On the level
encountered during the construction of the Birmingham Canal.
When Brindley drew up his plans for the Birmingham Canal, he noted the problem caused by the high stretch of ground at Smethwick. He suggested that the canal could go around to the north, go under by means of a tunnel, or go over the top with the use of locks, plus a reservoir to supply the summit section with water.
However he also envisaged that there would be a requirement for steam engines to recirculate water. This is in itself an interesting point, as it clearly demonstrates Brindley’s insight as to the possible application of steam power for canals.
The tunnel plan was abandoned when quicksand was found at the summit, so locks were built. The Birmingham Canal climbed via three locks on the West Bromwich side and then descended via six locks on the Smethwick side. Another set of three locks took the canal from Spon Lane down to the Wednesbury canal.
This opened in 1769; then the whole of the Birmingham Canal through to the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Aldersley opened in 1772. Traffic increased quickly and the Birmingham Canal Company realised the urgent need for water. A reservoir had been built at Smethwick, but due to constant leakage it was not a complete solution. In August 1776, the canal company sent its engineer Samuel Bull to see James Watt about the use of a steam engine to back-pump water lost down the locks.
Following discussions with Boulton and Watt, the Birmingham Canal Company ordered its first engine to be installed at Spon Lane, West Bromwich, to backpump water. That engine started work in April 1778, and a second was ordered to back-pump up the Smethwick locks. That engine was at work the following year. But even with two engines at work, it was still difficult to maintain useful water levels.
During the 1780s John Smeaton produced a detailed report on the water supply to the summit pound at Smethwick and in 1790 the company acted. The records show that the lowering of the canal, by excavating through the summit and thus eradicating the top six locks, was conducted by the BCN’s own superintendent John Bough and the engineer Samuel Bull.
When this extensive work was completed, the Spon Lane engine was removed as unnecessary.
Because the Smethwick engine was not far from Boulton and Watt’s factory, Watt himself was able to visit the engine from time to time, to make observations and conduct a number of experiments. From these experiments, he was able to make further technical advances to the operation and thus the efficiency of this and later engines.
Thus the Smethwick engine played an important role in the development of Watt’s Engine. The engine was connected to the canal by means of an underground brick culvert that went from the tail end of the Smethwick bottom lock along to the engine that was sited 100 yards away at the corner of Rolfe Street and Bridge Street. junior (who effectively took over the business after the death of his father in 1819) wrote on September 14, 1795: “The new buildings are going on at full gallop and hope to have the brickwork completed this week.”
One month later, two buildings had been roofed, while two more were in the process of receiving their roofs. The foundry measured 100ft x 70ft. Then in 1796 there were great celebrations and feasting for the workmen and smiths, as the site officially opened. A report stated that two fat sheep (the first fruits of the newly cultivated land at Soho) were sacrificed on the altar of Vulcan, and eaten by the Cyclops in the great hall of the temple, which is 46ft by 100ft.
Two great dishes were garnished with rumps and rounds of beef, legs of veal and gammons of bacon with innumerable meat pies and plum puddings, accompanied with a good band of martial music.
When dinner was over, the founder of Soho (Boulton) entered and consecrated the new branch by sprinkling the walls with wine, and then in the name of Vulcan, and all the gods and goddesses of fire and water, pronounced the name of it – Soho Foundry – and all the people cried “Amen.”
Boulton then went on to praise his workers by saying: “As the smith cannot do without his striker, so neither can the master do without his workmen” and concluded by remarking that the buildings had been erected in a short time when one considered the inclement season, and that no one had lost their life in the grand undertaking.
And so the Soho Foundry commenced the manufacture of steam engines, not only for the canal system and Britain’s industries but as Boulton had predicted: “The whole world.”