Union Foundry (Bradford)
of Bradford, Yorkshire
1849 'Poderous Beam of Iron. — Yesterday afternoon, a waggon, draw by eleven horses, left the foundry of Messrs. Crosland, in this town, bearing towards its destination a ponderous beam of iron stretching nearly 60 feet, and weighing nearly 15 tons. It is intended as one of four beams which are to form part of an iron bridge across the Oxford canal, on the Great Northern Railway. The huge, long, and heavy load attracted the gaze of a numerous crowd as it left the town. — Bradford Observer.' [1]
1849 'Enormous Railway Girders — On Thursday last, two extremely massive cast-iron girders were removed from the premises of Mr. Robert Crosland, the Union Foundry. Bradford. They each measured upwards of 51 feet in length by 4 in depth, and weighed nearly 16 tons each. They are intended for use in the construction of a bridge over the Chesterfield canal, on the line of the Great Northern Railway near Bawtry. The transit of these enormous castings through the town of Bradford was effected by means of a heavy waggon drawn by a team of twelve horses, and excited considerable attention.'[2]
1865 'The Leeds district has for some time past been gradually monopolising the large contracts for wrought iron girders for bridges, large screws for steamers, blocks of cast iron for steam hammer beds, and other large castings for machinery. Some difficulty has hitherto been experienced in loading heavy goods of this description into railway trucks. The Great Northern Railway have, therefore, lately fixed in their goods' yard an "overhead" traversing crane, capable of lifting 30 tons and upwards. It consists of two large wrought iron box girders—the breaking weight of each of which is 120 tons—resting on two massive piers of brickwork, 20 feet high, supporting a powerful crab, which traverses a length of 62 feet, spanning two two lines of railway. The girders and crab were manufactured by Mr. Robert Crosland, Union Foundry, Bradford.' [3]
1866 Advertisement: 'The Union Foundry, Bradford.— Notice is Hereby Given that the Union Foundry situate in Manchester Road, in Bradford, and also the business of Engineer and Ironfounder, recently carried on there by the Executors of the late Robert Crosland, deceased, under the style or firm of Robert Crosland, have been recently purchased by and are now the property of Mr. JOSEPH CLIFF, of the same place, Engineer and Ironfounder, for many years past trading at the Bradford Old Foundry under the firm of "J. and T. Cliff."
All persons indebted to the late firm of Robert Crosland are requested to pay the amount of their respective debts to Mr. Cliff, at the Union Foundry, and he will at the same place discharge all claims upon the said late firm after due examination. Dated this twenty-first day of March, 1866. TAYLOR, JEFFERY & LITTLE, Solicitors for the Executors of Robert Crosland. TERRY & WATSON. Solicitors for Mr. Cliff.
Mr. CLIFF begs to inform the public that he will henceforward carry on at the Union Foundry the Business of Manufacturer of Railway plant, Carriages, Waggons and Tenders, Wheels and axles, (wrought and cast) Axle Boxes, and Iron work of every description. Switches and Crossings, Water Columns and Cranes, Fishing Bolts and Nuts, wrought and cast Iron Bridges, Roofs. Piers, &c., Boiler and Gas Holder work. Turn Tables, Weighing Machines, Hydraulic and Screw Presses, Pumps. Valves, &c. Engineering and Millwrighting in all its branches. Fire proof work, such as wrought and cast Girders, Pillars. &c. Cast and wrought piping for Gas and Water Works. Also Smith’s work and castings of every size and description. Under the firm of "Joseph Cliff and Co." JOSEPH CLIFF, The Union Foundry, Bradford.' [4]
1873 Plant and effects advertised for sale on behalf of Joseph Cliff, Son and Co[5]