Edwin Clark and Co

1894.

Edwin Clark and Co of Hope Mill Yard and Canal Ironworks, Brimscombe, near Stroud, Gloucestershire.

1878 Engineering work began at the Hope Mill Yard, Brimscombe, on the Thames and Severn Canal.

1884 Edwin Dawson Clark set up an engineering business at Hope Mill.

Later Clark began building boats at the Canal Ironworks, on the opposite bank of the canal.

1884 Clark advertised in the Stroud Journal as "Importers, Manufacturers and Refiners of Lubricating Oils, Wool Oils, Linseed and Boiled Oils, Cylinder Grease, Wheel Grease, Black Varnishes, Turpentine, Mixw ed and Oxide Paints". This was the "Branch Stores" of "Lead and Oil Mills, Reading" - presumably his father's business (Henry Clark)

He also operated from Canal Ironworks which was advertised as "General Engineers and Millwrights, Iron and Brass Founders, Makers of combined vertical or horizontal stationary engines and boilers". Estimates were "given free for all classes of ironwork, shafting or repairs". He had for sale "a 4 h.p. vertical engines and boiler, new and well-finished".

1885 Launched the "Gordon", a steel screw-driven launch, probably intended for the campaign on the Nile.

Edwin Clark went on to specialise in prefabricated craft, making steamboats that were sent to destinations around the world; more conventional craft were supplied to European customers

c.1887 Built the steam launch Darling for an Italian owner, and the Thetis.

1889 "STROUD NEWS. A Launch — On Monday the "Oxford" a very handsome new vessel was launched from the works of Messrs. Edwin Clark and Co., of Brimscombe, near Stroud. She is built of steel and is 72 ft long by 12ft 3in. beam by 4ft. 6in. deep, and has twin screws. She is intended to carry pleasure parties between Oxford and London, and will be licensed by the Board of Trade to carry 120 people. The engines, which are compound, and the boiler are being constructed by Messrs. W. Sisson and Co., (late J. J Seekings, and Co.,) of Gloucester. The launch has a large saloon cabin aft, and this, together with the other woodwork, is constructed of teak and is elaborately finished." . This was the first of 6 pleasure boats made at the yard for Messrs. Salters of Oxford

1894 Compound Surface Condensing Launch Engines. Article and illustration in 'The Engineer'

1896 Edwin Clark died

1897 A limited company was formed, Edwin Clark & Co. Ltd. John Waterman Earle was appointed managing director. The business introduced stern-wheel driven boats.

1899 The company was voluntarily wound-up

1899 Isaac J. Abdela started to rent the site.

1900 The freehold of the business with the plant and stores was offered for auction. Isaac J Abdela and Co. took over the whole business.

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The site of the Canal Ironworks is now occupied by late 20th century industrial/office buildings, and the adjacent canal has been filled in at this location.

See Also

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Sources of Information

• Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archaeology Journal for 1987 pages 33-41
• Gloucestershire Echo 17 December 2016