MacAdam, Brothers and Co: Water Turbines
Note: This is a sub-section of MacAdam, Brothers and Co
MacAdam, Brothers and Co made water turbines of the Fourneyron-type.
William Cullen (of Armagh) had travelled to France to learn more about this type of machine. Benoit Fourneyron was uncooperative, but Cullen visited Fourneyron's model maker, the foundry which produced Fourneyron's castings, another turbine-manufacturing company, and a lecturer in hydraulics. He was able to glean sufficient information to build and test models, and this gave him the confidence to embark on the design of large scale turbines. Cullen and Robert MacAdam joined forces to produce the machines for sale. The first machine was installed in a linen bleach mill at Mullaghmore in 1850.[1] [2].
1850 'THE IMPROVED TURBINES OR HORIZONTAL WATER-WHEELS.
THE SUBSCRIBERS ARE PREPARED to undertake the erection of Turbine Water Wheels of the improved construction, and for any height of fall. - Reference can be given to several powerful ones now at work in this neighbourhood, which they have lately erected. M'ADAM, BROTHERS, & Co., Engineers, Soho Foundry. Belfast, November, 1850.'[3]
1869-70 A large Fourneyron-type turbine was supplied to Catteshall Mill on the River Wey at Godalming. It developed approx 50 HP at 25 rpm. It ran until the 1960s, and when the site was redeveloped in 1981 the main components were saved for preservation. They were moved to Ironbridge, where they can be seen in the yard at the Enginuity Museum.