Glasgow Iron and Steel Co
Glasgow Iron and Steel Co of Wishaw
1844 Company established.
In 1853, the Glasgow Iron Co acquired the derelict works at Motherwell of the West of Scotland Malleable Steel Co for £42,050. The works were managed by Thomas Martin, who improved, and patented, the refining and puddling of iron.
1864 Wishaw Iron Works taken over by the Glasgow Iron Co, from St Rollox, who also operated a malleable iron works in Milton Street, Motherwell.
1888 Incorporated as Glasgow Iron and Steel Co
Appointed Thomas Williamson as engineer and manager.
1894 The works were converted to open hearth steel making.
1895 James Riley appointed as the general manager of the company's collieries, blast furnaces, malleable-iron works and steel works. Riley was a leader in the evolution from malleable iron to steel.
1895 The works were the first to use a gas engine to generate power for lighting and the rolling mills, driven by blast furnace gas, from Lamberton and Co in Coatbridge.
1900 Announcement of two new melting furnaces. Also mention that Mr. Riley left, having purchased the Richmond Ironworks at Stockton-on-Tees. [1]
1902 The Motherwell works were closed.
1914 Steel manufacturers, coalmasters. Specialities: steel plates for ships and boilers; patent interlocking steel piling, bars, angles, channels, billets and slabs; sulphate of ammonia, oil, pitch and tar. [2]
1920 Beardmores joined with Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson of Tyneside to acquire the Glasgow Iron and Steel Co. However, a general trade depression followed exacerbating the overcapacity in the steel industry, and the plant made losses in 1921 and 1922. Lord Invernairn became chairman.
This was at a time when Beardmore's had expanded their Mossend Steel Works.
The steel plant at Wishaw was closed and eventually dismantled.
The blast furnaces at Wishaw remained in operation and made a profit until 1927, when they also went into loss and were closed in 1930.
1947 Beardmores sold its remaining interests in the Glasgow Iron and Steel Co to Lithgows
1952 the company commissioned and built the Mayfield brickwork in Carluke.
The Glasgow Iron & Steel Company Limited (or GISCOL) still exists as a company.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Engineer of 9th February 1900. p145
- ↑ 1914 Whitakers Red Book
- [1] Clydebridge Steel Work history