The author’s object in publishing this book in its original form, was to describe, in connection with the ‘Life of George Stephenson,’ the origin and progress of the railway system,—to show by what moral and material agencies its founders were enabled to carry their ideas into effect, and work out results which even then were of a remarkable character, though they have since, as above described, become so much more extraordinary. The favour with which successive editions of the book have been received, has justified the author in his anticipation that such a narrative would prove of general, if not of permanent interest.
The book was written with the concurrence and assistance of Robert Stephenson, who also supplied the necessary particulars relating to himself. Such portions of these were accordingly embodied in the narrative as could with propriety be published during his lifetime, and the remaining portions have since been added, with the object of rendering more complete the record of the son’s life as well as of the early history of the Railway system.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. Newcastle andthe Great Northern Coal-Fields. | |
The colliery districts of theNorth—Newcastle-upon-Tyne in ancient times—The Romansettlement—Social insecurity in the MiddleAges—Northumberland roads—The coal-trade—ModernNewcastle—Coal haulage—Early waggon-roads,tram-roads, and railways—Machinery ofcoal-mines—Newcomen’s fire-engine—The colliers,their character and habits—Coal-staiths—Thekeelmen | Pages [1]–11 |
CHAPTER II. Wylam andDewley Burn—GeorgeStephenson’s Early Years. | |
Wylam Colliery and village—George Stephenson’sbirth-place—His parents—The Stephensonfamily—Old Robert Stephenson—George’sboyhood—Dewley Burn Colliery—Sister Nell’sbonnet—Employed as a herd-boy—Makes clayengines—Follows the plough—Employed ascorf-bitter—Drives the gin-horse—Black CallertonColliery—Love of animals—Madeassistant-fireman—Old Robert and family shift theirhome—Jolly’s Close, Newburn—Familyearnings—George as fireman—His athleticfeats—Throckley Bridge—“A made man forlife!”—Appointed engineman—Studies hisengine—Experiments in egg-hatching—Puts himself toschool, and learns to read—His schoolmasters—Progressin arithmetic—His dog—Learns to brake—Brakesmanat Black Callerton—Duties of brakesman—Beginsshoe-making—Fanny Henderson—Saves his firstguinea—Fight with a pitman | [12]–30 |
Engineman atWillington Quay and Killingworth. | |
Sobriety andstudiousness—Inventiveness—Removes to WillingtonQuay—Marries Fanny Henderson—Their cottage atWillington—Attempts at perpetual motion—WilliamFairbairn and GeorgeStephenson—Ballast-heaving—Chimney on fire, andclock-cleaning—Birth of Robert Stephenson—Georgeremoves to West Moor, Killingworth—Death of hiswife—Engineman at Montrose, Scotland—Hispump-boot—Saves money—His return toKillingworth—Brakesman at West Moor—Is drawn for theMilitia—Thinks of emigrating to America—Takes acontract for brakeing engines—Improves thewinding-engine—Cures a pumping-engine—Becomes famousas an engine-doctor—Appointed engine-wright of acolliery | [31]–46 |
CHAPTER IV. The Stephensonsat Killingworth—Education andSelf-Education of Father and Son. | |
George Stephenson’s self-improvement—JohnWigham—Studies in NaturalPhilosophy—Sobriety—Education of RobertStephenson—Sent to Rutter’s school,Benton—Bruce’s school, Newcastle—Literary andPhilosophical Institute—George educates his son inMechanics—Ride to Killingworth—Robert’s boyishtricks—Repeats the Franklinkite-experiment—Stephenson’s cottage, WestMoor—Odd mechanical expedients—Competition inlast-making—Father and son make a sun-dial—Collieryimprovements—Stephenson’s mechanical expertness | [47]–62 |
CHAPTER V. Early Historyof the Locomotive—GeorgeStephenson begins its Improvement. | |
Various expedients forcoal-haulage—Sailing-waggons—Mr. Edgworth’sexperiments—Cugnot’s first locomotivesteam-carriage—Murdock’s modellocomotive—Trevithick’s steam-carriage andtram-engine—Blenkinsop’s engine—Chapman andBrunton’s locomotives—The Wylam waggon-way—Mr.Blackett’s experiments—Jonathan Foster—William Hedley—The Wylamengine—Stephenson determines to build alocomotive—Lord Ravensworth—The first Killingworthengine described—The steam-blastinvented—Stephenson’s second locomotive | [63]–88 |
CHAPTER VI. Invention ofthe “Geordy” Safety-Lamp. | |
Frequency of colliery explosions—Accident in theKillingworth Pit—Stephenson’s heroic conduct—Asafety-lamp described—Dr. Clanny’slamp—Stephenson’s experiments onfire-damp—Designs a lamp, and tests it in thepit—Cottage experiments withcoal-gas—Stephenson’s second and thirdlamps—The Stephenson and Davy controversy—Scene atthe Newcastle Institute—The Davy testimonial—TheStephenson testimonial—Merits of the “Geordy”lamp | [89]–108 |
CHAPTER VII. GeorgeStephenson’s further Improvements in theLocomotive—The HettonRailway—Robert Stephenson asViewer’s Apprentice and Student. | |
The Killingworth mine machinery—Stephenson improveshis locomotive—Strengthens the road—Hispatent—His steam-springs—Experiments onfriction—Steam-locomotion on common roads—Earlyneglect of the locomotive—Stephenson again thinks ofemigration—Constructs the Hetton Railway—The workingpower employed—Robert Stephenson viewer’sapprentice—His pursuits at Killingworth—His fathersends him to Edinburgh University—His application to thestudies of Chemistry, Natural History, and NaturalPhilosophy—His MS. volumes of Lectures—Geologicaltour with Professor Jameson in the Highlands | [109]–122 |
CHAPTER VIII. GeorgeStephenson Engineer of the Stockton and DarlingtonRailway. | |
The Bishop Auckland Coal-field—Edward Pease projectsa railway from Witton to Stockton—The Billrejected—The line re-surveyed, and theAct obtained—George Stephenson’s visit to EdwardPease—Appointed engineer of the railway—Again surveysthe line—Mr. Pease visits Killingworth—The Newcastlelocomotive works projected—The railwayconstructed—Locomotives ordered—Stephenson’santicipations as to railways—Public opening of theline—The coal traffic—The first railwaypassenger-coach—The coaching traffic described—The“Locomotion” engine—Race withstage-coach—Commercial results of the Stockton andDarlington Railway—The town of Middlesborough created | [123]–145 |
CHAPTER IX. The Liverpooland Manchester Railway projected. | |
Insufficient communications between Manchester andLiverpool—The canal monopoly—A tramroadprojected—Joseph Sanders—Sir R. Phillip’sspeculations as to railways—Thomas Gray—William Jamessurveys a line between Liverpool and Manchester—Oppositionto the survey—Mr. James’s visits toKillingworth—Robert Stephenson assists in thesurvey—George Stephenson appointed engineer—The firstprospectus—Stephenson’s survey opposed—Thecanal companies—Speculations as to railwayspeed—Stephenson’s notions thoughtextravagant—Article in the‘Quarterly’—The Bill beforeParliament—The Evidence—George Stephenson in thewitness box—Examined as to speed—Hiscross-examination—The survey found defective—Mr.Harrison’s speech—Evidence of opposingengineers—Mr. Alderson’s speech—The Billwithdrawn—Stephenson’s vexation—The schemeprosecuted—The line re-surveyed—Sir IsaacCoffin’s speech—The Act passed | [146]–172 |
CHAPTER X. ChatMoss—Construction of theLiverpool and Manchester Railway. | |
George Stephenson appointed engineer—Chat Mossdescribed—The resident engineers—Mr. Dixon’svisit of inspection—Stephenson’s theory of a floatingroad—Operations begun—Tar-barrel drains—Theembankment sinks in the Moss—Proposed abandonment of thework—Stephenson perseveres—The obstaclesconquered—Road across Parr Moss—The roadformed—Stephenson’s organization of labour—TheLiverpool Tunnel—Olive Mount Cutting—SankeyViaduct—Stephenson and Cropper—Stephenson’slabours—Pupils and assistants—His dailylife—Practical education—Evenings at home | [173]–192 |
CHAPTER XI. RobertStephenson’s Residence in Colombia andReturn—The Battle of theLocomotive—The“Rocket.” | |
Robert Stephenson mining engineer in Colombia—Mulejourney to Bogota—Mariquita—Silvermining—Difficulties with the Cornishmen—His cottageat Santa Anna—Longs to return home—Resigns hispost—Meeting with Trevithick—Voyage to New York, andshipwreck—Returns to Newcastle, and takes charge of thefactory—The working power of the Liverpool and ManchesterRailway—Fixed engines and locomotives, and their respectiveadvocates—Walker and Rastrick’s report—A prizeoffered for the best locomotive—Conferences of theStephensons—Boiler arrangements and heatingsurface—Mr. Booth’s contrivance—Building of the“Rocket”—The competition of engines atRainhill—The “Novelty” and“Sanspareil”—Triumph of the“Rocket,” and its destination | [193]–220 |
CHAPTER XII. Opening of theLiverpool and Manchester Railway, andExtension of the Railway System. | |
The railway finished—The traffic arrangementsorganized—Public opening of the line—Accident to Mr.Huskisson—Arrival of the trains at Manchester—Thetraffic results—Improvement of the road and rollingstock—Improvements in the locomotive—The railway awonder—Extension of the railway system—Joint-stockrailway companies—New lines projected—Newengineers—The Grand Junction—Public opposition torailways—Robert Stephenson engineer to the Leicester andSwannington Railway—George Stephenson removes toSnibston—Sinks for and gets coal—Stimulates localenterprise—His liberality | [221]–236 |
RobertStephenson constructs the London and BirminghamRailway. | |
The line projected—George and Robert Stephensonappointed engineers—Opposition—Hostile pamphlets andpublic meetings—Robert Stephenson and Sir AstleyCooper—The survey obstructed—The opposingclergyman—The Bill in Parliament—Thrown out in theLords—Proprietors conciliated, and the Actobtained—The works let in contracts—The difficultiesof the undertaking—The line described—BlisworthCutting—Primrose Hill Tunnel—Kilsby Tunnel—Itsconstruction described—Cost of the Railway greatlyincreased—Failure of contractors—Magnitude of theworks—Railway navvies | [237]–252 |
CHAPTER XIV. Manchester andLeeds, and MidlandRailways—Stephenson’s Lifeat Alton—Visit toBelgium—General Extension ofRailways and their Results. | |
Projection of new lines—Dutton Viaduct, GrandJunction—The Manchester and Leeds—Summit Tunnel,Littleborough—Magnitude of the work—The MidlandRailway—The works compared with the Simplon road—Slipnear Ambergate—Bull Bridge—The York and NorthMidland—George Stephenson on his surveys—His quickobservation—Travelling and correspondence—Life atAlton Grange—The Stephensons’ Londonoffice—Visits to Belgium—Interviews with theKing—Public openings of Englishrailways—Stephenson’s pupils andassistants—Prophecies falsified concerningrailways—Their advantageous results | [253]–274 |
CHAPTER XV. GeorgeStephenson’s Coal Mines—The Atmospheric System—Railway Mania—Visits to Belgium and Spain. | |
George Stephenson on railways andcoal-traffic—Leases the Claycross estate, and sinks forcoal—His extensive lime-works—Removes to TaptonHouse—British Association at Newcastle—Appears at Mechanics’ Institutes—Speechat Leeds—His self-acting brake—His views of railwayspeed—Theory of “undulatinglines”—Chester and BirkenheadCompany—Stephenson’s liberality—Atmosphericrailways projected—Stephenson opposes the principle ofworking—The railway mania—Stephenson resists, andwarns against it—George Hudson, “RailwayKing”—Parliament and themania—Stephenson’s letter to Sir R. Peel—Againvisits Belgium—Interviews with King Leopold—Journeyinto Spain | [275]–300 |
CHAPTER XVI. RobertStephenson’s Career—TheStephensons and Brunel—EastCoast Route to Scotland—RoyalBorder Bridge, Berwick—High LevelBridge, Newcastle. | |
George Stephenson’s retirement—Robert’semployment as Parliamentary Engineer—His rivalBrunel—The Great Western Railway—The width ofgauge—Robert Stephenson’s caution as toinvestments—The Newcastle and Berwick Railway—Contestin Parliament—George Stephenson’s interview with LordHowick—Royal Border Bridge, Berwick—Progress ofiron-bridge building—Robert Stephenson constructs the HighLevel Bridge, Newcastle—Pile-driving bysteam—Characteristics of the structure—Throughrailway to Scotland completed | [301]–319 |
CHAPTER XVII. RobertStephenson’s Tubular Bridges at Menai andConway. | |
George Stephenson surveys a line from Chester toHolyhead—Robert Stephenson’s construction of theworks at Penmaen Mawr—Crossing of the MenaiStrait—Various plans proposed—A tubular beamdetermined on—Strength of wrought-iron tubes—Mr.William Fairbairn consulted—His experiments—Thedesign settled—The Britannia Bridge described—TheConway Bridge—Floating of the tubes—Lifting of thetubes—Robert Stephenson’s anxieties—Bursting ofthe Hydraulic Press—The works completed—Merits of theBritannia and Conway Bridges | [320]–340 |
GeorgeStephenson’s Closing Years—Illness and Death. | |
George Stephenson’s Life at Tapton—Experimentsin Horticulture, Gardening, and Farming—Affection foranimals—Bird-hatching and bee-keeping—Reading andconversation—Rencontre with Lord Denman—Hospitalityat Tapton—Experiments with themicroscope—Frolics—“A crowdienight”—Visits to London—Visit to Sir RobertPeel at Drayton Manor—Encounter with Dr.Buckland—Coal formed by the sun’s light—Openingof the Trent Valley Railway—Meeting withEmerson—Illness, death, and funeral—MemorialStatues | [341]–356 |
CHAPTER XIX. RobertStephenson’s Victoria Bridge, Lower Canada—Illness and Death—Stephenson Characteristics. | |
Robert Stephenson’s inheritances—Gradualretirement from the profession of engineer—His last greatworks—Tubular Bridges over the St. Lawrence and theNile—The Grand Trunk Railway, Canada—Necessity for agreat railway bridge near Montreal—Discussion as to theplan—Robert Stephenson’s report—A tubularbridge determined on—Massiveness of thepiers—Ice-floods in the St. Lawrence—Victoria Bridgeconstructed and completed—Tubular bridges inEgypt—The Suez Canal—Robert Stephenson’semployment as arbitrator—Assists Brunel at launching of the“Great Eastern”—Regardlessness ofhealth—Death and Funeral—Characteristics of theStephensons and resumé of their history—Politics offather and son—Services rendered to civilization by theStephensons | [357]–380 |
Index | |
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
| Page | |
| Portrait of George Stephenson to face title page | |
| High Level Bridge, to face | 1 |
| Map of Newcastle District | 2 |
| Flange rail | 6 |
| Coal-staith on the Tyne | 10 |
| Coal waggons | 11 |
| Wylam Colliery and village | 12 |
| High Street House, Wylam—George Stephenson’s birthplace | 14 |
| Newburn on the Tyne | 20 |
| Colliery Whimsey | 30 |
| Stephenson’s Cottage, Willington Quay | 31 |
| West Moor Colliery | 37 |
| Killingworth High Pit | 46 |
| Glebe Farm House, Benton | 47 |
| Rutter’s School House, Long Benton | 51 |
| Bruce’s School, Newcastle | 53 |
| Stephenson’s Cottage, West Moor | 57 |
| Sun-dial at Killingworth | 60 |
| Colliers’ Cottages at Long Benton | 62 |
| Cugnot’s Engine | 64 |
| Section of Murdock’s Model Locomotive | 66 |
| Trevithick’s high-pressure Tram-Engine | 70 |
| Improved Wylam Engine | 78 |
| Spur-gear | 83 |
| The Pit-head, West Moor | 91 |
| Davy’s and Stephenson’s Safety-lamps | 101 |
| West Moor Pit, Killingworth | 108 |
| Half-lap joint | 111 |
| Old Killingworth Locomotive | 113 |
| Map of Stockton and Darlington Railway | 123 |
| Portrait of Edward Pease | 124 |
| The first Railway Coach | 139 |
| The No. 1 Engine at Darlington | 142 |
| Middlesborough-on-Tees | 145 |
| Map of Liverpool and Manchester Railway (Western Part) | 150 |
| ,, (Eastern part) | 151 |
| Surveying on Chat Moss | 172 |
| Olive Mount Cutting | 184 |
| Sankey Viaduct | 186 |
| Robert Stephenson’s Cottage at Santa Anna | 198 |
| The “Rocket” | 212 |
| Locomotive competition, Rainhill | 215 |
| Railway versus Road | 220 |
| Map of Leicester and Swannington Railway | 233 |
| Stephenson’s House at Alton Grange | 236 |
| Portrait of Robert Stephenson, to face | 237 |
| Map of London and Birmingham Railway (Rugby to Watford) | 242 |
| Blisworth Cutting | 243 |
| Shafts over Kilsby Tunnel | 246 |
| Dutton Viaduct | 254 |
| Entrance to Summit Tunnel, Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway | 256 |
| Land-slip, near Ambergate, North Midland Railway | 259 |
| Bullbridge, near Ambergate | 260 |
| Coalville and Snibston Colliery | 274 |
| Tapton House, near Chesterfield | 275 |
| Lime-works at Ambergate | 278 |
| Newcastle, from the High Level Bridge | 301 |
| Royal Border Bridge, Berwick-upon-Tweed | 311 |
| High Level Bridge—Elevation of one Arch | 318 |
| Penmaen Mawr | 322 |
| Map of Menai Straits | 325 |
| Conway Tubular Bridge | 334 |
| Britannia Bridge | 339 |
| Conway Bridge—Floating the first Tube | 340 |
| View in Tapton Gardens | 341 |
| Pathway to Tapton House | 347 |
| Trinity Church, Chesterfield | 355 |
| Tablet in Trinity Church, Chesterfield | 356 |
| The Victoria Bridge, Montreal | 357 |
| Robert Stephenson’s Burial-place in Westminster Abbey | 369 |
| The Stephenson Memorial Schools, Willington Quay | 380 |
CHAPTER I.
Newcastle and the Great Northern Coal-Field.
In no quarter of England have greater changes been wrought by the successive advances made in the practical science of engineering than in the extensive colliery districts of the North, of which Newcastle-upon-Tyne is the centre and the capital.
In ancient times the Romans planted a colony at Newcastle, throwing a bridge across the Tyne near the site of the low-level bridge shown in the prefixed engraving, and erecting a strong fortification above it on the high ground now occupied by the Central Railway Station. North and north-west lay a wild country, abounding in moors, mountains, and morasses, but occupied to a certain extent by fierce and barbarous tribes. To defend the young colony against their ravages, a strong wall was built by the Romans, extending from Wallsend on the north bank of the Tyne, a few miles below Newcastle, across the country to Burgh-upon-Sands on the Solway Firth. The remains of the wall are still to be traced in the less populous hill-districts of Northumberland. In the neighbourhood of Newcastle they have been gradually effaced by the works of succeeding generations, though the “Wallsend” coal