This is a story about courage and generosity and the power of following your dreams...
Seven years ago, friends of mine learned that the John J. Harvey, which at one time was the largest fireboat in the world, had been retired by the New York City Fire Department and was scheduled to be sold as scrap metal.
Realizing what a great loss it would be for such a historically important boat to be dismantled and melted down, they bought the boat for its scrap value ($28,000) - all 140 feet and 268 tons of it.
Then began the renovation process - a true labor of love.
After many, many months of hard work, the boat was seaworthy and its powerful water cannon (called "pipes") were working again. One of the most spectacular boats in New York harbor was back in business, this time as a floating museum. The renovation was complete in August of 2001.
When the World Trade Center towers collapsed on September 11, the water mains that fed that part of the city were severed.
Who provided the water to put out fires and suppress the dust in the critical 80 hours after the buildings collapsed?
Another question: With all the bridges and tunnels leaving Manhattan Island closed after the attack, how did over 500,000 workers get off the island and back to their homes that day
The anwer to the first question is here:
The answer to the second question is here:
It's one of the great untold stories of the courage of everyday people to step up and do what needs to be done regardless of the risks.
Ken
The mainstream media is casting a shadow of fear across the land today. In the midst of this - I appreciate the positive reminder you've given us. A reminder of the potential for selfless heroism that exists within us all. Thanks for the inspiration Ken!
Posted by: Stephen Lahey | September 11, 2006 at 02:39 PM
I want to encourage people to take a good look at the links in this article.
At least 500,000 people were evacuated from Manhattan by boat in less than 12 hours with no panic.
The "navy" that did it sprung up spontaneously and was made up of ferry boats, tug boats, barges, pleasure craft, etc. It was the biggest maritime evacuation in history.
As for the civilian crew of the John J. Harvey, they pumped essential water from the Hudson River into the burning demolition zone for 80 hours straight before the water mains could be restored.
Regular folks made this happen - and they did it at unknown risk to their lives without thinking twice
about it.
Not FEMA. Not the federal government. Not the National Guard or the military. And certainly not the mental and moral midgets in Washington DC.
I want to point out that this first responder - the John J. Harvey - is in grave need of repair and Homeland Security which has money for every BS pork barrel project in the universe has not given one dime to help keep this essential part of the 9/11 rescue effort afloat.
http://www.fireboat.org
Ken
Posted by: Ken McCarthy | September 12, 2006 at 12:56 PM