North End in Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Fireboat No. 1: A Proud History

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2023

1. Fireboat No. 1: A Proud History Marker

Inscription. Built in 1929 by the Coastline Shipbuilding Company of Tacoma, this was one of the first boats on the west coast built specifically for firefighting. Its construction, at a cost of $148,000, came from repeated requests of local shipping firms to protect the waterfront property.

Fireboat No. 1 served the community for 54 years in waterfront fire protection, harbor security patrols, search and rescue missions, and water pollution control. For most Tacoma residents, it was best known for its spectacular colored water displays on the Fourth of July. Its last use was as a training vessel for the crews of two new air-cushion, English-built fireboats which replaced it in 1983.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. 47° 16.932′ N, 122° 28.845′ W. Marker is in Tacoma, Washington, in Pierce County. It is in North End. It is on Ruston Way, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3427 Ruston Way, Tacoma WA 98402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Puget Sound Region

and in Greater Seattle.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: September 11th Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Restoring the Site (approx. 0.6 miles away); People of the Water (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cutting Edge Technology

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); Dickman Mill Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Job Carr Cabin Museum (approx. ¾ mile away); Tacoma City (approx. 0.8 miles away); Top of the Ocean (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tacoma.

Other markers no longer nearby. Community Life in Old Tacoma (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Our First Settlers (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Fireboat No. 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2023

2. Fireboat No. 1

A second marker explains the logistics and mechanics that the boat used during its heyday, including "Big Bertha," the high-capacity water cannon mounted on top of the boat, then and now.

Fireboat No. 1: Appreciation Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2023

3. Fireboat No. 1: Appreciation Marker

A marker thanks the firefighters who served on the fireboat, as well as all the volunteers and companies who helped preserve the vessel.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2023

4. Fireboat No. 1

The prow of the ship, which may be found at the shores of Commencement Bay.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2023

5. Fireboat No. 1

Fireboat No. 1, Tacoma's historic fireboat, is now dry-berthed along Ruston Bay.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 7, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.