Thomas Walmsley and Sons facts for kids
Thomas Walmsley and Sons was a company that made a special type of iron called wrought iron. Thomas Walmsley started the company in 1866 or 1869. It was located at the Atlas Forge in Bolton, England. The forge was a large factory. It had many furnaces called "puddling furnaces." These furnaces were used to make wrought iron. The factory also had large machines called forging and rolling mills. These machines shaped the hot iron.
In 1874, a large boiler at the forge had a serious accident. Some workers sadly lost their lives.
The company made wrought iron for over 100 years. In 1975, it was the very last factory in the United Kingdom to produce this type of iron. After it closed, many of its old machines were saved. The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust moved the wrought iron rolling mill, the boiler, and the steam engine to its Blists Hill museum. These machines still work! Visitors to the museum can see how wrought iron was made long ago. A large machine called a steam hammer, which the company used, is now kept outside Bolton University.
After 1975, the company changed. It became 'Walmsley Steelstock' and sold steel. It closed down completely in 1984.
The Walmsley Family and the Business
Thomas Walmsley, who started the company, was born in 1812. He first worked as an iron agent. This meant he helped sell iron and tinplate. He started his own iron works by 1869. Thomas Walmsley was also an important person in Bolton. He served as the Mayor of Bolton from 1869 to 1871.
Thomas Walmsley passed away in 1890. His son, Richard, then took over the family business. Later, Richard's sons, Reginald and Ernest, continued to run the company.
