Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery

The Alexander Grantham (CN: 葛量洪號) was a fireboat of Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department that served from 1953 to 2002. It is preserved and on display for public visits as a testament to Hong Kong’s sea rescue services and shipbuilding industry of the 1950’s.

It is free to explore and you can hop onto the boat and go inside which will undoubtedly set young boys imaginations going wild. Whilst it is a bit out of the way, the area is peaceful and scenic with beautiful harbour views.

Nearby

There is a CityPlaza Mall featuring many shops and cafes including Starbucks. 10 min walk away is the Hong Kong Film Archive showcasing the history of Hong Kong cinema.

Nearby Hotel Pick

East Hong Kong – The four-star ultra-stylish East Hong Kong is located along Quarry Bay, just next to Tai Koo MTR Station and Cityplaza Mall. It features a 24-hour gym, pool, free WiFi and rooms include 37-inch flat-screen TV and an espresso machine.

Wikipedia Says

Public Display

The lifting of the 500-tonne historic boat onto land is the first project of its kind ever conducted in Asia. Alexander Grantham is also the first boat preserved as a historic relic in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Museum of History’s largest ‘Made in Hong Kong’ collection item. The landing of the Alexander Grantham marks the end of 50 years of service in Victoria Harbour, though the vessel remains on the waterfront in its new role. Construction of the exhibition gallery was performed with assistance from the Architectural Services Department and the Leisure & Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong.

A showcase of HK’s sea salvage history

Alexander Grantham, the largest in the fleet of fireboats, was built by the Hong Kong Whampoa Dock Company Limited in 1953 and decommissioned in May 2002, after 49 years of service. Measuring 38.9 metres long, 8.8 metres wide, 15 metres tall and with a loaded displacement of 511 tonnes, it has taken part in numerous fire-fighting and rescue operations, including the Seawise University fire in 1972, the Eastern Gate fire in the 1980s and the New Orient Princess fire in 1993.

Alexander Grantham is also a great example of the Hong Kong shipbuilding industry’s achievements in the early 1950s. It showcases Hong Kong’s sea salvage history of the past century and provides a glimpse of the territory’s social development.

Transportation

The fireboat is accessible within walking distance North-East from Tai Koo Station of the MTR.

Source: Wikipedia

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