Nicholas Wood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas Wood
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The statue of Nicholas Wood in the library of The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, Newcastle upon Tyne
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| Born | 24 April 1795 Sourmires, Ryton, County Durham, England
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| Died | 19 December 1865 (aged 70) London, England
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| Resting place | Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Lindsay |
| Children | 4 sons, including Nicholas Wood (MP) and Sir Lindsay Wood, 1st Baronet |
| Parent(s) | Nicholas Wood, Ann Wood (née Laws) |
| Engineering career | |
| Discipline | Mining engineering, Locomotive engineering |
| Institutions | North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers (inaugural president) |
| Projects | Newcastle and Berwick Railway |
| Significant advance | Mining safety |
Nicholas Wood FGS FRS (born April 24, 1795 – died December 19, 1865) was a clever English engineer. He worked with coal mines (called collieries) and steam locomotives (early trains). Nicholas helped make mining safer and improved train designs. He also started and led a very important group called the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers.
Contents
Nicholas Wood's Early Life
Nicholas Wood was born in a place called Sourmires. This was near Ryton in County Durham, England. His father, also named Nicholas, was a mining engineer.
Learning About Mines
Young Nicholas went to school in the village of Crawcrook. In 1811, when he was 16, he started working. He became an apprentice at Killingworth Colliery. An apprentice learns a trade by working with an expert. Nicholas learned from Ralph Dodds, who was a colliery viewer. A viewer was like a manager for the mine.
By 1815, Nicholas Wood became the viewer of Killingworth Colliery. He worked closely with George Stephenson, who was an engineer at the mine.
Helping with Inventions
Nicholas Wood helped George Stephenson with two big inventions:
- The safety lamp: This lamp was very important for miners. It helped them see underground without causing dangerous explosions from gas. Nicholas made the drawings for this lamp.
- The Blücher locomotive: This was one of the first steam trains. Nicholas designed a special part called "eccentrics" that helped the train's wheels move. He also did experiments in 1818 to make trains run smoother.
In 1823, Nicholas went with Stephenson to meet Edward Pease. Pease was planning the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Nicholas helped convince Pease to use steam trains on this new railway. Stephenson was then put in charge of building it. Nicholas and George stayed friends for life. George even sent his son, Robert Stephenson, to learn from Nicholas.
Nicholas Wood's Career and Achievements
By 1825, Nicholas Wood was well-known for his skills. He was an expert in designing and testing steam trains.
Writing a Book on Railways
In 1825, he wrote a very important book. It was called A Practical Treatise on Rail-roads and Interior Communication. In this book, he looked at different ways to move things on railways. He studied things like:
- Planes that moved by themselves.
- Planes moved by fixed steam engines.
- Horses pulling carts.
- Steam locomotives.
Judging the Rainhill Trials
Nicholas was also asked to help with a big event in 1829. This was called the Rainhill Trials. It was a competition to find the best steam locomotive for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Nicholas was one of the three judges. After the trials, he updated his book in 1831 and again in 1838. He added reports and discussions about the trials.
Working on Railways and Coal Companies
In 1832, Nicholas helped build the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway. Later, in 1845, he became a director for the Newcastle and Berwick Railway. This meant he helped manage the company.
Nicholas also knew a lot about rocks and the earth (geology). In 1838, he gave a speech about the geology of Northumberland. This was at a meeting of the British Science Association in Newcastle.
In 1844, Nicholas became a partner in the Hetton Coal Company. He moved to Hetton Hall and became the manager of Hetton Colliery. He was also a partner in other coal companies.
Improving Mining Safety
Nicholas often spoke to government groups. He gave important information to committees looking into mining accidents in 1835 and 1853. He also helped with talks that led to the Mines Inspection Act of 1851. This law aimed to make mines safer. In 1855, he even tested all the people who wanted to become new mining inspectors.
Leading the North of England Institute of Mining Engineers
After a big explosion at Seaham Colliery in 1852, Nicholas Wood and other mine managers decided to create a group. Their goal was to find ways to prevent accidents in coal mines. This group became the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers.
Nicholas Wood was chosen as the first President of this Institute. He was re-elected every year until he passed away. He also pushed for a new science college in Newcastle. This college would teach about physical science. Even though it faced problems with money at first, the college was finally created in 1871. This college later became Newcastle University.
Other Important Groups
Nicholas Wood was a member of many important engineering groups. He became a Fellow of the Geological Society in 1843. He also became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1864. These are very high honors for scientists and engineers. He was also a Vice President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. From 1854 until his death, he was the Chairman of the Mining Association of Great Britain.
Nicholas married Maria Lindsay in 1827. They had four sons and three daughters. He became ill and passed away in London on December 19, 1865. He was buried in Hetton. His sons also became important in the coal industry. His youngest son, Sir Lindsay Wood, took over as chairman of Hetton Collieries after his father.
Nicholas Wood's Legacy
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In 1871, a special hall was renamed in honor of Nicholas Wood. It was called the Wood Memorial Hall. This hall is part of the North of England Institute of Mining Mechanical Engineers. It was meant to open on the 19th anniversary of the Institute's founding. However, the opening was delayed because workers were on strike.
The Hall finally reopened on July 2, 1872. Many members felt it was a great way to remember Nicholas Wood. Inside the building, there is a large statue of Nicholas Wood. He is shown sitting on a throne, watching over the library.
