Marine Firemen’s Union

240 2nd Street
SOMA East of 5th

The Pacific Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association often referred to as the Marine Firemen’s Union is an American labor union of mariners working aboard U.S. flag vessels. The Marine Firemen’s Union is an affiliate union of Seafarers International Union.The union was formed in San Francisco, California in October, 1883 by firemen on coal-burning steamers.

The building that holds this bas-relief was opened in 1957.  Sculptor Olof Carl Malmquist designed the exterior bas-relief depicting marine firemen at work in a ship’s engine room.

Olof Carl Malmquist (1894-1975) was born in Wallingford, CT on October 26, 1894. Malmquist studied under Lee Lawrie at Yale and continued on a fellowship at Rome’s American Academy. After settling in San Francisco in 1922, he provided architectural embellishments on many public buildings in northern California. He contributed greatly to the sculpture on Treasure Island for the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939.  He died in San Francisco.

I want to especially thank the authors of a wonderful book The San Francisco Labor Landmarks Guide Book, that was the only place I was able to find the artist of this historic piece.