The Smoke II was a fireboat operated by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), serving as a fast-response vessel and tender from the mid-20th century into the early 21st century. Commissioned in 1958, it was designed to replace the original Smoke, which had been in service since 1938.
Design and Specifications
The Smoke II was constructed by the Equitable Equipment Company in New Orleans, Louisiana. It featured a steel hull with an overall length of 52 feet and a beam of approximately 14 feet. Unlike the massive "super-pumper" fireboats of its era, such as the Fire Fighter, the Smoke II was built for speed and maneuverability. It was powered by twin diesel engines that allowed it to reach speeds of approximately 24 knots. Its pumping capacity was rated at 2,000 gallons per minute (GPM), intended for localized fire suppression and support rather than large-scale maritime conflagrations.
Operational Role
The vessel served a multifaceted role within the FDNY Marine Operations Division. Its primary functions included:
- Rapid Response: Due to its speed, it was often the first marine unit to arrive at the scene of an incident.
- Shallow Water Access: Its relatively shallow draft permitted operation in narrow slips and coastal areas that were inaccessible to larger vessels.
- Personnel Transport: The boat was frequently used to transport department officials, medical personnel, or specialized equipment to and from incident sites or other vessels.
- Command Post: It occasionally served as a mobile command platform for the Fire Commissioner or marine chiefs during large-scale operations.
Notable Service
The Smoke II was an active participant in the emergency response following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. After the collapse of the towers caused the failure of land-based water mains in Lower Manhattan, the Smoke II joined other FDNY fireboats in a multi-day operation to pump Hudson River water into the city's high-pressure hose systems to assist firefighters at Ground Zero.
Retirement
After five decades of service, the Smoke II was phased out as the FDNY modernized its fleet. The vessel was eventually replaced in its role by newer fast-response boats, such as the Bravest (commissioned in 2011). The vessel was retired from active duty as the department integrated more technologically advanced vessels with higher pumping capacities and improved medical transport facilities.