Ebor Engineering Co
of Littleborough
Stationary engines.
1890 'Starting a New Engine at Cornholme Mill. — The enterprising firm of Wilson Bros, Limited, have this week added to their extensive plant a new horizontal compound condensing tandem steam engine, made by the Ebor Engineering Co, Limited, Littleborongh, to tbe specifications and under the superintendence of Mr. J. Wood, consulting engineer, Burnley. The engine is strong and well proportioned, being built to the most modern design, arranged to work with the utmost economy and regularity of speed, fitted with cut off valve on high pressure cylinder. The fly wheel is prepared for driving direct on line shaft by ropes, the fly-wheel shaft and crank pin being made from Whitworth’s fluid steel, and throughout the workmanship and material are all that could be desired, and will no doubt give every satisfaction to the owners, as well as reflect the highest credit on the makers. The engine was successfully started yesterday afternoon at half-past two, in the presence of Mr. J. H. Wilson, Mr. Jno. Greenwood, the manager, Mr.Wood, engineer, and Mr. Law, and Mr. Law, representing the Ebor Company; Mr. Wilson turned on the steam and the engine started off without a hitch. The engine is a beautiful specimen of engineering skill, and is a credit to Mr. Wood.'[1]
1895 'Messrs. Moss Bros.— For some time back the Ebor Engineering Company, of Littleborough, have been erecting a new engine for the above firm at Bridge-royd. The work has been successfully carried out, and on Monday evening last the engine commenced to work. We are informed that the Ebor Company are also supplying similar engines to the firm of Messrs. Marshall and Tatham, Nanholme Mill.'[2]
1900 450 HP horizontal tandem compound engine for Greengrove Mills, Smallbridge, near Rochdale [3]
1916 'The Victoria Dyeing, Raising, and Finishing Company Limited. In Voluntary Liquidation. ...... The STEAM POWER PLANT, Etc., includes .... Horizontal Compound Condensing Steam Engine, 13" and 27" cylinders, 4' stroke, by Ebor Engineering Co. Ltd.,....'[4]
1943 'STEAM ENGINES IN ROCHDALE. To the Editor of the Observer
Sir, —The inscribed stone mentioned in last Saturday’s "Rochdale Observer" still exists in the front wall of the engine-house at Croft Head Mill, Town house, although the engine has gone and the house is all but a wreck. To relate the two Boultons whose names are cut in the stone, to the pioneers of Birmingham, would, I think, infer too much. Matthew Boulton had only one son, and the family interest soon lapsed. I find no record any member settling in this district, of their employment as erectors or mill engineers. The engine which was started by Isaac W. Boulton would be the engine built by Petries in 1828-9, and which almost certainly displaced one of the two made for Newalls by Boulton and Watt in 1800 and 1804. Lawrence Newall, one of the many of that name, who ran Croft Head Mill, died in May, 1828, and the Petrie engine was contracted for by his executors. Since your more than generous references to my paper on this subject, many readers have both offered and requested further information. In the reading the paper I mentioned nearly forty persons to whom in one way other I was indebted for material, and I shall be pleased to receive, and to acknowledge in the final script, any subsequent information which would complete the story. I would like again to mention here the friendly and unstinted co-operation of Mr. Frank Shore, whose memory and bookshelves are valuable mines of Petrie lore. His help was indispensable. I was criticised for the omission two local engine-makers, viz.: Charles and Thomas Nuttall, who, succeeded by Abraham Lord, made small engines at Prospect Works in Lomax Street, and the Ebor Engineering Company of Littleborough. The first omission is inexcusable, and my only plea is that from 1860 the limelight fell on the leading actors, and Prospect Works came on to the scene in 1861. The omission of Ebor was due to concentration upon Rochdale firms, but I was prepared with information on 14 engines built from 1889 to 1902, totalling 2,600 horse-power, and of up to 600 h.p. in one unit, by the Littleborough concern. And now I hear that Heywood makers expect mention, and so the boundary expands. Some day there may be time to do this, to me at least, most interesting study, full justice.— Yours, etc., G. B. WILLIAMSON, Royle Cottage, Rochdale.'
Rochdale Observer, 4 December 1943
Sources of Information
- Stationary Steam Engines of Great Britain by George Watkins. Vol 10