The Karl Prehn was a fireboat acquired by the Portland Fire Bureau in Portland, Oregon, in 1973. [1]
She was added to the Bureau's fleet not long after the Police Bureau's responsibility for patrolling the harbor was transferred to the Fire Bureau. [1]
But, in 1984, the vessel was made available to the city of Lewiston, Idaho. [2] [3] By 1994 Lewiston had purchased the vessel, and was considering retiring her, and replacing her with a more modern vessel. She was retired in early 1995. [4]
The ship was named after a former Portland harbormaster, who also in charge of the Mulkey, a harbor patrol vessel. [5]
Earlier, during the noon work session, the council gave the go-ahead to the fire department to investigate ways of replacing the existing fire boat, the Karl Prehn. The Karl Prehn was acquired in 1983, with several entities paying the cost.
The Lewiston City Council decided at noon Monday to contact brokers about selling the boat, which has been in the valley since 1984.
Missing from this year's parade was the Karl Prehn, the Lewiston Fire Department's old fireboat. She used to lead the parade, spouting water into the air, but was retired earlier this year.