Walker Ironworks, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne
Companies
- William Losh and Robert Stephenson (c1821- )
- Losh, Wilson and Bell (c1827- )
- Bells, Goodman and Co (c1865- )
- Bells, Lightfoot and Co (1875-1883)
See also Walker Alkali Works
c. 1821 William Losh was a partner with George Stephenson in the Walker Ironworks.
By 1827 The proprietors of Walker Ironworks were Losh, Wilson and Bell[1]
1842 'Mr. Bell, jun., and other agents in these works observe that- Various countrymen are here employed. There are perhaps 100 Irishmen, who are not skilful or ambitious, but both witty and good tempered. There are perhaps 50 Scotch here, who are mostly sober industrious and skilful. There may be a dozen Welshmen: those are rather given to drinking, but are good workmen. Of Englishmen there are all sorts in all branches, and they are of all grades of character. There is by no means a general disposition to economize amongst the men; and it may be said in general the more he gets the less he saves, and the less he gets the more he saves. The highly paid workman have hot work, and become therefore thirsty, and take by degree to drinking, which is the origin of their improvidence. Teetotalism is be no means prevalent. Some men take 8 or 9 glasses of raw spirits in the course of the morning.'[2]
1855 "The Walker Iron Works on the north bank of the Tyne are very extensive, and afford employment to several hundred persons. Alkalis and other chemicals are manufactured in considerable quantities, and iron ship building is carried on to a great extent. In fact, the whole side of the Tyne, in this township, is crowded with factories of various kinds, copperas works, saw mills, seed crushing mills, ballast wharfs, coal staiths, etc. There is also an extensive colliery here worked by Messrs. Nathaniel Lambert and Co. Walker was made into a distinct parish for ecclesiastical purposes in 1836." [3]