R. and J. Rankin

Arched cast iron bridge, known as Kitty Bridge (Manchester), over the Rochdale Canal at Ancoats, Manchester, near junction of Henry St and Redhill St (formerly Union St)

A rank of Rankin cranes at the Albany Building (1856), Ormond Street, Liverpool

Cast iron lintel over basement windows on the Albany Building, to prevent damage when using the cranes to move goods in and out of the basement

Richard and John Rankin of Union Foundry, Spitalfields, Liverpool (1848, 1857); of 46 Manchester Street, Liverpool (office, 1849, 1857, 1905); of Commercial Road, near Sandhills Station, Liverpool (1883)

See Richard Rankin and John Rankin

Ironfounders. Wide range of products, including cranes, small bridges, structural ironwork.

Wharf crane at the covered wharf at the 'Weavers Triangle', Burnley, on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Photos here.

Structural ironwork for Eanam Wharf, Blackburn, on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Photos here.

1849 Advertising as sole manufacturers of Grimes' patent smut machine, or wheat cleaner

An 1860s Rankin portable engine has survived in Australia

1864 Produced the iron castings for the North Gate Bridge, Cork.

1866 Richard, John and Henry Rankin and Henry Pearson recorded as Debtors in the London Gazette

1868 'CLAIM FOR THE VALUE OF PROPERTY IN PRESTON-STREET. A reference was opened yesterday, at the sheriff's court, St. George's Hall, as to the value of a portion of the premises situate in Preston-street, the property of Messrs. Richard and John Rankin, ironfounders, and required for the new street being now made from Temple-court to Manchester-street. ..... Messrs. Rankin entered upon the Union Foundry in the year 1846; .... Mr. Henry Rankin, of the firm of R. and J. Rankin, was examined, and stated that the Union Foundry originally lay between Manchester-street and Spitalfields, and they had had possession of premises there since 1846. Subsequently they took a 75 years' lease of a piece of land situate on the west side of Preston-street, and in the year 1857 a block of land now in question, for the purpose of extending their premises. ... They had made girders up to 120 feet, but more frequently they were from 87 feet to 94 feet. During the last and the previous year the trade became very dull. They manufactured in the years 1864 and 1865 at their foundry 4285 tons of iron girders and roofinq, including 1428 tons in spans of 80 feet and upwards. On that class of work the profit was not less than 30s. per ton. From Shawhill-street to the extreme point the length of the block was 127 feet, and, if the part to be taken by the corporation were deducted it would be 88 feet. .....'. Note: The area concerned is in central Liverpool, a short distance north west of St. George's Hall.

1937 Engineers and tool manufacturers.

The 1890/1893 25" O.S. map here shows the Union Foundry on a surprisingly small site in the Sandhills district of Liverpool, between the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and Commercial Road, close to Sandhills Bridge. It was, however, longer than its predecessor, the main building being 190 ft north to south. Blocks of flats now occupy the site.

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