Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Geyser (fireboat, 1886)" in English language version.
Chicago will soon put another fire boat, the Yosemite, in commission. She is the same size as the Geyser, but has more power as a waterthrower. This will make three powerful fire boats for the protection of Chicago's docks and shipping. When will Detroit have a fire boat?
All these so-called fireboats, however, were makeshifts. The Geyser was specially constructed as a river fireboat in 1886, chiefly through the earnest efforts of Fire Marshal Swenie. Swenie had been ordered to visit New York and other eastern cities to examine the fireboat service there. On his return the Geyser was built at an expense of $39,000. The Geyser was also used to open up the river in winter, and in 1887, she rendered splendid service in this way when the river was gorged with ice during the winter, and the flood of 1849 was likely to have been repeated.
