Account of the fire at the Foundry of Messrs. Fawcett and Preston in Suffolk Street, Liverpool on 7th March 1843 as published in the Liverpool Mercury of 10th March 1843.
PARTIAL DESTRUCTION OF MESSRS. FAWCETT AND PRESTON’S FOUNDRY, BY FIRE
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We regret to state – and we feel persuaded that our regret will be shared, in all parts of the world, by thousands, to whom the names of “Fawcett and Preston, Liverpool,” have become familiar, from their successes in the manufacture of machinery – that a considerable part of the extensive foundry, running from Suffolk-street to York-street, has been destroyed by fire, and that the loss of tools, machinery, &c., has been very considerable. On Tuesday morning last, about half-past twelve o’clock, a report that a fire had broken out in Great Crosshall-street reached the fire-police station. The engines were immediately despatched, but, fortunately, there was no occasion for their services. They had not returned long, however, when information arrived that a fire had broken out at Messrs. Fawcett and Preston’s foundry, when Mr. Hewitt instantly set out, and reached the ground about two o’clock. It was then discovered that the fire originated in the paint shop, as marked in the subjoined rough sketch of the ground plan, which we shall here insert, in order to give our readers some idea of the ravages of the conflagration:-
It appears that about one o’clock the watchman on Messrs. Fawcett and Preston’s premises discovered that a fire, at first trifling in his estimation, had broken out in the portion of the works above mentioned. Conceiving the fire to be so very slight, the watchman made no doubt that he could put it out without assistance. He forbore, therefore, to send immediately for the fire police, and continued to throw on it such small quantities of water as he could carry. He soon, however, discovered that his exertions were unavailing, and he then gave the alarm.
As soon as the engines arrived on the spot they were got into play, and for some time were supplied with water from the water-carts. The firemen were active in their exertions, and so successful were their efforts that the flames were entirely subdued in the building in which they first broke out; but just at this time the water in the carts being exhausted, and it being impossible to procure any from the mains in the streets, the fire again gained ground, and before the carts could return with another supply of water, the flames had so far advanced that it was impossible effectually to check them. Upwards of an hour elapsed before there was any supply from the mains, and, in the meantime, the fire had made rapid progress down Gilbert-street, and amongst the buildings in the interior of the yard. From the paint shop the fire crossed the foundry in the direction of Lydia Ann-street, destroying all the millwrights’ and fitting rooms, and a large pile of workshops, as marked in the plan. It also communicated to a large warehouse fronting Lydia Ann-street, and consumed a large quantity of cotton and other articles which were there stored. The flames which issued from this building were driven with great fury across the street, and set fire to a warehouse opposite. A great part of the goods in one or two of the stories of this were saved. When the building on the South side was gutted and fell the walls crushed beneath them a hide shed belonging to Mr. Waring, whose counting house, which is nearer Suffolk-street, escaped with slight damage, and his books and papers were removed by Superintendent Leveratt, Inspector Walker, and others.
The flames raged with great fury till about six o’clock, when a plentiful supply of water having been obtained, the efforts of the Fire-police were of some avail, and the extent of the fire in the foundry became apparent. Six fitting shops, two smithies, one grinder’s shop, with packing-rooms, and other material parts of the premises, were consumed. Entering the premises from the gateway near the top of Gilbert-street, and looking to the left, the ruins had the appearance of a desolated town, so extensive was the establishment.
Amongst the structures destroyed in the works of Messrs. Fawcett and Preston, was one which contained a vast number of patterns, models, drawings, &c., but the room which contained the most valuable materials of this description was preserved. Much machinery, as well the working machinery of the premises, as that which had been manufactured to order, was destroyed. The heavy castings for the engines of the stream-ship Bentinck, lately launched, were all in what is called the erection shed, which the fire did not touch. The whole of the fine brass and polished work for that vessel was in the rooms which became the prey of the flames, and these parts of her machinery are, therefore, either destroyed or so damaged as to be useless.
As soon as the first alarm of fire was given, Mr Whitty, Mr Hewitt, Superintendents Leveratt and Quick, a large body of the Fire-police, with engines and water-carts, were promptly on the spot, and throughout the entire progress of the conflagration they exerted themselves in the most praiseworthy and energetic manner. Mr. Maxwell, inspector of salvages, was present from an early hour, and rendered effectual service in his department. His worship the Mayor, Mr. Rushton, and the Town-clerk were early on the spot, and assisted to the utmost of their power in the preservation of order and property. His Worship did not disdain in some instances to urge the workmen who were employed in removing goods, by giving them personal examples of energy and alacrity, and on one occasion an old woman, who had deposited a few of her moveables near to the spot where his Worship was busied, and wished to return for other articles, took him by the arm and exclaimed, “Here, stand here till I come back, will you? and keep an eye on my goods.” The Mayor good-humouredly promised to take especial care that no evil should befal the property thus unexpectedly committed to his charge, a promise which, we believe, he faithfully kept.
The crews of H. M. steamer Redwing, and H. M. steamer Etna, under the command of Lieutenant Ladd, of the former vessel, rendered essential service in saving the goods from the warehouses in Lydia Ann-street.
Happily, no lives were lost at this fire, nor have we heard of any person being seriously injured. The disaster, however, cannot fail to be most calamitous in its effects. In the first place, great delay will be occasioned in refurnishing large portions of the machinery which was immediately wanted; and, more painful still, hundreds of men have not only lost their tools, but will be thrown for a length of time out of employment, and thus there will be a great addition to the distress already existing in the town. Owing to the pressure of the times, the number of men employed in this great establishment had been reduced from nearly 700 to 358, and of these a very large proportion, if not the whole, will be unable to obtain employment until the workshops are rebuilt.
About three o’clock in the morning, an alarm of fire in Limekiln-lane was given. One of the engines was despatched to the spot, under the direction of Mr. George Hewitt, who succeeded in extinguishing the flames before any material injury was done.
The following, we believe, is a correct statement of the loss, so far as it has been ascertained:-
Liverpool office, £3500 Buildings
Ditto, £2000 on Hemp, &c.
Sun …….……………… £8000 on Cotton
Atlas ………………….. £2000 on Wheat, &c.
West England …….. £2000 Building, Lake’s warehouse.
Norwich Union ….. £200 on Grain.
Alliance ……………… £1700.
Phoenix ……………… £1050.
Globe ………………… £300.
London Union ……. £300.
Manchester ……….. £300.
Messrs. Fawcett’s insurances are reported to be effected in London with the offices there, namely –
£14,500 with Scottish Union.
7,400 with West England.
7,400 with Atlas.
7,400 with London Union.
Estimated loss at Messrs. Fawcett’s, £10,000 at least.
The total loss, less salvage, will no doubt exceed £30,000.
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