Durham Chronicle Friday February 20 1846

On Saturday last, Messrs. Bolckow and Vaughan, the celebrated Iron Founders of Middlesbrough, tapped two of their new furnaces at Witton Park. For the information of those unacquainted with the locality, it may be interesting to state that the Bishop Auckland and Weardale Railway (in continuation of the Stockton and Darlington Railway), about three miles west of Bishop Auckland, skirts the banks of the Wear, at an elevation of about 56 feet above the river.

At the point selected for the Ironworks, there is a large area of level ground, at the foot of the sloping bank, and the raw material is passed from the railway, at this elevation, so as to admit a continuous descent from the first process, until it arrives at the foot of the hill, where it is discharged from the furnaces, in a manufactured state, ready for market.

The proprietors generously determined to give all their workmen "a treat", and for this purpose arrangements were made to bring up, by special train, 600 from Middlesbrough. They were accompanied by two bands of music and appropriate banners; and, after halting at Darlington to take up some of the Railway Directors and others who had been invited, proceeded to the works.

Here the scene was of the most animated description; every point from whence a view could be obtained was studded with spectators, amongst whom were several gentlemen from the surrounding neighbourhood, viz. G. H. Wilkinson Esq. of Harperly Park; Henry Pease Esq., Darlington; Rev. J. Newsham; Messrs. Bolckow and Vaughan; Messrs. W.Trotter, Geo.Coates, jun., Wm.Heppel, Isaac Wilson, E. Muschamp, P.Johnson, 0.Gilkes, Thomas MacNay, J.Allport, J.S.Peacock, T.A.Cockin, M.T.Johnson, Wm. Fallows, Edgar Gilkes, T.Newsham, Chas. Fryer, Thos. Love, jun., John Graham, &c., &c.

Soon after twelve, the time appointed for tapping the furnaces, the drum beat, and Miss Vaughan proceeded to assist in the ceremony. The liquid iron flowed forth in a beautiful stream, causing a heat that induced the spectators to enlarge the circle, and in a short space of time a fine "litter of pigs" was presented to view.

This was from the hot blast furnace. The cold blast furnace was then tapped with the same result; and both these events were greeted by the hearty cheers of the crowd. Another furnace will be in blast in a few days and a fourth within a month.

At a later period of that day, some of the pigs having been broken, the iron was stated to be a most encouraging sample.

A large brick shed was comfortably fitted up for the workmen’s dining room, where they were supplied with noble portions of bread, beef and ale.

The ladies and gentlemen (upwards of 6o) invited to meet Messrs. Bolckow and Vaughan, were entertained in a large temporary erection, ornamented with evergreens, where an excellent collation and the best wines were abundantly provided.

G.H.Wilkinson Esq. presided, having Mr. Vaughan on his right and Mr. H.Pease on his left. Mr Bolckow occupied the vice-chair.

At the conclusion repast, the Chairman gave the usual loyal toasts, also "The Lord Bishop of Durham," taking the opportunity to read a note from his lordship, in answer to an invitation to be present on the occasion. This note was couched in terms indicative of the deep interest he felt in the event, but trusting that the pressing duties of his station, and his time of life, would be accepted as a sufficient reason for his non-attendance.

The Chairman then gave "Health and Prosperity to Messrs. Bolckow and Vaughan," and proceeded to remark that it had long been known that the valley of the Wear was stored with exhaustless treasures of minerals. That iron ore, limestone (containing 96 per cent. of pure carbonate of lime), coal of the finest quality, and well adapted for coke, were in juxtaposition and that nature had superadded to that favoured locality of fire-stone and fire-clay for the building of furnaces etc. Long had it been known that these treasures existed; and now after a siege, longer than that of Troy, with the efficient aid of the gentleman on his left and his family, they had the proud satisfaction of seeing a commencement, at least, of the development of these treasures. And he felt sure that if spirit and talent could give success, that Messrs. Bolckow and Vaughan, with their extensive works at Middlesbrough; the making of iron in their own hands at Witton Park; and the making of their own coke at Woodifield; were the men who had every prospect of as abundant a measure of success as their best friends could desire.

The toast was drunk with three times three; one cheer were for the ladies, and one for the bairns.

Mr. Bolckow made an appropriate reply, expressive of his pleasure in seeing their friends present on this occasion. They at times felt anxiety and labour to press upon them in bringing those works to their present state; but the result of this day’s proceedings had fully compensated them.

Mr. Vaughan was called upon, and he entered into an interesting detail of the number of persons these works would be likely to employ; which, in obtaining the ore, limestone, coals, and at the works, he estimated at from 1,500 to 1,800. And so satisfied was he of the increasing traffic that such works must cause, that he would gladly undertake the repairs of the locomotive power, if the railway company would allow their materials to pass along-the line free of dues.

He also stated that, although much appeared to have been done in building furnaces and erecting engine power equal to 150 horses, yet those works were not so much as contemplated twelve months ago.

He, however, felt gratified in the success so far obtained, which he considered augured well for those returns, which so large an outlay demanded. This valley had often been spoken of for its beauties; but when he saw the smoke emanating front those tall chimneys, he could not but exclaim that those beauties were much enhanced.

The quantity of iron stone required per annum for carrying on their works will not be less than 62,400 tons coal; and coke 104,000 ton; and limestone 20,800 tons - the greatest portion of which they anticipated bringing along the Wear Valley Railway.

Mr. Wilkinson proposed the health of the ladies, with a well-merited compliment on the skill and taste with which they had provided the entertainment.

Mr. Vaughan returned thanks for the ladies, and proceeded to propose the health of Mr. Henry Pease, in very complimentary terms.

Mr. Pease briefly replied, stating that he had no claim to so kind a reception from them. The chairman had so ably summed up the matter, that there was little to add.

He, however, could not withhold the expression of his satisfaction in witnessing the operations of this day. Not only because the expectations of those who so kindly entertained them on this occasion had been so fully realised, but from the consideration that this event would contribute to the happiness of the community at large. And that this was the fact would be obvious when we considered that the works which had been so recently brought into existence, would give employment to the industrious classes to the extent of nearly 2,000 persons.

These, after the toils of the week, would receive wages to which they were justly entitled, and he hoped such as would establish and maintain comfort their families. And though the place upon which they were there met had heretofore been known by the name of Paradise, he trusted it would be productive of more happiness than it had ever been before. He stated, as one effect of new works, that they have now trains running three times a-day up to Crook, and conveying upwards of 600 passengers per week, where it was one time thought an act of insanity to make a railway. And there was little doubt that in the course of the approaching summer, when the Witton Park and Tow Law Ironworks were brought into full operation, that the passenger and other traffic would be very considerably increased.

He trusted that the spirited proprietors of those undertakings, whilst they induced a wholesome competition between Wales and Scotland, would at the same time receive am ample return for the large capital embarked, and that a never-failing "litter of pigs" might be found to "cut up thick."

Mr. Bolckow then proposed the health of the Chairman in a highly complimentary speech, and expressed the great pleasure he and his partner felt in being honoured with Mr. Wilkinson’s company, a gentleman so greatly esteemed throughout the Valley of the Wear.

The Chairman acknowledged the toast, and expressed his gratification at the auspicious commencement of this great undertaking.

The party shortly afterwards broke up, and special trains were in readiness to convey them to their respective destinations.

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