Frederick Levick (1803-1867)
1856 of the Blaina and Cwm Celyn Iron Works
1868 Obituary [1]
FREDERICK LEVICK was born in London on 3rd July 1803, and commenced his career in 1825 at the Chillington Iron Works near Wolverhampton, and afterwards managed the Spring Vale Iron Works in the same district until 1844, when he went into Monmouthshire to take charge of the Blaina and Cwm Celyn Iron Works.
In these works he shortly afterwards acquired a share, and in 1858 became proprietor of the whole of the works, in conjunction with his son-in-law, Mr. Robert Simpson, with whom he carried on the works till his death.
He was one of the first to carry out successfully the utilisation of the waste gas from blast furnaces, which he commenced in 1849, and a description of the method employed for taking off the gas at Cwm Celyn was given to this Institution in Mr. Blackwell's paper on the subject in 1852; the make of the furnaces was also largely increased by Mr. Levick about the same time to 270 tons per week from each furnace.
He was the first to roll the Barlow rail, of which for many years he made large quantities, rolling some as heavy as 100 lbs. per yard and 27 feet long. During the 23 years that he had the control of these works he got them into a very perfect condition, and brought up the make of iron to a very large amount; but in the last three years of his life he suffered very heavy reverses, which told seriously on his health; and he was in a weak state for some time previous to his death, which took place at Mr. Simpson's residence in Buckinghamshire on 5th November 1867 at the age of 64.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1856.