of Walter Mabon and Co of Ardwick Iron Works, Raven Street, Ardwick, and Albion Ironworks, Gorton, Manchester
Established by Walter Mabon.
- 1850 Iron and brass founders, engineers, makers of gasometers, boilers, hydraulic presses. Walter Mabon’s home address: 3 Summer Place, Ardwick [1]
- 1855 'Manchester.— Mr. Walter Mabon, of the Ardwick Ironworks, is constructing four iron boats for the Government, which it is believed are intended be employed by the commissariat for landing stores in the Black Sea. The order was received on the 29th. Nov. through Messrs. Whitehall, Lennox, and Co., merchants, Liverpool ; and the time allowed for its completion was until January 15th. The boats are being constructed at Mr. Mabon's Albion Ironworks, Gorton, three being on the stocks, and the keel of the fourth being laid. They are of the class of vessels termed lighters, and are of the following dimensions : —Length, 50 feet; width, 12ft. 6in. ; depth 4ft. 6in. They will each carry about 40 tons of measured goods, and with that load will draw about 3ft. 6in. of water. The materials which the lighters are being constructed are 1/4in. and 3/8in. wrought iron plates, strongly rivetted together. The framework is composed of angle and T iron ; the gunwale of each boat being of angle iron, and the keel (6in. by 3in.) of T iron. The deck beams are 7in. by 3in. and are formed of double angle iron. A number of additional hands have been engaged to ensure the completion of the boats within the specified time. — Manchester Guardian
[Walter Mabon is a native of Kelso, and son of the late Mr. John Mabon, surgeons’ instrument maker. At an early age Mr. Mabon went to Manchester ; but although he had served a regular apprenticeship in the millwright business in Kelso, so stringent were the rules of the trade, that, became his indenture had not been signed at the time he became an apprentice, he was not allowed to work, and sent back to Scotland to make up his time. Having done so, he returned to Manchester where he found ready employment in one of the best firms, and by skill, industry, and perseverance, he soon found himself in a position to enter the field of enterprise on his own account. How far Mr. Mabon has succeeded the above and many other marks of public favour will shew. Besides the construction of several iron bridges, he has been engaged in number of public works, which, while they have given satisfaction to his employers, redound to his own credit.]'[2]
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