John J. Harvey Fireboat to Visit Kingston Waterfront

KINGSTON – Hudson River Maritime Museum will welcome Fireboat John J. Harvey to the museum’s waterfront campus from Friday, August 13 to Monday, August 16.Harvey will be making stops throughout the Hudson Valley as part of her Hudson River trip this summer and will be at the Kingston waterfront offering free public trips and deck tours.

People who enjoy a deck tour or trip on the boat will receive half-price admission to the Hudson River Maritime Museum.

Fireboat John J. Harvey, launched in Brooklyn in 1931, was named for FDNY pilot John J. Harvey. Firefighter Harvey was killed in the line of duty fighting a ship fire. Harvey was a historic first; the first fireboat powered by internal combustion engines and the first that could pump and maneuver simultaneously. She was the largest, fastest fire fighting machine of her time, capable of pumping 18,000 gallons per minute, roughly the equivalent of 20 terrestrial fire trucks. The innovations of her design influenced all subsequent fireboats.

All trips on John J. Harvey are free. Trips lasting 30-45 minuteswill venture out onto the Rondout Creek and each trip can accommodate up to 70 people. Registration is required for trips and details can be found atwww.hrmm.org/john-j-harvey. These opportunities are available first come first served. Attendees will be prompted to pay a nominal deposit for registration which will be refunded after their arrival. Deck tours do not require registration.
People are also invited to travel to and from New York City on Harvey on August 12 and 16. Visit www.fireboat.orgfor details.

Friday, August 13
12:30-1:30pm – Free Public Trip
1:30-4:00pm – Deck Tours
4:00-5:00pm – Free Public Trip

Sunday, August 15
11:50am – Arrivalat Kingston Waterfront
12:30-1:30pm – Free Public Trip
1:30-4:00pm – Deck Tours
4:00-5:00pm – Free Public Trip

Monday, August 16
9:00am – Depart from Kingston Waterfront

Harvey served and protected NY Harbor for over 6 decades, assisting during such notable fires as the Cunard Line pier fire in 1932, the burning of Normandie in 1942, and the potentially disastrous fire on ammunition ship El Estero during World War II.

Decommissioned in 1994, Harvey was saved from the scrap yard by a dedicated group of volunteers and restored as an operational museum and education center, offering free public trips in New York Harbor, and attending notable maritime festivals in Waterford and Oyster Bay in NY, and Mystic and New London in CT.

On September 11 2001, John J. Harvey was recalled to service by the FDNY and reactivated as Marine Company 2. Alongside the FDNY fireboats Fire Fighter and John D. McKean she pumped water for 80 hours until water mains in lower Manhattan were restored to service. Harvey’s action that week was the subject of countless print and video news articles as well as a 2002 MairaKalman book Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey.

Learn more about the John J. Harvey’s history, mission, and programming at www.fireboat.org.

The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Wooden Boat School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar powered tour boat and floating classroom. The museum is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. Visit www.hrmm.org for more information.