"Fire-fighting on Land and Sea" Free Talk

Organised fire fighting dates back to Hong Kong’s earliest days and as more people came to live in the town and on the waters around, ways had to be found to extinguish fires wherever they sprung up. Using eye-witness accounts, stories from her family’s long association with the Fire Brigade, reports and pictures, Patricia O’Sullivan traces the early history of fire-control here, whether in the streets, on the sampans or on the merchant vessels. The talk covers the many private fire-brigades, the emergence of the government Fire Brigade in 1868, the various manual and steam engines and the floating fire engines, and closes as the Brigade gains its first specialist superintendent in 1922.

About the speaker:

Patricia O’Sullivan has been writing about Hong Kong’s vibrant history since 2010, initially uncovering long-forgotten family stories. The result, Policing Hong Kong - an Irish History, was published in April 2017. Many avenues of exploration were opened up by this, often involving the less-chartered waters of Hong Kong’s social history. The first result was Women, Crime and the Courts: Hong Kong 1841-1941. She has given many talks in Hong Kong, for Tai Kwun, Royal Asiatic Society, Orders and Medals Research Society amongst others. Her next books are on the First World War in Hong Kong.

In a previous life, Patricia worked for Hertfordshire Music Service, and is still actively involved in music and music education when at home. Her website is www.socialhistoryhk.com

Talk Details 

Date: 2 March 2024 (Saturday) 

Time: 15:00 - 16:00 

Venue: Hong Kong Maritime Museum

Language: English 

Fee: Free of Charge

Quota: 100 

Limited seats available on a first-come first-served basis