Joseph Thompson (Colne)
of Atlas Ironworks, Bridge Mill, Colne, Lancashire
1886 Joseph Thompson built a horizontal single cylinder engine for Holker Street Mill, Colne. This was compounded in 1904.
1887 Bridge Mill ceased to be used as a textile mill, and was then became Atlas Ironworks, run by partners Joseph Thompson and James Preston. From 1887 to 1904 they produced shafting and gearing and a small number of steam engines. The buildings were returned to use as a mill in 1910.
J Thompson made five engines made for Pendle textile mills between 1886 and 1893. These were for Holker Street Mill, Forest Shed (Trawden), Green Shed (Clone), New Shed (Foulridge), Victoria Mills (Nelson).
All the above information provided by G Shackleton[1]
1886 Made a horizontal engine for Holker Street Shed. Cylinder 21" bore, 2 ft 7" stroke. Designed to run at 85 rpm, but tested at 105 rpm,[2]
1888 Supplied a 130 HP engine and millwright's work to Forest Shed, Trawden, 'constructed on their system of direct driving, which dispenses with noisy gearing wheels, ropes or belts'. The engine was named 'Pollie'. Steel boiler made by Layfield and Son, Burnley. [3]
1902 'BIG FIRE AT COLNE. A FOUNDRY ABLAZE. Just after our last issue had gone to press last Thursday night a fire broke out at the Atlas Foundry, Burnley-road, Colne, occupied by Messrs. Joseph Thompson and Co. ....'[4]
1912 Sale notice: 'DERBY-STREET ENGINEERING WORKS, COLNE - MR. LUKE HARTLEY has received instructions from Mr. JOSEPH THOMPSON, who is retiring from business, to SELL by AUCTION, at the above address, on WEDNESDAY, September 18th. 1912, at 11 am prompt, the whole of his ENGINEERING PLANT, comprising Gardner's Engine, Upright Drilling Machine, six Sliding, Surfacing and Screw Cutting Lathes, with beds Irons 14ft. to 35ft. long; Key Bedding Machine, Punching and Shearing Machine, Screwing Machine, with Dies; Shaping Machine, 6ft. bed; Emery Wheel, Planing Machine, 6ft. bed; Wheel Moulding Machine, single Steam Hammer, Baker's Patent Blower, Shafting, Pullies, Pedestals and Belting, Weighing Machine, Grindstone, Anvil, Vices, Blacksmith's Tools, Travelling Cranes, Pulley Blocks and Chains, one 100-volt Dynamo; all the above machined are by well-known makers, and in good working order. Iron Patterns, Bolts and Nuts, etc. Office Furniture, comprising Desks, Chairs, Racks, Goods on view Tuesday, September 17th. For catalogues apply to the Auctioneer, North-street, Nelson.'[5]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ ’The Textile Mills of Pendle and their Steam Engines’ by Geoff Shackleton, Landmark Publishing Ltd, 2006
- ↑ Burnley Express - Saturday 15 May 1886
- ↑ Burnley Express - Wednesday 18 July 1888
- ↑ Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer and Clitheroe Division News - Friday 17 January 1902
- ↑ Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 16 September 1912