June 23-- Thomas Kevill would be honored to know the flashy new fireboat plying the waters in and around Norfolk bears his name.
Kevill's history runs deep in this city. He was its first fire chief, a respected businessman and a volunteer in the historic Battle of the Ironclads.
The 36-foot Fire Brand 30 aluminum vessel sports twin 250 Yamaha motors capable of 40 knots, roof and bow turret-mounted water cannons, and high-tech electronics, including an infrared camera, radar and sonar.
It joins the city's other fireboat, Vulcan II.
Kevill was born in Ireland and came to Norfolk in 1848. He was in the clothing and furnishing business. Prior to the Civil War, he assisted in organizing and led the United Fire Company of Norfolk. He was reluctant to volunteer during the call for troops at the beginning of the Civil War, but those in the fire company refused to volunteer unless Kevill was their leader. He commanded one of the broadside guns onboard the CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) during the battle against the Monitor fought just off the coast in March 1862.
Fire Capt. Jim Bailie, who runs the Fire Rescue Museum in downtown Norfolk, was instrumental in naming the new fireboat.
"It's going to be for fire suppression, medical and search and rescue," Bailie said. "I felt it would only be appropriate to tie our first fire chief's name to something."
Bailie also pointed out that Kevill served during the Civil War at Fort Norfolk and aboard the Confederate ironclad. "So obviously that ties to the waterways in Norfolk and the famous battle of Hampton Roads."
Kevill is also featured in the USS Monitor Center at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News.
The museum has Kevill- related items on display donated by his family in California. They include his Confederate States belt and buckle and a painting of him.
"The fact that they are naming the boat after him... I just love it," Collections Management Specialist Cindi Verser said. "It takes a very special person to walk into a fire and to fight it and put their life on the line. My son is a firefighter so I can really appreciate his dedication to his city. I think it's the greatest honor they could have given him."
Bailie called Kevill's family to give them the news about the naming of the fireboat and invited them to the commissioning ceremony.
"They weren't expecting anything like this at all. When I told them about naming the boat "Thomas Kevill," they were very ecstatic."
Roy A. Bahls, 446-2351,[email protected]
Copyright 2013 - The Virginian-Pilot
