Blaze heroes will not be forgotten
It was 1890 – a very different age and a very different Newcastle. Local historian STEVE ELLWOOD has delved into a Victorian tragedy that unfolded in the city more than 130 years ago. The loss of three firemen killed in the line of duty was a major news story at the time, but the tragedy has long slipped from memory. Here he recalls what happened and locates the memorial that was erected in honour of the the firefighters
ON Tuesday, September 23, 1890, a fire broke out at Mosley Street, Newcastle, in the basement of Morgan and Swan – a chemical, photographic and electrical manufacturers. The blaze would lead to the death of three firemen. Today, located in St John’s Cemetery, Elswick, is a memorial to the men who lost their lives more than 130 years ago.
It was four o’clock in the afternoon when the staff of Mawson and Swan discovered a large jar of nitric acid had exploded and a fire was raging in the building.
After attempting to use the business’s own fire extinguishing apparatus, they called for the services of the fire brigade at Thornton Street
Arriving at Mosley Street, the brigade’s first fireman to enter was London-born William Murphy, a 20-year veteran of service in both London and Newcastle.
Very quickly he was overcome with fumes created by the nitric acid and had to be taken back to Thornton Street fire station.
Two further firemen, James Grey and William Bowey were also transported to Thornton Street suffering from breathing difficulties. The fire was put out by five o’clock.
Later that night Murphy and Grey succumbed to the effects of nitric acid poisoning and passed away.
Bowey was thought to be recovering from the fumes but died on October 11.
On September 25, Murphy and Grey were buried at St John’s Cemetery, Elswick.
A cortege including representatives of the police accompanied the coffins borne on a horse-drawn fire engine through great crowds on the route from Thornton Street to Elswick.
At the funeral service mention was made of “two brave fellows who met their death in the unswerving pursuit of their dangerous duties.”
On October 14 Bowey would be buried in his home town of Bamburgh, Northumberland, being interred in St Aidan’s churchyard.
His coffin was also borne by a horse-drawn fire engine, travelling in a cortege through crowded Newcastle streets from the fire station to Central Station.
Then it was taken by train to Belford, where it was met by a local fire brigade engine drawn by two horses and taken to Bamburgh.
Frederick Charles Tiplady is also remembered on the Fire Brigade Memorial at Elswick. He died in service when he fell under the wheels of an appliance on the way to a fire in April 1896.
■ ■STEVE Ellwood hails from Westerhope. He is a local historian, photographer, Newcastle City Guide, and member of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle.
His three books – River Tyne; Newcastle in 50 Buildings and 50 Gems of Northumberland – are published by Amberley.