Samuel Grose
Samuel Grose (1791-1866), Somerset-born of Cornish parents, built several notable engines and played a prominent part during the duty race from 1820-30, and four years before his death an advertisement of one of the many engines built by him described him as "the oldest and most scientific engineer in Cornwall"
c1812 Employed by Richard Trevithick to erect a high-pressure engine at Wheal Prosper
1866 Obituary. Involved in the improvements to the Cornish engine starting with the Wheal Hope Mine in 1825 and the Wheal Lowan Mine in 1827.
Died at his home in Gwinear, Cornwall.
Obituary [1]
IT is with much regret we announce the death of Mr. S. Grose, who is well known for his labours in bringing the Cornish engine to that state of excellence in which it now exists.
He died at his residence at Gwinear, at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. W. Husband, of Hayle, a gentleman who was intimately acquainted with him, and who for a great many years has been brought in frequent contact with him in the execution of his professional duties, speaks of him (in a communication to us) as a man of great ability and sound judgment, very unassuming in his manners, and highly respected as an authority on engineering questions. He was engineer to some of the principal mines in Cornwall up to the time of hie death.
In 1825 Mr. S. Grose first introduced clothing the cylinders, nozzles, steam pipes, &c., in an engine at Wheal Hope mine, and in 1827 he carried out his plans in an 80in. engine at Wheal Lowan mine; he also increased the pressure of steam there, obtaining from this engine a duty of 60,000,000. His engines were always characterised by a strict attention to detail, which displayed a keen discernment on the part of the designer.
We had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and much admired his kind disposition and unpretending manners. He lived not to astonish the world with very brilliant discoveries, but he "Did good by stealth and blushed to find it fame", and left the world bequeathing to engineering science his improvements in the Cornish engine, which rank first in importance since the time of Trevithick and Wolf.
See Also
Sources of Information
- The Cornish beam Engine by D. B. Barton. Published 1969. ISBN 1-8711060-04-4