Richard Ormrod writes to the Edinburgh Gas and Light Company 1819

 

In 1814 prolonged, elaborate, and expensive official celebrations took place in London after the first defeat of Napoleon and his exile to Elba. A novel aspect was provided by the creation of gaslit illuminations; street lighting by gas was itself still a recent innovation, the original London Gas Light and Coke company created in 1810. A nineteen-year-old gas engineer, John Grafton (1795-1866), who had trained with the company, was drafted to organise the gas supply needed for the illuminations. A major attraction was the Chinese bridge and pagoda built across a canal in St James’s Park and illuminated by gaslight. On 1^st August 1814 it was also the focal point for a grand fireworks display. But things went horribly wrong: around midnight the pagoda caught fire and one or two workers (sources differ), attending either to the gaslighting or the fireworks or both, died in a blaze which consumed the wooden structure.

Chinese Bridge and Pagoda illuminated, St James's Park, on 1 August 1814 from An Historical Memento published in 1814 by E Orme

John Grafton appears in this 1819 letter acting as agent for the Edinburgh Gas and Light Company, formed in 1818 to bring street lighting to that city.  He has approached a fellow-Mancunian, Richard Ormrod (later spelt, Ormerod), whose St George’s Foundry in Minshull Street, Manchester produced steam engines suitable for the Edinburgh company’s purposes.

It's a straightforward business letter and I include it simply to illustrate how quite significant business could be transacted: the receiver’s docketing note treats the letter as constituting a “Tender” and one just needs add two noughts to the prices quoted in the letter to get current equivalents. The Tender occupies one side of a page smaller than A4.

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 Addressed to: Alex Kidd Esq, Secretary to the Gas Co, Edinburgh

Datelined: Manchester May 14^th 1819

Docketing note: Manchester  14^th May 1819 Mr Ormrod’s Tender for Steam Engine

Alex Kidd Esq

Sir

I am desired by Mr Grafton to offer you my terms for a steam engine of the power of two horses to be made upon the best and most approved principles with every apparatus requisite for completing the same, excepting the pumps, to be a portable engine having no connexion with walls. For the sum of One hundred and eighty pounds delivered in Manchester.

The Comp^y to provide all stone, brick, or timber which may be required, also to fix up the steam boiler. If my men are employed in erecting the same, the company to discharge their travelling expenses and usual allowances during the time of fixing. This engine will raise 2500 Gallons per hour to the height of 40 feet – will require 500 Gals of condensation water, and consume 35 lbs of Coals per hour.

If a Three horse power engine is wanted I will engage to complete the same for the sum of Two hundred and Fifty pounds upon the above conditions. This engine will raise 3600 Gals per hour to the height of 40 feet – will require 660 Gals of condensation water and consume 55 lbs of Coals p. hour- It is my opinion that cokes will not be so well adapted for this purpose of heating the boiler as coals, perhaps they may succeed if mixed together.

If the above terms and conditions meet your approbation I shall feel myself much honored by your orders and should be glad to treat with you on the subject when you may rely on my exertions to afford you every satisfaction

I remain

Sir yr. very obed^t. Serv^t

Rich^d Ormrod