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Dallam Forge, of Warrington and Ince, near Wigan.
1840 Began supply of merchant iron[1].
George Worsdell set up a business manufacturing railway equipment. Acquired Dallam Forge.
1851 Dallam Forge was awarded a gold medal at the Great Exhibition of 1851 "for excellence of iron and of railway plant".
1856 William Henry Bleckly joined his father, Henry Bleckly at the Dallam forge.
1857 The business failed and Worsdell retired due to ill health
1865 Under new management the Dallam Forge prospered
1867 Article in The Engineer about steam cranes made by Dallam Forge [2]
Amalgamated with the adjoining Bewsey Works of Rylands Bros.
Faced strict competition from the established iron districts. Developed business in supply of wire rod for wire making industry; later expanded into sheets and hoops [3].
1873 Pearson and Knowles Coal and Iron Co took over the Dallam Forge, Warrington, and later moved its ironworks from Ince to that site [4].
1876 Thomas Morris was the Manager of Dallam Forge and the Pearson and Knowles Coal and Iron Co[5]
Made plate girder bridge over Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Higher Shuttleworth (Bridge No. 120). Photos here.
1890 'Sad Fatality at a Warrington Forge. On Tuesday morning a labourer, named John Robinson, 55 years of age, who resided at 15, Wright-street, was killed the yard of Dallam Forge. Warrington, where he was employed. Deceased, along with two other men, was removing an iron casting from the fitting-shop, when some wood packing rolled from under the casting over deceased's body. Dr. Adams was sent for, but Robinson was dead before he arrived.'[6]
1904 'A WARRINGTON WORKMAN CRUSHED TO DEATH. George Woodward (45), a crane driver, employed by Messrs. Pearson and Knowles, at Dallam Forge, Warrington, was crushed to death yesterday. He was engaged, along with other men, moving a pair of wheels from one side of the yard to another by means of a steam crane. As the wheels were being lowered the crane post broke, and the crane fell over on its side, with the man under it. Woodward. who resided in Wilson Street, was married man, and leaves a wife and four children.'[7]
1913 'Mr. Edward Beck, one of the founders of the Dallam Forge Company, left estate valued at £162,262. Duties amount to about £32,000. Subject to certain life interests, deceased bequeathed £,000 to University College Hospital, £5,000 to the Governesses' Benevolent Institution, and like sum to the United Kingdom Beneficent Institution.'[8]
1930 Became part of the Lancashire Steel Co, remaining in production until July 1980.
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