Aireside Steel and Iron Co
of Hunslet, Leeds
1886 Incorporated as Aireside Steel and Iron Company Limited (Company No: 22829) - "... formed for the purpose of acquiring as a going concern the blast furnaces of the Aireside Hematite Iron Company, situated Hunslet, Leeds, and for adding thereto a steel works on the bessemer and open hearth principle for the production of steel, suitable to the varied requirements of the West Yorkshire and Lancashire districts. It is proposed to erect the steel works on the freehold land adjoining the blast furnaces already possession the company, ...." Directors:-
- Joseph Ledger, Esq., J.P. Castlette Tower, Keswick, Cumberland, Chairman. Chairman of the Moss Bay Iron and Steel Company, Limited [sic] - actually the Moss Bay Hematite Iron and Steel Company Limited, and the Workington Iron and Steel Company, Limited.
- Leonard Cooper, Esq., The Abbey House, Managing Partner of the Aireside Hematite Iron Company.
- C. J. Valentine, Esq., M.P., Bank Field, Workington. Managing Director the Moss Bay Iron and Steel Company Limited, Workington. [sic] - actually the Moss Bay Hematite Iron and Steel Company Limited
- Walter Scott, Esq., Newcastle-on-Tyne, contractor.
1887 Take up of the shares was apparently poor, and at an EGM held on 22 Apr 1887, the following resolution was confirmed:- "That the Aireside Steel and Iron Company Limited be wound up voluntarily, and that Mr. John Smith be and is hereby appointed Liqudator for the purpose of such winding up." Dated the 16th day of May, 1887. Jos. Ledger, Chairman."[1]
Not withstanding the above, the iron works continued to operate and construction of the steel works continued, so some fresh capital must have been found. The steel plant was brought on line at the end of the year.[2]
1888 Description and illustration of a hydraulic billet shearing machine made for the Aireside Steel and Iron Co by Henry Berry and Co.[3]
1888 In June Walter Scott petitioned the Court of Chancery who determined that the winding up should be continued under the supervision of the Court.[4] John Smith retired as liquidator and was replaced by W B Peat. The works were offered for sale by the liquidator in July.[5] In September, the works was sold by private treaty to Mr Walter Scott, of Newcastle, and Messrs C de Murietta and Co., of London, for £29,000.[6] The works then passed into the hands of Leeds Steel Works Limited under the chairmanship of Walter Scott.