"FIREBOAT - Stories of Maritime Valor" An Introduction, a dedication, and a note from the author

 

Foreword

There is a certain reverence that comes attached to places where history has been made. Walking into the Mission at The Alamo for example, I found the room to be utterly silent; there wasn’t a sound when I entered and for as long as I remained inside. I remember being awestruck by that silence and without forethought mourned for those who lost their lives there. Others in the room must have experienced it as well as there was not only silence, it seemed a feeling of reverence was being shared by everyone present.

I had a similar feeling when I saw the Edward M. Cotter fireboat for the first time. The Edward M. Cotter is no ordinary fire boat. By chance, March 24th, 2024, marked the 124th anniversary of the laying of the keel of the boat itself in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Christened on September 1st of that year and originally named the William S. Grattan, she is regarded as the single oldest active service fireboat in the world. That day also marks the official start of this literary adventure.

There is far more to this sea-craft than simple longevity. Much more.

An acquaintance told me about this boat. His assessment was that no one had ever compiled a complete history of the boat, and suggested I was the person to do it. This turned out to be untrue, as several authors have laid out the history in words and pictures. I subsequently wrote the name "Edward M. Cotter" on a white board in my office, knowing the boat was in Buffalo, New York, and that the chances of even seeing it were slim. Over a year later, and almost as an afterthought, I went looking for the boat during a trip to Niagara Falls. My view of the boat was hampered by a locked chain link fence, and my very first thought was "Jesus, there it is. It's real" I flashed back to the party when I was first told about this absolutely magnificent piece of firefighting equipment. My next thought was remembering how I felt walking into The Alamo. Excited doesn't describe it. There were stories here, I thought, and on behalf of the men who lived them, they were stories that needed to be told. And yet I have had moments when I had doubts that I would be able to gather and share these stories. It was several weeks before I would even develop the nerve to contact anyone from the Buffalo Fire Department and broach the possibility of a book.

I'm glad I finally did.

This wasn't going to be any ordinary writing project. I would find there certainly were stories here, stories of valor; over a century of them. I not only had my title immediately, but as the project progressed, I expanded from the historical aspects of the story. I have focused more on the incidents I have chosen to demonstrate the extraordinary courage and fortitude of the crewmen across those 125 years. as well as how changes in the Buffalo waterfront affected the boat and her crew.

A note about some of the technical aspects of the fire service. My primary focus is the Edward M. Cotter fire boat. In order to truly connect with the boat and the subject, various aspects of maritime firefighting and her role as an icebreaker will be explained. Crossover concepts between fire science and maritime practice may be familiar to firefighters as many departments have coastal and inland waterways within their jurisdictions. Sailors and boating enthusiasts may gain better appreciation for firefighters and firefighting seacraft. Readers with little or no experience in these areas and yet have an interest will gain some insight into them. I am hopeful that everyone will find inspiration in the stories themselves.

Officially designated as Engine 20 of the Buffalo, New York Fire Department, the fire boat has held three different names: The William S. Grattan, The Firefighter, and finally the Edward M. Cotter. The duties and configuration of the boat have changed over the years, and I will generally refer to the boat as the Edward M. Cotter or simply as The Cotter. The Grattan and The Firefighter titles will be used in their historical context as needed.

When all is tolled, I will address this entire experience with a better understanding as an epilogue. Join me now, on the deck of this most extraordinary boat. I give you the oldest active serving fire boat in the world, the Edward M. Cotter. 

 

 Dedication

From Psalm 107:

"They that go down to the sea in ships, and occupy their business in great waters; These men see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep"

And from "A Firefighter's Prayer"

"What I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage, give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age."

Thus, this book is dedicated to the men and women who venture out onto the sea and challenge the elements for the benefit of those in peril.

A Note from the Author

“They pay me to clean the firetruck and take care of the firehouse.

There’s no amount of money they can pay me to risk my life.

I do that for free.”

Firefighter Paul Hashagen – Fire Department City of New York (RET)

First, a word about the title.

Even though it has been pointed out to me that the correct term is the one-word “Fireboat” is correct and that should in fact be the title of this work, I continue to see it spelled and corrected both ways. This particular boat is the only recorded fireboat in history to be destroyed in the line of duty. It is in recognition that this boat, known as the William S. Grattan in 1927, was destroyed by fire and rebuilt, that I have seen fit to keep the two-word title of the book as “Fire Boat”. The dark shading of the title is reminiscent of the charring of the hull she would receive from 125 years of close proximity to flame. The two-word spelling is a tribute to her continued service. She will always be a survivor, a Fire Boat.

And, consideration of the two words “firefighter” versus “fireman”.

As was the custom when I joined the fire service in 1979, we were still referred to as firemen. With the expansion of the service to include women, the term firefighter became synonymous with fireman. Today, I still encounter those who believe the term should remain fireman. I am a full supporter of the term firefighter to the exclusion of the word fireman. Regardless of gender, the word firefighter describes more than an occupation; it embodies the very nature of those who answer this most noble calling. As used in this book, the term “fireman” refers to those who fed a furnace with coal. Up until 1927, a coal fired furnace and boiler powered both the engines and the pump of the William S. Grattan. Later, the original coal and then an oil-fired furnace fed boiler and steam engine were replaced with the four Caterpillar Diesel engines in use today. There are firefighters aboard the Cotter, both living and in the spirit and souls of those departed.They are ice breakers, experts, guides, and they live a life of service still. It has been an honor meeting and learning from them.

As with any historical text, accuracy is at the mercy of the information available. In the case of the Edward M. Cotter, there is a wealth of documented information, photographs and individuals with personal recollection and experience to help tell the tale. Unfortunately, when it came to the earlier history centered on the boat as the William S. Grattan and later as the Firefighter, some records are either too vague or simply non-existent. For example. try as I might, I could not find the first name of Captain O’Brien who commanded the Grattan on her maiden voyage from Elizabeth, New Jersey as far as Quebec, Canada. Therefore, in those cases I have had to rely on similar source material or my own personal experience in the emergency services to fashion the narrative. I have labored to produce as accurate a description of events as possible, and have only added details to enhance the reality of each chapter. My vision was to place you, the reader, aboard the boat and illustrate the experience. It is up to you to determine the level of success I have achieved. I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.

 

Captain Edward F. Zuccarelli (RET)

Bound Brook Hose Company #1

America Hose and Engine Company #2

Bound Brook, New Jersey Fire Department