Fire On Board!

Fireboats are the unsung heroes of the American waterfront, having saved vast swaths of waterfront and thousands of vessels. In American Fireboats: The History of Waterborne Firefighting and Rescue in America, retired Milwaukee firefighter Wayne Mutza traces not only the evolution of these vessels, but also the heroic efforts and proud traditions of maritime firefighting. Packed with photos dating from 1803, the book documents everything from battleship-size fireboats to small waterjet-powered models, as well as propulsion and firefighting technologies. The book also includes historical accounts of colossal fires that these boats fought. (Schiffer Publishing, $50)