Name Massey Shaw

1.      What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

Evidence for designs, functions, techniques, processes, styles, customs and habits or uses and associations in relation to events and people.  How early, intact or rare these features are may impact on significance.

MASSEY SHAW was a purpose built fire float for the River Thames and her riveted steel hull, light build construction and teak deck were an integral part of her design.  Her dimensions were drawn to allow her to access the canal system and smaller tributaries off the Thames for firefighting and salvage operations.  In order to ensure she could reach the desired speed of 12 knots, the builders and her commissioners (the London County Council) spent over 6 weeks at the National Physical Lab tanks in Teddington refining her hull shape until her speed could be confirmed.   For longevity, the steel hull and fittings were galvanised.   

MASSEY SHAW was the most powerful fire float on the River Thames, producing 3,000 gallons of water at pressures up to 250 psi, from her main water monitor or eight deck outlets.  The water was produced from two four stage Merryweather fire pumps which were adapted to link in with the vessel’s two eight cylinder Glennifer diesel engines.  She could provide “Salvage“ facilities for sinking vessels or other situations with two inlets on her deck which, when connected to a reinforced hose, allowed water to be sucked up and pumped away, thus keeping the endangered craft afloat.  In the 1960s, the coal fired stove/range in the galley was replaced with an oil fired system. The two J.S. White’s auxiliary engines in the engine room were also removed and replaced with a new generator and compressor set.

She underwent full conservation in 2010 and is now approximately 85% original.  Some of her steel hull fabric has been replaced and her teak decking has also been removed. The salvageable teak decking has been incorporated in the vessel to make floorings, galley fittings and storage racks for firefighting equipment. The original fire pumps and deck fittings remain plus some of the firefighting equipment. The vessel did not have a wheelhouse when it was built, and this was added in 1947 to provide protection to the coxswain and crew members.  Some damage to the vessel in the form of dents to the hull has been left in place to contribute to the story of its working life.  The main Gleniffer marine diesel engines were also overhauled, with the work done sympathetically using original parts and techniques, as they are believed to be the last operating engines of this type in the UK.

To meet MCA requirements and coding, the vessel’s fabric has been superficially adapted in some places.  Examples of this include: an additional wire added to the deck rails; removable chains placed at the bow and stern to prevent passengers falling; and a radar system in the wheel house. All the changes have been done sympathetically, with original materials and construction techniques used wherever possible.

2.      What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

Associations with people or places.  Off-ship research.

MASSEY SHAW was built by J Samuel White of Cowes, Isle of Wight, and was used as an operational fire float with the London Fire Brigade for thirty six years, giving her significant associations with the capital.  During this time she was crewed by numerous firemen and took part in several emergency situations.   She is named after Captain Sir Eyre Massey Shaw, an important Victorian Fire Chief in charge of the newly formed Metropolitan Fire Brigade from 1866. In her first major fire in 1936, MASSEY SHAW is credited with helping to save over £2,000,000 of stock from being destroyed at the Colonial Wharf Fire in Wapping.  

She gained international significance for her role during the evacuation of Dunkirk in May 1940, when she was sent by the London Fire Brigade to Dunkirk to fight fires in the town’s oil refineries. On arrival, this task proved impossible and so she assisted in ferrying troops to the larger vessels and back home, making three trips across the channel, rescuing over 500 troops from the beaches, and bringing a further 110 back to the UK. She was the only fireboat to take part in the evacuation and received a special mention from Vice Admiral Ramsey for her efforts.  For the remainder of the War, MASSEY SHAW fought fires in the London Blitz, attending many major incidents, including the firebomb raid on St Pauls on 30 December 1940. In late 1947, she undertook a secret trip down the Thames with a number of important government officials, including the Labour Health Minister Aneurin Bevin. It was later revealed that this meeting was to finalise paperwork for the National Health Service.   

MASSEY SHAW remained in commission until 1971, after which she became part of the Maritime Trust collection, based at St Katherine’s Dock.  She has been featured in several films including: Dunkirk, The Battle of Britain, various TV documentaries and news programmes.   She is well documented with her archive including photographs, newspaper articles, original plans and other memorabilia.  MASSEY SHAW was the last remaining operational fire float of her type and has been recorded on the National Register of Historic Vessels since 1996, with National Historic Fleet status.

3.      How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

Overall aesthetic impact of the vessel, her lines, material she was built from and her setting.  Does she remain in her working environment?

MASSEY SHAW’s primary function was as a fireboat and her shape is determined by this use.  Her shallow draft and beam were designed to allow her to operate off the main river and to pump water when the river was at low ebb. This ability is still retained today.  A number of adaptations were made during her career, but all with the intention of improving her firefighting ability and the crew’s safety.  Following a sympathetic conservation, she is aesthetically pleasing and technically interesting as a preserved working fireboat, with all mechanical elements in good operational order.  She remains on the Thames at West India Dock, Poplar, in the area which she would have protected during her earlier career. She attends a number of events each year and is available to visit by appointment when not attending displays in and around the Thames. 

Source: Massey Shaw & M.V. Preservation  Society, 01 February 2017.