Fireboats Collection (#3)

NFS (London Region) River Thames Formation, WW2
The River Headquarters crest of the NFS River Thames Formation, which covered the Greater London area of the Thames, and included some eighteen fireboats and assorted fire floats and other tenders

NFS (London Region) fireboat at Grays, near Tilbury, WW2
An NFS fireboat at her moorings, R5Z-TS Exmouth river fire station, Grays near Tilbury, Essex, the furthest easterly river station in the London Region

NFS (London Region) fire float on the Thames, WW2
A motor launch fire float under tow by a fireboat on the River Thames

NFS (London Region) fireboat tender on the Thames, WW2
NFS (London Region) fireboat tender on the River Thames, viewed from Blackfriars river station, Victoria Embankment

NFS (London Region) fireboat on the River Thames, WW2
The London Regional River Service and the fireboat attached to the River fire station 1RU at Battersea Bridge

LCC-LFB self-propelled steam fireboat
Introduced in 1912, one of the shallow draft self-propelled vessels which replaced the early fire tugs

A fireboat tackling a blaze on the River Thames

LCC-LFB fireboat Beta III on sea trials
Civilian marine engineers on the Beta III fireboat during her sea trials prior to being placed in operational service

War Weapons Week and London Fire Brigade fireboats, WW2
The London Fire Brigades fireboat Massey Shaw (which took part in the Dunkirk evacuations) and a fire float are moored at Westminster pier whilst their crews are promoting War Weapons Week

Blitz in London -- firefighting from the River Thames
Blitz in London -- the London Fire Brigade had three fireboats in peacetime, based at Lambeth, Blackfriars, and Cherry Garden Pier, Rotherhithe

Massey Shaw fireboat at Blackfriars river fire station
The Massey Shaw fireboat, launched in 1935, moored alongside her Blackfriars river station, located on the Victoria Embankment, City of London

Massey Shaw fireboat on River Thames, London
The LFBs Massey Shaw fireboat underway on the River Thames, heading under Waterloo Bridge

Massey Shaw fireboat, Victoria Embankment, Blackfriars
The London Fire Brigades fireboat Massey Shaw being stowed with an anchor chain whilst alongside its moorings at the Blackfriars river fire station, its base station

LFB fireboat Gamma II near Brigade HQ - Lambeth
Gamma II was stationed at the Lambeth river fire station (R1) opposite the London Fire Brigade headquarters building on the Albert Embankment, SE1

London Fire Brigade fireboats on the Thames
London Fire Brigade fireboats on the River Thames

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Fireboats have been an integral part of the London Fire Brigade's fleet for decades, serving as powerful allies in the battle against raging infernos. One such fireboat, the LCC-LFB Massey Shaw, has become synonymous with bravery and resilience on the waters of Westminster, London. With its distinctive red hull and towering water cannons, it stands tall as a symbol of unwavering dedication to public safety. Another notable vessel is the GLC-LFB Fire Hawk, a formidable force that has navigated through treacherous currents to combat fires along the River Thames. Its presence at Blackfriars is etched into memory - a testament to its ability to swiftly respond when seconds count. In moments of crisis, these fireboats prove their worth time and again. During a 25-pump fire that engulfed a warehouse in Fulham, an LFB crew aboard one such vessel valiantly fought back flames from both land and water. The sight of eight hoses pumping simultaneously from the Massey Shaw was awe-inspiring; each jet stream representing hope amidst chaos. No location along the river is too remote for these brave firefighters. Colonial Wharf in East London witnessed their relentless efforts firsthand as they tackled yet another ferocious blaze head-on. Their courage knows no bounds as they maneuver through narrow canals aboard NFS (London Region) narrow boats fitted with specialized firefighting equipment. The Lambeth HQ and Lambeth river station serve as vital hubs for these heroes who call themselves members of LFDCA-LFB. From here, they embark on daring missions aboard vessels like Fire-Dart - swift and agile enough to navigate even the busiest stretches of Thames without hesitation. Whether underway or demonstrating their impressive pumping capabilities during training exercises, fireboats like Massey Shaw continue to inspire confidence within communities across London, and are not just vessels but symbols of hope that remind us all that even amidst adversity, there will always be those who stand ready to protect and serve.