Milton Iron Works
near Barnsley
1823 'Chain Bridges — Two Suspension Chain Bridges have just been finished at the Milton Iron Works, near Rotherham, which are well worthy of the attention of the curious and scientific. The workmanship is admirable. One of these is a bridge of two arches, the other of one arch ; each span is a hundred and thirty - five feet. We have been told that they are for exportation, and will not remain long on the premises.'[1]. Note: These were designed by Marc Isambard Brunel for the French Government, and shipped to the Isle of Bourbon (now called La Réunion).
1823 'The two suspension bridges, constructed of iron, at Milton Iron Works, by Messrs. Hartop & Co. and which are intended for the Island of Bourbon, still continue to attract unprecedented numbers, to witness their formation; amongst the names which have been handed to us we observe that of Mons. Louis Jacques, the celebrated French giant, who expressed himself astonished at their magnitude. Mons. L. afterwards partook of dinner at the Grange, the seat of Lieut.-General Lord Howard of Effingham, G.C.B. with a select party.'[2]
1840 (In an 1857 legal case about proprietary designs of lathes it was stated that) the lathes at Milton Works "...begun to work in November, 1840. That it was used for turning and boring wheels...."[3] as observed by W. Crossley, Junior
1843 Report on experiments on cast and malleable iron by David Mushet.
1845 the Cromford Canal Co ordered Graham and Company of the Milton Iron Works, Elsecar to build a 70 horsepower engine, to cost £1,965 and which would be ready for work in July of that year.
1845 Thomas Horsley was appointed engineer and manager. As well as iron for the Sheffield steel makers, large engines and large pumping engines for mines, drainage, etc were manufactured there. Also made the hydraulic presses for lifting the Conway tubular bridge, which were afterwards used also for lifting one end of the Menai tubular bridge.
1851 Graham and Co were still operating from Milton Iron Works
c.1856 Produced the castings for the cast iron Ball Street Bridge, Sheffield[4]
1859 William Henry and George Dawes, ironmasters, needed ore for their works at Milton and Elsecar, near Barnsley, and took trial quantities of the newly discovered Frodingham ironstone.
1878 George Dawes was described as being of "Milton Iron Works" when his brother William died[5]
See Also
Sources of Information
- Mechanics Magazine Volume XXXIX (39) 1843 Pt2 p280