the repairs were normal, and that the new vessel was safer than the Deluge.

specifications

length	96.5 feet
beam	23 feet
draft	6.75 feet
power	2 x 375 horsepower engines to power the watercannon 2 x 375 horsepower engines to power both the vessel or the watercannon
propulsion	twin screws
watercannons	4 x 3000 gallons per minute 1 aft watercannon is on an extendable tower 1 forward watercannon equipped to spray foam