Guardian (fireboat)

Guardian is a fireboat owned by San Francisco Fire Department and operated in the San Francisco Bay since 1990 in reserve status. Guardian was a gift to the people of San Francisco by anonymous donors following the notable role of the fireboat Phoenix in helping to save the Marina District buildings from further destruction by fire following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Both Guardian and Phoenix fireboats are based at Firehouse No. 35 at Pier 22½ of the Port of San Francisco. Guardian has 5 pumps which can deliver up to 26,000 gallons of water per minute, significantly more than Phoenix

Guardian
History
United States
Name: Guardian
Owner: San Francisco Fire Department
Operator: San Francisco Fire Department
Builder: Yarrows, Ldt, Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada
General characteristics
Type: Fireboat
Displacement: 188 tons
Length: 88 ft (27 m)
Beam: 21.6 ft (6.6 m)
Draft: 7 ft (2.1 m)
Propulsion: 2 × GM Detroit Diesel 12 cylinder engines, 456 BHP
Speed: 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Guardian was a gift of survivors of the 1989 quake

History

Guardian was built by Yarrows, LTD of British Columbia in 1951 and was hull number 115.[1]

Guardian served the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from 1951 until the time it was retired in 1987 by Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services under the name Fireboat #2.[2]

Though the city of San Francisco had operated two fireboats from the early 1900 until 1954,[3][4] the Phoenix was the only fireboat in the city from 1955 until the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.[5] Because of the role of Phoenix in the protection of the Marina District after the 1989 earthquake, $50,000 from grateful Marina property owners and $300,000 from anonymous donors were used purchase and refurbish Guardian.[6] Upon arrival in San Francisco, the ship was rechristened Guardian, a name chosen by the school children of San Francisco at the request of the anonymous donors.[6]

Both Guardian and Phoenix are based at Pier 22 1/2. In 1999, Firehouse 35 at Pier 22 1/2 was declared San Francisco's 225th Historic Landmark.[7]

Crew and maintenance

Guardian has operated in San Francisco since 1990 in an unmanned reserve status. Firehouse 35 on Pier 22½ has seven crew on duty at all times: four to serve Engine #35, and three dedicated to the two fireboats. All seven are able to man the fireboats in an emergency.[2] Although, having the reserve fireboat manned by recalled personnel (if available) is desirable.

It is the most powerful fireboat in the world in terms of water pumping capacity, 26,000 gallons per minute

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References
  1. "Yarrows Ltd., Esquimalt BC Shipbuilding History". Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  2. Starratt, Wes. "Two Fireboats Save the Waterfront". Bay Crossings. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  3. "SFFD Fireboats: David Scannell". Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  4. "SFFD Fireboats: Dennis T. Sullivan". Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  5. "SFFD Fireboats: Phoenix". Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  6. "SFFD Fireboats - Guardian".
  7. "Historic Landmarks". National Register of Historic Places, SF Genealogy. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
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