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Clements Marine work on historic restoration project

Clements Marine has been instructed by ship restoration experts T.Nielsen & Company in Gloucester to work alongside them on London’s historic fireboat.  The 78ft Massey Shaw was built in 1935 and was the largest boat built exclusively for service on the River Thames by the London Fire Brigade.  During the Second World War the fire crew volunteered to join the fleet in the evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk, and in 3 complete trips rescued over 500 troops from the beaches and a further 110 whom she returned to London.  She was kept busy in the Blitz fire fighting along the riverbank and supplying water with her one and a half miles of hose, she retired from service in 1971.

The project is to bring her back to her original specification which is 12 knots with a low wash and the ability to pump 3000 gallons (13,640ltrs) of water a minute by spring 2012.

Clements Marine was approached to look at the propellers and stern gear on the vessel.  New shafts were required as the previous ones were very corroded and the propellers have to be re-worked and repaired.  The equipment has been sent to Clements factory in Bedfordshire, where the team can inspect, measure and ensure that the re-work is carried out to the original quality for this important historic ship.

The vessel is being restored for the Massey Shaw Trust and is partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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