R & J Coupe of Clayton Street, Wigan
Founded by Richard and Joseph Coupe. Later joined by Edward, and the business became R. J. and E. Coupe
1854 Advertisement: 'TO COAL PROPRIETORS, MANUFACTURERS, CONTRACTORS, AND OTHERS. STEAM ENGINES SALE. TO BE SOLD BY PRIVATE TREATY, ONE portable High-pressure Horizontal STEAM ENGINE, nominal power Twenty Horses, viz.: Bore of Cylinder 16 inches, stroke 3 feet; fitted out with metallic piston and all recent improvements as a colliery winding Engine, but equally well adapted for manufacturing purposes; dia. of fly shaft (which is best wrought scrap iron) 6 inches in the journals. The cap or mounting is of the best wrought iron The engine is a new one, beautifully polished, and is well worth the attention of parties requiring steam power. May be seen at R. and J. Coupe's, Clayton Foundry, Wigan. N.B.: R. & J. C. have several other high pressure horizontal STEAM ENGINES, partly finished, varying from Ten to Thirty Horses', any one of which, or any engine, they could furnish at the shortest possible notice to suit customers. R. & J. C. beg to call especial attention to their improved Equilibrium PISTON SLIDE VALVE, which does away with that enormous friction met with in ordinary Slide Valves and which are so highly objectionable in large engines for winding. In this respect they are fully equal to the ‘Cornish Valves’, and are manufactured for about one-half the cost. The simplicity of the arrangement in this improved Valve such that it next to impossible for the Valve to become deranged until absolutely worn away.[1]
1857 'The roof of the moulder's shop in connection with the foundry of Messrs. Coupe, Clayton-street, Wigan, fell in on Tuesday, and two men, named John Myers [of Wigan] and Charles Jowitt, of Harrogate, were wounded so seriously that fears are entertained for their lives.' [2]