Middlesbrough Fire Boat

[Rivoldini]

This was one of 20 'Estuarial' boats ordered in 1941 by the Governments Office of Works for service in the Thames and Mersey Estuaries.
10 to be built by Messrs Taylor of Chertsey and 10 by Messrs Curtis of Looe. The engines were imported from America.

Delivery commenced in 1943 but Curtis could not complete the order owing to priority Admiralty work so the balance of 4 went to Curtis. By the time they were all completed, in 1944, there was not much use for them on the Thames and they were delivered to other principal ports in the UK.