During the early 20th century, large and powerful fireboats were operated in Duluth, Minnesota.[1] In 1920 both the Duluth, Mesaba & Northern Railway Company and the Duluth & Iron Range Railway Company operated fireboats in Duluth, the William A. McGonacle and the Halle.[2][3][4]
In 2016 it was reported that the Duluth and Superior Fire Department would be receiving a modern powerful fireboat through a FEMA Port Security Grant.[5] In recent years firefighters had been reduced to fighting fires using only an inflatable boat.
The Marine 19, a 32 feet (9.8 m) fireboat, manufactured by Lake Assault Boats, was delivered on May 8, 2019.[6][7][8][9][10] She was built with the assistance of a FEMA port security grant.