Whessoe Foundry
From GracesGuide
Whessoe Foundry Company Ltd at Foundry Street, Hopetown, Darlington
c.1790 Foundry established at Darlington[1].
A large part of the work of the firm in the early days was the manufacture of locomotives; the Works was responsible for many of the earliest locomotive including Derwent No.25[2] which was later placed on a pedestal at Darlington station, and then in Darlington Rail Museum. Derwent 25 was built by A. Kitching, founder of Whessoe Foundry (see photo of plaque).
1860 General engineering work transferred from W. and A. Kitching.
1881 Took limited liability company status[3].
1881 A railway engine built was built for William Boby and Son
1914 Directory: Listed as Mechanical Engineers
General turnover mainly gas plant, including gas holders, tanks, chemical plant, mining machinery, turntables and weighing machines. Bulk oil storage built for H. M. Admiralty, Shell Marketing Co, and many other companies. Cast iron linings for Bakerloo, Central and other tube lines and the Post Office railway.
1920 Public company Whessoe Foundry and Engineering Co Ltd formed to acquire the business and assets of Whessoe Foundry Company Ltd[4].
See Also
Sources of Information
- The Engineer of 29th October 1920 p448
- Kelly's Directory of Durham, 1914 p661
