- Eyre Massey Shaw
Captain Sir Eyre Massey Shaw (1830–1908) was the Superintendent of the
Metropolitan Fire Brigade (now renamed theLondon Fire Brigade ), and its predecessor, the London Fire Engine Establishment, from 1861 to 1891. He introduced modern firefighting methods to the Brigade, and increased the number of stations. [http://www.angliacampus.com/education/fire/london/history/victoria.htm]Shaw was born in
Ireland and served in theNorth Cork Rifles , amilitia regiment of theBritish Army (later the 9th Battalion,King's Royal Rifle Corps ) from 1854 to 1860, reaching the rank of captain. He then headed the joint police and fire brigade inBelfast . In 1861, following the death of the then-head, James Braidwood, in the line of duty while fighting a massive fire inTooley Street , Shaw was engaged as head of the Establishment. In 1865, Parliament passed the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Act, placing responsibility for fire protection in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, to be supervised by theMetropolitan Board of Works . Shaw headed the new brigade. [ [http://www.firebrigadehistory.netfirms.com/fire_brigade_history.html Fire Brigade history ] at www.firebrigadehistory.netfirms.com] [ [http://www.aovq74.dsl.pipex.com/history.htm History ] at www.aovq74.dsl.pipex.com]Shaw was an influential thinker on firefighting, publishing at least one book on the subject. He is noted for his adoption of the famous brass helmets. Among his other accomplishments, Shaw expanded the use of steam fire engines. He introduced the use of telegraph for communication between stations. He greatly expanded the number of fire stations.
Shaw was a well-known socialite (which led to his immortalitization in
operetta , see below) and a personal friend of thePrince of Wales (laterEdward VII ). A firefighting outfit was always kept ready atCharing Cross Fire Station in case the Royal heir chose to firefight. [ [http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/about_us/our_history/the_first_brigade.asp London Fire Brigade | History, the first 'brigade' (Our history) ] at www.london-fire.gov.uk]When the Fire Brigade was taken over by the
London County Council in 1889, he disagreed with the administration and resigned in 1891. He was knighted byQueen Victoria on his last day of service.Cultural influence and legacy
Shaw is best remembered today as the "Captain Shaw" to whom the Fairy Queen in
Gilbert and Sullivan 's "Iolanthe " addresses herself, wondering if his "brigade with cold cascade" could quench her great love. Shaw was present in the stalls at the first night of "Iolanthe", andAlice Barnett , playing the Fairy Queen, addressed herself directly to him, touching on his relationship with Lady Colin Campbell. [ [http://www.powerset.com/explore/go/Alice-Barnett Alice Barnett] ] In addition, a historic fireboat, named theMassey Shaw , still exists, and was recently renovated. Built in 1935, it made several trips toDunkirk during the evacuation of British troops fromFrance in 1940. [ [http://www.adls.org.uk/shipinfo.cfm?id=55&RestTrust=0 Massey Shaw ] at www.adls.org.uk]His former home, Winchester House in
Southwark , is part of theLondon Fire Brigade Museum , anEnglish Heritage Blue plaque adorns the building and states that Shaw lived there. [ [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.001002006005/chooseLetter/S Search Blue Plaques : Blue Plaques : Research & Conservation : English Heritage ] at www.english-heritage.org.uk]Notes
External links
* [http://www.aovq74.dsl.pipex.com/history.htm Firefighting — The Early Days] including a section on Eyre Massey Shaw
* [http://www.thames.org.uk/masseyshaw/ Massey Shaw fireboat] , named after him
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