James Battle (fireboat, 1900)
The James Battle was a fireboat, which was operated in Detroit, Michigan, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Montreal, Quebec.[1][2]
She was built in Wyandotte, Michigan, in 1900, and served as a fireboat in nearby Detroit until 1941.[1][2] She was propelled by steam power during her entire service in Detroit.
During World War 2 Halifax, Nova Scotia, was the main port where ships assembled before being dispatched in Atlantic convoys, during the Battle of the Atlantic.[3][4] The James Battle served as a fireboat, in Halifax, during the later years of World War 2. Halifax experienced a large munition explosion, and the James Battle and the HMCS Rouille played important roles fighting the resulting fires. Her steam boilers were damaged beyond repair by the explosion, triggering a major refit where she had diesel engines installed.
In 1959 the James Battle began to provide firefighting service in Montreal, under contract.[1][2] She provided this service until 1991.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 James Battle, Tugboat Information.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Special Report: Fireboats; Then and Now. FEMA.
- ↑ The other Halifax Explosion, New Bedford Magazine, 1945-07-18. “The fire ship James Battle was standing by at the Halifax Shipyards along with the smaller Rouille.”
- ↑ Donal Baird (1999). The Robbie Touch : Exploits of an Uncommon Sailor. Lulu.com. ISBN 9780969803119.