Close Burlinson

1868 Haulage engine at Beamish Museum

Close, Burlinson, and Co., of the Millfield Engine Works and Foundry, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland

1864 'Progress of Iron Founding at Sunderland. — On Monday evening the casting of heavy flywheel rim was successfully accomplished in the foundry of Messrs. Close, Burlinson, and Co., engineers and iron-founders, Millfield Engine Works. The wheel, which forms a portion of set of rolling-mill castings now being made by the above firm for Mr. John Brown, of Hylton, is, we believe, the heaviest casting that has been made in Sunderland for some years. The metal is in beautiful condition, and the rim was most successfully made in the space of one minute and a half, and the quantity prepared for the cast being between eight and nine tons.'^[1]

1865 'Trial Trip of a New steamer at Sunderland.— On Saturday morning, the finely-modelled new iron screw-steamship, “United Service,” recently built by Messrs. Haswell and Son, left the South Dock, Sunderland, and proceeded northward on a trial trip. The trial was considered highly satisfactory in all respects, and speed of 9 1/2 knots was attained. A number of gentlemen went out with the vessel, and took breakfast on board. The United Service is owned by W. Gray, Esq., of London, and is intended for general trade, having accommodation for thirty first-class passengers in addition to her space for cargo. She is classed 17 years, is 978 tons register, and of the following dimensions : —Length 220 feet, breadth 30 feet, depth 20 feet. Her engines are of 96 horse power, built to Mace’s patent, by Messrs. Close, Burlinson, and Co., of Millfield Engine Works. The vessel will be commanded by Captain Thomas Wilson, one of tho most popular and experienced captains in the Diamond Steam Company’s service, and who formerly commanded the Cape mail-steamer Eastern Province.'^[2]

1868 Haulage (sinking) engines at Beamish Museum, ex-Silksworth Colliery. These are paired engines, Nos 161 & 162 (see photos).

1869 Advert: 'TO IRONFOUNDERS, METAL MERCHANTS, ENGINEERS, COLLIERY OWNERS, AND OTHERS.
MR JOEL is favoured with instructions from Messrs Close, Burlinson, and Co., of the Millfield Engine Works and Foundry, Bishopwearmouth (who are dissolving partnership), to SELL BY AUCTION, without reserve, on Tuesday, August 3, the first portion of their STOCK and LOOSE PLANT, including about 300 tons of metal, casting boxes, new iron, useful and scrap iron and metal, iron girders, two new vertical boilers, winches, chains, blocks, Pooley’s platform weighing machine, wheels and sheaves, new galvanized roofing, pig metal, wrought iron wheels and tyres, boiler building tools, and the usual stock connected with extensive works of the kind. Catalogues are now ready, and may be had of the AUCTIONEER, Newcastle; and at the Works, Sunderland. Sale to commence at eleven o’clock in the forenoon prompt. Newcastle Auction Mart, 76, Pilgrim Street.'^[3]

1869 'The Millfield Engine Works.— Messrs Oswald, the well-known engineers and shipbuilders, whose extensive engine works were destroyed by fire a fortnight ago, have completed arrangements for entering on the works of Messrs Close, Burlinson, and Co., at Millfield, which have been closed for some months past. This will prove a great boon to the West-end of the town, where the closing of the Millfield Works was much felt; and it will enable the men who were laid idle by the late fire to re-commence almost immediately.'^[5]

1938 'Liners Lovely Ships of “Once Upon a Time” : Recollections of The Lord Duncan ..... Another interesting person I came across recently was Mr Andrew Peddie, one of the finest model makers in the town — ships and locos — who spoke of his early days in the employ of the now defunct firm of Close & Burlinson, engineers and boilermakers, Millfield. Two ships supplied with machinery from these works were Westell’s United Service and Natalion, and Mr Peddie wonders if anyone remembers them or can recall how they ended their days. Soon after seeing Mr Peddie I was told that the Natalion was wrecked on the old Round Head, but perhaps we may find a reader able to supply a few more details.'^[6]

Sources of Information