1869 Shand Mason: The Rise of Manual Fire Engines in Sydney

Manual Fire Engines 

Today, fire engines are a sight to behold, their bright red colour, flashing lights, and loud sirens herald their arrival. Equipped with a variety of equipment, they are truly prepared for any emergency. However, if we take a step back in time to the origins of organised firefighting in Sydney, we find a vastly different scene.  

The early 19th century marked a major advancement in firefighting technology with the rise of the manual fire engine, an evolution from the primitive bucket brigade. These engines were larger, often horse-drawn, and equipped with hand-operated pumping systems. The design of engines like this is credited to James Braidwood, who is regarded as a pioneer of modern firefighting. The carriage supported a driver (coachman), at least three firefighters on either side, and stored essential equipment in compartments beneath the crew’s seating. The two wooden rails on either side activated the pump, which used two vertical-action cylinders to generate both suction and water pressure, delivering water through dual outlets located underneath the carriage. 

Shand Mason manual engine, drill with crew in Headquarters yard [Museum of Fire Collection]

No. 001 Shand Mason 7” Manual Engine 

The Shand Mason Manual Fire Engine is a prime example of an apparatus used in Sydney during the 19th century when there was no formal co-ordination or statutory control of fire protection. During this period, the city was safeguarded by a patchwork of independent insurance company and volunteer fire brigades. It is likely that this 1869 Shand Mason fire engine was used by the No. 1 Royal Alfred Volunteer Company, a brigade led by Andrew Torning, who is widely regarded as the ‘father of volunteer firefighting’ in Australia. If it is to be believed that this Shand Mason fire engine belonged to Torning’s volunteer company, after they disbanded by 1886 the fire engine was reportedly chained to the floor on the fire station until 1901 when the fire station was sold to the Australian Gas Light Co.

To learn more about this station and Andrew Torning, click here. 

Andrew Torning standing alongside first horse drawn fire-engine named Pioneer [Museum of Fire Collection]

At the time, steam-powered fire engines were also coming into service, but their high cost meant they were typically operated by the more affluent insurance brigades. In contrast, manual fire engines like this one were more commonly associated with volunteer brigades, who made do with what was available. Among the many manufacturers of the era, Shand Mason & Co. stood out as a leader in fire appliance production, alongside competitors such as Merryweather and Tilley, whose engines were also commonly used across Sydney. 

As firefighting technology continued to evolve into the 20th century, efforts were made to modernise manual engines. T. Green & Co. led the way in converting these appliances with petrol-powered pumps, creating a transitional solution for regional areas awaiting full motorisation. The No. 001 Shand Mason, however, was never converted. Remarkably, it retained its original manual configuration throughout its operational life, serving at Headquarters Fire Station (now City of Sydney) from 1903 and in the Newcastle District from 1914, until it was eventually decommissioned in 1926. 

The No. 001 Shand Mason is currently on display at City of Sydney Fire Station on Castlereagh Street in Sydney. If you find yourself walking past, you can see it in the old engine bays, where it would have been kept over 100 years ago! 

-Story by Museum of Fire Heritage Team