This Monday afternoon, amidst a beautifully sunny day overlooking the Providence River from the peaceful respite of Bold Point Park, a ceremony was held to officially re-launch Marine 3, the East Providence Fire Department’s contribution to the Port of Providence Marine Strike Team.

The 34-foot vessel had been outfitted with upgrades and technological improvements to increase its efficacy in responding to a variety of crisis situations on the water, but the most important upgrade to those gathered was the name emblazoned on the back, which had been refurbished after years of saltwater wear since the boat was launched in 2009, and now proudly displayed its name: Arthur H. Ring.

Eighty-six years ago, Ring — serving with Engine Co. 1 out of the Broadway station — dove into the turbulent waters of the Providence River searching for three people who were swallowed up by an historic storm surge that devastated East Providence and much of Rhode Island during the infamous Hurricane of 1938.

“Without hesitation, Arthur jumped into the water swimming around the area in an attempt to find those three individuals without success,” Fire Chief Mike Carey said to the crowd of attendees, which included East Providence fire personnel and many extended family members and descendants of Arthur Ring. “During his rescue efforts, he was unfortunately exposed to raw sewage and other toxins because of the nearby pumping station failure in the 15-foot storm surge.”

Carey explained how the chaotic day provided no respite for Ring, or even a chance to clean himself off, after returning safely to shore following his rescue effort.

“Engine Company 1 was then dispatched to a multiple-alarm fire on First Street,” Carey said. “Him and his fellow firefighters operated for several hours before it was extinguished.”

The next day, Ring reported not feeling well to a doctor, and was hospitalized. He would never recover, and succumbed to an illness resulting from the exposure to the flood waters on Oct. 21, 1938.

“Today, once again we proudly remember Arthur H. Ring for his heroic efforts and sacrifice,” Carey said. “With this dedication, this vessel and its service shall continue to keep his memory alive and provide constant reflection on his exemplary service to the citizens of East Providence.”

The ceremony received an added touch courtesy of one of Ring’s 17 grandchildren, Ward Ring, who grew up in Rumford and is now a Lieutenant with the Warren Fire Department.

“I remember as a young boy being exposed to the brotherhood of firefighters. And they were indeed a brotherhood. They watched out for each other. They took care of each other,” he said. “I remember every Thanksgiving, every Christmas, and every Easter, the guys in the blue suits showed up. The guys in the dress blues would show up from the East Providence Fire Department with food baskets. They’d provide us with the turkey for Thanksgiving, the ham at Christmas or Easter, and they were always there.”

Ward said that those experiences certainly contributed to his decision to go into the fire service himself.

“I still wear my grandfather’s badge because I was quite proud of that,” he said.

Ward said he was a member of the statewide Marine Task Force, and that he hoped one day to come across the boat bearing his name while on a call of duty.

“I hope one day to run into the Arthur H. Ring because our members will wonder, ‘How did you get your name on that boat?’” he said. “It is something to be proud of.”

Many members of Ring’s family were in attendance, including his grandchildren Arthur Ring, Ward Ring, Mary Ring, Tom Ring, Luke Ring, John Ring, Paul Ring, Monica Ring, Hope Melfi and Joan Perry, as well as his great-grandchildren Nick Ring, Eddie Ring, Mark Ring, David Ring and Ali Thompson.

Ward Ring accepted a plaque on behalf of the family, as members who wished to do so were invited to go out on the boat bearing their loved ones' name.