Trouble at the steel mill

I’m publishing this post 140 years to the day that Fred, 22 years old, boarded a train from Sheffield to Middlesborough, and left behind everything he’d ever known.

There’s a letter from Fred dated July 1881 on Brown Baley & Dixon company paper that has been stamped “In Liquidation”. This is the part of the story where global events and an economic storm beyond Fred’s control picked him up, and deposited him in a new town, with a new job, and the hope of future prosperity. But it also separated him from the woman he loved. This separation is the reason why we have so many of Fred and Jane’s letters – the bulk of which were written between 1881 and 1882.

I’ve mentioned before that Brown Baley & Dixon was one of the world’s foremost producers of steel – and they particularly specialised in the production of railway tracks. “Between 1870 and 1890, iron production in the five largest producing countries more than doubled, from 11 million tons to 23 million tons, steel production increased twentyfold (half a million tons to 11 million tons), and railroad development boomed.” ^[1] However at the same time prices globally were collapsing and in particular, the price of iron halved.

This was the result of what is sometimes known as the ‘Long Depression’ or ‘The Slump of the Seventies” but has largely been forgotten because the Great Depression of the 1930s came to eclipse it. Sheffield, being the world’s largest producer of steel at the time, was vulnerable and in 1881, thirty nine companies based in the city were placed in liquidation. Among their number was Brown Bayley & Dixon.

The particular set of circumstances that dragged BB&D under was that a large order of railway track for Russia had to be fulfilled at an enormous loss. The third partner, Joseph Dixon, was the main merchant for the Russian clients and possibly as result of this disaster, abandoned Sheffield and moved to St Petersburg.

The combined loses for the city were over two and half million pounds^[2] (which is over three billion in modern terms) and must have been a devastating impact for so many people.

Against this background, during the month of August, several of the clerical staff of BB&D decided raise spirits by having a five-a-side cricket match for a leg of mutton. Fred writes to Jane in his letter of August 18th 1881:

“There has been considerable arguing in Cricket matters lately which has resulted in a match between O’Donnell + a young fellow out of the General Office named Alvey for a leg of mutton etc for 10, that is 5 a side. When I promised to play it was arranged for Saturday Nt. but as that afterwards did not suit the majority, it was altered to tomorrow night, so I had to give way. I did not know of this until this morning or should have told you. The sides are as follows:

General Office Costs + Wages Offices
Alvey O’Donnel
Hughes Hagon
Kelsey Fitter
Nixon F. Shepherd
Dunwell H. Shepherd

of course our side will win.

I don’t think I should play but that it may be the last time we shall all be together under existing circumstances, for even if the works go on, I may be in a position not giving much scope for cricketing for suppers. Atmosphere at B.B&D very depressing, … My spirits ditto: which proves that I want you to cheer me up a bit.”

I think Fred’s comment about not being in the position of being able to to do “cricketing for suppers” looks to me that he believes that his job will not survive. We know that Brown & Bayley subsequently reformed without Dixon but in the process lost of one of their key innovators in steel producing, Dr Arthur Cooper, who left to take up the position of manager at the newly formed North Eastern Steel Co Ltd in Middlesborough. Up until this point BB&D had been in the vanguard of improving the basic bessemer technique – following Cooper’s tour of Germany researching new methods and then introducing further modifications.

BB&D’s loss was North Eastern Steel’s gain and “plans for the works were drawn up by the newly appointed manager, Authur Cooper (formerly of BB&D).” The works would be capable of producing 2000 tons of steel per week. ^[3] This is a staggering increase considering that Cooper had already improved things at BB&D to be one of the worlds largest producers at 442 tons of steel at week in 1880. Clearly a talented man.

As manager of this start-up, Cooper, with a large newly unemployed workforce to choose from, would have had his pick of people for his new works. Fred is the person that Cooper choses to invite to become the Chief Clerk of the new factory – to set up the financial and administrative side of the business. This choice surely reveals something of Fred’s character to be considered for this role. Fred has proved himself to Cooper as a hard worker, trustworthy and someone who gets things done. But I think Cooper must have also seen huge potential to want to take Fred with him to Middlesborough.

I’m so proud of Fred here – and I’m sure he was enormously flattered, and felt somewhat validated too, such a mark of respect as well as an opportunity given to him by a highly influential man. However I imagine that the offer would have felt bittersweet too – here is a chance for Fred, and Jane, to have everything they had dreamed of – but it was going to come at a cost.

During this time they appear to have made promises of marriage to each other – but they seem to be secret as they sign off their letters to each other as “Your loving W—e Janie” and “Your Loving h—s—d. Fred”.

I’m sure Fred would have included Jane in the decision making over the new position, his later letters are full of him asking her advice. They’ve been courting (with minor hiccups) for nearly two years at this point and clearly adore each other. The plan they make seems to be that Fred will do well in his job and take lodgings of a standard that mean he can save money for their future lives together. Jane embarks on sewing and collecting together items for their home. But they have to give up seeing each other until they have enough. Fred and Jane will now be in a long-distance relationship and only time they can now spend together are the weekends that fall on public holidays. That’s a huge sacrifice.

On November 4th 1881, Fred writes to Jane requesting some sheet music for what appears to be his works leaving do. Jane writes back enclosing the requested music and says,
“I hope you will spend a very enjoyable evening, wish I was there to play the accompaniments for you. I found all the songs but the Leather Bottel I have looked through all the music and cannot find it. I wish it was tomorrow night; I don’t know what I shall do without you for two months.”

I can’t imagine that Jane didn’t come to see him off at the station, but not doubut lots of Fred’s family would have been there too. I’m sure it was a tearful farewell.

After Fred arrives in Middlesborough, which according to a later letter was a stressful journey, Fred was expected to put in a days work at the office before he knew where he was going to lay his head that night. The quick letter he dashes off to Jane is written in pencil. It’s quite emotional holding this piece of paper that has preserved such a poignant moment.

“Middlesbro
Nov 7/81

My Jane,

Just time to tell you that I arrived all safe at 12.0 today. I have had dinner + tea with Mr Marston + am now going to seek lodgings. Have had a hard days work for a start. I had not time to write at the office + they have no pens at this place so you must excuse pencil.
Will write you more tomorrow
I remain
Your lover
Fred”

[1] Eric Hobsbawm (1989). The Age of Empire (1875–1914). New York: Vintage Books. p. 35. ISBN 0-679-72175-4. https://archive.org/details/ageofempire1875100hobs_0/page/34/mode/2up
[2] Sheffield and Rottheram Red Book 1886
[3] Sir Henry Bessemer: Father of the Steel Industry by C. Bodsworth

Picture credits
Brown Bayley & Dixon: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Brown,_Bayley_and_Dixon
Dr Authur Cooper: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Arthur_Cooper