Polyblank & Co of South Devon Ironworks, Newton Abbot, and Dartmouth, Devon.
See also John Polyblank
1857 Polyblank, John, iron and brass founder (and millwright), Courtenay Street.[1]
1857 Bath and West of England Society – Show at Newton Abbot. Class 24.—For the simplest and most practically useful portable thrashing machine, with riddle and straw-shaker, not requiring more than three-and-half horse power, when worked independently of its horse gear, £5— Messrs. Brinsmead, Great Torrington. Highly commended —Mr. John Polyblank, ironfounder, Newton Abbot. Commended—Mr. Henry Beare, Liverton, Ilsington, Newton Abbot.[2]
1859 NEWTON ABBOT. On Saturday last, the foundry and premises in Courtenay-street, occupied by Mr. Polyblank, were sold auction at the Globe Hotel, and purchased by Mr. Bowden, of Park Hill, for £1,000.[3]
1864 NEWTON ABBOT. To be SOLD, a Bargain, a Second-hand 10 horse- power Cornish BOILER. For particulars apply to J. Polyblank, South Devon Iron Works, Newton Abbot. Boilers of every description made on liberal terms, warranted of best material and workmanship.[4]
1877 Ironfounders. Messrs. BEARE, SON & CO., Iron Founders, and Agricultural Implement Agents, &c, Liverton, and Queen St. Messrs. POLYBLANK & Co., Engineers, Ironfounder[s], Agricultural Implement Agents, Boiler Makers, &c., Newton Abbot. GEORGE WEBBER, Iron Founder, Stove Manufacturer, Newton Abbot.[5]
1879 Polyblank & Co. to exhibit, in motion, new patent prize medal band sawing machinery at Devon County Agricultual Association show at Devonport.[6]
1879 Tilting frame bandsaw described and illustrated in The Engineer 1879/03/07.
1879: 'DARTMOUTH. New River Steamer.— On Thursday the keel of the new river boat, which is being constructed by Messrs. Polyblank, of Newton Abbot, for the Dartmouth and Torbay Steam Packet Co., was laid at the branch works of the builders adjoining the Creek, on the banks of the Dart. Mr. W. Smith (Chairman of the Company] drove the first rivet, and afterwards addressed those present, wishing success to the builders and the vessel. Mr. C. Polyblank acknowledged the compliment paid to the builders. Mr. W. Cranford submitted a vote of credit to the Company, coupling with the sentiment the names of the managers (Messrs. Tolman and Punchard). The former gentleman replied in a happy speech, which closed the ceremony.'[7]
1882 Makers of steam engines (12 HP steam engine advertised for sale at Coombe Slate Quarry, near Modbury [8])
1882 Messrs Polyblank, ironfounders Newton Abbot and Kingswear. Court case. The firm built the ‘Berry Castle’ for summer traffic on the River Dart. Late failure of the company.[9]
1895 Newton Abbot MR. JAMES STOOKE will SELL by AUCTION, on the premises in Highweek-street, Newton Abbot, aforesaid, formerly occupied by Messrs. Poly blank and Co., Iron- Founders, TUESDAY, March 26th, 1895, the following MACHINERY :—Vertical steam engine, about 8-h.p. ; horizontal boiler, steam hammer, foundry cranes, shafting pulleys, furnace doors and fire bare, old drill, shafting and drums, old forges, hoisting gear, two old smelting furnaces, blast pipes, cast iron frames, &c. Sale to commence at Three p.m. punctually. No reserve. Dated Newton Abbot, March 14th, 1895.[10]
The foundry was burnt down in the late 19th century.[11]
Known Polyblank waterwheels [information from Martin Watts]
- Beenleigh, Harberton
- Ermington Mill, Ermington – since moved elsewhere
- Ludbrook Mill, Ludbrook, near Ivybridge – only shrouds, nave and wheelshaft remain. Internal
- Yeo Mill, Chagford. Internal
- A waterwheel at Ruskin Mill (near Nailsworth, Glos.) has the words 'Polyblank Newton' cast into the rim. The wooden spokes have been replaced with steel.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Billing’s Directory of Devon, 1857
- ↑ Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 6 June 1857 p 6
- ↑ Western Times 22-10-1859 p 3
- ↑ Western Times 7 October 1864 p 1
- ↑ East & South Devon Advertiser. - 20 October 1877 p 4
- ↑ Western Morning News 21 May 1879 p 4
- ↑ Western Times, 20 December 1879
- ↑ Western Times, 17 February 1882
- ↑ Western Times 18 April 1882 p 7
- ↑ Western Morning News 16-3-1895 p 1 col 5
- ↑ Derek Beavis. Newton Abbot. The Story of the Town’s Past. Barracuda Books 1985, 93