| Historical notes: | The Tilley manual was made by the Tilley Company of London in 1841. This company was, a short time later, subsequently taken over by the Shand Mason Company during the 1840’s. Although there is a lack of documentation, this particular engine’s origins might be placed in one of two categories: -1) If it was brought to Sydney as a new appliance, then it is known that, in 1842, the Mutual Fire Insurance Association imported two "state of the art" fire engines. This was a response to the lack of fire protection and the inadequacy of the two engines acquired by the Colonial Government in 1822. The import of these two engines would fit very well with the date of manufacture of the 1841 Tilley. 2) If the engine was brought to Sydney as a second hand appliance, then it was probably built for an English brigade and then brought to Sydney by an agent. These agents imported used engines and would sell them to the volunteer companies. An example of this is contained in a letter dated 17/3/1868 from the Bank Auction Rooms to Andrew Torning of the Australian Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, which states: "My dear Sir. Respecting the 'Steam Fire Engine' now in my rooms of which you have made some enquiries. I think the same can be purchased for £500, the terms of payment can be arranged to the satisfaction of your friends. Deposit to be paid down say £150 - £200. Remainder of purchase money to be by instalments say every three months till the full amount is paid..." These volunteer companies would engage in various fundraising activities in an effort to raise the money required to purchase an engine. A letter dated 1866 from a Mr J.G. Raphael and addressed to the Australian Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 states: "Gentlemen. Your letter of 7th instant to hand ... and regret my time does not admit of my giving you the help you require. I am satisfied if you persevere in your cause you will succeed beyond your expectations. Should you buy the engine you allude to, I will give you £3 toward paying for it." It wasn’t until 1867 that "the first engine to be drawn by horses (and) built in the colony" was completed. - (Sydney Morning Herald 6/12/1867).In the extant documentation, the engine appears in a Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) list of appliances dated June 1909 as being number 20 manual, but is not attached to a station at the time. It was probably a spare engine at this time, being used as a substitute when more the modern engines were taken to the workshops for repair. It is not clear how this engine came into the MFB’s possession. It is unlikely that it was purchased directly by the MFB since, at the time of the Board’s inception in 1884, this engine was already considered old and having only a capacity of 150 gpm, was not impressive in an era when steam-powered pumpers were on the ascendency, pumping on average, 650 gpm. It may have been owned by the earlier Insurance Companies Brigade, but it is most likely to have come into the possession of the MFB as a result of being vested in the Board, by a volunteer brigade in a state of debt.The 1st Annual Report for 1884 of the MFB, indicates that Volunteer Company debt was a major concern: "The Board has had considerable trouble in the matter of engines of volunteer companies, many of which are practically unserviceable, and some are not free from debt. In the event of a call being made it is in the power of certain individuals to forbid the use of this plant. Instead, therefore of finding a large number of volunteer associations willing and capable of affording ready aid in the suppression of fires, the Board has had to depend almost entirely upon its own brigade even in places protected, as it was supposed, by local corps." - MFBAR 1884:3. The 2nd Annual Report for 1885-86 indicates that in an attempt to resolve these debt problems, a company "unable to pay its way" would "make over to the Board" its interests in equipment and property. The board would then pay the "liens thereon and grant a subsidy of £50 on condition that the company performed the duties required of it." - MFBAR1885-86:2. The same report states: "The plant of three Volunteer Fire Companies is now the property of your Board, and two volunteer stations are also vested in the hands of your Board... Another new volunteer fire station will also be shortly vested in a similar manner... I may here state that the No. 2 Volunteer Co. are trying to sell out their plant to your Board." - MFBAR 1885-86:18.Although the date when the engine came into the possession of the Board is uncertain, after its mention in the 1909 list, it appears that the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW recognised its historical significance, for it was retained and preserved. In 1938 the 1841 Tilley appears in the Sydney celebration of Australia’s 150th anniversary when it took part in a street parade whereby "... fire appliances of former times with modern appliances took part representing the Fire Service". - NSWFBAR 1938:7. In a letter dated 5th August, 1960, from the Museum of Applied Arts and Science to the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW, the Museum Director states: -"... through the interest of Mr A Mallam, the Keeper of Exhibits and I were privileged ... to inspect at the Kogarah, Bexley and Newtown Stations certain obsolete equipment of the greatest historical value, and which is worthy of every care in preservation. The items are as follows: 1) An 1841 Horse-drawn manual fire engine..." On 7/2/1961 the Tilley Manual was delivered to the museum for custodianship. On 22/11/1979, the engine was returned to the Board, who presented it to the Fire Service Museum. It was then presented to the Museum of Fire, Penrith in 1985, where it was placed on exhibition.The Tilley manual also took part in the celebrations of 100 years of the NSW Fire Brigades in 1984, alongside the 1929 Ahrens Fox, at the State Volunteers’ Demonstration at Coff’s Harbour. |