Mapping Newcomen-Type Engines During the 18th Century in Prescot and Whiston

The introduction of the Newcomen engine in the early 18th century and its use for draining mines is often regarded as the start of the Industrial Revolution. The first such engine in Lancashire was installed at Whiston in 1719 and several others were set up subsequently by local landowners and coal-mine owners. The adoption of this new technology was not, however, uniform or particularly rapid. Issues of finances and profitability along with disputes between rivals all played a role in this stuttering start to the industrial age in this part of the Lancashire coalfield. Utilising newly discovered maps and plans, coupled with documentary evidence and recently published information about the supply of components for these engines, it is now possible to explore how and where these early engines were employed, enabling a reassessment of the location, dates of installation, ownership and source of funding of Newcomen-type engines in Prescot and Whiston in the 18th century

Diverse Historical and Scientific Studies · Historical Economic and Social Studies · Historical Studies and Socio-cultural Analysis