Ridsdale Iron Works
of Corsenside, Northumberland
1849 Partnership dissolved: 'Robert Pow, John Fawcus, Ralph Wylam, Edward Glynn, and Jacob Rltson, Ridsdale Iron Works, Corsenside, Northumberland, iron merchants (so far as regards Jacob Ritson)'[1]
1853 Sale Notice: 'TO COLLIERY OWNERS, ENGINEERS, RAILWAY CONTRACTORS, FOUNDRY PROPRIETORS, MILLWRIGHTS, BLACKSMITHS, &c. RIDSDALE IRON WORKS, IN THE COUNTY OF NORTHUMBERLAND. TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION.
MR. THOS. BLANDFORD having been honoured with Instructions from the Ridsdale Iron Company, to SELL BY AUCTION, the Whole of their Extensive PLANT of STEAM ENGINES, BOILERS, AIR RECEIVERS, MACHINERY, RAILS. CHAIRS, and FOUNDRY UTENSILS, which are now removed for the Convenience of Sale to a Field near the Railway Station at Corbridge, on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway.
The Sale is fixed to take place on Monday the 31st Day of October, and Tuesday and Wednesday, the 1st and 2nd Day of November, 1853, at Eleven o'Clock of each Day.
The Engines comprise One 50-Horse Power Condensing Beam Engine, Cylinder 31 Inches. Stroke 6 Feet, Length of Beam 18 Feet 6 Inches, and Pumping Beam 20 Feet; Two Condensers 20½ Inches, Length 4 Feet 8 Inches; Boiler Pump and Hand Gear; 20-Horse Horizontal Engine Tubular Boiler. 2 Cylinders 8 Inches, Length of Stroke 19 Inches, Spur Wheel and Fly Wheel, ..... 12-Horse Horizontal Engine, Tubular Boilers, Cylinder 9 Inches, Length of Stroke 18 Inches, Fly Wheel and Drum, fit up for Pumping and Drawing. Two Boilers, Egg Ends, 28 Feet by 7 Feet; One 31 Feet 6 Inches by 7 Feet; One 27 Feet by 7 Feet ; One 22 Feet by 6 Feet; and Two Square Ends Tubular Boilers 21 Feet Feet, with Steam Mountings; One Air-Receiver Feet Long by 7 Feet; 20 Yards of Malleable Iron Air Pipes 24 Inches Diameter; .... Catalogues will be ready next Week, and may be had on Application to George Forster, Esq. Conside Iron Works Office, ....' [2]
1863 'PRELIMINARY ADVERTISEMENT. RIDSDALE IRON WORKS AND ESTATE, Of about 182 Acres of Improvable Land, contiguous to the Line of the Wansbeck Valley Railway, in conjunction with the Border Counties Line>
Mr. Donkin, being honoured with a commission to effect a SALE of this ESTATE, in the Month of June, will, in due Time, give Particulars of the Capabilities of the Soil, the Extent of the Iron Smelting Plant, and of the Iron produced, showing its Superiority over Fourteen of the best Maakes in Existence. Every Information in the Meantime will be given by J. W. Swimburne, Esq., Solicitor. Gateshead: or by Mr. Donkin.
Bywell, Felton, April 29, 1863.'[3]
1863 'Sir William Armstrong has purchased the Ridsdale Iron Works, near Bellingham (formerly the property of Mr. George Foster), which will in active operation in a few weeks.'[4]