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Merryweather 'Valiant' engines. This model was the company's answer to the British Government's request for a steam pump that was sufficiently portable to allow it to be taken ashore on a boat, and powerful enough to quickly fill the tanks of warships. It had been put forward by the Captain of H.M.S 'Valiant' and pushed forward by the Admiralty. Merryweather more than fulfilled the request producing an engine that came in three sizes, the smallest of which weighed just 7cwt. with an of output that ranged from 100gpm for the No1 size upto 260gpm for the No3 size. The No2 delivered 200gpm.


Woudse
1943 Merryweather 'Valiant'.



I know little of the history, or use, of 'Woudse'. This 'Valiant' is one of two that I photographed at the Bedfordshire Steam and Country Fayre in September 2001. Included in displays was a Steam Fire engine Spectacular which hosted the greatest number of steam fire engines that I have ever seen in one place. A wonderful display. This engine has been fitted with a new boiler and is managed by Stichting Historisch Brandweermaterieel (SHB) in Holland.


Great Yarmouth
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1918 Merryweather 'Valiant'.


This example of a Valiant was purchased in February 1918, by 1918 Great Yarmouth Port and Haven Commisioners for washing down fish wharfs. It remained in use until May 1949 and is now on display in the town's 'Tower and Curing Works Museum'. Another example of the various uses to which this versatile engine was put to use.
My thanks to Norfolk Museum and Archaeology Service for the above details.


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Merryweather 'Valiant'.




Photograph forwarded to me by a correspondent. Sadly he was unable to give the use to which it was put or its history except that it is now on display in a Yorkshire railway museum.


Shrewsbury
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Merryweather 'Valiant'.




A four wheeled example of a 'Valiant' on display at Shrewsbury fire HQ.


Grodon Brillie
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Merryweather 'Valiant'.
This really is a superb fire engine. A 'Valiant' No 2 steam pump mounted on a 1907 Gordon Brillie chassis. This conversion, from chauffeur driven charter car to fire fighting vehicle, was carried out around 1913. The steamer itself had previously been fitted on a Conventry Humber chassis so it was not its first motorised employment. As well as fire fighting duties it has also doubled up as a crop sprayer and in 1938 appeared in the film 'Fire Cracker'. It was acquired by Lord Montague in 1956 who now has it on show at his world famous National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hampshire.
My thanks to the staff at the museum for the above imformation, and the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service for the photograph.


Bressingham
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Merryweather 'Valiant'.





On show at Bressingham.

North Ings Farm Museum, Lincoln, have by all accounts two Merryweather Valiants in their collection.

Two Valiant merryweather pumps in Belgium:
Daniel Vierman of Eeklo has one in as new working order and there is also one in the "Bakkersmolen" collection at Wildert north of Antwerp.