Firefighting Practice at Esquimalt

In ports like Esquimalt, which hosted facilities and ships loaded with flammable fuel and explosive ordnance, firefighting practice was an important part of preventing disasters.

Fires could spread quickly on shore or aboard ship, taking lives and damaging vessels and equipment. A small vessel and a barge are practicing with fire hoses (right), while firefighters and their truck also hustle into action (bottom right). This painting is one of many works by Rowley Murphy, who was appointed as an official war artist in May 1943 and depicted numerous scenes of west coast naval activity.

Firefighting Practice at Esquimalt
Painted by Rowley Murphy in 1943
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-2391