Rothwell, Hick and Rothwell
Rothwell, Hick and Rothwell of Union Foundry, Bolton, makers of steam engines, boilers, hydraulic machines and locomotives.
The Union Foundry was established by the Peter Rothwell and his son
1822 formerly Thwaites, Hick and Rothwell
c.1827 Supplied three steam engines to André Koechlin & Cie in France - one for the Mulhouse cotton mill for which Sharp, Hill and Co supplied the bulk of the equipment, one for coal mines at Ronchamp, and one for the Boucart factory.[1]
1828 A 50 HP engine by Rothwell, Hick and Rothwell was included in the sale by Fairbairn and Lillie of a newly-built mill on the banks of the Ashton Canal, 'within 15 minutes walk of the Exchange'.[2]
1828 An engine by Rothwell, Hick and Rothwell was advertised for sale at Lower House Mill, Green Acres Moor, near Oldham. Cylinder 29.5" diameter, 6 ft bore. Green Acres [3]
1830 The partners became interested in the production of steam locomotives after the Rainhill Trials. The first engine was the Union, a 2-2-0 for the Bolton and Leigh Railway, followed by three more the following year for American railways.
1833 Partnership dissolved. '...the Partnership heretofore subsisting between the undersigned, Peter Rothwell, Benjamin Hick, and the Executors of the late Peter Rothwell, deceased, as Iron and Brass-Founders and Engineers, and carried on at the Union Foundry, in Bolton-le-Moors, under the firm of Rothwell, Hick, and Rothwell, was this day dissolved by mutual consent; and that all debts owing to or by the said concern will be received and paid by the undersigned Peter Rothwell, who will in future carry on the said businesses under the firm of Rothwell and Co...'[4]
1834 Advert: 'TO BE SOLD, By PRIVATE CONTRACT, (having been taken out and replaced with those of greater Power), Steam-cased CYLINDER, 24 1/2in. diameter, 5 feet stroke, with polished cover. Bottom, Piston Rod, Side Pipes, with Brass Valves and Seats, Lifting Rods. &c. complete, Air-pump, Bucket, and Rod, made by Messrs. ROTHWELL, Hick, Co., Bolton-le-Moors.
For Particulars apply to Messrs. Rothwell & Co., Mains Cotton Works, Carlisle; if by letter post paid.'[5]
Became Rothwell and Co
An impressive pre-1837 1:10 scale model of a Hick, Rothwell double jib crane is on display at the Musee des Arts et Metiers (Grue double système Hick et Rothwell). See photos. The right hand part of the crane has extra gearing compared with the left, for raising heavier loads, albeit at lower speed.
A similar crane, differing in some details, described as 'Hick's cast iron double jib crane was featured in The mechanic, or, Compendium of practical inventions by James Smith, c.1816[6]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] Nicolas Stoskopf. André Koechlin Cie, SACM, Wärtsilä, histoire de la Fonderie (D’Giesserei) à Mulhouse (1826-2007). Extrait del’ouvrage, paru en 2007 sous le titre SACM, quelle belle histoire!. 2007. <hal-00544984>
- ↑ Manchester Guardian - Saturday 9 February 1828
- ↑ Manchester Guardian - Saturday 23 February 1828
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:16 April 1833 Issue:19039 Page:733
- ↑ Carlisle Journal, 8 November 1834
- ↑ [2] The mechanic, or, Compendium of practical inventions Vol 2, by James Smith, c.1816, p.391-2 and Plate CII
- Wikipedia
- British Steam Locomotive Builders by James W. Lowe. Published in 1975. ISBN 0-905100-816