William Rose and Co
of Metropolitan Works, Oldfield Road, Salford
See also Mr. Rose of Manchester.
William Rose was born 25 Nov 1848, the son of William Rose (1795-1875) and his second wife Sarah.[1] His birth was registered in Manchester, but later census returns all show him born in Liverpool and this was around the time his parents moved there. He was baptised at Walton-on-the Hill, Liverpool 31 Aug 1849.
Little of his early life career has come to hand, though he was, in 1861, in boarding school in Neston, Cheshire. He married Helen Maria Blake on 23 Jun 1875, in Liverpool, described as a merchant.[2] William was subsequently described as an Engineer or Civil Engineer, and lived in Manchester. In light of what followed, it seems very likely that he worked for his much elder half brother Thomas Rose in the Fire Engine business established by their father, but this cannot be demonstrated.
1881 William Rose (the younger) succeeded to the business established by his father then continued by his half-brother Thomas. In June he advertised as follows: "William Rose and Co., (successors to Thomas Rose), Deansgate and Grosvenor Avenue, Manchester. Manufacturers of Fire Engines, Fire Escapes, Patent Woven Hose, and every description of Fire Extinguishing Appliances".[3]
1883 Directory, William Rose and Co., fire engine manufacturers, Grosvenor Buildings, Deansgate. Works Salford.[4]
1884 Advertising as makers of fire engines, fire escapes, hoses, etc. 'Established over 50 years'.
1888 A new company, Rose, Bray and Co Ltd, was registered to build fire escapes and fire extinguishing appliances. William Rose of the Metropolitan Works, Salford, was one of the promoters and directors. It was later stated that the intention was acquire the London business of William Rose & Co (at 143 Cannon Street, London) and George Bray & Co of Deptford Green, both manufacturers and dealers in fire escapes etc. The company was based in Deptford, and the Salford Works does not appear to have been involved. This venture failed in 1892 with losses and was wound up.[5]
By the 1890s, Rose had supplied over 100 fire brigades with horse-drawn manual fire engines, fire escapes, hose tenders and carts.
1893 Patent 6278 was applied for by O. P. Villhard, of William Rose and Co., Manchester, for improvements in fire escapes.[6]
1897 William Rose and Co built their first steam fire engines under the Metropolitan name.[7]
1902 They built their final steam fire engine.
1903 Directory entry – William Rose and Co., steam fire engine, fire escape and hose makers, Metropolitan Works, Oldfield Road, Salford. [8]
1903 25 Sep 1903 William Rose Hose Company registered with capital of £50,000 to adopt agreements between William Rose and Company Limited, the Leyland and Birmingham Rubber Company Limited, David Moseley and Sons Limited, and this company, and to carry on the business of engineers, manufacturers of fire hose, canvas hose, and all descriptions of hose piping, machine belting and straps, manufacturers of and dealers in fire engines, fire escapes, and other fire-extinguishing appliances. The signatories are:— W. Rose, Metropolitan Works, Salford; D. Moseley, Chapelfield Works, Ardwick; J. E. Baxter, Oaklands, Farington; G. R. Bates, Woodecroft, Stockport; E. D. Whittaker, Mount-street, Manchester; W. Taylor, City Road, Manchester; T. Mallinson, Broom Lane, Levenshulme. First directors included William Rose. [9]
By the time of the 1921 Census, William Rose had retired as a Director of the firm.
1974 The Metropolitan Works continued producing fire hoses until its eventual closure in 1974 [10]
Metropolitan Works is shown on the 1894 O.S. map[11] as located at the junction of Oldfield Road and Woden Street. A row of terraced houses separated the works from Woden Street, and these faced the works of John Cameron
A steam-driven fire pump at Bradford Industrial Museum is typical of the John Cameron type. Similar pumps were made by many companies, but in view of the proximity of Rose's and Cameron's works, it seems likely that this one was made by John Cameron.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Burke’s Family Records
- ↑ Burke’s Family Records and parish register
- ↑ Manchester Courier - 4 June 1881
- ↑ Slater's Directory of Manchester and Salford 1883
- ↑ Manchester Courier - 30 Jul 1888 and The Times - 13 Feb 1893
- ↑ Cotton Factory Times - 24 Mar 1893
- ↑ British Steam Fire Engines By Ronald Henderson
- ↑ Slater’s Directory of Manchester and Salford 1903
- ↑ Manchester City News - 7 Nov 1903
- ↑ [1]Steel Wheels website: Worldwide Steam Fire Engine Register
- ↑ 'The Godfrey Edition Old Ordnance Survey Town Plans: Lancashire Sheet 104.10: Manchester (SW) 1894': [2]