John Wood and Co (of Sowerby Bridge)
of Sowerby Bridge, Yorks.
Succeeded by Wood Brothers.
Cotton-spinning and engineering company founded at Lock Hill, Sowerby Bridge in 1847 (1845 according to Wood Bros advert). In 1850, John Wood took over the cotton-spinning business, and his brother Richard the engineering business. After a fire in 1880, the company moved to Valley Iron Works.[1]
1862 'On Friday last week the new and powerful engine, constructed by Messrs. Wood, of Sowerby-bridge, for the two mills in the Colne-road, known as tbe "Britannia Mills" — one of which is now being filled with machinery, and the other is in course of erection — was formally named and started, in the presence of a goodly number of the friends of the proprietor, Mr. Joseph Hopkinson. .... The cylinder is 40 inches in diameter, with a 60-inch, or five feet, stroke — being by far the largest engine of this construction erected in this neighbourhood, or within a very considerable distance. It is in fact, as to diameter of cylinder and form of construction, similar to the engines recently constructed by the most eminent steam machinists in Britain for the iron-plated vessels now in course of construction iv the Government dock-yards — the intention of the Government in giving orders for these particular engines being to have the finest and most effective specimens of steam engine mechanism ever produced. In tbe Huddersfield engine, however, the length of stroke is nearly double that of the Government engines to which we have alluded. The gigantic machine is in appearance of the most substantial — nay, formidable, character. For massiveness and strength there is nothing equal to it or anything nearly approaching to it, in this district; and the setting in motion of the ponderous mass by the opening of a valve by a mere youth, was suggestive of the magnitude of those mechanical achievments which have placed such mighty agent under such absolute control. The ease and truth of the motion of the piston in the cylinder, and of the working of all the other parts of the engine, were indeed equally astonishing and admirable. The valves admitting steam to the cylinder are on the upper side of that portion of the engine, and are so constructed, that, in case of derangement the whole of the parts, when uncovered, are at once underneath the eye, and can thus be easily examined and repaired. In connection with these valves there is another of peculiar construction — a circular revolving "expansion," or "cut-off" valve. This is so constructed as to enable the attendant of the engine to cut-off the steam at any portion of the stroke — the general intention being to work the engine with the steam on at full pressure for 15 inches of the 60, or one-fourth of the entire length of the stroke ; when it will be "cut-off" by the expansion valve, the piston being impelled the rest of the stroke by the expansive force of the steam admitted during the first 15 inches of the traverse. By a very simple arrangement, means are provided to enable the attendant, at any time, by merely working a screw, to apply the full force of the steam to the piston for the whole length of the stroke, thus obviating the objection which is often urged against "cut-off" valves creating difficulties in the first starting of the engine. Another peculiarity of the engine is, that it has two air pumps attached, instead of one ; and these are so arranged that the one balances, as it were, tho other, and prevents the unequal strain and weight upon the engine which, under the ordinary working of tbe air pump, is found to accrue. These air pumps also, instead of being buried beneath the bed of the engine, are immediately under the eye, and every part is easily accessible. Throughout the whole construction, great care has been taken to keep up a balance of the parts. Thus, the connecting-rod from the piston to the fly-wheel — a most formidable forging — instead of being attached to a mere crank, as is usual, works on a large crank-plate, or circular wheel, which not only performs all the functions of a crank, but has also had provided within it, by heavy masses of lead run into apertures on the op- posite edge and side of the plate to that on which the crank- pin is affixed, the means of balancing that heavy connecting rod, so that the weight of this part of the machine is equalised for all portions of the revolution. Thus it is also, with all other parts of the engine. The boilers — or rather boiler— is also of a peculiar construction. It is composed of five cylindrical tubes three feet six inches in diameter, with the fires beneath the under surface. Tbe pressure is therefore all internal to the diameter. To obtain extent of heating surface, there is a peculiar adjunct to each tube, descending from the tube, and forming the sides of the furnace. These adjuncts are continued tho whole length of each tube, and form the sides of the flues as well as the furnace. From this arrangement it is expected that important economical results will bo obtained. Another advantage of this peculiarity of form and construction, is the almost impossibility of deposit in the boiler on the parts exposed to fire. The brick flues of the boiler, at the far end, and on the side leading to the chimney-stack, are of very large capacity — so large that a man may travel up them with a wheelbarrow. Rather different this to those flues along which poor diminutive sweeps are obliged to crawl for the purpose of cleansing them. In the one which passes along the end of the boiler are three lines of pipes, three inches in diameter, through which the water from the hot well in connection with the air pump passes on its way to the boiler, and is thus exposed to an intense heat. In the side flue there is fixed a long cylindrical tube, 24 inches in diameter, to be used as a super-heater. Into this tube the steam from the boiler is admitted in its passage to the engine, and is thus also exposed to an intense heat. The temperature of the steam is thereby considerably increased, thus adding to its impelling force ; for the pressure exerted is in proportion to the temperature. In fact, in the economy of the steam engine temperature and pressure are convertible terms. There are many other peculiarities in connection with the boiler and the engine which, when the entire construction has had a fair chance of exhibiting results, we may take an opportunity of noticing somewhat minutely. The "nominal" power of the engine is, we believe, 57-horse ; but such is the strength of the construction, and the calculation of parts relatively one to the other, that it may be worked up to 450 actual or "indicated" horse power ! In the course of the after proceedings to the ceremony spoken of above, the maker of the engine declared to the company assembled, that the engine would perform all the work which both the mills could provide for it, with comparative ease ; — without being in any appreciable degree in that state termed "loaded;" and he jocularly advised Mr. Hopkinson to induce the owners of the adjoining mill (Messrs. John Taylor and Sons,) to take up their own engine, or discontinue its use, and have a shaft from the "James Watt." After the engine had been thus formally started, the company, many of whom were connected with engine building, or with extensive mill works either at home or at a distance, repaired to a room of the mill to partake of Mr. Hopkinson's hospitality, ....'[2]
1866 Supplied a vertical engine to Pendlestone Mill, Bridgnorth, where it worked until c.1932. Cylinder 27" bore, 3ft 6" stroke. Photographed by George Watkins.[3]
1873 Advert for sale of costly plant and machinery at Lock Hill Foundry & Engineering Works. Included about 40 tons of moulding boxes, core barrels, pulley, plates, moulders' tools, four ladles, from 1 to 6 1/2 tons; Scott's wheel moulding machine, to mould wheels from l0in, to 12ft. in diameter, 30slide, screw-cutting, end turning lathes from 6ft bed up in 40ft. bed, by F. Berry and Sons, Darling and Sellers, Ackroyd and Co , Buck and Watkin, and other eminent makers; a costly gap lathe, 9ft. in gap, 34ft, bed, 7ft. 2in. face plate, 32in. centres, will take in 24ft. 6ins., and weighs upwards of twenty tons, four planing machines, .... by F. Berry and Sons, J. Wood and Co., and Ackroyd and Co. (Ackroyd and Platt?) Bolt and nut turning lathe, boring and drilling machines, double and single gear, by M. and H. Hodgson and Ackroyd and Co.; shearing and punching machines screwing machines, double geared to screw from 7/8in. to 2in., and from 3/8 to 1 1/8in., with hollow spindle, by Buck and Watkin, Radial drilling michins, three slotting machines, .... by F. Berry and Sons, Etherington [Hetherington?] and Co., and Buck and Watkin, Cotter-hole cutting and boring machine, double geared, table 4ft. by 1ft. 4in., will travel 11in., 12in. rise;. shaping machines, .... both by Smith, Beacock and Tannett, Boring Machine for engine cylinders up to 46in. in diameter, 7ft. stroke, spindle 11ft. 6in long, and 9 inches diameter, with boring heeds complete, three extra spindles and boring heads, bolt making machine, with four motions, from 1/4in. to 1 1/4in. by Platt Brothers; three travelling cranes, up to ten tons, 17ft. 6in, span; five swing cranes, from four tons up to ten tons; six pillar swing cranes, up to five tons; 15cwt. steam hammer, by Nasmyth and Co., a 5 cwt, steam hammer, by Joy and Co.; double and single smiths' hearths, 21 vices, circular saw benches, weighing-machines, from ten cwt. up to ten tons; about ten tons of various tools, 20 tons of bar iron, 20 tons of pig and scrap iron, contents of brass foundry, brass castings, old brass, copper, files, steel bars, oils, paint, tallows, nuts, bolts, and general stores: powerful three and four sheave wrought-iron blocks, ropes and chains, models for spur, bevel, and mitre wheels, pullies, fly spur wheels and spur gearing, beam engine models, from 15 to 90-horse-power: do. for horizontal engines, from 10 to 60-horse; and for vertical engines, from 5 to 50-horse; also for corn mill, gearing, and millwright work of a very heavy class; ......'[4]