Muirkirk Iron Works
1789 One of the large ironworks constructed in Scotland about this time
William Cadell, Junior was a founder partner of the Muirkirk Iron Works.
Very early it went into the manufacture of bar iron, almost as good as Swedish iron.
For many years concentrated on hammered iron, which set a challenge that the South Wales mills responded to in developing their rolled iron[1]
1817 Notice announcing that it was for sale and mentioned a railway weighing 300 tons of iron for conveying the coal from the pits to the yard. Notice gave details of the facilities at the works. [2] [3] [4]
1825 'At Calder iron-works there are four blast furnaces; in Wilsontown, two; in Carron, five; Clyde, two; Shotts, one; Clelland, two; Muirkirk, three; Devon, two. These furnaces make, on an average, thirty-five tons of iron week each, when working.'[5]
1851 "THE Subscribers have ceased to be Partners of The MUIRKIRK IRON COMPANY; — the Subscriber, James Ewing of Strathleven, having retired therefrom as on the 10th of September 1849; and the Subscriber, Robert Napier, Engineer, Glasgow, having retired therefrom on the 6th of March 1845, — both with the consent of their Copartners." Signed JA. EWING, witnesses A. C. DAVIDSON, JAMES E. MATHIESON, and R. NAPIER, witnesses JAMES S. NAPIER, JOHN NAPIER[6]
c.1851 John Wilson (1787-1851) purchased the Muirkirk Works, in Ayrshire, comprising two furnaces and a rolling-mill, which manufactured the rails.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Clydebridge Steel Work history