R. S. Bagnall and Sons

of South Hylton Forge and Engineering Works, Sunderland, the Winlaton Iron Works, Blaydon-on-Tyne, and the High Forge, Swalwell.

1822 Company established by Richard Siddoway Bagnall

1900 Incorporated as a Limited Company.

1902 'TO BE LET, from 13th May, 1902, the "HIGH FORGE," near Swalwell, at present in the occupation of Messrs R. S. Bagnall and Sons. The Forge is close to Swalwell Station on the Newcastle and Consett Railway, and has water power as well as steam.—Apply to Mr Wm. T. Bolam, 4, Summerhill Terrace, Newecastle-upon-Tyne, from whom permission to view the Forge may be obtained.'

1913 'A NEW INDUSTRY, CHAIN-MAKING BY MECHANICAL PROCESS. During the past half-century the North-East of England has gained not a few new and lucrative industries. One that it has lost is the chain-making industry, which flourished for hundreds of years, until the low wages paid in.the Midlands rendered the north-east unable to compete. So far back as 1760 the old north-country name of Bagnall was indentified with chain-making, and now, at the present time, a direct descendant of the family, Mr R. S. Bagnall, has succeeded in interesting a local syndicate in the purchase of the British rights of the celebrated Lelong process of chain manufacture, the erection of the necessary plant and the development of the process.
As a result a company, backed by the strongest of shipping interests, has been formed to lay down works at Hylton, near Sunderland, and commercially develop the manufacture of chains. It is confidently believed that when the new conditions are properly carried out, great strides in the manufacture of chains will be made.
There can be no doubt that chains to-day need to be bigger and stronger for the extraordinary strain required in modern shipping has made increased bulk absolutely necessary. It is contended by those who know that it is humanly impossible to make certain of a perfect weld in these huge, handwelded chain links, and it is equally certain that the supply of skilled labour cannot be maintained. Hitherto many schemes have been tried on the lines of making weldless chains, but without success, the plant in every case being heavy, complicated, and costly. The virtue of the Lelong process lies in the fact that the old and tried principle of manufacture has been adhered to, with the labour and uncertainty eliminated.'. The business was named the British Chain Manufacturing Co, and was in liquidation by 1916.

1914 Engineers, Forgemasters and Chain, Cable and Anchor Manufacturers. Specialities: Stern and Rudders Frames up to fifteen tons weight, Anchors and Accessories.

1925 Purchased by George Slater.

See Also

Loading...