The Flour Mill…
The largest and most prominent building in Dunston was the Co-operative Flour Mill opened April 18th 1891, the work of the erection commenced in 1887.
During the the course of excavation for the sinking of the cylinders several intesrting discoveries were made, large oak trees were cut through in several parts of the site, an old canoe was broken in two by the sinking of the cylibders at a depth of about fifty-feet, at the depth of about sixteen-feet below the bed of the river among what is known as “sand and water” some hazel nuts were found, in the spring of 1889 it was found one of the nuts had sprouted, the plant is now in the grounds of the Earl of Ravensworth, near Dunston.
The largest and most prominent building in Dunston was the Co-operative Flour Mill opened April 18th 1891, the work of the erection commenced in 1887.
During the the course of excavation for the sinking of the cylinders several intesrting discoveries were made, large oak trees were cut through in several parts of the site, an old canoe was broken in two by the sinking of the cylibders at a depth of about fifty-feet, at the depth of about sixteen-feet below the bed of the river among what is known as “sand and water” some hazel nuts were found, in the spring of 1889 it was found one of the nuts had sprouted, the plant is now in the grounds of the Earl of Ravensworth, near Dunston.
The most exciting circumstance occuring in these “finds” was when the workmen came across a fine bed of mussels, thirty-feet below the waterbed, the tints of the shells glistened so in the new light shown upon them that for a moment it was believed a rich bed of silver had been found and that there was some excitement, when the real nature of the discovery was apparent the excitement gave way to to joke and pleasantry, there was also found the bones and antlers of deer that frequented the banks of the Tyne at some remote period, by the way the name “Tyne” is Anglo-Saxon for “River”.
The whole of the machinery throughout the wheat warehouse, screen-rooms, flour mills and warehouse was erected by Messrs, Thomas Robinson and Sons, Limited Railway Works, Rochdale and is of the latest and most approved type, the wheat warehouse which is situated in the west end of the building is six storeys in height, including the basement and attic, with a floor space of 76 ft by 46ft and the whole of the centre part for four floors is occupied by 30 large wheat bins or silos having a depth of about 50ft built of wood and constructed in columns well braced together having a storage capacity collectively of about 2.500 tonnes. All these silos have hopper bottoms they will empty themselves without manual labour, the machinery is capable of of producing 40 sacks per hour of 5,600 sacks per week, the mill is lighted throughout by Messrs, Ernest Scott and Mountain electrical and general engineers. The Close Works, Newcastle Upon Tyne, this installation is the largest in a flour mill in the United Kingdom and is very complete in
its details, the total installation consists of about 500 16-candle power incandescent lamps.
At the east end of the building are situated the flour warehouses, the offices, board-room and committee-room at the rear is a blacksmith’s shop and sack-repairing and storage rooms, the mill chimney is 140 foot high has an internal diameter of six-foot and is certainly one of the most graceful structures in the district.
The flour mills were first to be built in 1891,
The Grain Cleaning House added in 1901.
The soap works was added in 1907, along with cylindrical storage bins for the granary.
The soap works were extended in 1911-1914 when a new jetty was built.
Dunston Colliery..
Situated on Colliery Road opposite Cranstons Garage, Dunston Colliery was open in 1875 and closed in 1947, worked by Jno. Bowes and Partners, was sunk in 1873, but after working for about twelve months, was closed until 1891, when it was reopened. The average output was 500 tons per day, employing 476 men and boys. Dunston Colliery Workers below 1920.
Saw Mills..
On the west side of the Flour Mills is the Saw Mills of Messrs. Palmer Hall and Co, this business was established about the year 1800 by Mr. Henry Winlo. Afterward it came into the hands of Mr. George Palmer, father of Sir Charles Mark Palmer M.P.. Under the present firm the business has flourished to such an extent that it is now one of the largest in England.
At the low mill there are three circular saws, four frames and two planning machines, at the middle mill four circular saws, two frames and one hand saw and in the turning shop five lathes, at the high mill there are two circular saws which are used exclusively For making props for collieries. The stock timbers are very large and comprises all kinds suitable for builders, joiners, cabinetmakers, floor-boards, pitch pine, American Redwood and fancy woods in great variety.
The establishment has splendid river frontage 300 yards long where vessels are loaded by powerful crane, there is also a siding into the yard from a branch of the North Eastern Railway, the business connections of the firm are of a wide spread and influential character, extending to all part of the northern counties, large consignments of timber are also exported to Bilboa, Hamburg and Amsterdam.
Dunston Engine Works
These works are stiuated at the west end of the village on the side of the river and nearly opposite to the place where sixty years ago stood the work shops of Crowley Millington and Co. they were founded in 1869 by Mr. Thomas Archer, the works comprise Smith’s shops, foundry erecting shop, machine shop, pattern shop and bolier yard, possessing a river frontage of 300 yards and in close proximity to the Blaydon Branch of the North East Railway, while on the west side there is a large tract of land to be utilised in the future, Thirty years ago the Tyne at this point might have almost been crossed by foot at low-tide, the firm are makers and repairers of all kinds of pumping and winding engines, portable and semi-portable engines, tank locomotive, iron and steel pit cages, mortar mills, brick making machinery.
Sadlers Boat Yard..
Between the Engine works and the Saw Mills is the boat building establishment of Messrs. R & W. Sadler. This is one of the oldest industries on Tyneside and this firm is one of the oldest in Dunston, commenced nearly a century ago by Mr. Thomas Sadler it came into the hands of the present firm about the year 1831, three-quarters of a century ago keels extensively used to carry coals from the staithes at Dunston to the ships below the Tyne Bridge, which enabled Mr. Wm. Sadler to develop the industry of boat building, the management of the establishment is now under Mr. Robert Gardner of Dunston. About 50 yards south of Meesrs. Sadlers boat building yard is another famous boat building establishment that of the late Mr. R. Jewitt, Mr. Jewitt possessed a high reputation for his skill in racing craft, in fact it maybe said to have been world wide.
Beside the four-oared and paired-oared boats built by him which carried the victors in many hard fought contests on the Tyne and the Thames, he built the skiffs which carried the following champion oarsmen to victory, 1854 J. Messenger, 1857 H. Kelley, 1868 J. Renforth, 1874 J. H. Sadler, on the death of Mr. Jewitt in 1880 the business came into the hands of Mr. Thos. Hedworth who supplied racing boats of every description.
Atlas Rivet Works…
At the west end of the village, near to a place known as Brickfield, are the Atlas Rivet Works, which belong to Messrs. McFarlane and Whitfields which was commenced in 1881, this is the largest rivet works in England about 60 workmen are employed by the firm. Atlas Rivets could produce 100 tonnes of rivets per week and led the world in its field.
Iron and Steel Works..
These works stood on east side of the Flour Mill between Dunston ferry boat landing and the flour mill, they possess a large and convenient frontage about 100yards long, half a century ago a Mr. Porter commenced here to manufacture his speciality known as Porters Patent Anchor, afterwards it became nail making concern, then Mr. Geo. Fulthorpe whose ancestors as well as himself had been connected with “Crowely Millington” turned the establishment into smith’s shops, where light work was made for the government but at the end of five years this industry was discontinued.
In the year 1862 Messrs. Thomas March & Co. changed the establishment into a forge making such alterations and improvements in the works as the firm required or the production of heavy forgings, at the present time the establishment is 300 feet long by 100 foot wide under the superintendence of the present proprietor, Mr. A. C. Coning, who came into the possession in 1882, the works possess four powerful steam hammers capable of producing forgings from the smallest size to nearly ten tonnes.
Brick Works…
On the east side of the ferry boat landing stage is the Brick Works of Mr. John Lucas, formerly this part of the village consisted of flower gardens but in 1874 the cultivation of flowers was discontinued and the manufacture of bricks commenced.