[2]He was many years a constant exhibitor at the Royal Academy. In 1788 he published a set of Views on the Rhine. In 1798 was printed a Sermon preached by him before the Armed Association of Battersea.
[2]He was many years a constant exhibitor at the Royal Academy. In 1788 he published a set of Views on the Rhine. In 1798 was printed a Sermon preached by him before the Armed Association of Battersea.
[3]The Patronage lapsed to the Crown, Dr. Allen having been appointed Bishop of Ely, and Dr. Eden, better known as Lord Auckland, Bishop of Sodor and Man.
[3]The Patronage lapsed to the Crown, Dr. Allen having been appointed Bishop of Ely, and Dr. Eden, better known as Lord Auckland, Bishop of Sodor and Man.
In the reign of Henry VI. Thomas Lord Stanley held possession of a valuable estate in Battersea, which, in order to prevent its confiscation at that troublesome period, he had conveyed to trustees for the benefit of himself and that of Thomas his son and heir. In December, 1460, the property was transferred by the Trustees to Lawrence Booth, Bishop of Durham, and his heirs, and in the year following the grant was confirmed by the two Stanleys. The futility of this transfer was obvious for before Edward IV. had reigned eleven years the estate had escheated to the Crown "in consequence of the action of John Stanley, who assigned the lands and tenements in trust to the Abbot of Westminster, in contravention of the statute of Mortmain. The Bishop therefore had to apply to the King and on payment of £700 he obtained a grant under Letters Patent dated July 10th, 1472, of the property forfeited by John Stanley."
Lawrence Booth was made Bishop of Durham in 1457, he builta Mansion Brygge Court at Battersea, and by the King's license enclosed with walls and towers imparked his land there, with the right of warren and free chase therein. In 1476 he was translated to the See of York. He died in 1480 and bequeathed this property to the Dean and Chapter of York as an occasional residence when the Archbishop visited London. The name of York Road perpetuates this ancient occupancy. One of the few prelates who resided here was Archbishop Holgate who was committed to the Tower by Queen Mary in 1553 for being a married man, and lost much property by illegal seizure. Strype, in his life of Cranmer, relates that the officers who were sent to apprehend the Archbishop rifled his house at Battersea and took away from thence £300 worth of gold coin; 1,600 ounces of plate; a mitre of fine gold set with very fine diamonds, sapphires, and balists; other good stones and pearls; some very valuable rings, and the Archbishop's seal in silver; and his signet, an antique in gold. It is contended that Wolsey resided at York House, Battersea, where he was introduced to Anne Boleyne though the interview is more commonly believed to have taken place at York House, Whitehall; but Shakespere in his plays makes the King come by water, and York House, Battersea, was a residence of Wolsey and provided with a creek from the Thames for approach to the house. Sir Edward Wynter is said to have resided at York House, whose exploits surpassed even the heroic achievements of Lord Herbert Cherbury, who, alone in his shirt chased a host of midnight robbers from his house. Sir Edward Wynter's exploits have been already mentioned. The Mansion House was considerably altered by Joseph Benwell, Esq., the occupier who took down many of the old rooms. One of these called the painted chamber had a dome ceiling and is said to have been the room in which Wolsey entertained Henry VIII. with masquerades, and in which he saw Anne Boleyne. When the floor was removed there was found under it a chased gold ring on the side of which was inscribed "Thy virtue is thy honour." This superbly painted room with a dome forms the back ground of an ancient print representing the first interview of Henry VIII. with Anne Boleyne.
There was also another large building in 1818 standing parallel with York House but nearer the river divided into two houses, then in the possession of F. Alver and H. Tritton, Esqrs., and noted for having a very fine terrace in front next the Thames.
The art of transfer-printing produced from copper-plate impressions is said to have been made at Liverpool; but Mr. Binns, F.S.A., in his very interesting History of Worcester ware traces the claim of transfer-printing to the Battersea Enamel Works at York House, (the Archbishop's old palace) where Ravenet and other artists wrought in engraving plates from which impressions were taken on enamel plaques, etc., for snuff-boxes and other articles. The Liverpool claim to the invention dates from 1756. Whereas Horace Walpole writes from Strawberry Hill, six or seven miles from Battersea, to R. Bently, September 18th, 1755; "I shall send you a trifling snuff-box only as a sample of the new manufacture at Battersea which is done withCopper plates." TheBattersea Porcelain[1]Works failed and Alderman Jansen's stock, furniture, etc., were sold by public auction, March 4, 1756. The Battersea and Chelsea wares being rarities are expensive, particularly the former. A writer in the "Athenæum" thinks it probable that some of the Battersea workmen found their way to Worcester and Liverpool.
[1]In 1518 the Portuguese obtained their settlement at Macao, and through them Europe obtained its first specimen of china ware. "And because the cowrie shells which represented Oriental money, resembled as they thought, the backs of little pigs, they called them porcellana; and because the transparent and beautiful texture of china ware resembled that of the delicate cowrie shell, the same name was applied to it; whence we get, it is said, our English designation—porcelain."—See Marratt's History of Pottery.
[1]In 1518 the Portuguese obtained their settlement at Macao, and through them Europe obtained its first specimen of china ware. "And because the cowrie shells which represented Oriental money, resembled as they thought, the backs of little pigs, they called them porcellana; and because the transparent and beautiful texture of china ware resembled that of the delicate cowrie shell, the same name was applied to it; whence we get, it is said, our English designation—porcelain."—See Marratt's History of Pottery.
The public may see some beautiful as well as curious specimens of Battersea enamel exhibited at Kensington Museum, lent by the Hon. W. F. B. Massey-Mainwaring. Also some bought at Mrs. Haliburton's sale. Battersea enamel 1750-60. Blue and gold, pink and gold candle-sticks, snuff-boxes, scent-bottles, needle-cases, handle for a cane, tray (circular) from Dulparry with floral medallions, tazza, Bulton's hunting subjects in brown transfer, thimble cases, etui with implements. Battersea enamel portrait on copper, a gentleman in armour wearing the garter, etc., etc.
Jens Wolfe, Esq., who was Danish Consul to this country, had a seat at Battersea called Sherwood Lodge. He built a gallery 76 feet long by 25, and 30 in height in the most correct style of Doric architecture for the reception of plaster casts purposely taken for this collection from the most celebrated antique statues. The most remarkable of these were those from the Fighting Gladiator and the Niobe, the Barberini Faun, the Dying Gladiator and the Farnese Hercules. The mansion was pleasantly situated and beautifully shaded with poplar, lime, and sycamore trees. It was the residence of Mrs. Fitz Herbert. Sir George Wombwell chose it as his seat and resided in it about fourteen years. Subsequently Sir Edward Hyde East dwelt here. The stable belonging to Sherwood Lodge still remains, also the old wooden-cased pump with leaden spout.
advertisementPrice's Patent Candle Company, Belmont Works, Battersea, S.W.(above)Price's Patent Candle Company, Bromborough Pool, near Liverpool.(below)
Price's Patent Candle Company, Belmont Works, Battersea, S.W.(above)Price's Patent Candle Company, Bromborough Pool, near Liverpool.(below)
On the site where stood York House, Tudor Lodge, and Sherwood House, stands a great hive of industry known as Belmont Works or Price's Patent Candle Factory. Price's Patent Candle Company (as a private firm) was among the earliest to apply in commercial enterprise the discoveries of Chevreul, and has continued to hold the first place among candle manufacturers in Great Britain; and notwithstanding the manufacture of gas, the importation of American oils and the many competitors for supplying light-giving material this Company makes its way by dexterity between them. At the present time the store room of the Belmont Factory actually contains candles of about 240 different kinds. Until Chevreul had begun his scientific investigations in 1811, oils and fats had been regarded as simple organic substances. On the complete publication of his discoveries in 1823, the complex character of these bodies became extensively known. In 1829 the plan of separating cocoa-nut oil into its solid and liquid components by pressure, was in that year patented by Mr. James Soames of London; this patent was purchased by Mr. William Wilson and his partner, who, trading upon it under the title of E. Price & Co., perfected it as to manufacturingdetails. In 1831 the candle manufacture in England was set free from the excise supervision to which it had been previously subjected. From that date then its progress became possible. After a time, in order to carry out successfully certain enterprises which required more capital than the Company had at their command, Mr. Wilson's partner sold his share in the beginning of 1835 to three capitalists. With these gentlemen as sleeping partners and with the aid of two of his sons, Mr. Wilson continued under the name of Edward Price & Co. to carry on the concern until it passed in 1847 into the hands of Price's Patent Candle Company, with a capital of £500,000; of this Company Mr. Wm. Wilson became the first Chairman, and his sons, Mr. James P. Wilson and Mr. George F. Wilson, the two Manufacturing Directors. It is interesting to notice that in the year 1840, while Mr. J. P. Wilson was endeavouring to produce a cheap self-snuffing candle for the coming illumination in honour of the marriage of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, then about to take place, succeeded in making such candles of a mixture of equal parts of stearic acid and cocoa-nut stearine, they gave a brilliant light and required no snuffing. These candles came rapidly into notice, they were named "Composite" because of the mixture in them. Africa supplies the palm-oil which was hitherto used almost entirelyfor soap-making. The imports of palm-oil into England, which amounted to about 9,800 tons in 1840, have for many years past exceeded 40,000 tons annually, and averaged 50,000 tons in 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874. This increase of importation is undoubtedly due in very great part to the use of oil in the manufacture of candles; and it is this trade which presents to the African chiefs and kings along the West Coast the motive that they can best understand for the abandonment of the slave-trade, they learn in fact, that their subjects are of more value to their rulers when collecting palm-oil than by being sold into slavery. The cocoa-nut oil brought from Ceylon is largely used in the factory. The palm-oil from the Coast of Africa being converted by chemical processes into stearine, is freed from oleic acid by enormous pressure, is liquefied by steam, and then conveyed into the moulding machinery, by which 800 miles of wicks are continually being converted into candles. Among the earlier operations of the new Company was the acquirement in 1848 of the Night-Light Patent held by Mr. G. M. Clarke, and in 1849 of the Night-Light business of Mr. Samuel Childs, and the erection of a new factory for the purpose of carrying on this new branch of manufacture on an extensive scale. In 1875 no less than 32½ millions of new lights were sold by the Candle Company. Geology informs us that in the age of the coal formation a great part of the earth's surface was covered by a dense and tangled vegetation composed mainly of flowerless plants growing with wonderful luxuriance in the warm damp atmosphere which must then have prevailed—the masses of vegetable matter—the decay of gigantic ferns sinking into the boggy soil formed peat which as ages rolled on became converted by heat and pressure into coal. The conditions of the earth now are so different to what they were at that geological period that we are unable to state with certainty how long the process must have taken to form the ancient beds of lignite (mineral coal retaining the texture of the wood from which it was formed) and brown coal, and the still more ancient beds or seams of true coal. From these paraffine is extracted by chemical processes—it is the chief material in theGolden Medal Palmitine Candles(the name given to the candles in consequence of the award to the Company at the Paris Exhibition, 1867, and other products—the name "Palmitine" having been given to them because of the presence of a beautifully pure white stearine obtained from palm-oil). The paraffine thus procured by a process of distillation yields at the same time a liquid product affording under the name of coal oil, or petrolium, one of the cheapest of the Company's light-giving materials. Price's Glycerine has obtained a world-wide reputation for its purity—much of it is manufactured from palm-oil. It was in the Company's factory thatpureglycerine was first produced. The total of raw materials brought into work by the Company in 1877 amounted to nearly 16,000 tons. The produce in the same year was as follows;—-
Candles of all kinds147,000,000Night-lights32,000,000Oils for Lamps, Machinery and Wool-workinggals. 990,000Household and Toilet Soapscwts. 38,000Stearine and Candle-material sold in bulkcwts. 16,000Glycerine of various qualitiescwts. 3,500
The year's produce of candles named above would suffice to give the continuous light of one candle during about 84,000 years. The Night-lights would in like manner give the continuous light of one Night-light during about 25,000 years. In 1853 the Company took a step of much importance. Liverpool being then as now, the place of arrival of the largest importation of palm-oil, it was felt to be desirable that the Company should have in or near it a second factory, prepared to manufacture this material where it could be purchased without cost of land carriage. The capital of the Company was therefore increased and an estate of about 60 acres was purchased at Bromborough Pool, near Liverpool, on which was erected the second factory with cottages. The factory village numbers 97 houses with a population of 530. It has its own place of worship, schools, co-operative stores, rifle corps, and all the organization of a model village. At present this factory employs about 320 operatives. The London Works (Battersea) occupy an area of about 13½ acres, those at Bromborough occupy 7 acres. The buildings are all roofed with corrugated iron so as to reduce inflammable material to a minimum. The area covered by the roofs is a large one, as the buildings again, with a view to safety from fire have generally no upper floor. This area amounts to nine acres for the two factories. The operatives number about 1,300, nearly 1,000 of whom are employed at Battersea. Connected with each factory is a mess-room in which the work-people can either purchase their food from the Co-operative Society established among themselves, or can have their own provisions cooked for them. At each factory a brief devotional service is conducted every morning. Each factory has its reading room and library; each maintains a corps of rifle volunteers (the two establishments together providing about 300 efficient riflemen), and each during the winter has its evening school for boys employed in the Works. Bromborough enjoys an excellent recreation ground and set of allotment gardens, but the growth of buildings about London has precluded the London operatives from having these privileges. During the winter months, lectures and science and art classes offer amusement and instruction to those who desire one or the other. In each factory a medical officer pays a daily visit, and attends to all who may be ailing; a weekly payment of one penny from each man and a half-penny from each boy being required in return for this privilege. On the whole this is one of the best regulated firms in the Metropolis.
Mr.James Pillans Wilson,Consulting Adviser.Mr.John Calderwood,General Manager.Mr.W. H. Withall,Secretary.Mr.Kingston George Woodham,Superintendent.Mr.S. J. Roberts,Chief Engineer.Mr.G. Childs,Superintendent Night-Light Department.Mr.J. Day,Superintendent Bromborough Pool Works,near Birkenhead.[1]
[1]The writer has had the privilege of consulting a pamphlet entitled "A Brief History of Price's Patent Candle Company (Limited)," printed by Spottiswoode & Co., New Street Square, London, 1876. For private circulation only.
[1]The writer has had the privilege of consulting a pamphlet entitled "A Brief History of Price's Patent Candle Company (Limited)," printed by Spottiswoode & Co., New Street Square, London, 1876. For private circulation only.
Though hour-glasses were invented at Alexandria B.C. 149, and water-clocks about the same period, yet it does not appear that hour-glasses and clepsydras or water-clocks were known in England during the reign of Alfred the Great. Sun dials might be, but were of no use from eve to morn and when the days were sunless. In order to allot certain portions of time to particular objects, eight hours to sleep, meals and exercise, eight to the affairs of government, and eight to study and devotion, Alfred contrived the expedient of having wax candles made of equal weight and twelve inches in length, with marks upon them at regular distances. The combustion of one candle lasted four hours, and each intermediate part, an inch in distance, denoted a period of twenty minutes. Six of these candles lasted twenty-four hours. The duty of tending these candles was entrusted to one of Alfred's domestic Chaplains who had to give the Monarch notice of their working. As currents of air rushed through the unglazed windows and chinks in the walls of the Royal residence as to render the combustion irregular and the register inaccurate, the ingenious King surrounded the candles with horn and wooden frames to make them burn steadily in all weathers.
It was a custom in olden time to conduct a sale or auction by inch of candle. A small piece of candle being lighted the bystanders were allowed to bid for the merchandize that was offered for sale—the moment the candle went out the commodity was adjudged to the last bidder.
There was also excommunication by inch of candle, when the sinner was allowed to come to repentance while a candle continued to burn; but after it was consumed he remained excommunicated to all intents and purposes.
CANDLEMAS, a feast of the Romish Church, celebrated on the 2nd of February, in honour of the purification of the Virgin Mary. It is borrowed from the practice of the ancient Christians, who on that day used abundance of lights both in their churches and processions, in memory as is supposed of our Saviour's being on that day declared by Simeon "to be a light to lighten the Gentiles." In imitation of this custom, the Roman Catholics on this day consecrate all the tapers and candles which they use in their churches during the whole year. At Rome, the Pope performs that ceremony himself; and distributes wax candles to the Cardinals and others, who carry them in procession through the Great Halls of the Vatican or Pope's Palace. This ceremony was prohibited in England by an Order of Council in the year 1548.
Some writers affirm that Candlemas was first instituted by Pope Gelasius I. in 492. "The Romans were in the habit of burning candles on this day to the goddess Februa, the mother of Mars; and Pope Sergius seeing it would be useless to prohibit a practice of so long standing turned it to Christian account by enjoining a similar offering of candles to the Virgin. The candles were supposed to have the effect of frightening the devil and all evil spirits away from the persons who carried them, or from the houses in which they were placed." It is evident that the numerous superstitious notions and observances connected with candles and other lights in all countries had a remote origin, and may be consideredas relics of the once universally prevalent worship of the sun and of fire, for mankind had so far forgotten the One living and true God as to worship the creature instead of the Creator who is God over all blessed for evermore.
A bright spark at the candle denotes that the party directly opposite is to receive a letter. Windy weather is prophesied from the waving of the flames without (apparent) cause, and wet weather if the wick does not light readily. There is a tradition in most parts of Europe to the effect that a fine Candlemas portends a severe winter. In Scotland the prognostication is expressed in the following distich:—
"If Candlemas is fair and clearThere'll be twa winters in the year."
It is said that condemned criminals making theamende honorableat the church doors were constrained to bear in their hands a wax taper of six pounds weight. That it is only thirty-two years since a woman convicted of the offence of brawling in church, stood, by sentence of the Ecclesiastical Court, in a white sheet and with a candle in her hand,coram publico, in a church in Devonshire. By the superstitious in olden times in England the rescued parts of Candlemas tapers were supposed to possess supernatural virtues. "Candlemas Bleeze" was until recently, a bonfire festival still observed in sequestered parts of Scotland. A "winding sheet," a "thief" in the candle, etc., were regarded as evil omens, and anxious fears excited if suddenly a hollow cinder were ejected from the fire to know whether it resembled a cradle or a coffin!
About a century ago London was so infested with gangs of highwaymen that it was dangerous to go out after dusk. In 1705 an Act of Common Council was passed for regulating the nightly watch of the City. A number of strong able-bodied men had to be provided by each Ward. Every person occupying any shop, house or warehouse had either to watch in person or pay an able-bodied man to be appointed thereto. Watchmen were provided with lanterns and candles and armed with halberts; to watch from nine in the evening till seven in the morning from Michaelmas to the first of April, and from ten till five from the first of April till Michaelmas. Thus they went their nightly rounds calling "Lantern and a candle! Hang out your Lights!" for during dark nights a certain number of householders in each street had to hang out lanterns with a whole candle, and the Watchman thundered at the door of those delinquents who neglected to do so. The total number of Watchmen appointed by this Act was 583.
Facing Price's Candle Factory was a field which was rented by the Company and used as a cricket ground for their employés. Queen's Terrace and streets adjacent now cover this portion of land.
Among the State Papers is a letter dated August 22, 1580, from Archbishop Sandys to John Wickliffe, keeper of his house at Battersey, in which he directs him to deliver up the house to the Lords of the Council so that it might be turned into a prison for obstinate papists. During the Commonwealth, York House was sold to Sir Allen Apsley and Colonel Hutchinson for the sum of £1,806 3s. 6d., but it was reclaimed by the See after the Restoration.
Brayley in his History of Surrey says, "Besides this Mansion(near York House) there are several handsome seats fronting the river and various large manufacturing establishments, Chemical works, and melting furnaces, etc. are extensive along its banks, greatly to the annoyance of the market gardeners and florists who complain grievously of the injury they sustain by the smoke and noxious vapours of the numerous steam engines now employed in this hitherto rural district. The establishment here for the preservation of timber from the dry rot, calledKyanizingfrom the name of its inventor, was destroyed by fire on the 20th of March, 1847; and the conflagration extended to other neighbouring works. The process was carried on by forcing tar through the pores of the wood, and here was a large pond of that fluid, the blaze of which set fire to immense piles of timber which had either undergone the process, or were in a state of preparation for it."—Brayley, Surrey Mantel,Vol. iii. P.447.
A very useful thing is that dentated instrument called theSaw. Pliny says that the saw was invented by Dædalus. According to Apollodolus Talus invented the saw. Talus it is said having found the jaw-bone of a snake employed it to cut through a piece of wood and then formed an instrument of iron like it. Saw-mills were erected in Madeira in 1420. At Bresdan in 1427. Norway had the first saw-mills in 1530. The Bishop of Ely Ambassador from Mary of England in the escort of Rome describes a saw-mill there 1555. The attempts to introduce saw-mills into England were violently opposed, and one invented by a Dutchman in 1663 was forced to be abandoned. Saw-mills were erected near London about 1770. The excellent saw machinery at Woolwich Dockyard is based upon the invention of the Elder Brunel, 1806-13. Sir Mark Isambard Brunel was the son of a Normandy farmer, and born at Hacqueville, near Rouen, on the 25th of April, 1769. He early shewed an inclination for mechanics, and at school preferred the study of the exact sciences to the classics. In 1786, he became a sailor in the French Navy. In the revolutionary period of 1793, having involved himself by his political opinions he escaped from Paris to the United States. Brunel's career as an engineer began 1794 when he was appointed to survey for the Canal which now connects Lake Champlain with the river Hudson, at Albany. He afterwards acted as an architect in New York. On his return to Europe in 1799, he married the daughter of William Kingdom, Esq., Plymouth, and settled in England. Here he soon established his reputation as a mechanician by the invention of a machine for making block pulleys for the rigging of ships. The erection of steam saw-mills in Chatham Dockyard, a machine for making seamless shoes for the army, machines for making nails and wooden boxes, for rolling paper and twisting cotton hanks, and lastly a machine for producing locomotion by means of Carbonic acid gas, which however though partially successful was afterwards abandoned. "But the great work by which his name will be transmitted to posterity is the Thames Tunnel which, though almost a complete failure as a commercial transaction is nevertheless a wondrous monument of engineering skill and enterprise. It was commenced in March, 1825, and opened to the public in 1843, after a multitude of obstacles and disasters." He held extensivepremises at Battersea on the site now occupied by the Citizen Steam-boat Company, where his celebrated saw and veneer mills were burned down about the year 1814. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1814; was appointed Vice-President in 1832. He was Knighted in 1840. Died Dec. 1849, in his eighty first year, universally respected.
Sir Richard Phillips, who had an opportunity of inspecting Brunel's machinery at Battersea, eulogizes his fame and speaks of his merits and scientific genius thus:—"A few yards from the toll-gate of the Bridge on the western side of the road stand the workshops of that eminent, modest, and persevering mechanic Mr. Brunel, a gentleman of the rarest genius who has effected as much for the mechanic arts as any man of his time. The wonderful apparatus in the Dockyard at Portsmouth with which he sets blocks for the navy, with a precision and expedition that astonish every beholder, secures him a monument of fame and eclipses all rivalry." At Battersea Works Sir Richard witnessed four circular saws, two of them 18-ft. in diameter and two of them 9-ft. in diameter, besides other circular saws much smaller used for the purpose of separating veneers. He saw planks of mahogany and rosewood sawn into veneers the 16th of an inch thick. By the power that turned those tremendous saws he beheld a large sheet of veneer 10-ft. long by 2-ft. broad separated in ten minutes "so even and so uniform that it appeared more like a perfect work of nature than one of human art." In another building Sir Richard was shown Mr. Brunel's manufactory for shoes, where the labour was sub-divided so that each shoe passed by aid of machinery through twenty-five hands complete from the hide as supplied by the currier. By this means a hundred pairs of strong and well-finished shoes were made per day. He remarks, "each man performs but one step in the process, which implies no knowledge of what is done by those who go before or follow him. The persons employed are not shoemakers, but wounded soldiers, who are able to learn their respective duties in a few hours. The contract at which these shoes are delivered to Government is 6s. 6d. per pair, being at least 2s. less than were paid previously for an unequalled and cobbled article." The shoes thus made for the Army were tried for two years but afterwards abandoned from economical views.
Sir Richard Phillips in his "Morning Walk from London to Kew" (page 42) says, "at the distance of a hundred yards from Battersea Bridge an extensive pile of massy brick work for the manufacture of soap has recently been erected, at a cost it is said of sixty thousand pounds. I was told it was inaccessible to strangers and therefore was obliged to content myself with viewing it at a distance." This soap factory stood by the water side, a little to the east of the Bridge, erected by Mr. Cleaver. There were some large turpentine works in this parish, which belonged to Mr. Flocton.
Battersea has three bridges across the Thames communicating with Chelsea.
The history of the Ferry prior to the erection of the OLD WOODEN BRIDGE at Battersea can be traced back some two or three centuries. It was much used as a means of transportingpassengers, goods, etc., over this part of the river. At the commencement of the reign of James I. the Ferry from Battersea to Chelsea or Chelchehith Ferry was in full operation. When James I. ascended the throne "by Letters Patent for the sum of £40, the King gave his dear relations Thomas Earl of Lincoln, and John Eldred and Robert Henley, Esquires, all the ferry across the river Thames called Chelchehith Ferry, or Chelsea Ferry." In addition to which some grants of land were included and the Grantees were empowered to transfer their rights to "our very illustrious subject William Blake." In 1618 the Earl of Lincoln, who owned Sir Thomas More's house in Chelsea which Sir Thomas More had purchased from Sir Robert Cecil, sold the ferry to William Blake. In 1695 it belonged to one Bartholomew Nutt. The ferry appears to have been rated in the parish books in 1710 at £8 per annum. Between the year 1765 and 1771 the ferry produced an average rental of £42 per annum. Sir Walter St. John by virtue of his manorial rights held possession of the ferry, at his death in 1708, the ferry with the rest of the property went to his son Henry, who died in 1742 having left the family estate to his son Henry the famous Viscount Bolingbroke, at whose death in 1751, in consequence of his having no issue or progeny of his own, the estates with the title descended to his nephew Frederick (son of his half-brother, John Viscount St. John) who obtained an Act of Parliament in 1762 to sell his estate, which, as we have already observed, was purchased in 1763 by the Trustees of John, Earl Spencer. Earl Spencer being anxious to replace the ferry with a bridge, in 1766 obtained an Act of Parliament which empowered him to build the present bridge. The bridge is in Battersea and Chelsea Parishes (the marks defining the boundary line of these Parishes meet in the centre) it was not to be rated to the land tax, or any public or parochial rate; nor deemed a County bridge, so as to subject the Counties of Surrey and Middlesex to repair the same. In the event of any casualty occurring to the bridge thereby rendering it "dangerous and impracticable" the Earl had to provide a convenient ferry at the same rate of tolls as the bridge. Some old writers who have written on the Antiquities and History of Surrey, state that the bridge was built at the expense of fifteen proprietors each of whom subscribed £1,500. Mr. Walford says in 1771, "Lord Spencer associated with himself seventeen gentlemen, each of whom was to pay £100 as a consideration for the fifteenth share of the ferry and all the advantages conferred on the Earl by the Act of 1766. They were also made responsible for a future payment of £900 each towards the construction of a bridge. A contract was entered into with Messrs. Phillips and Holland to build the bridge for £10,500. The work was at once commenced, and by the end of 1771 it was opened for foot passengers and in the following year it was available for carriage traffic. Money had to be laid out for the formation of approach roads, so that at the end of 1773 the total amount expended was £15,662. For many years the proprietors realized only a small return upon their capital, repairs and improvements absorbing nearly all the receipts. In the severe winter of 1795 considerable damage was done to the bridge by reason of the accumulated ice becoming attached to the(timber) piles and drawing them on the rise of the tide, and in the last three years of the eighteenth century no dividends were distributed." The bridge is 726 feet long and 24 feet wide. It originally had 19 openings, the centre opening had a space of 31 feet, and the others decreased in width equally on each side to 16 feet at the ends, but in consequence of the serious hindrances which the structure caused to navigation on the Thames within the last few years the bridge has undergone alterations in order to widen the water-way, four of the openings have been converted into two and strong iron girders have been introduced. The centre opening is now 75 feet wide with a clear head-way of 15 feet at Trinity High Water Mark. In 1799 only one side of the bridge was lighted with oil lamps. "In 1821 the dangerous wooden railing was replaced by a hand rail of iron, and in 1824 the bridge was lighted with gas the pipes being brought over from Chelsea although Battersea remained unlighted for several years afterwards." In the year 1878, the bridge, which had hitherto remained in the hands of the descendants or friends of the original proprietors came into the possession of the Albert Bridge Company under their Act of Incorporation. Its revenues in 1792 were about £1,700. About nine years ago its yearly income was estimated at £5,000.
Battersea Bridge Tolls by Act of Parliament 6° George III. 1766.
For every description of vehicle drawn by one horse,ass, mule or other beast4d."two6d."three9d."four1s.For every horse, ass mule or other beast laden andnot drawing1d.For every hackney carriage with plates returningempty per horse1d.For every foot-passenger whatever½d.For every drove of oxen or neat cattle per scorel0d.and after that rate in any greater or less number.For every drove of calves, hogs, sheep or lambs perscore5d.and after that rate in any greater or less number.
On a Notice Board dated 6th October, 1824, are the following words: "Notice is hereby given that no trucks, wheelbarrows or other carriages will be permitted to be drawn upon the foot-paths of this bridge. By order of the Proprietors."
The Bridge though convenient has an unsightly appearance and unworthy its position across a river spanned by some of the finest bridges in the world. At the foot of the Old Bridge is a toll-house with walls twenty inches in thickness, facing which is a painted board with charges for tolls headed "Old Battersea Bridge Tolls by Act of Parliament 6° George III., 1766."
ALBERT SUSPENSION BRIDGE, conceived originally many years ago by the Prince Consort, it was not until 1864 that an Act for its construction was obtained. Although the works were commenced soon after the necessary powers were conferred upon the Company, they were retarded by the action of the MetropolitanBoard of Works. That body proposed to embank the river from Pimlico to Battersea Bridge, Chelsea; the execution of that work would involve questions affecting the bridge level and approaches. Not until 1867 did the Board obtain their Act, and not until the Autumn of 1870 did their engineer determine the open question affecting the approaches and levels of the Albert Bridge. In the mean-time the powers of the Bridge Act expired, but were revived on application to Parliament on condition that the bridge should be constructed on Mr. Ordish's rigid suspension principle. This principle is now generally well known, it having been carried out in practice on several instances, notably in that of the Francis Joseph Bridge at Prague, which is 820 feet long and has a centre span of 492 feet, and two side spans of 164 feet each. The Ordish system consists in suspending the main girders which carry the road-way by straight inclined chains, which are maintained in their proper position by being suspended by vertical rods at intervals of 20 feet from a steel iron cable. The total length of the Albert Bridge is 710 feet and 41 feet in width between the parapets, which are formed of the main girders, which are of wrought iron 8 feet deep and continuous; the upper portion is perforated in order to lighten and improve the structure. The main girders are connected transversely by cross girders placed 8 feet apart, on these the planking is laid for the carriage road-way, which is formed of blocks of wood placed with the grain vertically on the planking. The roadway is 27 feet in width. On either side is a foot-way 7 feet wide, paved with diamond-shaped slabs of Ransome stone 12 inches square and 1½ inches thick, laid on the planking with a layer of tar and asphalted felt interposed. The slabs in the centre of the footpath are of a grey color with an ornamental border. The four towers carrying the main chains of the bridge are placed outside the parapet girders; they are placed in pairs, each pair being connected at a height of 60 feet from the platform level by an ornamental iron work. The towers are of cast-iron and consist each of an inner column 4 feet in external diameter, and surrounded by eight 12-inch octagonal columns placed 12 inches from the central shaft, the whole group being connected together at intervals by disc pieces of collars of cast-iron. The straight chains are composed of rolled iron bars, united end to end by riveted joints and having swelled heads only at the extreme ends. The curved cable from which the straight chains are suspended to preserve their equilibrium is of steel wire and is 6 inches in diameter. It is composed of a series of strands of straight wires, about 900 in number, bound together by a coiled wire of smaller diameter. The bridge is divided into a centre with two side openings, the former a span of 400 feet, and the latter 155 feet each. There is a clear headway of 21 feet at the centre of the bridge from the under side of the platform to Trinity high water mark, the height being reduced to 10 feet at the abutments. The piers carrying the four towers are formed of cast-iron cylinders sunk down to the London clay and filled with concrete. The foundations of the piers consist also of cast-iron cylinders, the bottom or cutting ring being 21 feet in diameter, 4 feet 6 inches high and 1 3/8 inches thick. The next ring above this is 5 feet high and tapers from 21 feet at its junction with the cutting ring to 15feet at the top, from which point the pier is constructed with cylinders 15 feet in diameter up to the level at which the towers commence. The thickness of the metal in the coned and upper rings is 1¼ inch. The bottom or cutting rings are noticeable as being the largest cylindrical castings ever made in one piece. One of the chief peculiarities in the Albert Bridge is the method introduced by Mr. Ordish in forming the anchorage. The arrangement is perfectly independent of the great mass of masonry generally employed in anchorages the anchorages being contained within an iron structure. It consists of a cast-iron cylinder 20 feet 6 inches deep and 3 feet internal diameter enlarged at the bottom into a chamber 5 feet diameter for anchoring the chains. The cylinder is water-tight, and is provided with a manhole and steps, so that the anchorage can be examined at any time, and cleaned and painted when necessary. This cylinder is set vertically in a surrounding bed of concrete, the bottom being 26 feet below the road-way bed. From this proceeds a vertical anchorage chain, connected to the end of the main girder, to which is also connected the principal back chain and the wire cable. The horizontal strain is thus taken through the main girders and the vertical lift by the mass of concrete in which the cylinder is embedded, and which is about one-tenth the quantity required in ordinary anchorages. The bridge commands an extensive and picturesque prospect, having on the one hand Battersea Park and on the other the Thames Embankment. Messrs. Williamson and Company were the contractors for the bridge and Mr. F. W. Bryant was their engineer. The cylinders for the piers were cast by Messrs. Robinson and Cottam, of Battersea; the cast and wrought iron work for the superstructure was supplied by Messrs. A. Handyside and Company of Derby and London, and the steel wire cables by the Cardigan Iron and Steel Works, Sheffield. There are twenty upright lampposts in keeping with the character of the bridge each bearing a lamp. One rather taller than the rest stands in the middle of the road approaching the bridge, at the base of which toll-bars are swung on iron hinges to obstruct the carriages, the others are placed at certain distances apart opposite each other on either side of the pathways. There are also four small lodges at which to receive carriage and foot tolls. The bridge was opened 31st December, 1872, at 1 p.m.; re-opened the 23rd of August, 1873, at 12.30 p.m. Estimated cost of bridge with approaches, etc., etc., about £90,000. Battersea Old Bridge belongs to the Albert Bridge Company.
Off Park Road, Battersea, is an antique cottage, the birthplace and residence of Mr. Juer, who for several years discharged the duties of Overseer and other Parochial offices in a manner creditable to himself and highly satisfactory to the parishioners. From family records he has been able to trace that his ancestors have occupied this dwelling for the last three centuries. Mr. Juer died Nov. 30, and was interred Dec. 6, 1878, in the family vault in St. Mary's Church-yard, where there had been no burial for 25 years. Canon Clarke read the burial service, and many of the old parishioners were present who respected the memory of the deceased.
CHELSEA SUSPENSION BRIDGE is an elegant structure on the suspension principle, (from the site of Ranelagh to BatterseaPark): it measures 347 feet between the towers and 705 between the abutments. It was made at Edinburgh and erected in 1857 after designs by the late Mr. Thomas Page, the architect of the New Bridge at Westminster, at a cost of £85,319. It was opened on the 28th of March, 1858. The roadway is suspended upon chains, which hang from two massive and ornamental piers in the river, the ends being firmly secured by solid masonry on the shores. On a portion of the iron-work of the beautiful arches connecting the towers of this magnificent bridge, beneath the escutcheon representing the Royal Standard, are emblazoned the following Latin inscriptions in old German characters:—Anno Regni Vicesimo Victoria, Anno Domini, 1857,Gloria Deo in Excelsis. The large globular lamps at the top of the piers are lighted only when the Queen sleeps in London.
Tolls paid for passing over this Bridge were:—
For every foot-passenger½d.For every description of vehicle drawn by one horseand other beast of draught2d.For each and every additional horse or other beastdrawing1d.For every horse, mule or ass not drawing1d.For every wheelbarrow or truck not drawn by anyhorse or other beast1d.For every score of oxen or neat cattle and so inproportion for any greater or less number8d.For every score calves, sheep or lambs, and so inproportion for any greater or less number4d.
Hackney coaches and licensed cabs without passengers, waggons, carts and drays unladen with two or more horses, to pass over the bridge upon payment of half the above toll. And all post chaise returning without passengers and return post horses, to pass over the bridge free. By virtue of an Act of Parliament 9th and 10th Victoria, cap. 39. By order of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Works and Public Buildings, 1858. Office of Works, 12, Whitehall Place, Westminster.
Londoners may congratulate themselves that they are at last allowed to cross the bridges which connect the opposite banks of the Thames at the western end of this great city without paying toll. The Metropolitan Board of Works have expended £538,847 19s. in freeing these five bridges—viz.: Lambeth Bridge, £36,059; Vauxhall Bridge, £255,230 16s. 8d.; Albert and Battersea Bridges, (including Parliamentary costs), £170,305; Albert Bridge Company (taxed costs of arbitration), £2,253 3s. 1d.; Chelsea Bridge, £75,000. On Saturday, the 24th of May, 1879, Her Majesty Queen Victoria's birthday was appropriately chosen for the occasion and great preparations had been made for givingéclatto the ceremony. The route taken by the Royal Party (which included the Prince and Princess of Wales—two of their children, Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales, attired in naval costume as naval cadets; the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Crown Prince of Denmark) which was gay with Venetian masts, bannerets, streamers and flags. The Circular Engine Shed in Victoria Bridge Road and that portion of the railway bridge which spans the Thames belongingto the London, Brighton and South-Coast Railway Company were lavishly festooned and decorated with coloured flags most profusely. Shortly after 3 p.m. came three open carriages each drawn by two horses and the well-known scarlet livery of the Court Mews on the hammer-cloths. At the south side of Lambeth Bridge the Prince was received by Sir James M'Garel Hogg, M.P., Chairman of the Board of Works; the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Middleton, Sir Henry Peek, Sir James Lawrence, M.P., Mr. Alderman McArthur, M.P., Mr. Selway, M.P., Mr. Coope, M.P., and other notabilities. The keys having been surrendered with the customary formalities, a Royal salute having been fired from the banks of the river and the bands having played the National Anthem, Mr. J. M. Clabon handed the Prince of Wales an address, folded and tied with green tape, after a moment's parley His Royal Highness with a smile and an approving nod of the head from the Princess, who was by express wish a joint participator with the Heir Apparent in the ceremony of opening the bridge, handed back the address asking that it might be read as he wished to reply, then Sir James M'Garel Hogg untying the tape and unfolding the address read as follows:—
"To their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. May it please your Royal Highness—It is with great gratification that we, the Chairman and Members of the Metropolitan Board of Works, receive your Royal Highnesses on the occasion of your opening free to the public the five bridges over the Thames, from Lambeth Bridge on the east to Battersea Bridge on the west, which serve to connect important districts on the two sides of the river. London, which in many respects stands at the head of the great cities of the world, has too long, we fear, in the matter of free passage across the river, been behind the capitals of other countries. Until to-day there has been no free bridge in the metropolis westward of Westminster by which the population north and south of the Thames could pass from one side of the river to the other. We are glad that this reproach will now be removed. The bridges which your Royal Highnesses are about to declare free have been acquired by the board under the powers of an Act of Parliament passed in the year 1877, which had for its object the extinction of the tolls on all the bridges in London. Waterloo Bridge and the Charing-cross Railway Footbridge have already been made free. The tolls will this day be extinguished on five other bridges, and before the end of the year it is hoped that there will be none but free bridges over the Thames throughout the metropolitan area. The metropolis and its inhabitants have received many proofs of the interest which your Royal Highnesses feel in their welfare, and of the encouragement which you are always ready to give to those who are engaged in promoting that welfare. Your presence upon this occasion is a further proof of the interest you feel, and we offer your Royal Highnesses our sincere thanks for the honour you have done us.Signed, on behalf of the Metropolitan Board of Works,J. M. M'Garel Hogg, Chairman of the Board,May 24, 1879.
"To their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. May it please your Royal Highness—It is with great gratification that we, the Chairman and Members of the Metropolitan Board of Works, receive your Royal Highnesses on the occasion of your opening free to the public the five bridges over the Thames, from Lambeth Bridge on the east to Battersea Bridge on the west, which serve to connect important districts on the two sides of the river. London, which in many respects stands at the head of the great cities of the world, has too long, we fear, in the matter of free passage across the river, been behind the capitals of other countries. Until to-day there has been no free bridge in the metropolis westward of Westminster by which the population north and south of the Thames could pass from one side of the river to the other. We are glad that this reproach will now be removed. The bridges which your Royal Highnesses are about to declare free have been acquired by the board under the powers of an Act of Parliament passed in the year 1877, which had for its object the extinction of the tolls on all the bridges in London. Waterloo Bridge and the Charing-cross Railway Footbridge have already been made free. The tolls will this day be extinguished on five other bridges, and before the end of the year it is hoped that there will be none but free bridges over the Thames throughout the metropolitan area. The metropolis and its inhabitants have received many proofs of the interest which your Royal Highnesses feel in their welfare, and of the encouragement which you are always ready to give to those who are engaged in promoting that welfare. Your presence upon this occasion is a further proof of the interest you feel, and we offer your Royal Highnesses our sincere thanks for the honour you have done us.
Signed, on behalf of the Metropolitan Board of Works,
J. M. M'Garel Hogg, Chairman of the Board,
May 24, 1879.
The Prince of Wales spoke in reply as follows:
Sir James Hogg and Gentlemen—I thank you in my own name and that of the Princess of Wales for your address, and I can assure you that it gives us both sincere pleasure to take a part in this day's proceedings. The opening of the five bridges westward of Westminster is an important event in the annals of the metropolis, and I rejoice that you should have chosen the Queen's Birthday to declare them free. It is a source of great gratification to us to hear your announcement that the other bridges will, before long, be equally open to the public. A free communication across the Thames is an incalculable boon to all classes of the inhabitants on both sides of the river, and it is our earnest hope that you will be enabled to carry your promised work into effect within the specified time. Let me state in conclusion that the Princess and myself are always ready to assist in advancing any object which identifies us with the population of London, and which tends to promote the interests of the public. The Prince then, amidst loud cheers, exclaimed, 'I declare this bridge open and free for ever.'"
Sir James Hogg and Gentlemen—I thank you in my own name and that of the Princess of Wales for your address, and I can assure you that it gives us both sincere pleasure to take a part in this day's proceedings. The opening of the five bridges westward of Westminster is an important event in the annals of the metropolis, and I rejoice that you should have chosen the Queen's Birthday to declare them free. It is a source of great gratification to us to hear your announcement that the other bridges will, before long, be equally open to the public. A free communication across the Thames is an incalculable boon to all classes of the inhabitants on both sides of the river, and it is our earnest hope that you will be enabled to carry your promised work into effect within the specified time. Let me state in conclusion that the Princess and myself are always ready to assist in advancing any object which identifies us with the population of London, and which tends to promote the interests of the public. The Prince then, amidst loud cheers, exclaimed, 'I declare this bridge open and free for ever.'"
Twenty carriages were devoted to the Members of Parliament, Members of the Metropolitan Board and the Officials the twentieth containing Sir James M'Garel Hogg and some ladies and following this came the three Royal carriages. The route being kept clear of traffic and the spectators massed in lines along side by the police—some 1600 were on duty—the arrangements south side of the bridges being in charge of Captain Braynes, while on the north side Colonel Pearson had the directions. His Royal Highness proceeded by way of the Albert Embankment to Vauxhall Bridge, the approach to which was exceedingly picturesque the banks of the Thames fluttering with flags, and the river crowded with boats that followed thecortège. The procession crossed and re-crossed Chelsea Suspension Bridge. In the London, Brighton and South-Coast Railway West-end Goods Traffic Yard a Royal salute was given on the arrival of the Prince by the crushing weight of a locomotive named Rennes, No. 130, passing over twenty-one fog signals, an arrangement previously made by Mr. J. Richardson, the effect of which gave general satisfaction. The west side of the Victoria Railway Bridge which spans the Thames was elegantly decorated from one end to the other by the London, Brighton and South-Coast Railway Company. Festoons and tri-coloured flags representing the colours used for signals on railways were voluntarily displayed in such profusion by Messrs. J. Richardson and Everest as to render the scene quite imposing. In front of Chelsea Hospital were drawn up two hundred warriors of olden times, pensioners in their beaver cocked hats who knowing more about "Brown Bess than the Martini rifle managed to do a salute with tolerable precision." The people assembled in Battersea Park made a rush for Albert Bridge as the procession approached that graceful structure. The Albert Bridge Company was represented by Mr. Ewing Matheson, the Chairman; Mr. Youngman, Manager; Mr. A. C. Harper, Secretary, and Mr. Frederick Stanley, Solicitor. (The Countess of Cadogan presented the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh with handsome bouquets on behalf of the ladies of Chelsea. Button holes of a very choice nature were alsopresented to the Prince of Wales and the Duke.) Mr. Kingsbury, Chairman of the Chelsea Vestry, had the honour of presenting a silver medal commemorative of the occasion to the Prince of Wales which was graciously accepted. At the north side of the bridge were drawn up the boys of the Duke of York Asylum; at the south side the children of the local schools, all singing with as much gusto as their little lungs would allow "God bless the Prince of Wales." The Pier Hotel and the houses facing the Albert Bridge were gaily and handsomely decorated with flags of all nations, and the balconies at the corner of Cheyne Walk being filled with ladies arrayed in summer toilets, thus lending an additional charm to themise en scène. The military display consisted of guards of honour from the 1st Middlesex Engineer Volunteers and the 2nd (South) Middlesex Rifle Volunteers. The keys of the Albert Bridge were handed over on behalf of the Company by Messrs. Matheson and Stanley and a device swung across the bridge denoting that the latter was "free for ever." On the Chelsea side Mr. Stayton was the designer of the festivities. Passing along the Surrey side of the river the Prince made for Old Battersea Bridge the last of the five to be opened. Here the Surrey Volunteers and the Surrey Artillery mustered in force, and a Salvo of Artillery from the Citizen Steamboat Company announced that the bridge was free. At the approach to the Bridge in Bridge Road stands of evergreens were most tastefully arranged by the employés of Messrs. H. and G. Neal the well-known Nurserymen of Wandsworth Common. At no point in the line of route were greater demonstrations of joy expressed and loyalty manifested than by the Battersea people.
The Royal party returned to Marlborough House—-the other carriages then went to Chelsea Vestry Hall where a banquet was served, and at night there was a display of fireworks at Battersea Park supplied by the Crystal Palace Pyrotechnists, T. Brock & Co., the expense being borne by Earl Cadogan to wind up the eventful day's proceedings.
At the foot of Chelsea Suspension Bridge a board is erected on which is written the following:Notice, Metropolitan Board of Works. No Traction Engine, Steam Roller, or any load exceeding5tons on each pair of wheels, must be taken over this bridge. By order of J. E. Wakefield, Clerk to the Board, May,1879.
Shortly after the freeing of the bridges the "bars" were removed, and the old toll house at the foot of Battersea Bridge entirely demolished.
The stupendous Railway Bridge across the Thames at Battersea from Battersea Park Railway Pier to Grosvenor Road Station is said to bethe Widest Railway Bridge in the World. It consists of four arches each one hundred and seventy-five feet span in the clear, with a rise of seventeen feet six inches. The immense ribs which support the superstructure are formed throughout of wrought iron, and are firmly attached to massive cast-iron standards which are placed over the piers; the whole of the frame-work is thus made continuous throughout. On each side of the river is a land arch of seventy feet span, making the entire length of the bridge eight hundred and forty feet. The abutments were put in by means of coffer-dams, and the foundations are carried down thirty feet belowTrinity high-water mark. The piers are built upon the same principle as that which was first applied by the late Charles Fox to the building of the Bridge at Rochester, Charing Cross, and Cannon Street, Railway Bridges. The bridge was first erected by Mr. J. Fowler. In 1865-6 it was enlarged by the late Sir Charles Fox.
Some antiquarians have stated that about fifty yards westward of Chelsea Suspension Bridge, Cæsar and his legions crossed the river Thames by a ford when in pursuit of the Britons who were retreating from the Romans. The ford is described at low water as a shoal of gravel not more than three feet deep, sufficient for ten men to walk abreast, except on the Surrey side where it has been deepened by raising ballast, and the causeway from the South bank may yet be traced at low water. Others think that the place of crossing was higher up the river, either at Chertsey or Kingston; the latter was anciently called Moreford, or the Great Ford. However, landing at Deal, it is natural the Romans would cross the river at some ford nearest that point.[1]