Adverts in the Wolverhampton Chronicle for the sale of the old works.

In 1843, an advert which included a description of the buildings and mines appeared in the Wolverhampton Chronicle. The buildings and machines etc. were described as follows:

The mines of coal and ironstone may be worked, if required, at royalties, which would enable the holder to make pig iron at profit, and to compete with the productions of Wales and Scotland.

The works consist of two cold blast furnaces, worked by a powerful engine manufactured by Boulton and Watt, which blows, in addition, two refineries, three cupolas, and all the smiths' fires, which are numerous.

There are also three Air Furnaces. The stoves are of various sizes, and the cranes so arranged to command the range of the whole foundry, which is on a large scale, and capable of turning out from 100 to 150 tons of castings per week.

The pattern shop and store rooms are large and commodious, and the fitting-up shops, lathe, and planing machine shops and erecting sheds are very conveniently arranged.

The smiths' shop is large and airy, and the boiler yard is everything that could be desired. All the premises are lighted with gas, the house containing eight retorts, and the purifiers, gasholder, and fittings being quite complete.

The wharfs, sheds, cranes, weighing machines, stables, drawing offices, clerks' offices, etc. are conveniently placed among the works.

The machinery, which is of the very best description consists of a water wheel, with a good supply to which a steam engine is attached, in case of need. This power drives the boring bars, roll-turning slide lathes, drilling machines, and planing machines, one of which is capable of planing a surface of about 20 feet by ten. In the boiler yard there is a small engine, which drives the punching, shearing, and reaming machines. There is also a good horizontal steam engine in the new lathe shop, which works a large and magnificent lathe, also other lathes, slotting machines, etc.

And there is a large and commodious house, with suitable out-offices, for partner or manager. In fact, the Horseley Works are too well known to need any comment, and being now disencumbered of a heavy and unprofitable stock, a most favourable opportunity presents itself for the employment of capital, with every prospect of realizing a good income.

1844

On 14th February, 1844 an advert for the sale of Horseley Iron Works to ironmasters, manufacturers, ironfounders, engineers, millwrights, wharfingers⁽¹⁾, and others by public auction without a reserve price, on the 18th and 19th of March. It was put in the newspaper by Thomas Danks of Dudley.

The description includes the following machines:

The whole of the truly valuable and important machinery, engines, cranes, forge mill, and engine patterns, gasometer, etc. at those celebrated works known as the Horseley Iron Works, Tipton.

The machinery, engines, etc. comprise a 20 horse horizontal high-pressure engine, cylinder, 17 in. diameter, three feet stroke, with one boiler, and the whole of its apparatus complete.

A large face-plate lathe, capable of turning 20 feet diameter, with planed iron beds; one single and two double-sliding rests, driving apparatus, etc. complete.

Nasmith and Company drilling machine, with double iron planed beds, 14 feet long, each intended to bore beams, cranks, etc.

A powerful slotting machine, with circular and single-slide motion driving apparatus, by Sharp, Roberts, and Company.

Slide lathe, 18 feet bed, with single and double-slide rests, face-plates, chucks, steady and change wheels for screw cutting.

Blast engine, cylinder 42 inches diameter, 8-feet stroke, with three boilers, blowing apparatus, etc. complete.

Ten horse portable bright engine, without boiler, which has been used for winding up the materials to furnaces, and is nearly new.

A six-horse house engine, cylinder 14 inches diameter.

Large and powerful planing machines, with the driving apparatus complete, by Sharp, Roberts and Company.

Boring and turning mills; drilling machines; punching engines; loam and blacking mills; double and single weighing machines; drilling and screwing machines, travelling winches, with ratchet tramways, etc. for moving and lifting heavy weights; large and double-sided iron foundry cranes of immense power, with double gears, blocks and chain complete; a very large and power wood wharf crane with iron column, gear, and chain complete, capable of lifting 20 tons; small portable iron cranes, etc.; together with an immense quantity of other valuable machinery.

Also the valuable engine, mill and forge, wood patterns, the whole of the immense ranges of shopping sheds etc. all of which will be sold to be removed from the premises.

1. A wharfinger was the operator or manager of a commercial wharf.

1845

The advert includes the following description of some of the factory buildings, plant and Horseley House:

An immense range of fitting and workshops, which are fitted up with work benches, vices, etc.; extensive warehouses and sheds, pipe-proving machine, stables, most convenient and extensive offices, which are fitted up with every convenience; furnace and foundry wharfs and yards; also very large inner yard for engineering purposes, surrounded by workshops and warehouses, with large entrance folding-doors. In the centre of the works is a gasometer for making gas for lighting the whole premises. The whole of these extensive works are enclosed by a wall, excepting such parts as are bounded by the canal, and are capable of any extent of business, either in the foundry or engineering departments, and are most complete in all respects, and may be put in full operation in few days.

There will also be included in this sale the Horseley House, which is in every way fit for the residence of principal manager. It comprises dining, drawing, and breakfast rooms, kitchens, entrance hall, numerous bedrooms, ale and wine cellars. Garden, vinery, and pleasure grounds, stables and coach houses, and about fourteen acres of meadow land. The approach by a handsome carriage drive from the main road leading from Tipton to Walsall, etc.

The whole of the said works, house, land, and premises, are held for a term of 21 years from the 25th day of March, (determinable at the option of the lessee at the end of the first seven or fourteen years), at the low rent of per annum.

The whole of the said works, house land, and premises will be offered for sale in the first instance as an entirety, and if not sold, the foundries, with the house and land, will then be put up separately, and if the same shall be sold, the machinery, engines, shop fittings, and erections belonging to the engineering department, will be sold by auction, on the premises, on the 8th day of December next, in lots.

For further information apply to William Wills, Esq., Solicitor, Waterloo Street, Birmingham; Samuel Dalton, Esq., Solicitor. Dudley; or to the Auctioneer.