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Fire Boat No. 1
ARCHIBALD J. ELEY
1919 - 


Source: LAFD Photo Album Collection
1919

Fire Boat No. 1

Fire Boat No. 1 was commissioned August 1, 1919.  It was purchased for $33,000 and is all wood construction,  65' long, 17.7' beam, 39.65 gross tons with a 400 gallon fuel capacity.   Powered by a 275 H.P. Hall Scott Invader for propulsion and 2 275 H.P. Hall Scott Invaders each driving a  4 stage pump rated at 1000 G.P.M. for a total pumping capacity of 2000 G.P.M.  Generator, DC-5KW-125V.  Carries breathing apparatus, forcible entry tools, Foam generator and powder, a bank of six 50 lb. CO-2 cylinders, flood lights, and a syphon ejector.

Fire Boat No. 1 was originally stationed at the foot of First Street in San Pedro.  On May 2, 1927 Boat 1 was moved to Berth 260, Fish Harbor, Terminal Island..

In 1965 Fire Boat was re-christened the Archibald J. Eley.


Courtesy: Firefighter Danny Elizarraras
1921

Fire Boat No. 1, the Oracle of the Harbor
By Stanley E. Halfhill, August 15, 1941

Three Fire Boats are Christened
May 1965
 
 
Chief Scott originally suggested that the new fire boat be named Meredith, after the Mayor, Meredith P. Snyder.  Snyder, perhaps recalling his chagrin when the rookie fire horse that Chief Lips named after him had flunked probation and was sold, demurred.


Courtesy: LAFIRE Collection

  


Courtesy: Firefighter Danny Elizarraras
Fire Boat No. 1 Quarters on Terminal Island
January 19, 1927


Courtesy: Joshua Mimm
Great Great Grandson of Captain T. W. Whittley

Fire Boat No. 1

May 24, 1932

R.M. Dysart
L.M. Wilson
N.J. McGree
W.V. Golay
J.J. Schilling
G.E. Moore
E. Trembly
W.E. Bowlee
T.W. Whittley

 


Courtesy: Joshua Mimm
Great Great Grandson of Captain T. W. Whittley

11/07/2006

Here are all the pics I have of my great grandfather.   I also included a post card of him.  I know a little about him, he was the first white man born on Catalina Island as well as he held the lease on Catalina Island for sum years before the Wrigley's acquired it.  And as you know he was Captain of Fire Boat No. 1. Unfortunately he was a quite man who kept to himself and information is scarce about him..

I hope you enjoy the pics I have sent and I am look forward to seeing them on the web site..

Thank you for your reply and I look forward to hearing back.

JOSH MIMM


Courtesy: Joshua Mimm
Great Great Grandson of Captain T. W. Whittley

Captain Tom Whittley


Source: LAFIRE Photo Collection

March 10, 1940

L. L. Boatman
H. G. High
J. V. Gunn
A. Schudlick
A. H. Smith
Captain J. S. Bentley

 

 

 


Source: LAFIRE Photo Collection


Source: LAFIRE Photo Collection
The Wheel House.


Source: LAFIRE Photo Collection
The Engine Room looking forward.


Source: LAFIRE Photo Collection
 The Engine Room looking aft.


Source: LAFD Photo

 


Old LAFD Fire Boat Sinks  


THAT SINKING FEELING: Robert Ware sits dejectedly on the bow of his boat after a valiant but futile effort to free the former Los Angeles fireboat from the mud in Budd Inlet at Swantown Marina in Puget Sound, Washington.
    Photo submitted by Vince Braun, LAFD Retired

 Source: The Los Angeles Firefighter, March/April 2000 

  Retired Los Angeles Fireboat No. 1 was named the Archibald J. Eley after the LAFD Chief Engineer who served from May 24, 1910 to July, 1919.
  After many years of service the venerable fireboat was sold to a private citizen and was refurbished as a houseboat.  April Owings and her three cousins were living on the 1919 vintage vessel for the past two years and were awakened by the tipping of the boat.
  "We woke up half-tipped,"  she said, with the 65-foot, 65 ton boat aground and listing after taking on water.
  "Skippers of the tugboats in the harbor made a futile attempt at saving the boat.  Officials contained a diesel fuel spill after 20-30 gallons went into the water.
  Owners of the boat were hoping to refloat the vessel, using a system of pumps, straps and balloons, after trying to dredge away some of the mud.

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