Maker of chain cables and anchors.
1863 Acquired Swalwell Works
1875 Boiler explosion. [1]
1892 'POW AND FAWCUS. Your correspondent T. R. Y., of North Shields, in his communication to you stated that his grandfather had not been over well treated by the shore firm. I will endeavour to show that such was not the case. John Robinson, of North Shields. was without doubt the inventor of the patent windlass. He was a man of very great inventive genius, but, unfortunately, had little business capacity. He first of all invented the tooth-purchase windlass for Tyzack and Dobson, of North Shields ; but as they and he could not agree, he invented the nipping-lever purchase windlass for Pow and Fawcus, of the same town, they agreeing to be content with the profit of manufacture, and allow Mr. Robinson a commission upon every windlass sold. Mr. Robinson tried to sell them himself, but did not succeed in doing so, and Pow and Fawcus, having had for many years previously an extensive connection with shipbuilders all over Europe, pushed the windlasses into the market for him. Before the expiration of the patent they had sold some thousands of them, for every one of which Mr. Robinson received his commission. But as far as I can learn, be begrudged Pow and Fawcus their profit, although they had to run all risk. Mr. Robinson invented many other things, but I am of opinion that he never made a penny by any one of them except the windlass ; and had he not met such good business people to assist him, he would probably have never made a penny by that. He, however, lived to a ripe old age on the proceeds of his invention. I write the above in no controversial spirit, but only in vindication of a firm who, when in existence, were respected by all who did business with them.
R. F, Waugh, Kirkcaldy, N.B. [2]
The foundry was out of use before 1894 and the site was then occupied by a brewer.