The city of San Francisco operated two fireboats in the 1900s : '' Governor Irwin '' and '' Governor Markham '' . Both were capable of pumping about per minute . These two , assisted by tugboats and military fireboats , tried but failed to stop the horrific fires which swept the city after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake . In 1909 , two new fireboats were placed in service — '' David Scannell '' and '' Dennis T. Sullivan '' — steam-powered boats each rated for per minute . A firehouse was built for them at the edge of the Panama – Pacific International Exposition in 1915 . This firehouse was moved by barge to Pier 22 ½ near the intersection of Harrison Street and Embarcadero following the Exposition , when the old fair buildings were being torn down and the Marina District was being built in its place . The two fireboats served the city for 45 years and were scrapped in 1954
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Phoenix (fireboat)