No. 17 M.F.D. (1893, Steam Fireboat)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: No. 17 M.F.D.
• Original Name: James Foley (renamed in 1901).
• Type of Ship: Steam Fireboat
• Year Built: 1893
• Official Registry Number: 130654
• Builder: Rieboldt and Wolter Company,
• Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin (later relocated to Sturgeon Bay).

Construction and Ownership

• Purpose: Built for the City of Milwaukee Fire Department to serve as a firefighting vessel, protecting Milwaukee’s waterfront and nearby areas.
• Docking Location: The fireboat was stationed at the end of East Water Street in Milwaukee during its years of service.
• Powerplant: Equipped with a steam engine (details on dimensions or type unavailable but confirmed to remain onboard during scuttling).

Service History

Second Fireboat: The No. 17 M.F.D. was Milwaukee’s second fireboat, part of the city’s early efforts to modernize its firefighting capabilities for waterfront properties, docks, and vessels.

Active Service: Operated from 1893 until December 1922, when it was placed into reserve status.

Reserve Status: Held in reserve from December 1922 to May 1930, during which it was minimally used.

Dismantling: Officially taken out of service on May 12, 1930, the vessel was dismantled before its final disposal.

Final Disposition

• Date of Scuttling: May 12, 1930
• Location: Scuttled approximately 8–16 kilometres (5–10 miles) northeast of the Milwaukee Harbor Lighthouse in Lake Michigan.
• Method: The vessel was towed out into the lake and deliberately sunk. Despite being dismantled, the steam engine was left onboard.
• Condition: Unknown; likely a heavily deteriorated wooden Hull due to long exposure to freshwater conditions.

Historical Context

The No. 17 M.F.D. (originally James Foley) served during a transformative time for Milwaukee’s waterfront. Fireboats like the No. 17 were crucial to protecting urban ports, which were crowded with flammable cargo such as timber, coal, and grain. The transition to reserve status in 1922 likely reflected advancements in fireboat design and the increasing use of steel-hulled vessels, which eventually replaced older wooden fireboats like the No. 17.

By the 1930s, wooden steam-powered fireboats were becoming obsolete, and Milwaukee opted to dismantle and scuttle the vessel rather than maintain it in service or preserve it.

Current Status

Wreck Condition: The wreck’s current state is not documented, and it is not a widely known dive site. Its exact location remains unconfirmed but could be located with sonar or underwater exploration in the reported area northeast of Milwaukee.

Potential Features: The steam engine remains a notable artifact, as it was left aboard during scuttling. If the wreck exists in relatively intact condition, it may also retain structural remnants of the fireboat’s Hull and firefighting systems.

Significance

The No. 17 M.F.D. represents the early adoption of fireboats in Great Lakes cities during the late 19th century. It highlights the growing awareness of waterfront fire risks in industrial hubs like Milwaukee and the innovation of steam-powered vessels in municipal firefighting. Its scuttling reflects the changing technology and priorities of the era, as older wooden vessels gave way to more modern designs.

Resources & Links

• Wisconsin Shipwrecks
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Milwaukee Public Library – Historical Archives
• National Museum of the Great Lakes
• Zac Whitrock – Sketchfab

Conclusion

The No. 17 M.F.D., formerly the James Foley, served Milwaukee faithfully as a fireboat for nearly 30 years before being scuttled in Lake Michigan. Its story underscores the evolution of firefighting technology and the changing needs of Great Lakes waterfront cities. Though its exact wreck site remains unknown, it holds historical value as part of Milwaukee’s maritime and municipal history.

Milwaukee Fire Boat #17 (1893) by Zach Whitrock on Sketchfab