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Apparently Warrenby Steel works (sadly no longer in existence) which was pre-Dorman Long, British Steel, Tata and SSI (for our older viewers) suffered a major boiler explosion in 1895; the photograph (which came as part of a double image) postcard of the event still bears the handwritten inscription we have retained. It must have been a big one! Judging by the damaged remains shown. We have since been told that much information is held on the Communigate website, which includes the headline: ”North Eastern Daily Gazette: Saturday 15th June 1895. AWFUL EXPLOSION NEAR REDCAR . THIRTEEN BOILERS BLOWN TO PIECES. FRIGHTFUL WRECKAGE. TEN MEN KILLED AND MANY INJURED. MIRACULOUS ESCAPES. LARGE IRONWORKS DESTROYED . 200 MEN THROWN IDLE.” There is an expansive section on this disaster contained on the Communigate site
Jackie Wray inquired: “Hi can anyone let me know how to find out more about this. I think my great great grandfather died in this explosion and would love to find out more.”
John Knaggs has advised in response to Jackie Wray’s inquiry: ”I have just been researching this as William Rowbottom left the following entry in his ‘Diary of a Cleveland Miner’ he kept between 1873 and 1925 and I am currently indexing the transcript and adding other information from various sources.
I have a list of 9 young men who were sadly fatally injured, but other sources mention 10 or 11 and the same seriously injured. More could be gleaned from newspapers of the time possibly held in Redcar Reference Library or The National Newspaper Archive online.
This is the information I have to date on your Great Grand father: WRAY Robert born 1864 Coatham, Yorkshire; General Labourer, 6 Decoy Street, Warrenby,Yorkshire 1891; Pigeon Street 1895, wife Mary Ann (WILSON) born 1863 Driffield, YorKshire; Robert died aged 32; leaving 4 children, “encouraged by his wife to work another man’s shift as a Slagger to help the family finances”.”
Image courtesy of Geoff Patton and thanks to Peter Turvey and John Knaggs for the updates.
Skinningrove Ironworks, used two types of Slag Bogies. This photograph shows an end tipping Ladle. In later years they used side tipping Ladles. The chain used for emptying the Ladle is prominent, it runs under the Ladle, and when taken to the tip was attached to the engine, the slag ladle bogie scotched, the engine pulled away tipping the Ladle. This photo also gives a good view of the “tunnel” running along the Furnaces. The short headroom above the rail tracks, shows why Skinningrove had locomotives with cut down cabs and chimneys.
Image courtesy of Dave Mcgill.
Photograph taken from the top of the new no 5 furnace, during construction around 1950. The twin conveyor belts from the coke tippler and ore crusher over the bunkers are still uncovered. On the right smoke is seen issuing from the “monkey” valves on top of the gas offtakes of No 3 furnace (nearest the camera) and No 1 blast furnaces. The twin rows of Furnace Cottages, and St Helens church are seen in the centre of the photograph.
Image (from a Glass Plate Negative) courtesy of Dave Mcgill.
Skinningrove Ironworks. At the date of this photograph, the tap hole was opened by hammer and crowbar; a tough and dangerous task. Although “wind” or (blast) was reduced in pressure, the molten iron could burst out of the taphole with some force. The clothing of the furnacemen did not give any protection. Safety didn’t figure in the good old days. Above the men the large diameter pipe (Bustle Main) carried the hot blast, a small pipe (Gooseneck) leads down to the “tuyere” by which the hot “blast” entered the Furnace.
Image (from a glass plate negative) courtesy Dave Mcgill.
Skinningrove Works open day in 1974, a group are on the 18 inch mill, near the intermediate roll housing. Bernadette Stanyard, Mrs Stanyard, Norman Stanyard, Christine Tyreman (Drew) Sales Manager’s Secretary, ?? , Mrs Tams Catering Manager?, ??, John Wyborn Shift Manager, ??.
Bob Doe advises:”Christine Tyreman (Drew) who was the Sales Manager’s Secretary, John Wyborn, who was a Shift Manager. 4th From right wearing glasses could be Mrs Tams who was in charge of catering”. Barbara McBurney advises: ”Third from left is Norman Stanyard, second from left is his wife and first on left is his daughter Bernadette.” We are now advised by Hugh Bernard that his father is not shown on this image, hence the ?? in our commentary, can anybody assist in identification.
Sheila Alderson updated with: “I can’t believe I’ve seen this picture. This is me Sheila Alderson and my mam Dorethy Alderson From Liverton Mines; my first job in the canteen with Mrs Tams (she was my boss) and Mrs Stanyard was my work friend, lovely family. Have to show my mam this; lovely memories.”
Any more names please?
Image courtesy Dave McGill and thanks again to Bob Doe, Barbara McBurney, Sheila Alderson and Hugh Bernard for the updates.
Skinningrove Works open day in 1974. This group are on the 36inch mill, watching the mill at work. We have some names, can you help?
They are: Colin Jefferson, Ted Lethbridge, John Lethbridge, Mary Lethbridge, ??, Sheila Noble, John Barker, Mrs Fraser, Bill Fraser, Harry Noble.
Bob Doe tells us:”On the extreme right is Harry Noble, married to Sheila Noble who used to work in the canteen; I believe?”
Barbara McBurney tells us: ”Colin Jefferson used to work in General Office, Sheila Noble worked in staff canteen.”
Image courtesy Dave McGill and thanks to Bob Doe, Barbara McBurney and Colin Hart for the updates.
Parents in discussions with an Instructor at the Apprentice Training Centre, Skinningrove Works in 1974. We asked for help with names and our readers responded. Many thanks.
Barbara McBurney tells us: ”I worked as secretary in the Training Centre at Skinningrove Works, this photograph was taken before 1974, I believe it was around 1967/68, Mr Lambert is on the right speaking to apprentice Norman Myers. With his back to Norman is Arthur Willis, Training Instructor speaking to two mothers of the years intake of apprentices, the mother first left, whose image is only half visible, is Alice Arkless mother of Stewart Arkless, who was an apprentice fitter at the time.” Kev Harvey tells us: ”Barbara is indeed correct the the lady next to Arthur Willis is my mother Barbara Harvey; I was an apprentice fitter in that year’s intake. An excellent place to do your apprenticeship, many thanks. Kev Harvey.”
Image courtesy Dave McGill, also many thanks to Barbara McBurney and Kev Harvey for providing names to the people in our image .
Skinningrove Works Open Day 1974. Exhibition of photographs and documents of the works processes, Can you please help with names of the viewers.
Image courtesy of Dave McGill.
Skinningrove Works; Chief Engineer Walter Bradley, takes his wife’s group onto the 36 inch mill platform. The middle Lady, looks down as a hot bloom passes underneath.
Image courtesy of Dave McGill.
Skinningrove Works; a happy group tour the 36 inch Mill. We asked for names and Betty Hall (nee Graves) came up trumps! They are: Sed Lyman, Annie Mann, Geoff Graves, Jenny Graves (Bets mum and dad), Margaret Nicholson, Mrs Lyman, Florence Murrell (36″ mill staff), Betty Graves.
Image courtesy Dave McGill and many thanks to Betty Hall (Graves) for completing our names list.
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