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Ironbridge is located south of Telford between Birmingham and Shrewsbury. To visit Ironbridge today is to visit a small wooded gorge on the Severn River crossed by an iron bridge, the world's first iron bridge. Country manors line its banks. Men fish from its banks, a raft or two gently paddled upon its waters contribute to a languid scene. |
On Friday 12th August, 1796, the day Dutch Prince of Orange, William V and his wife Wilhemman observed the same gorge, it was a very different scene. Their eyes observed foundaries, smelters and china works. Ships docked alongside wharves to take manufactured products down the Severn to other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond.
Then as now, they too would have seen the iron bridge. Commenced in 1779 and opened in 1781, the world's first major bridge to be made from iron. On that day, this now quiet rural gorge was one of the most industrialized areas in the world. One of the ignition points of the Industrial Revolution.
Models of Ironbridge in the late 18th century are presented in the Museum of the Gorge.
Close together in the gorge the necessary ingredients were present, iron, lime and coal. Abraham Darby in 1709 succeeded in using coke to smelt iron. Coke is made by heating coal driving off volatiles. Coke, much more plentiful than charcoal, allows cast iron to be produced at a much greater rate. The coal in the Severn, with low sulphur content was suitable for coke production. This coupled with Darby's tenacity contributed to success. Coal, as a carbon source, had been tried before but the iron produced was brittle and useless.
The first products of Darby's Coalbrookesdale company were households items such as pots, pans and kettles. The company later expanded into engineering products. In 1722 the world's first steam engine cylinders, followed by the first railway wheels, later the first rail lines and in 1781 the cast iron bridge across the Severn. The town of Ironbridge grew up around the bridge.
As the 18th century drew to close, and with the rise of other better resourced centers, such as Manchester, the dominance of the Ironbridge/Coalbrookedale region started to decline. This decline to some extend was reflected in Coalbrookesdale product range. From manufacturing engineering products it repositioned itself to become a producer of household decorative cast products. Even today a forge is still active, producing wood-fired stoves.
Ironbridge today is an UNESCO World Hertiage Site. In addition to the remains of its industrial period it has several museums including Museum of the Gorge - depicting the area's history; Enginuity - a science museum with inactive exhibits and the Coalport China Museum displaying fine examples of Coalport China. China products are still produced at Coalport.
Close to Ironbridge is Blist Hill-Victoria Town, an open air museum which attempts to recreate the atmosphere of a Shropshire town in the late Victorian period. First item of business upon entry is to change money into pre-decimal farthings, halfpennies, pennies, threepenny bits and sixpences.
Several shops have been re-created from which vistors can buy sweets, candles, carpentary goods, shoes and other items made in the Victorian period. I assume the dentistry is not in current use.
Amongst the buildings are places where the items sold are manufactured. People working in them are skilled and have in-depth knowledge of the processes they employ. When you enter they will explain the processes to you.
It might be forgotten now, but for much of the Victorian era machines were powered by steam.
Around 5PM-6PM everyday, Victoria Town closes and its inhabitants return to the 21st century.