A 1912 Shand-Mason steam pump appliance has returned to Ipswich.
The pump was bought by Needham Market Town Council in 1911 for around £400 and delivered to them in 1912. It weighs two tons, and served for nearly thirty years. It is believed to be the last steam pump used in the United Kingdom, when it attended a fire in Little Finborough on 30 July 1940. After regular service, the pump was retained by the National Fire Service College at Saltdean, Brighton during the Second World War and displayed there until 1948.
During the 1950s, ownership was transferred to Ipswich Museum (Ipswich Borough Council), and in the early 1960s, it was loaned to Colchester Road Fire Station in Ipswich where a purpose-built display window allowed it to be seen from the road.
When Colchester Road fire station closed, the pump was loaned by Ipswich Museum to what is now the Food Museum in Stowmarket in 2011 for display there. As the Food Museum is currently redeveloping its site, the opportunity has been taken to transfer the loan of the pump to the Ipswich Transport Museum. It was delivered by Manchetts on 2 April 2024. The new loan and transfer of the fire-pump was facilitated by staff at Ipswich Museum and the Food Museum, in co-operation with the Ipswich Transport Museum, and with the agreement of Ipswich Borough Council.
Mark Smith, Chairman of Ipswich Transport Museum, explained how the appliance would have been used: “The fire pump had to be towed. Photographs show it being hauled by horses initially, and later by a model T Ford, as well as a lorry owned by Quintons. Records suggest it could be steamed to working pressure in nine minutes – important if your thatched roof was on fire!”
“This is the third Needham Market fire appliance we have on display – we also own the 1939 Dennis ‘Light Four’ and 1987 Bedford TK appliances.” The trio demonstrate the transition from horse to petrol and diesel propulsion. The museum would love to hear any stories or memories relating to these exhibits.
The pump will be displayed at Ipswich Transport Museum and available for public inspection during the 2024 season. Dates, times and admission details are all on the museum’s website: www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk
