The important works of Messrs. Barnard, Bishop, and Barnard, of Norwich, are situate in St. Michael’s Coslany, and cover an area of one acre, next the river Wensum. Entering from Coslany Street, the new counting house is joined on the right by a suite of offices, and on the left by the smith’s shop, which is backed by fire-proof workshops, seventy-five feet in length, and five stories in height. The large foundry is at the east end of the works. A tramway runs from Coslany Street into the interior, permeating the premises. About 400 men and boys are employed in the production of wire-netting, fencing, garden chairs, stands, machines, lawn mowers, gates, and every kind of horticultural implements. A glance at the operations of the firm will, doubtless, be interesting to our readers. One of the most important is the production daily of many miles of wire-netting, made by curious machinery. The strained wire fencing is made on the best principle, the bases of both the straining pillars and standards being entirely of iron; and after a test of more than thirty years, it has been found very superior, both as regards durability and appearance. Messrs. Barnard, Bishop, and Barnard are also makers, on a large scale, of bedsteads, mangles, cooking ranges, kitcheners, &c., &c., &c.
This firm, the founder of which was Mr. Charles Barnard, a man of modest demeanour, but possessed of considerable inventive genius, will live in history as the manufacturers of the celebrated “Norwich Gates,” exhibited in 1862. These were designed by Mr. Thomas Jekyll of this city, and by a county subscription were, in November, 1864, placed at the entrance to the park at Sandringham, the residence of the Prince of Wales. During the Exhibition of 1862, these marvellous productions attracted great attention. The Times, of April 7th, after alluding to works of a similar character, said:—
“In our judgment, however, the design of these latter is scarcely equal to that of the beautiful wrought-iron park gates, which are being erected, as a principal nave trophy, by Messrs. Barnard, Bishop, and Barnard.”
These were adjudged to be the best in the Exhibition. The same firm also produced very elegant gates, which were exhibited at the Paris Exhibition, in 1867, and greatly admired for the beauty of the design and perfect workmanship. These gates were only thirteen feet wide, and seven feet in height, but they occupied forty of the best workmen from morning till night for three months, at a cost of £750 in wages. These gates were quite unique in design and workmanship. There was not a touch of the chisel. The hammer did all the work in the most perfect manner.
In conclusion, we may state, that after a minute examination of the productions at these works, we feel convinced that articles can now be executed in metal, which surpass the doings of past ages; and that the labour, combined with the intelligence of this 19th century, when skilfully directed, is quite equal to that of the mediæval period.
Mr. W. S. Boulton, who occupies extensive premises in Rose Lane, is a manufacturer of agricultural and horticultural implements; also of strained wire fencing, iron hurdles, park gates, garden chairs, iron bedsteads, kitchen ranges, hot-water appuratus, &c. He produces every kind of railing and palisading in great variety, and he put up the iron palisading round Chapel Field, which is a great ornament as well as protection to the ground. He also supplies a great variety of useful machines, such as mincing and sausage machines, and almost all articles made of iron.
Messrs. Riches and Watts are engineers and machine makers, at Duke’s Palace Iron Works. They are builders of condensing engines, vertical cylinder engines, and steam thrashing machines; and are also makers of American grist mills, corn mills, mills for grinding linseed, &c., cultivators, pumping machinery, iron field rollers, and all kinds of implements.
Messrs. Holmes and Sons, engineers, on the Castle Hill, are makers of a great variety of machines and implements which have gained many prizes at different Agricultural Exhibitions. The firm have also been very extensively engaged for thirty-five years in the manufacture of drills. During this period, every practical improvement has been introduced, adapting them to every description of soil, simplifying the different parts, and decreasing the working expenses for the renewal of wearing parts. These drills stand unequalled for simplicity, durability, and efficiency, and are of lighter draft than others, owing to the position of the coulters and levers. More than 4000 of these drills have been sent out. The premises of this firm are well situated close to the cattle market, and have been considerably enlarged. The new show rooms in the Market are nearly opposite to the entrance to the Castle. Entering the works from the high road, we may first inspect the foundry, containing an enormous crane and three cupolas. Adjoining the foundry are the stoves for small castings, and above it the pattern-makers’ shop. Returning to the yard, we may enter the erecting and fitting shop. The drill-fitting shop and the thrashing-machine shops are admirably adapted for their intended purposes. About a hundred hands are employed in the works.
Mr. Thomas Smithdale has a very large establishment at St. Ann’s Staithe, King Street, on the site of an ancient monastery, remains of which still exist next the river. In the large foundry, castings of iron are made, up to ten tons; and the workshops contain the heaviest machinery in Norwich. Mr. Smithdale builds engines from three to a hundred horse power; and he makes also hydraulic presses, cranes, crabs, mill works, planing, shaping, and drilling machines, and boilers of all sizes.
Mr. Reeve, in Pitt Street, is a manufacturer of improved kitchen ranges of various sizes, which have been in great demand.