BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

CO2 extinguishers on Staten Island boats.....

Years ago, the ferries of the "MERRELL" and "KENNEDY"-class each carried 26 seventy-five pound CO2 extinguishers, all tied together, near the steps leading up to the car deck.

There were also red sandboxes full of sand for putting out fires on the decks.

Those in the engine rooms were to be used to fight oil fires.

Though the ferries of the "MERRELL" and "KENNEDY"-classes were of all-steel construction, they both dated to a time before plastic seating on the boats; wood was used for cabin seating.

The "BARBERI"-class were the first SI boats to feature plastic seats.

It is, therefore, important to remember that, while wooden seating can certainly burn, plastic seating can indeed melt, emitting toxic fumes......

'NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also of interest......

https://www.myvessellogs.com/blog/the-U-S-Coast-Guard-s-Regulations-for-Ferryboats

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As mentioned previously, in 1933, the KEY SYSTEM's turbo-electric commuter ferry "PERALTA" was destroyed by the massive blaze which also destroyed the KEY's ferry pier in San Francisco Bay.

The steel superstructure of the ferry was transformed into a twisted, mangled, scorched mass of metal; her handsome mahogany pilothouses completely burned away.

From this twisted, smoldering hulk, some years later, the stunning, magnificent, Art-Deco ferry "KALAKALA" emerged ("BLACK BALL LINE"), rising magnificently from her ashes, like the legendary Phoenix.........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Kalakala

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Awhile back, this tragic ferry fire took place overseas (this massive vessel was carrying both passengers and vehicles)

Ironically, the ferry had just passed inspection only a few days before the blaze......

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60443517

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More historical ferryboat fire-fighting ytivia:

It is not surprising, that, with the world's largest ferryboat fleet, the SOUTHERN PACIFIC also had its own fire department, exclusive to the ferry operations.

Recall, all except the very newest "auto ferries" were then of wood construction (the oldest boats also had wooden hulls)

The main "headquarters" for these unique fireman was adjacent to the SP's sprawling Oakland Pier (closed 1958)

The SP also had its own fireboat, the "FIRE FIGHTER".

Like lifeboat drills, fire drills were routine; during the years of heavy commuter traffic on the boats, these drills were, most often, conducted during off-peak hours.

Fire and lifeboat drills were also routine on the KEY and NWP boats.

The earliest such drills on SF Bay boats dates back to the 1880's......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Follow-up story on last week's fire aboard the SI Ferry "SANDY GROUND"..........

https://abc7ny.com/staten-island-ferry-fire-fdny/12607210/

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Mention must be made of the horrific "GENERAL SLOCUM" disaster of 1904, today, still the greatest onboard maritime fire disaster in New York Harbor,

The entire fire-fighting apparatus disintegrated and collapsed; there was no hope for the many hundreds of German excursionists on board, most of which could not swim (remember this was in 1904)

Mom told me that, as a girl, a neighbor lady (a friend of my grandmothers) recalled losing several relatives aboard the "SLOCUM".

Truly tragic and heart-breaking........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS_General_Slocum

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Recalling the tragic (1915) capsizing of the "SS EASTLAND" in Chicago Harbor (over 800 lost their lives, while the boat was still tied to the dock).........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Eastland

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Here is a rare photo (click to enlarge) showing the devastating 1933 fire which not only the KEY SYSTEM ferry pier and 22 MU cars, but, also, the commuter ferryboat "PERALTA", which was docked at the terminal.......

https://www.historylink.org/File/319

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The hull of the gutted "PERALTA" was towed up the Pacific Coast, to be be almost magically transformed into the stunning, gleaming, one-of-a-kind streamlined ferry, "KALAKALA".

This is an excellent page with a number of rare photos; especially note the photos of the "PERALTA", while working on the KEY SYSTEM as a commuter ferry, as well as another photo showing the ill-fated vessel being consumed by the massive blaze that destroyed the KEY's ferry pier, nearly a mile out from shore on San Francisco Bay, back in 1933.............

https://evergreenfleet.com/kalakala/

"BLACK BALL LINE"

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Here is an excellent page on the KEY SYSTEM; detailed information on the ferries, electric trains, streetcars, and buses.

There are also a number of thumbnails, which (in addition to the ferryboats and electric rail cars) also includes KEY buses (WHITE 798's and Old Looks, along with a handful of postwar MACKS)......

https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Key_System

["EASTSHORE EMPIRE"]

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Recall, also, that the KEY SYSTEM was AC TRANSIT's* ancestor.

AC TRANSIT buses utilized, for many years, the old TRANSBAY TERMINAL, last used by KEY's "Bridge Railway" in 1958.

Until 1941, trains of the IER (Interurban Electric Railway/ESPEE) and the SN also used this now-gone facility.

GREYHOUND, also, way back in the day, also used the same platforms once used by the electric "Bridge Trains"".

This photo dates to 1980......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156812

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*Recall, also, that AC TRANSIT once operated former articulated CONTINENTAL TRAILWAYS EAGLES on certain commuter runs.......

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Remembering the now-demolished Transbay Terminal.....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Transbay_Terminal

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And here, my friends, is the old Transbay Terminal's less-than-stylish replacement; I am NOT impressed, in the slightest.........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transbay_Transit_Center

["MUNI"}