FIREBOAT: Originally named the "DAVID CAMPBELL" as a
city of Portland, Oregon fireboat, the ALEUTIAN EXPRESS (official number 211065) was designed by Chicago based naval
architect Theodor Knudson to be 125' long by a 27' beam and 9' depth, 242 gross/154 net tons. The vessel was steam driven
by twin Compound engines which were supplied by twin Ballin boilers and burned oil, producing a combined 1,200 horsepower.
Assembled in Ferrysburg, Michigan in 1912 as hull #52 by the Johnston Brothers Company of riveted iron/nickle
plates on steel frames which were produced by Illinois Carnagie steel company. The vessel was knocked down, crated and shipped
to Portland to be reassembled at the yard of Joseph Supple by the Smith and Watson Ironworks making the first firefighting
action in May of 1913. The first David Campell served the city of Portland for 13 years. The vessel
was named for fire chief David Campell who had died June 26, 1911 fighting the Union Oil fire. The
vessel was replaced in 1927 by a gasoline powered fireboat also named David Campell, which still serves
the city of Portland to this day. With the new fireboat online, the name of the older fireboat was changed to "THE
CHIEF".
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