Hi Kelvin et al,
I don't think that it would be a Newcomen engine on a Grant
for Smethwick. The Town is too intertwined with Watt.
Smethwick is famous for the fact that Watt developed his three valve engine
in the local vicinity ending up at his foundry on aptly named Foundry Road
Smethwick (just opposite the Tangye works on Cornwall Road )after his move
from the Soho Manufactury (@ 1/2 mile up the Road) and his partnership with
Boulton . The Watt engine at Smethwick became the first engine in the world
to use both the expansive force of steam and a vacuum at the same time. The
vacuum was created inside Watt's separate condenser, low pressure steam was
applied onto the pistons top and the vacuum was applied onto the underside
of the piston.
The Smethwick engine was in situ to pump for Brindley's canal (the old main
line) and Telfords' (new line) not for mining which was an industry that
wasn't followed in Smethwick area of Sth Staffs.
You're spot on with the Dudley Locust, and they also had a Newcomen at the
side of Tipton Road that was used for mining purposes.
BTW knew that I had a copy of the Smethwick grant somewhere, it has chains,
lions etc., but no Newcomen. That said, I'm sure that Kelvin is right in
respect of one of the Black Country Boroughs. Can't remember which one
though.
All The Best
Dave 8-))
Wednesbury England
-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Kelvin Green
Sent: 25 April 2003 23:25
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Mining tools / pictures in coats of arms of towns / cities
/ districts
Smethwick Borough coat of arms shows a Newcomen engine, as used in the
local mines. Although not strictly mining, Dudley Coat of Arms shows a
Dudley Locust, the trilobite Calymene.
Kelvin Green
