Arthur Woolf

Arthur Woolf (born November 1766, Camborne, Cornwall; died October 26, 1837, Guernsey) was an English engineer.

He was baptized at Camborne in Cornwall on 4 November 1766, the eldest son of Arthur Woolf, a carpenter at Dolcoath Mine, and his wife, Jane Newton.

He was apprenticed to a carpenter at Pool, near Camborne, and after the expiry of his indentures he went to London

Woolf left Cornwall in 1785 to work for Joseph Bramah's engineering works in London. He worked there and at other firms as an engineer and engine builder until 1811, when he returned to Cornwall. Michael Loam, inventor of the man engine, was trained by him.

In 1803, Woolf obtained a patent on an improved boiler for producing high pressure steam. In 1805, he patented his best-known invention, a compound steam engine. Later the compound engine was known as machine de Woolf.

In 1813 and 1814 he erected steam stamps for crushing ore at Wheal Fanny, Redruth.

About 1814 he introduced his compound engine into the mines for the purpose of pumping, erecting engines at Wheal Abraham and Wheal Vor in 1814 and 1815.

In 1824 he erected engines at Wheal Busy

In 1825 he erected engines at Wheal Alfred and Wheal Sparnon

In 1827 he erected engines at Consolidated Mines.

From 1818 until May 1830 he was engineer at Consolidated Mines, and he was at various times consulting engineer to at least thirty Cornish mines.

At Wheal Abraham he established an informal school which produced notable local engineers such as Richard Jenkyn (c.1790–c.1860), Matthew Loam (1794–1875), and Michael Loam (1797–1872).

He also introduced improvements to Richard Trevithick's boiler design. His engines were, however, quickly superseded by Trevithick's high-pressure single-cylinder engine, which had the advantage of greater simplicity in construction.

From about 1816 until 1833 he acted as superintendent of Harveys of Hayle engine foundry.

He was also active as a civil engineer, and a notable construction was the swing-bridge he designed for the Penryn to Falmouth road.

Woolf's first wife died in 1830, aged sixty-seven, and on 15 June 1832 he married Emblin Vincent.

Arthur Woolf died at the Strand, Guernsey, on 26 October 1837.

Examples of Woolf compound rotative beam engines may be seen at Abbey Pumping Station and Claymills Pumping Station

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1838 Obituary

The Council have to regret the loss to the Institution by death of its Member, Arthur Woolf.

This distinguished individual was born at Camborne, in Cornwall.

He was a millwright, and in that capacity went to London, and was employed in Meux’s Brewery.

In 1804, he took out a patent for his Two Cylinder Engine, working high pressure steam in a small cylinder, and allowing it to expand in a large one.

When he first commenced erecting engines in Cornwall, he induced the proprietors of the Foundries to improve their machinery, that a better style of workmanship might be used in the manufacture of steam engines; and he introduced an improved Hornblower’s double beat valve.

The work done at the Consolidated Mines, proves him to have been a person of great talents. In October, 1814, the average duty of the engines in Cornwall was 204 millions-WoolPs engine at Wheal Abraham, however, performed 34 millions-and in December 1815, 52 millions ; and in May 1816, 57 millions; while the average duty of all the engines reported in Cornwall was 23 millions. In 1820, Mr. Woolf erected engines at the Consolidated Mines having cylinders of 90 inches in diameter, and a stroke of 10 feet -the most powerful that had ever been constructed.

In December, 1827, a trial took place with one of Woolfs 90-inch engines, and it performed a duty of 636 millions-the average duty of 47 engines reported in this year was 32 millions, For some years before his death he received a pension of &loo. a year from the propxietors of the Consolidated Mines.

His name is associated with the improvements in the drainage of the Cornish mines; and whatever share posterity maya ssign to his individual genius in these improvements, his name is recorded in the page of history among those who have dedicated their talents and the opportunities of a long life to the advancement of practical science.

See Also

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Sources of Information

• [1] Wikipedia
• A Short History of Naval and Marine Engineering by E. C. Smith. Published 1937
• [2] DNB