A MASTER FIREMAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 82, 9 April 1877, Page 4

A MASTER FIREMAN.

In the csntre of a vast web, skilfully and patiently woven during tun lust fifteen years, sits the architect thereof —the beneficent spider, whose fly is a firefly. North, south, east, and west of him extends — to the uttermost limita of the region ruled by the Metropolitan Board of Works— a network, well planned, carefully executed, and protected against the possibility of breakage by estraordinary precautions. This telegraphic safety net, by mean's of which each atation of the MetropolUan Fire Brigade is brought into connection *with every other station, and the whole Brigade could if deemed necessary and prudent, be concentrated on any one spot in an incredibly abort space of time, is the work of Captain Eyre Maa3ey Shaw, Chief Officer of the Brigade since Mr Braid wood lost his life on the memorable occasion when the Thames was literally set on fire. Since than London has been divided into four great districts, three of which are north of the Thames, London south ot the river forming the D. district. la the centre of each district is a Superintendent in telegraphic communication with every station within its limits, and also with the Central office in Watlin street, where Captain Stiaw sits in his quiet study, far from the din of fire-

belle, bofc perfectly cognisant of the condition of every fireman's post in London — how mfiny men, engine?, end horses can be brought together within a few minutes at any given spot. The organiser of this machinery which goes rather better than clockwork, is a tall, square-shouldered Irishman, of some fprty-eight years, hut with fig ura co well set up that when clad in his short, jaunty tunic, fireman's helmet, and huge jack boots he looka no mere than thirty-five —a| lithe, active, muscular man, and a skil4 ful wielder of the tomahawk which; hangs ■in his girdle. His becoming uniform is the outcome of much care and thought, and long experience. A fireman's helmet, for instance, must fulfil several conditions. . Jfc ,must be strong enough, especially in the ; " comb," to resist falling bricks, and! rafters, and must have a very thick and' well-fitting lining. It must also have; sufficient peak in front to protect the: face without impeding the vision, and behind to shield the neck completely; from molten lead. The ears must also: be protected withont interfering, with the hearing; "and there are also many minor details which combine (o render the construction of a fireman V helmet; a, momentous affair. Captain Shaw has; at last nashed something near perffc-i tion.aud feels as safe in his helmet! when under fire,"as he can reasonably ; expect. Tight in the waist and hips,; and loose in the shoulders and sleeves, ; the tunic is an admirable working dress ■ for men who are perpetually getting in and out of windows, and through the panels of doors swiftly ripped out with the keen tomahawk. When a house is already full of smoke, and the : fire is gnawing hungrily at the '• staircases, there is no time for ■ picking locks or removing doors, i Smash goes the tomahawk into a panel, tears it out and. then, head or ■ feet foremost, the fireman plunges into i the unknown beyond. So he is trimly i yet strongly clad from/head to heel ; ; for the essence of his work is time ; he ' mUat be both swift and strong. Fire is not the only element against .which ! he must be protected"; for he "is" apt, ■, and indeed certain, to be drenched with j water when at work. As tons of water are burled at a flaming building cascades pour do wp ppon the brays feU lows working on the lower floors drenching them to the skin. Captain Shaw, who on :" busy nights" is all over London from fire to fire, has in a private and particular, bebrobm of his own — a sort of blue chamber, from which even Mrs Shaw is excluded — a regiment of uniforms to change about with after each particular soaking. All is orderly and methodical. On the floor is a row of jackboots staanding erect shoulder to shoulder like a well- : drilled regiment, and over them hangs ; raiment without end, all ready to haml at a moment's notice. — English Baper. '