Images Dated 2011 October

LCC-LFB Massey Shaw fireboat at Blackfriars

The Massey Shaw was built in 1935 by the J Samuel White company at Cowes, Isle of Wight. She was built to a London County Council design, and cost around £18, 000 to build. The vessel was named after Eyre Massey Shaw, a former chief of the London Fire Brigade. Seen here is the Massey Shaw laying off her moorings (river station) at Blackfriars on the Victoria Embankment. London

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

LCC-MFB Fire float and tug at drills

Prior to the MFB acquiring its first purpose made fireboat, a tug would tow a fire float (containing a steam fire pump) to the scene of riverside blazes and fires on ships on the Thames. The two craft would travel side by side. These composite craft were introduced in 1877 and used until 1900 when they were finally replaced by fireboats. The fire float, with its fire pump, could supply water to the land via hoses or direct water onto a blaze from jets mounted on the barge

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

GLC-LFB - Experimental mini-pump fire engine

Based on a Ford Transit, the London Fire Brigade trialled a series of mini or first-strike fire engines. Seen here is a transit which carried a crew of four, 100 gallons (450 litres) of water, a hose reel, compact fire pump and a hook ladder. Intended as a response to inner city areas and the growth of shopping centres, the vehicle was placed at a number of stations on evaluation. Despite some favourable comments on its introduction, none of the mini fire engines were brought into general operational service

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library