D. C. CUMMINGS
A HISTORICAL SURVEY
OF THE
BOILER MAKERS' AND
IRON AND STEEL SHIP BUILDERS' SOCIETY
FROM AUGUST, 1834, TO AUGUST, 1904,
With a brief sketch of the life and work of its leading Officials ;
Comparisons between Boilermaking, Shipbuilding, and Bridgebuilding in
the early days of its history and of modern times; and
Interesting Arbitration Awo.rds and Agreements,
\ v^*? BY
D^C^Cim/AINGS.
GENERAL SECRETARY.
ILLUSTRATED.
NKWCASTLE-ON-TYNE :
R. ROBINSON & Co. LTD., PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS, CLAVERING PLACE.
1905.
TO
ALL THOSE BRANCH OFFICERS AM> M KM HERS WHO, BELIEVING IN
THE EFFICACY AND VALUE OF TRADE UNIONISM, ARE DAY BY
DAY DOING THEIR DUTY IRRESPECTIVE OF MATERIAL GAIN
TO THEMSELVES IS THIS WORK DEDICATED BY
ITS AUTHOR
AS AN EXI'HESSION OF THANKFULNESS FOR THE GOOD WORK THEY
HAVE DONE AND ARE DOING.
690287
PREFACE.
Mr. R. Knight, writing in 1872, said : " It is sad, but true, that we have
no record of the many years of our Society's past existence, and to write its
history would be impossible."
Thirty years later, when I promised to attempt the task, and when the
difficulties to obtain early records would be immeasurably greater, I had not
seen that utterance, and did not realise the almost impossible task I had set
myself to do ; but after long labour I am gratified that the difficulties have
been to a great degree surmounted and a work produced that, although it
may not shine with literary merit, does at least give as comprehensive a
history of the seventy years' life of the Society as it is possible to obtain.
The labour has been all the more difficult because of the impossibility to
give many consecutive hours to the task. Sometimes a few evening hours
could be devoted to it, and just as some progress was being made the demands
of a busy life caused it to be dropped for weeks and sometimes months
together, until evening work had to be given up, and Saturday afternoons
utilised in order to get some continuity of thought and action.
I am indebted to all those who, recognising the need of some such work,
assisted me in searching out old members and the sons of old members in
order to obtain past records of the Society's work. It would be invidious to
mention any one in particular, but I have thankful recollections of those who
kindly did whatever they were asked to do in that direction.
I am also indebted to Mr. Wilson Worsdell (North Eastern Railway),
Sir Benjamin Baker, the Thames Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Limited,
Messrs. Laird Bros., and the Editors of The Skipping World, The Engineer,
and Engineering Times for the permission so kindly granted me to reproduce
the illustrations published in that portion of the work dealing with the trade
in the early days of the Society and the present.
I trust the book will be found interesting, and that the reading of it
will enthuse the present and future generations into emulating the best deeds
of their forefathers.
My task is completed, and as I do not seek any pecuniary gain I can
express the hope that a ready sale of the work will take place, and that
some profit will be made on the sale in order that I may have the two-fold
satisfaction of having done something to instruct my fellows and by it realised
a sum of money sufficient to do some good to the orphans of our deserving
members or some other equally good object.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
EARLY TRADE UNION STRUGGLES— 1800-1834
It is not my purpose to write at length upon the early history of Trade
Unionism or I might have to trace back to the days of the wanderings of the
children of Israel in the land of the Egyptians, at which period some writers
are at pains to discover the first symptoms of combination among the workers,
but only to deal briefly with the aspirations of the workmen of Great Britain
and Ireland from 1800 to 1834, in which year the Friendly Society of Boiler
Makers first saw the light. In Professor Thorold Rogers's " Six Centuries of
Work and Wages," George Howell's " Old and New Unionism," and in Sidney
and Beatrice Webb's works may be found much interesting information of the
early struggles of workmen, in the past centuries — enough and sufficient for
those who care to take the trouble to make themselves acquainted with the
doings of those days.
The beginning of the year 1800 saw the Combination Act of 1799
re-affirmed and amended in such a way as to unduly press upon those workmen
who were desirous of combination. Prior to this the central or local authority
acted as a Court of Appeal on all questions affecting work and wages. If the
men and masters failed to come to terms upon what constituted a fair day's
wage or work this authority had the right to intervene. No doubt it fell
greatly into disuse, for towards the end of the 18th century free bargaining
between employers and their workmen became almost the sole method of
fixing wages. The Combination Act altered all this — an injustice had the
law been dealt out impartially, but proving a far grosser injustice through
the extreme partiality of the administrators. The law was supposed to prevent
a combination of employers as well as workmen, but a single employer could
be within the law and yet discharge the whole of his workmen if they
refused to accept the wages he chose to offer; yet if those same workmen
agreed together to leave their employment because of that employer's refusal
to pay the wages they requested, it at once became an offence under the Act
and was dealt with as rigorously as only partial administrators know how.
It must not be inferred that every combination of workmen was proceeded
against, because in some cases the masters themselves connived with the men,
and others were not discovered ;.. when they were, and it suited the employers
to proceed, prosecutions were carried out to an extent -hardly to be credited
2
10 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
to-day. Bad as the English judges were, the Scotch judges went one better,
for they applied the criminal procedure of Scotland to simple interchange of
opinions between workmen where no real combination existed. On the other
hand, employers openly combined, and history does not record that they were
proceeded against and imprisoned for so doing.
The unjust administration of the Acts found for the workers many
Nyini»athisers outside their own ranks, but the credit of obtaining their repeal
must be given to Francis Place, a master tailor, and Joseph Hume, whom
Place had converted to his opinions. In 1822 Hume, at the instigation of
Place, gave notice of his intention to bring in a Bill to repeal the Act, and
for two years the arrangements went on until, in the early part of 1824, Hume
induced the Prime Minister to appoint a Select Committee of Inquiry. Hume,
with consummate skill, managed to secure control of the Committee, while
Place, having the confidence of the working-class leaders, systematically supplied
him with all the necessary particulars required to make out a good case. The
result of the inquiry was a series of resolutions by the Committee in favour
of freedom of combination, and a Bill to repeal all the Combination Laws and
tn legalise Trade Unions was rapidly passed through both Houses of Parliament.
So quietly was the Bill got through that judges as well as employers were
surprised to learn that an alteration in the laws had taken place.
Trade societies now sprang into existence on all sides, although one
searches in vain for any records of Boiler Makers having made any effort to
combine together for their mutual interests.
The following year of 1825 witnessed the employers aroused and determined
to abolish the Bill so recently passed, and they persuaded Mr. Huskisson, M..P.
for Liverpool, and the then President of the Board of Trade to move and
obtain a Committee of Inquiry into the doings of Trade Unionists.
This time the composition of the Committee was carefully watched, and
consisted of a picked body of employers and their interested friends, whose
original intention was to only call as witnesses a few employers and exclude
all evidence from the Trade Unionists themselves ; this was frustrated by large
deputations of workmen, who thronged the precincts of the House of Commons
and so pestered individual M.P's by their persistence that the Committee
found themselves compelled to hear evidence from a few of the men's repre-
sentatives. Hume was again supplied with details, information that enabled
him to greatly expose the exaggerations of the employers' witnesses, the whole
resulting in the passing of a measure which, although it nominally established
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 1 1
the prohibition of combination, yet it specifically excepted from prosecution
associations or combinations for the purpose of regulating hours of labour or
wages. The employers, especially those in the shipping industry, were furious,
and issued broadcast leaflets condemning all concerned in the passing of the
Act, which, though it fell short of the measure which preceded it, and was
maladministered ; at least gave the workmen the right of collective organising,
and with it the power to withhold labour from the market by combined
action — a right that has of late years again been seriously challenged and
attempts made to utterly destroy it.
Activity in Trade Union circles again became general, but unfortunately
the close of 1825 witnessed the commencing of a depression in trade which
lasted until 1829, greatly reducing wages, and other conditions going far to
break the spirit of the movement altogether. The non-success of the several
disputes at this time gave rise to the idea of a national union of all trades
and callings. A meeting of delegates was held in Manchester in 1830, which
ended in the formation of a National Association for the Protection of Labour,
whose express object was to resist reductions. In this National Association
it is just possible that Boiler Makers could be found as units, but they certainly
were not connected or affiliated as a union.
The next few years — 1830-34 — witnessed some fierce struggles between
employers and workmen, and amidst it all the National Union found itself in
conflict with the law. Two instances will suffice. In 1832 Trade Unionists
were indicted for illegal combination merely for writing to their employers
stating that a strike would take place. In February, 1834. five members of
the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers, who were affiliated to the
Grand National Union, were arrested and lodged in gaol. No accusation
was made against them, no evidence of illegal act other than the taking of
oaths — the oath of the Grand National Union, which formed part of the
initiation ceremony — they had not struck work, neither had they applied for a
rise of wages, yet they were convicted as criminals and sent to Botany Bay
for seven years, the then Whig Home Secretary (Lord Melbourne) expressing
the opinion that the law had been properly applied.
After this conviction the oath was to a great extent dropped out of
Trade Union ceremonies. Strikes and disputes were still the order of the
day, ending generally in the defeat of the workmen ; but such was the temper
at the time that the Executive Council of the Grand National struggled in
vain to arrest this ruinous policy, and their publication of a Declaration of
12 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
the Views and Objects of Trade Unions, condemning strikes and advocating
co-operative pnxJuction, issued at the period, fell upon unheeding minds.
The non-success of the strikes crippled the National Union, until it was
obvious that by the close of the summer of 1834 the ambitions of this federation
had ended in a complete failure.
In this the beginning of the 20th century there are still to be found
Trade Unionists who are smitten with a desire to strike in season or out
of season, men who utterly disregard the lessons of the past, closing their
eyes to the fact that Trade Union history has again and again repeated
itself, and has on many occasions conclusively proved the strike policy to have
been the means of setting back the hands of the Trade Union clock and
hindering the real and true progress of the movement. Those who to-day are
inclined to create disputes on every conceivable occasion would do well to
pause and reflect before they advocate a policy that has done immense
injury, ofttimes irretrievable, to those who have from time to time been
attacked by its feverish symptoms.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
THE FRIENDLY BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY— 1834-1840.
For some time there had been lurking in the minds of individual Boiler
Makers a strong desire to form a union of those engaged in the boiler-making
trade, a desire that found tangible expression by the decision of the Manchester
meeting held Angust 20th, 1834 — to at once institute a Society of Friendly
Boiler Makers. It has been freely stated that the present Manchester No. 1
(Loyal Patriot Lodge) is not the oldest continuous branch of the Society, the
original Manchester No. 1 having been closed for some little time and later on
re-opened. The present Bolton branch, opened two months later, on October
18th, 1834, is certainly a continuous branch, and claims to be the oldest
continuous branch of the Society. If that be so, still the fact remains
that the Society first saw the light as the " Friendly Boiler Makers "
(Manchester Unity) in the then town but now city of Manchester, and has
always had a branch or branches of the Society within its boundaries. For
some years Manchester was the centre of attraction for the Boiler Makers of
the country, the place to which they turned for guidance, and the scene of
many annual and other delegate meetings.
The names of the actual founders of the Society (14 in number) have
not been recorded, or if recorded, have been allowed to be blotted out in the
course of years. It is safe to assume that some of the members of the tirst
General Council who met on May llth, 1835, scarcely nine months after the
Society's inception, played some little part in the meeting of August, 1834.
The following is a list of the members of that Council, names that will
now be preserved for all time : —
Samuel Heywood. Thomas Sutcliffe. William Jones.
Amos Rhodes. James Barker. Thomas Taylor.
William Deal. Joseph Calver. James Massey.
James Crelin. Joseph Swift. Edward Hartley.
Abraham Hughes (Chairman).
William Hughes (Secretary).
Their names should not only be preserved as being the names of the
members of the first official gathering, but as men worthy of honour and
esteem for so ably carrying out the momentous duty of doing work that was
to be the means of drawing their fellow-workmen together in the bonds of
14
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Unionism and giving official birth to the infant that has grown into the lusty
Society of to-day.
Some of their work has lived right on down to the present day, for the
very first words uttered in their lecture book printed in 1835 are: "Worthy
President, Vice, Officers, and Brothers all" — words that have been able to stand
the test of seventy years, for it is still the method of our address.
WILLIAM HUGHES can then be said to be the first corresponding
Secretary of the Society.
The names of the actual founders of the Bolton branch have been better
preserved, for it is on record that James Cooper, Gilbert Ridings, Thomas
Jones, and James Mann met together on Saturday, October 18th, 1834, at
Happy Jack's, or the Cross Keys Inn, Little Bolton, and formed the Bolton
branch, James Cooper being the first secretary.
A word should be said here of James Cooper in praise of the energy
he put forward on behalf of the then baby Society, spending his spare time
journeying to Bury and Blackburn in order to preach to his fellows the benefit
of combination. History says that his
efforts were successful, for he succeeded
in converting to his views a few men in
each town, they appointing one of their
number to collect contributions and send
them to Bolton until the time came
when they were in a position to form
branches on their own account.
One of the first presidents of the
branch was James Warbrick, and it was
customary for him to gather round as
many members as possible every Sunday
night at their club-room in order to
keep alive their enthusiasm for the
young Society. He is credited with
having been a fluent speaker and a
recognised authority on all matters
connected with the Society and its
members. To the credit of the Bolton
branch, it is to be said that from those
early days right up to the present the
JAMES COOPER. members have never worked mates with
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 15
any other workmen than those who were members of the Society, and even
in 1851, when the strike took place against the determined attempt of the
employers to5 break up Trade Unionism, the Bolton members stood firm and by
their loyalty to each other preserved the citadel intact.
Another interesting matter connected with the past history of the branch
is that in 1862, at their annual demonstration, the lead was taken by Thomas
Jones, one of the founders, who, being too old to walk the distance, was
mounted on a black pony, and proudly did he bear himself. In the procession
were several lurries conveying various then known types of boilers, and on one
of the lurries a set of riveters were busily riveting a flue. These anniversaries
at a still earlier period caused a little excitement in the breasts of the wives
of the members, for one good old soul now living has a very vivid recollection
of the landlady of the club-house giving a tea in the year 1848 to which
only members' wives were admitted, all the males being rigidly excluded.
Shortly afterwards trade took a turn for the worse, and the men declared
that the women had made so many boilers at that tea that the whole of the
country was supplied, and they there and then resolved that the women should
not meet in social harmony without they, the lords of creation, were there to
govern and control them.
To return to William Hughes and his work for the Society. William
Hughes, if one may judge him from his writings, was imbued with a desire
to uplift his fellow-men, and, like many of the prominent Trade Union pioneers
of that day, a sincere Christian man. To him was allotted the task of
obtaining an emblematic design by which the Society should be easily
recognised, the production of an opening ceremony, form of initiation, and
lectures in the form of dialogues for the two-fold purpose of instructing and
interesting the members who attended the lodge meetings. A careful
comparison of the work of this worthy pioneer with some of our forms
and ceremonies of to-day will prove how well he did his work, despite the
apologies in his letter, for after the lapse of seventy years we find some of
it still unaltered.
It will not be necessary to print the contents of the Lecture Book
(the Society's first guide to its members) in its entirety, for without doubt
the fac simile of the first emblematic design, the letter or preface by which
William Hughes submitted his labours to the General Council and the rest of
the members, the opening ceremony, form of initiation, lectures 1 and 2, and
the closing ceremony will answer the purpose.
16
A HISTORICAL SURVEY or THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
A study of this design will show how closely it is in touch with our
ilisjHMisations of to-day, and, crude as it is, a strong resemblance can be
traced to our emblem, a design of nearly a h-alf-century later. Over the
centre will be noticed a representation of the sign of the Order, " The uplifting
of the hand." In one of the four centre designs there is a representation of
a steamship of those days, a prophetic vision of the day, at that time far
distant, when iron and steel ships would totally supersede the wooden walls
of Britain. In the opposite corner below is the gripping together of hands.
Taken in conjunction with the other, it certainly may be made to typify the
then coming Unity of Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders, and of their
determination to stand for ever together hand in hand.
Humani Nihil Alienmn.
To Humanity Nothing Hostile.
A motto declaring that the unionism of workers was not hostile to humanity ;
but on the contrary a means of its uplifting.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 17
PREFACE.
WORTHY PRESIDENT, VICE, OFFICERS, AND BROTHERS ALL — the following
pages have been written at the sacrifice of a great deal of time and study ;
nevertheless, as there is nothing done perfect at once, so I am certain
that there will be many defects found in the said pages. But let the
defects be whatever they may, be assured they have not been wilful
defects; but I beg you will weigh one thing with another and you will
find the meaning to be pure and good. And as to writing on different
subjects and that in a sort of dialogue, I have felt, and at present feel
my utter inability to perform such a task. I am sorry it did not fall
into more able hands than mine, which if it had, it might have been
written more grammatically, and in a more masterly style ; but sure I am,
not with a warmer heart nor with better wishes for the success of the order
in general. My dear br-others, the Order of Friendly Boiler Makers is a
thing which has been wanting a many years none can deny, and I am
very happy it has commenced, and I am sure it must be gratifying in the
extreme to every man of feeling and of common sense, to see so many
rallying to the standard of our order, namely : —
THE ORDER OF FRIENDLY BOILER MAKERS:
and I hope, and that sincerely that it will be a stimulant to every
officer and brother, to be on the alert in discharging the duties of his
respective office, in that becoming manner which marks the true character
of a man and a brother. The meaning of the lecture is to turn men from
evil to good, that we may so let our light shine before men, that they
may see the good effects of society, and likewise to fit and prepare every
member of our order for any office he may be called into, and to warn
one and all of the uncertainty of this transitory state of existence.
I have the honour to be,
Your very Humble Servant,
WILLIAM HUGHES, Secretary.
May, 1835.
,s A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
The Opening Ceremony, Form of Initiation, and Lecture 1 partake of a
religious character, Lecture 2 being a business one.
OPENING CEREMONY.
A Prayer to be said at the Opening of the Lodge, to b3 upstanding and
uncovered ; to be said by the President.
ALMKJHTV God who disposed of man in the way which seemeth best to
thy Godly wisdom, so Jit and prepare our hearts, that while we remain together
we may receive thy good i/ifts with thankfulness, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
BROTHERS, I declare this Lodge to be duly opened under the title
of " The Order of Friendly Boiler Makers."
FORM OF INITIATION.
THE OBLIGATION OR PROMISE.
I, A. B. do most solemnly declare and promise, before God and this
Assembly, that I will keep inviolable all the secrets or transactions that
I do hear see or receive, relative to this Order, namely: — The order of
Friendly Boiler Makers, especially the grip, words, signs, or countersigns
of a Friendly Boiler Maker, except it be unto a Friendly Boiler Maker,
whom I believe to be a true and faithful brother amongst us, and that I
will be true and steadfast in all things lawful and not otherwise. I,
A. B. having made the above vows and promises of my own free will and
accord, may God assist me in these my most solemn vows. The whole
assembly to respond at the word " vows " Amen.
AN ADDRESS TO THE CANDIDATE.
Vows in all ages have been held sacred. A vow is a solemn appeal to
Almighty God, desiring his mercy and protection no otherwise than in tin'
matter or thing vowed to be true or false, and when it is done in an <>/>' •//
assembly, before an officer appointed for that purpose it is called a solemn
vow, because the person layeth his hand upon the word of God, thereby
intimatinf/ the person who shall vow shall pledge his expectations of God's
b/rsxiny in this life, and of eternal salvation in the life hereafter, for we
read in the Sacred Book of God, '' If thou vow a vow unto the Lord tit//
Got/, thou shalt not slack to pay it, for the Lord will require of thee, and
that which is gone out of thy lips, thou shalt keep and perform according
as thou hast vowed unto the Lord, and which thou hast promised with thy
mouth. And Jephtha, a Judge of the Israelites, rather than break his vow
sacrificed his only daughter.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 19
LECTURE.
PART I.
PRESIDENT. What was your reason for becoming a member of the
Order of Friendly Boiler Makers?
ANSWER. Curiosity combined with a love for society.
P. Can you give me an instance of the evil effects of curiosity?
A. Yes, worthy president ; for when Adam was first created he was
created in all lovely innocence ; in the image of God and had free access
to the fruit of every tree in that beautiful garden in which he was placed
one only excepted, of which the Lord told him, " in the day thou eatest
thereof, thou shalt surely die " ; but curiosity tempted him to partake of
that also ; then came the curse of man.
P. How came that the curse of man 1 can you inform me ?
A. Yes, Adam having lost that state of innocence in which he was
created was not deemed a fit person to discharge the duties of the office
which he held, but was discharged with disgrace and a curse then passed
upon the whole family of man, from the mouth of the Almighty, for He
said unto Adam " cursed is the ground for thy sake ; in sorrow shalt
thou eat of it all the days of thy life ; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou
eat bread, till thou return to the ground, for dust thou art, and unto dust
shalt thou return."
P. Can you give me an instance of the good effects of curiosity ?
A. Yes, worthy president. When Naaman, a great Syrian general
was smote with the leprosy, a little maid a Jewess, who was a captive or
slave to the wife of Naarnan, besought her mistress that her master
would go to the prophet Elisha that he might recover him of his leprosy,
so curiosity tempted him to go to Samaria to the prophet in order that
he might be rid of that loathsome disease. But because the prophet did
not use a great deal of show and pageantry but simply told him to go
and wash in Jordan seven times and his flesh would come again to him
and he should be clean, he was wroth, and went away, in order to return
home, without following the directions of the prophet ; but curiosity
tempted him to follow the advice of his servants, in going to wash in
Jordan, so he dipped himself seven times in Jordan according to the
saying of the prophet, and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a
little child, and he was clean.
P. Can you give me another instance of the good effects of
curiosity ?
A. Yes, worthy president; I believe I can, for we read in the
20 A HISTORICAL SURVKY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
sacred scriptures of a person named Zacchaeus who was a rich man but
a publican or tax gatherer, hearing that Christ was to pass through
Jericho, and he being a man of little stature went out of curiosity to
meet him, and got up into a Sycamore tree in order that he might see
him pass by plainly.
P. And what was the result of his curiosity, brother ?
A. The result, worthy president, of his curiosity was simply this,
Christ as he passed by saw him in the tree, and called to him to make
haste and come down for to-day I must abide at thine house, and he
made haste and came down and received him joyfully.
P. And what was the result of Christ's visit to Zacchaeus ?
A. Christ declared himself that that day salvation came to his
house, which ought to teach both you and me to receive a brother joy-
fully, for Christ said " forasmuch as he was also a son of Abraham."
P. Can you give me an instance of the good effects of unity ?
A. Yes, worthy president; we understand from Holy Writ, that
between David and Jonathan there was a unity subsisted, to the end
that it was the saving of David's life.
P. Will you have the goodness to illustrate that subject, brother?
A. I will endeavour so to do in part. We read in the scriptures
of a great giant belonging to the Philistine army, who came forward as
a champion when both armies were drawn up in battle array, and gave a
challenge to Israel, saying, choose you a man, and if he be able to fight
with me and kill me, then we will be your servants, and if I prevail then
shall you be our servants; he then cried with a loud voice and said, I
defy the armies of Israel this day.
P. Will you have the goodness, brother, to resume the subject?
A. I will, worthy president ; the army of Israel being dismayed at
the sight of so great a man, for he was eleven feet five inches in height,
there was no man found that would encounter him, until David, a youth
who was sent by Jesse, his father, to see how his brethren fared, accepted
the challenge, and slew this formidable giant, which action gained David
the esteem and friendship of Jonathan ; for when the inhabitants had
composed a piece of poetry in Jerusalem, in praise of David, it created a
jealously in the heart of Saul, so that he sought the life of David ; but
Jonathan, by giving David timely notice, saved his friend's life, which
ought to teach both you and I to give a brother in unity timely notice
of any impending danger, if in our power.
P. Here endeth part first.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 21
L E C T U R E .
PART II.
P. Can you inform me of the first thing in your Initiation or
Making ?
A. Yes, worthy president ; I was first ordered to go up stairs to
the door of the Lodge.
P. What were you there instructed to do, brother ?
A. I was there instructed to give four distinct raps at the door of
the Lodge.
P. And did you hear anything in return to your four reports at
the door?
A. Yes, worthy president ; I heard the four reports repeated from
within.
P. How then did you proceed, brother ?
A. I was then admitted into the Lodge, and introduced to the
worthy president.
P. How did you then proceed ?
A. The worthy president then kneeled down, and desired me to do
the same, and to repeat a most solemn vow or obligation after him.
P. Can you repeat that solemn vow or obligation ?
A. Yes, worthy president ; the words were these : —
" I, A. B., do most solemnly declare and promise, before God and
this Assembly, that I will keep inviolable all the secrets or transactions
that I do hear see or receive, relative to this Order, namely : — ' The
Order of Friendly Boiler Makers,' especially the grip, words, signs, or
countersigns of a Friendly Boiler Maker, except in be unto a Friendly
Boiler Maker, whom I believe to be a true and faithful brother amongst
us, and that I will be true and steadfast in all things lawful and not
otherwise. I, A. B., having made the above vows and promises of my
own free will and accord, may God assist me in these my most solemn
vcws. The whole assembly to respond at the word 'vows ' Amen."
P. How did the worthy president then proceed 1
A. He then proceeded to deliver a sort of lecture, as an illustration
to the vow I had just made.
P. Can you repeat that illustration or lecture which the worthy
president delivered?
A. Yes, worthy president.
" Vows in all ages have been held sacred. A vow is a solemn appeal
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
to Almighty God, desiring his mercy and protection no otherwise than in
the matter or thing vowed to be true or false, and when it is done in an
open assembly, before an officer appointed for that purpose, it is called a
solemn vow, because the person layeth his hand upon the Word of God,
thereby intimating the person who shall vow shall pledge his expectations
of God's blessing in this life, and of eternal salvation in the life here-
after, for we read in the Sacred Book of God, ' If thou vow a vow unto
the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it, for the Lord will require
of thee, and that which is gone out of thy lips, thou shalt keep and
perform according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord, and which thou
hast promised with thy mouth. And Jeptha, a Judge of the Israelites,
- rather than break his vow sacrificed his only daughter.' '
P. How did he then proceed?
A. He then addressed me in the following words : — " You will now
receive the grip, words, signs, and countersigns of the Order of Friendly
Boiler Makers."
P. Can you present your right-hand brother with the grip of a
Friendly Boiler Maker ?
A. Yes, worthy president; the grip of a Friendly Boiler Maker is
thus. — (Here the Grip is to be shewn)
P. The sign of a Friendly Boiler Maker on entering the Lodge?
A. The sign of a Friendly Boiler Maker is thus. — (Here the Sign is
to be shewn)
P. How would you come to the knowledge whether a person you
met was a friendly brother or not?
A. By simply making a sign, whereby I might know him, thus. —
(Here the Sign is to be shewn.)
P. Providing you were in a public house, and you saw some person
in the same room, whom you knew to work at the business, how would
you act, to prove whether he was a friendly brother or not?
A. I would take up my glass, and act thus. — (Here the Sign of the
Glass is to be shewn)
P. Now, providing you found a brother, that could answer all these
mysteries, in distress, how would you act towards him, brother?
A. We are instructed in Holy Writ, to love one another, I should,
therefore, think it my duty to relieve him so far as circumstances would
permit.
P. Name the permission of circumstances in that case.
A. Not to give to the hurt or distressing of my family or con-
nections.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 23
P. How many officers are there in a Lodge of Friendly Boiler
Makers ?
A. I believe there are eight.
P. I will thank you to name them.
A. The worthy President, vice-President, two Stewards, two Hosts,
or Marshals, and two Inspectors.
P. Our brother, I believe, has forgotten one; will you have the
goodness to name that one.
A. I will, worthy president: The secretary being a hired brother,
cannot be said to be an officer, but a servant; that, I presume, was the
reason why our brother omitted the name.
P. What are the duties of a president of an assembly ?
A. The worthy president being governor, chief, or head person of
an assembly, it becomes his duty to call to order any refractory member,
and if not obeyed in due time, to levy such fines or penalties as the rules
will permit.
P. Can you name any other duty the worthy president has to
perform ?
A. Yes, worthy president; it is likewise his duty to propose to the
committee the business they have to decide at any time or place, and to
report such decision to the body at large.
P. Can you name any other duty the worthy president has to
perform 1
A. Yes, it is likewise his duty to be at his station in due time, to
see every other officer in his proper place, and to see that each and every
one discharges the duties of his office in a proper manner.
P. Can you name any other duty, brother, which he has to perform ?
A. Yes, worthy president, I can; I believe it to be the most
important he has to perform, namely : at the opening of the Lodge, to see
that each member be upstanding and uncovered, then to endeavour to
impress upon their minds in whose awful presence they stand, by
rehearsing in a solemn manner the prayer set forth to be used on that
occasion.
P. Can you repeat that solemn prayer, brother?
A. Yes, worthy president; the words are these. — Here the Prayer
to be rehearsed.}
P. Any other duty, brother?
A. Yes, it is likewise his duty to deliver the pass-word to the worthy
vice for the time being, as there is need of a new word every night or
24 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
time of meeting, for the members going in and out of the Lodge, and to
see that the worthy vice deliver it to the inspectors and door keepers,
likewise to the two hosts.
P. Can you inform me of any other duty the worthy president has
to perform?
A. Yes, it is his duty to watch the door at the entrance of any
member, and to see that he gives the sign required, and if he be not
satisfied as to the qualification of the person to order the inspector to
examine him.
P. Any other duty, brother?
A. Yes, one more ; at the conclusion to close the Lodge with solemn
prayer, as at the opening.
P. Have you any other duty for him to perform, brother?
A. I do not recollect any at present, worthy president.
P. I do. The worthy president being placed at the head of the
Lodge, it is his duty as the head, or father of a family, to act in that
consistent manner, so that he may not become a stumbling block to the
Lodge, viz. : to show by his praiseworthy conduct an example or pattern
to both officers and members by remaining sober and temperate,
vigilant, mild and cool in extremities, judging with impartiality, pro-
moting peace, concord, and harmony amongst the body at large; this I
consider as prominent a part of the duties of the worthy president as
any. Now, brother, can you inform me what the duties of a steward are ?
A. The duties of a steward may be divided into two parts ; as there
have been two stewards mentioned, the duty of one is to receive all
moneys paid into the fund ; the other to check against the secretary.
Then both conjointly, under the inspection of the president, to deliver
the cash received into the treasurer's hands, and to see it regularly
entered into the cash-book, and then to deliver it to the worthy president,
to be carefully locked up by him, and the key returned to the treasurer.
P. Can you inform me what the duties of the inspectors are ?
A. The duties of the inspectors are, first to attend in due time, viz. :
before the Lodge is opened, and when ordered by the worthy president
to proceed to their duty, to rise from their seat, and to go round and
examine every person in the room.
P. And providing they find some person in the room who does not
belong to the order, how ought he to proceed ?
A. I consider it his duty to immediately inform the worthy
president, who will deem it his duty to desire the said person to leave
the room.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 25
P. And providing he refuses to do so, how ought he then to act,
brother ?
A. He ought, then, in that case, to order those appointed in such
cases of emergency to compel him to leave the room.
P. Will you have the goodness, brother, to represent the duties of
the two door keepers ?
A. I will, worthy president; the duties of the outside door-keeper
are to demand the quarterly word or countersign from every member
coming after the Lodge is open, before he permitteth him to give the
report at the door ; but if he knoweth him, viz., the said member, and he
hath not the word, he shall give a certain report at the door, and report
such a member without word.
P. Who is the person he addresses himself to ?
A. To the inside door-keeper.
P. How then does the inside door-keeper act?
A. The inside door-keeper then makes the same report to the
secretary, and if correct on the book according to article, he informs him
he is right and worthy.
P. How does the door-keeper then proceed ?
A. He then opens the door, informs the outside door-keeper he, the
said member is right; then, and not until then, he is permitted to enter.
P. Providing a brother gives to the outside door-keeper the
quarterly word or countersign, makes the proper report at the door and
enters, how is the inside door-keeper to act in respect to that brother?
A. He is first to close the door, then to demand the remainder of
the word or countersign, as it is always divided into two parts, one
for the outside, the other for the inside, and after receiving it, to permit
him to pass, and not till then.
P. Providing a brother sends his money by a person not belonging
to this order, how is the outside door-keeper to act in that case, brother?
A. He is to order the inside door-keeper to send one of the
inspectors out of the Lodge, then to see the money paid into the
inspector's hand, likewise to see that the person bringing such money
hath a receipt from the secretary's hand for the money so brought and
paid.
P. Can you inform me of the duties of the secretary, what they
respectively are, brother ?
A. I believe I can, worthy president; the first duty the secretary
has or ought to perform is, to be in the Lodge in due time, in order that
he may give an answer as to the legality of the admittance of any brother
without word ; to show whether he be on the suspension list or not, and
26 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
to commence booking the contributions as soon as possible, so that no
time may be lost.
P. What is the next duty the secretary has to perform ?
A. The next duty is to enter in a regular and proper form all
moneys paid, received, or delivered, belonging to the order, and to report
at each meeting the value of the Lodge.
P. The next duty, brother ?
A. His next duty I conceive to be, that every half-year he ought to
produce a half-yearly report of the income and expenditure for the last
half-year, for the satisfaction of the Lodge in general.
P. Can you inform me of any other duty the secretary has to
perform ?
A. I consider it his duty to fill all summonses and to deliver them
to the stewards, in order that the members who are in arrears may have
timely notice to attend to pay those arrears.
P. Can you give me the sum total of the duty of a secretary in one
paragraph, brother?
A. I believe I can, worthy president; the sum total of the duties
of a secretary is to write all letters ; take the minutes of General Meetings,
such as Lodge Nights, Committee Meetings, making bye-laws, and
answering correspondents, and not to conceal anything from the order in
general, which would be to their advantage to know ; this, I conceive to
be the secretary's duty.
P. The marshals' or hosts' duty.
A. Their duty is to call for the Lodge allowance of beer, and to
distribute it with impartiality ; and if they call for more than is allowed
by the Lodge, it is their duty to pay the overplus.
Here endeth part second.
Lecture 3 is on similar lines to Lecture 1, and would only be a
repetition if printed.
The concluding paragraph of Lecture 2 will no doubt cause many to
smile, especially the decision to make the marshals pay for the overplus — an
effectual curb on their generosity and partiality. While smiling the mind
takes a more serious bent, for the necessity of inspectors and the extremely
strict method adopted for admittance to the meetings throws a lurid light on
the methods of the past, that black past when the very liberty as well as the
sustenance of their wives and little ones depended upon the secrecy of their
membership of a Trade Union. Contemplation of their steadfastness should
cause a bareing of the head in reverence to these hardy old veterans of past
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 27
CLOSING CEREMONY.
A Prayer to be said by the President at the closing of the Lodge, both
on the Monthly Meeting and the Middle Meetings, as the other
prayer is set forth for the opening of such meetings : the members
to be upstanding. The President, or any one he may appoint, shall
read it with solemnity.
ALMIGHTY dispenser of mercy, grant that as we meet and constitute here
on earth a Lodge of Friendship, we may so meet in heaven, to constitute a
Lodge of Happiness, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord.
Brother, I declare this Lodge to be legally closed.
NAMES OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL.
1. ABRAHAM HUGHES, Sharps; PRESIDENT.
2. WILLIAM HUGHES, Roden ; SECRETARY.
3. SAMUEL HEYWOOD, Roden.
4. THOMAS. SUTCLIFPE, Galloways & Co.
5. WILLIAM JONES, Do.
6. AMOS RHODES, Powell.
7. JAMES BARKER, Lord.
8. THOMAS TAYLOR, Lord.
9. WILLIAM DEAL, Ormrod.
10. JOSEPH CALVER, Fairburn.
11. JAMES MASSE Y, Do.
12. JAMES CRELIN, Peel & Co.
13. JOSEPH SWIFT, Do.
14. EDWARD HARTLEY, Knights.
One word more on this the first guide book of the Society, throbbing
throughout its pages with friendship, love, and brotherhood, the writers of
it being outside the pale of the then law, looked upon as criminals, and many
of their fellow Trade Unionists transported without being proved guilty of any
crime or act other than being Trade Unionists.
Criminals or not, all true men honour and give them thanks for their
strength of purpose, without which present-day Trade Unionism could not
have been evolved.
In its very infancy the objects of the Friendly Boiler Makers were stated
to be mutual relief in cases of sickness, old age, and infirmities, and for the
burial of the dead. Bye-laws or rules were made from time to time until it
was resolved to revise, correct and consolidate them into a book of rules, the
work being entrusted to a committee, who submitted their deliberations for
confirmation at three general meetings at Manchester, the last being held on
28 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
March Kith, 1831). .John Roach, Gil. Barber, Thomas Sutcliffe (President),
William 11 light* (Secretary), signed the following on behalf of that
Committee : —
DECLARATION.
And as we the present officers for the time being, in conjunction with
our WORTHY BROTHERS who were appointed to revise and correct these
laws ; together with three general meetings duly convened for the pur-
pose. The last having taken place on March 16th, 1839, and are agreed
to by the members present at this general meeting, convened by public
notice to the members of this Society according to directions given in
Act 10 George IV., chap. 56. As witness our hands this 6th day of April,
1839.
THOMAS SUTCLIFFE, President, }
JOHN ROACH, Steward, | Of the above
GIL. BARBER, Steward, Society.
WILLIAM HUGHES, Secretary,
To which was attached the following certificate : —
I hereby certify that the following rules are in conformity to law,
and with the provisions of the Act 10 Geo. IV., c. 56, entitled " An Act
to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to Friendly Societies " as
amended by 4 and 5 William IV., c. 40.
JOHN TIDD PKATT,
The Barrister-at-Law appointed to certify Rules of Savings Banks,
4, Elm Court,
Temple,
April, 1839. London.
The Preamble to this first complete book of rules is as follows: —
" LET BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUE."
I have often thought that the above four words contained the very
best advice — the sum total of all that is great, good, and noble, the very
essence of all religion. For what is that religion worth (if it may be so
mis-called) which does not teach us to. love our fellow-creatures — to
administer to their necessities — to visit and comfort them in sickness or
affliction, whether of body or of mind, in all or any of those ills of life
which flesh is heir to. The words contain an abridgement of the
principles of our SAVIOUR'S " do unto others as ye would they should do
unto you." Brothers of every grade, high or low, rich or poor, unto you
are these words particularly addressed, — the foundation of our order is
Jove, brotherly love, let it continue, — so shall unity flourish, and the
attacks of prejudice and wickedness shall not prevail against it. You
are, or ought to be, united by socially meeting together, and joining in
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 29
sweet conversation by a mutual interchange of feelings, wishes, and fears,
in the feast of reason and flow of soul. You may smooth down the
rugged path of life, and shun many of those whirlpools and rocks of
discontent, where too many of our fellow-creatures made shipwreck of
honour, happiness, and all which can make existence endurable, or life
desirable. Let, then, your study be to improve your minds; enrich
them with the sentiments of the wise, the great, and the good ; you will
find this an invaluable source of enjoyment, and the deeper draughts you
take increase that enjoyment and delight; it will prove a never failing
fountain of treasure to yourselves, and diffuse an air of kind serenity
around you, and make your wives, children, and friends love you the
more; as Solomon said, "with all thy getting, get wisdom." You have
united to administer to each other's necessities, and to relieve each other
in sickness and poverty. What more noble, what more angelic, than
when we see a brother laid upon a bed of sickness, unable to earn the
common necessaries of life, his wife and children surrounding his bed
in silent grief — his wife, the best partner of his joys and sorrows, mentally
exclaiming, such a thing would do my husband good, and restore him to
health and strength ; but alas ! I have no money — nothing before me
but poverty, darkness, and death — no friendly hand stretched out to
beptow one drop of comfort : — " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken
me?" — what more angelic than to step in and say, Brother, here is relief!
You then appear as an angel sent down from heaven on an errand of
mercy. I have felt such sensations, which for worlds (now that I know
them) I would not be without. I have seen the big tear of gratitude roll
down the cheek in expressive silence ; the breast heave with gladness ;
and the tongue unable to express the thanks of the heart. Brethren,
much relief may be administered, and good done, by small means; there
are thousands of little kind offices which may be rendered, that would
ease the bed of sickness, and soften the pillow of affliction. Oh ! how
detestable is the niggardly, narrow soul, who is ever hoarding up pelf-
making it his God day and night — not one half-penny to spare to relieve
distress — never one kind office done to a child of humanity in affliction ;
his soul shut up to all the tender and amiable feeling of nature ; narrowed
up in self -avarice ; sordid avarice alone reigning predominant — freezing
up all that is worth keeping ; resorting to every meanness to increase his
store, he lives in constant uneasiness and dread ; all around him are
objects of suspicion ; a terror to himself, he dies unpitied and unlamented
— no friendly hand to close his eyes in death, but all rejoicing that such
a monster is removed from the face of the earth. " He that seeth his
brother in need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion, how dwelleth
the love of God in him ?" You are not only united in brotherly love to
administer to the necessities of the sick and afflicted, but those who are
30 A HISTORICAL SUKVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
in poverty and distress for want of employment or other unforseen
circumstances. Some there are whose practices and feelings have
savoured too much of the lawless freebooter, the slave of his passions — too
fond of the carousals of convivial parties, and by such an aberration of
the powers of intellect reduced to the direst distress ; yet such an one
should be the object of brotherly love; if in your power relieve his
immediate necessities with reason and discretion; give him the bsst
advice without harshness ; for when the heart is softened with kindness,
admonition will often have the best effect; and who can tell but
you may be the means of rescuing him from destruction, and restoring
one to society who may prove a useful link in the great chain of the
universe. And now, my dear friends, may we all act upon this principle,
is the earnest prayer of
Yours respectfully,
A FRIENDLY BOILER MAKER.
Who the writer of the above was must for ever remain in obscurity, the
only signature being the above, he either being too modest to attach his name
or the law being in that condition as to be able to reach him even for words
of that character. " Let Brotherly Love Continue " strikes a deep and sincere
note, and the words of the writer upon them need no other words than that
they contain an excellent lesson for all time, and commend themselves to every
thoughtful and intelligent man.
With the first concrete book of rules it is necessary to deal more
extensively than it will be possible to do with succeeding revisions, because it
gives to us some idea of the aspirations of the early members of the Society.
The rule book itself is even more elaborate than many that were in use
later on in the life of the Society, and the well-preserved copy now before
me at least speaks well for the material of which it is made. Well bound, it
measures 4£ inches by 3 inches, and consists of 51 pages, containing preamble,
46 rules, and forms for declaring on and off the funds, etc.
Entrance and proposition money are dealt with under one heading, the
total charge for entering the Society being £1 Is. to all comers, 10/6 of which
had to be paid on the night a member was proposed, the remaining 10/6 to
be paid four weeks afterwards, which was the night of admission.
Members were admitted between the ages of 18 and 45 years, and had
to pay contributions of 1/9 for every four weeks, 3d. of which was spent in
liquors.
The principal branch officers were elected on very similar lines to those
of to-day ; the only material difference was that the landlord of the club-house
was treasurer for the time being.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 31
Sick pay consisted of 10/- per week for six months, 5/- for the second
six months, and 3/6 for continuation of such sickness. Contributions had to
be deducted in full every four weeks, and, strange to say, that a return has
again been made in the closing year of the century to the payment of
contributions when on the funds.
Travelling benefit to some little extent was in operation, although the
word " tramp" was more often used. This rule is a strange one. It provides for
a member of twelve months' standing who has paid all demands and in benefit
obtaining a certificate from his lodge or box (a term used very often instead of
lodge) secretary acknowledging him as a member ; on production of this
certificate to the secretary of the next box he is to be provided with one pint
of beer, supper, and bed. If a member two years and over he was entitled to
a penny per mile for each mile travelled by land or sailed by water, or by
means of steam power, since he was last relieved, except in crossing to Ireland
or from Ireland to England, when he was entitled to 5/-. Travellers were
compelled to go to the nearest box, and could only call once in six months.
In the quaint words of the rule, " Secretaries were allowed 4d. for liquor for
each journey taking a tramp or tramps to the club house and not any more
unless at their own expense."
Superannuation at the rate of 3/6 per week was to be paid to members
who were 60 years of age and who had a membership of twenty years.
Funerals were £8 at the death of a member, £7 at the death of a
member's wife, and then, as now, members' widows could pay I/- per quarter
to continue their funeral claim, but the amount in that case would be only £4.
Out-of-work allowances were regulated by each member having to claim
I/- extra per day ; if not paid, it became the duty of the member or members
so refused to call at every yard or shop where members of the Society were
working to acquaint them of the fact, and so prevent others going to the job
they had left. All night and Sundays were to be paid at double rates.
The method of conducting meetings is described in the following : —
"That in order to preserve decency and good order during club hours, any
member who will not take his seat when ordered by the President to do so,
or introducing political discourse, seditious sentiment, indecent songs, or shall
curse or swear, or use any obscene language, bet wagers, promote gaming, or
refuse to be silent when called upon by the President, shall be fined 3d. for
the first offence, 6d. for the second, and for the third offence expelled the
meeting."
32 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Evidently there was a holy horror of immorality in all its varied phases ;
at the same time the members of those days were fond of social gatherings,
for it was decreed in their rules : — " That the members of this Society shall
dine together once a year at the respective club-house where each club box
is kept to commemorate the formation of this Society and to unite the
members in that bond of union and brotherly love which should and ought
to exist between the Boiler Makers of Great Britain and Ireland." The rule
concludes with the special injunction : " That no part of this expense to come
out of the funds."
Quarterly Committee meetings were to be held at Manchester, with power
to alter rules, which later on became annual meetings, and gradually extended
until we reached the five-year intervals of our own times.
Another rule dealing with the settlement of disputes between members
and their officers is worthy of mention. Five arbitrators were appointed by
the members who were not personally interested in the funds of the Society,
and if a dispute arose the five names were put into a hat and the complainant
drew therefrom, the first three names drawn out being the arbitrators, who
had power given them to finally settle the point at issue. The losing side
had to pay the arbitrators' expenses, such expenses not to exceed 10/-, and in
addition also pay the expenses of such witnesses as were considered necessary.
Prior to the meeting of 1839 for revising and framing rules, a start had
been made in South- West England by the opening of "Loyal Sons of the
Globe " Lodge, Bristol, or Bristol branch, on Wednesday, July 27th, 1836, at the
Old Globe, Christmas Street, by Bro. William Lloyd, Dublin.
By a strange coincidence fourteen members were at the opening of the
Bristol branch, being exactly the same number as were at the opening of the
first branch at Manchester.
The first secretary of Bristol was Bro. Thomas Bryant, the second being
Bro. John Allen, who also acted as the delegate of the branch on many
occasions, and ultimately became General Secretary.
The Bristol branch was, therefore, the first branch to be opened in
South- West England, following within two years of the start made in the
North-West. The next district in which a start was made was in London by
the opening of " The Rose of Albion " Lodge, now called " London No. 1," the
branch being opened in 1839, forming the beginning of another district, there
being at the close of 1839 a nucleus of the Society in three separate districts
of England.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
33
1841 to 1850.
The rules of 1839 stood without any alteration up to the Annual Meeting
held September 19th and 20th, 1842, at which gathering the first attempt
was made to make provision to bring the lodges now forming in various parts
of Great Britain into more direct touch with each other. A resolution was
passed authorising the printing of a list stating the name of the town or
village where every lodge was formed, together with the name of the club-
house and the night of meeting.
Meanwhile a start had been made in the West Riding of Yorkshire by
the opening of the Leeds branch on the 18th of March, 1840, and which had
been followed in the same district by the opening of the Bradford Lodge on
the 24th of June, 1842.
Ireland, the sea-girt sister isle, had likewise made a beginning by the
opening of the " Good Samaritan " Lodge in Belfast on the 27th of February,
1841.
There were thus two more localities where a nucleus had been formed,
one, the "Good Samaritan" Lodge, being the first Trade Union representative of
the Irish Boiler Makers, and, in fact, the mother of the future members of
Ould Oireland. Young in years as the Friendly Boiler Makers' Societies were,
it is evident they had by the foregoing resolution already realised the necessity
of cohesion, the benefit that would accrue by having one strong society
and not several factions or small societies, who might in future years wage
war amongst themselves. At the meeting of 1842 a few fresh principles
were agreed to. It was decided to equalise the funds, and although the
method of equalisation then adopted seems somewhat crude to us of the
present day, yet it undoubtedly was a genuine attempt to solve the difficulty
of lodges lapsing on account of a run of local misfortune.
The method agreed to was to obtain an annual return of the number of
members, the amount of capital in each branch, and thus obtain the worth per
member of the Society. Having done so, they then instructed those branches
who had more than the average to remit money to those who were under the
average, and, by such means, level all up to a financial equality. This annual
34 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
equalisation or distribution gave way a few years later to the system of
remitting from one branch money to another branch who were in actual need
—a rather loose method of conducting financial affairs, but which remained in
existence until recent years, when it was superseded by the more business-
like, more accurate, and safer method of remitting all money required by
branches from the General Office, by which system alone a clear statement
can be published of the Society's financial position. A new moral principle
was also agreed to, by inserting a rule penalising members who lost their
employment through drunkenness, using improper language to an employer,
or other improper conduct.
The drink question was evidently then, as now, something to be grappled
with in the interests of the members, and it was also necessary to curb the
human passions by penalising improper language and conduct.
Complaints have often been made that some of our rules dealing with
morals and conduct have been framed in the interests of the employers, and
no doubt they were, as well as in the interests of the members. But those
who complain talk as if they were of latter-day creation, and it will no doubt
surprise many of them to know that sixty years ago the penalising of members
for so conducting themselves as to cause injury to employers was first agreed
to by men who had little indeed to thank the employers of those days for.
Experience of the earlier years prompted the delegates at the meeting
to abolish a uniform system of payment for overtime, all night and Sunday
work, the uniformity of the first rules having caused much unpleasantness
amongst the members. In the place of a uniform system they empowered
each lodge to make its own arrangements, giving them the power to make
bye-laws, which in after years became the function of District Committees.
In consequence of the fluctuations and depressions in trade, it was also
found absolutely necessary to give power to stop travelling allowances and
reduce entrance fees, the power being invested in the Acting Branch, or in
other words, Executive Branch, to propose at any time they deemed necessary
a complete stoppage of travelling gifts, and also a reduction of entrance fees.
The first half of the century witnessed commercial and industrial depressions
of a severe character, and many infant Trade Unions were given their quietus
on that account, our own suffering greatly on account of their contributions
being insufficient to support the members in bad times, and the consequent
stoppage of benefits or gifts driving many away. Badly-informed writers of
the present day loudly and persistently shout that Trade Unionism is killing
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 35
the trade of the country, and they think that if they shout long enough they
will be believed by the great mass of the unthinking people of the country.
If they took the trouble to acquaint themselves with the commercial and
industrial history of the country for the last century they would, if honest
men, have to take for their sermon another text, for some of our worst
depressions occurred when Trade Unionism was in its infancy, and certainly
not powerful enough to wield any influence, good or bad.
The exact date of the immediate opening out of some early lodges in
other parts of the British Isles has been lost sight of. A charter or dispensation
was issued on September 18th, 1843. Several new lodges received their
dispensations on that date in addition to those already in existence, and no
doubt some of them had been opened some little time previous to the issuing
of the charter, those in fresh districts being Liverpool, Hull, and Newcastle.
There were now in existence lodges in the North, both East and West,
South, both East and West, and in Ireland, the Society in nine years
already beginning to become more than national in character.
John Roberts had just prior to this period become the General Secretary,
William Hughes having acted as the secretary until after the annual meeting
of 1842. The earliest period in which John Roberts' name can be traced
is his signature as secretary on the dispensations granted on September 18th,
1843. His salary at the commencement of his duties was 12/- per week for
evening work and payment when losing time on Society's business ; but later,
in 1845, he received 36/- per week and 5/6 extra per day, and later still, in
1847, £2 2s. and 6/- per day when from home on missions and travelling
expenses. With regard to the official life of John Roberts there is not much
to say, but the following toast composed by him in 1845, for use at the
annual gatherings, has been preserved : —
And may success, with hearty glee, long prosper our community ;
And may we keep, with fond delight, the lamp of friendship burning bright,
To banish grief, to yield relief, to solace age and youth —
Bound heart and hand, a philanthropic band, in friendship, love, and truth.
John Roberts retained his position until the end of 1848, vacating his official
duties somewhat under a cloud, sailing away from Southampton in the stokehold
of a P. and O. steamer, his later life being officially lost sight of.
The year 1845 marked an epoch in the history of the Society, for
instead of a two days' meeting, as had been the previous custom, it was found
necessary to give careful attention to many of the rules, which took the
3fi A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
meeting of delegates seven days to accomplish, 38 lodges being represented by
33 delegates, the General Secretary making 34. First came a change of
name, the title now reading " The United Friendly Boiler Makers' Society," the
unity now taking place being fully expressed in the word UNITED.
Apprentices were sought to be regulated by the insertion of a rule
stating that "all Boiler Makers shall serve a legal apprenticeship for five
years before arriving at the age of 21 years."
What a denial this is to the statement recently made charging us with
hampering the trade and prosperity of the country by restricting apprentices.
Nearly sixty years ago; and the same regulation was in existence, yet the
trade has developed beyond the wildest dreams of the employers or employees
of those days.
Contributions were now increased to 3/- for every four weeks, it being
found necessary, if gifts (as benefits were then called) were to be paid in
anything like regularity.
For the first time there also appears a penalty of suspension of gifts
for six months upon any member who attempted, either publicly or privately,
to break up the Society, a rule undoubtedly designed to protect themselves.
An arrears rule, imposing a suspension of membership for three months'
arrears, and only providing for a reinstatement on production of a health
certificate both for the member and his wife, including a fine of 2/6 and
another three months' supension of benefits, was a drastic way of making
members regular in their payments.
Bonus gifts for total disablement by accident were also instituted,
provision being made for payment by a levy of I/- per member for each
case.
A funeral fund was established by the payment by the lodges to the
central or head lodge at Manchester of I/- per member per quarter.
Regulations were made for members leaving the United Kingdom by a
rule suspending all gifts except funeral.
After payment of Sick, Bonus, and Funeral Gifts, and the necessary
management expenses having been deducted, the remaining portion of the
funds of any lodge was then devoted to what was called " The Protection
Fund."
This fund was used for the purpose of paying Dispute Pay, Home
Donation, Travelling, and Superannuation, and was governed by a lodge com-
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 37
mittee appointed for the purpose, unless there was more than one lodge
within a radius of four miles, in which case a joint committee was established.
The amount of Dispute was not stated, although in the revision of 1848
later on it is set down — for married men 12/- per week and 6d. per week for
each child under ten years of age, single men receiving 10/- per week.
Home Donation was paid at the rate of 5/- per week for seven weeks,
and 2/6 per week for four weeks.
Travelling allowance was again introduced by the payment of halfpenny
per mile travelled, and 1/3 for bed and supper for each night and for the
Sunday.
Superannuation was still 3/6 per week, such being paid to members
who had twenty years' membership, who had reached the age of sixty, and were
unfit for work.
The admission of holders-up was now provided for on condition that they
had worked continuously at the trade between the ages of twenty and twenty-
five, but they were prohibited from riveting without having first obtained
sanction, riveters being also prohibited from plating without sanction having
also been obtained.
There was at this period a Scotch Society in existence, whose head-
quarters were in Glasgow, and in the rules of 1845 provision was made for
English members going to Scotland paying into the Scotch lodges, a similar
privilege being given to Scotch members visiting England. Provision was
also made for each attending the meetings of the other, although debarred
from a voice or vote in each other's meetings, and also debarred from receiving
relief from any but their own Society, each Society undertaking to remit to
each other the money paid by those who were members of the other Society.
The Loyal "Crewe" Lodge, which was the first lodge of railway workers,
was quickly followed in 1846 by the Swindon branch, consisting also of railway
men. In New Swindon Burial Ground can be seen a monument erected to
the memory of one of the old veterans of that branch, James Amos, upon
which, at his expressed wish is an engraved metal plate representing the old
emblem of the Society, perhaps the only place where such an acknowledgment
of the Society is in existence. J. Amos entered the Bristol branch in 1836.
In addition to •amending rules, it was also customary at the annual
38 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
meetings to deal with all special cases of members and branches that were of
interest to the Society, and also to hear appeals.
One of the resolutions empowered the Corresponding or General Secretary
to go to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the surrounding districts to try and induce
the North-East Coast men to join the Society, and in order to aid him in his
organising mission the entrance fee was reduced to 2/6. At this time the
only lodges on the North-East Coast of England were Newcastle No. 1 and
Hull No. 1.
Evidently a dispute had been in existence at Smethwick, for another of
the resolutions declared that the shop at Smethwick should be thrown open,
and that club men should be allowed to work there providing they obtained
the wages paid in the locality.
Among the lodges represented, but long since passed away, were lodges
in Vulcan, Bradeley, Holy Hall, and Shelton.
In May, 1847, the meeting lasted eleven days, there being again 32
delegates present. The alterations of rules were not extensive, the notable
ones being a provision for an Executive Council of five members (the first
mention of an E.G.) and the striking out of a definitely fixed salary for the
General Secretary and the insertion of the words : " For which he shall receive
such salary as the majority of the members may deem sufficient." The
Delegate Meeting, however, deemed the then salary insufficient, for one of their
first resolutions was to raise the salary to £2 2s. per week, with 6/- extra pay
per day when away from home, and second class travelling expenses.
Another resolution empowered the Secretary to open branches in Conway,
Cork, and South Wales, and also to proceed to Scotland to interview the
members of the Scotch Society with a view to amalgamation.
It was also decided to obtain a list of members who had left their
lodgings in debt, for publication throughout the Society, a piece of legislation
for which more modern men have had the credit and received the praise or
blame according to the opinion of the critic.
It was decided to hold the next Annual Meeting at Liverpool, which
city became for a time in after years the official centre of the Society.
During the year 1847 John Roach, one of the pioneers and a very hard
worker for the Society, went to the bourne from whence no traveller returns.
He was recognised as a stirring speaker and an energetic man, being greatly
respected by his fellows. The following copy of some verses written to keep
his memory green will convey the regard in which he was held: —
A HISTOEICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
39
£ncvrl> to t!)f
I
BOILER-MAKER LATE OF MANCHESTER,
A SON OF LABOUR— A TRUE DEMOCRAT -A FIRM FRIEND— A DE
TERMINED ADVOCATE— AN UNPAID PATRIOT
A PURE PHILANTHROPIST— AND
AN HONEST MAN!
The task is mournful, yet 'tis pleasing too,
To speak in praise of dear departed worth
But when that praise is pure — deserving
Our inmost heartfelt sentiments come forth :• —
Then speak, we as wt- find — and feeling just
ihall we forget thy kind but anxious eye,
When thoa wert bent upon a generous deed ?
1 seemed as if thy onward soul would fly,
To help the pooresi mortal in his need ,
I. ike Charity, impatient to be there,
Where poverty had made the most despair.
Shall we forget with what undaunted brow,
Thou dar'd resist the foes of labour's rights ?
hall we neglect those virtues to avow
Which shone in thee, and are men's chief delights
>.n ttonect nin ! one whom we knew lull well,
"Who lov'J his country with a patriot'! zeal,
Whoce ardent actions did bis btrtngth e.\etl,
\r. braving danger for ou~ labour's weal;
Whom nought could cunquer, save resistless death
Huh yielded unto God hi! latest breath..
And in the echo all that's just replies.
Of noble birth thuu boacted not the seeds,—
Thine was a lift we dearly love to prove, —
Blending true friendship with the nobles
And working out the principles nf lovei
Ubing thv evtry energy for good— -
Putting to shame high-born ignoble'blood.
JOHN ROACH < the echo of thine honest name,
Inspires the humble muse to try the stream;
Where it may waft thee down the tide of fame—
And though it fail, yet still the pleasing theme,
Which bring: thee back to memory once mori
Gives inv to bless thee from the true heart's core
These humble lines, though vulgur mid uncouth.
Are dedicated unto thy worth, dear Roac'.i :
The >tr»ni;er when he doth thy grnve approach,
But thnu shalt slei:p in peace, lliou honest m
Our once beloved friend ! and yet not ours alon
But friend to every man whom he could aid ;
Whose breast responded to misfortune's moan,
Dili good lirujsk'd, unpray'd for, and unpaid
Whose ver.v life was one eternal round
Of shielding weakness wheresot-'r 'twas found
BENJAMIN STOTT
40 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
These verses were sold to the then members, and were printed in gilt upon a
glossy dark blue ground. As well as a good Trade Unionist he was also
an enthusiastic Chartist, naming his son Feargus O'Connor Roach. Gabriel
Leigh, another pioneer, looked after the welfare of the younger Roach for
some few years after the death of the greatly- lamented father. Gabriel Leigh
became landlord of the beerhouse where Manchester No. 2 was first held, the
sign being the " March of Intellect." Why it was so called, unless it be in
irony, is to us incomprehensible, for on the signboard was depicted a sweep
mounted upon a donkey, and who held a pole in front of the donkey, and
at the end of the pole was attached a bunch of carrots.
In May, 1848, a dispute took place in Dukinfield, for in an old note
book, the property of a then member of the Executive Council, appears the
following copy of a letter in relation thereto : —
Manchester, May 18th, 1848.
SIR, — The Executive have taken the case of the men of Dukinfield
into serious consideration, and we think that all the men should give a
legal week's notice as we consider that the Masters have broken their
word with the deputation, and we now agree that all of you shall give a
legal week's notice to-morrow morning.
Signed by order of the E. Council,
WM. MELLING, Chairman.
JOHN ROBERTS, General Secretary.
The above resolution, sent to W. Warner, the lodge secretary, was accompanied
by a letter urging the Dukinfield men to wage war to the knife and spare no
expense to win. The ordinary Dispute pay of 12/- to married and 10/- to single
men was to be paid to all who remained in the locality, but in order to
induce men to seek employment elsewhere a special grant of 10/- and a clear
card in addition to their tramping allowances was to be given to those who
left the town. Instructions were given to keep all men straight on the books,
that is, exemption of contributions whilst the strike lasted. Whether the
strike was successful or not history does not state.
Evidently very early attempts were made to do away with the liquor
drinking in the branches, for in this same old book it is mentioned that at
the Executive Council Meeting on October 20th, 1848, a resolution was proposed
by J. Pennie (who shortly afterwards became General Secretary) and carried,
"That the threepence for drink on lodge nights be done away with, and that
it be put into a fund by itself and lay there, before being put to any purpose,
for six months, and then put to any purpose that the majority of the
A ?IISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 41
members may think fit at that time." The Executive Council carried this
resolution unanimously, and evidently sought to set a good example themselves
by stopping the spending of money on drink at the meetings of the Executive
Council. It may be interesting to mention that from July, 1847, to July,
1848, the account for ales and spirits supplied to the Executive Council at
their meetings and chargeable to the funds was £13 Os. 7d., or an average
of £3 os. Ifd. per quarter. The next period, rather more than a quarter,
viz. from July 1st, 1848, to October 20th of the same year, the charge was
£2 12s. 4d., after which date it seems to have dropped altogether, no further
mention being made of it.
Another interesting tit-bit from the old note book is the following item
of E.G. expenditure in the second quarter of the year 1848 — 2 Ibs. of candles,
Is. 6d. What a vast change from then to the present ! In 1848 the General
Secretary and his Executive meeting in a little dark room in Fielden Street,
off Oldham Road, Manchester, in which a flickering rushlight feebly tried to
illuminate the darkness. Forty-two years afterwards the palatial building
named Liffcon House was being declared opened amidst general rejoicing — a
building upon which over £9,500 had been expended.
The meeting held in June, 1848, lasted for twelve days, and was held
at the house of a Mr. Robinson, Preston Arms, Market Street, Liverpool. The
delegates were considerably reduced, there being in all twenty-one delegates
present, John Allen, who in after years became the General Secretary, being
one of the delegates.
Payment of benefits was still a difficulty, for it was again decided to
stop tramping or travelling allowance for twelve months from August, 1848,
to August, 1849, tramps only to be allowed the usual gifts for bed and supper.
Bonus gifts were also reduced, the levy being 6d. per member as against
I/- previously paid, the monetary difficulties that had again arisen causing the
curtailment of benefits in order to help on a financial recovery.
The Protective Fund began to be used for what was afterwards described
as trade protection members, for at this 1848 meeting it was provided that
all who were not eligible to enter the Sick and Funeral Fund through ill
health or over age, could become Protective Fund members by paying 1/3
for every four weeks ; the only benefits they would be entitled to receive would
be Dispute Pay in cases of dispute, and Bonus if meeting with an accident
at the trade, special cards being printed for the use of these members.
42 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Piece work hud now begun to seriously exercise the minds of the
members, for the following rule was adopted: "That the Annual Committee
consider that piece work or hiring has, in all instances, a tendency to be
injurious to our trade, and that it is the unanimous opinion of the meeting
that each member belonging to the Order should use his united efforts to
suppress and, if possible, to abolish it entirely, and that the Annual Committee
advise all lodges to use their efforts to do away with it, and that any member
who takes piece work or hire without he is compelled to do so by circumstances
over which he has no control shall be fined, for the first offence ten shillings,
for the second offence £1, and for the third offence to be expelled from
the Order."
In spite of this, piece work has gone on increasing and increasing until
we are now recognised as a piece work trade, and to our shipyard members
it has become like second nature.
By the various resolutions passed at this meeting it is plainly evident
that there had been considerable looseness in dealing with the funds in many
of the lodges. London No. 1 was called to task for spending the General
Fund to purchase a banner, and were ordered to refund the cost out of their
private purses. London No. 3 had transgressed by using the Society's money
to purchase a silver snuff-box for their treasurer. Several other lodges had
granted sums of money for similar purposes : another batch had used more
than they were allowed for their anniversary dinners, and others for excursions,
all of whom were ordered to refund.
Looseness in other matters also prevailed, for the following resolution
was unanimously carried and issued to the lodges : — " Whereas several of the
lodges have neglected to forward their monthly or quarterly reports according
to the 45th General Law, together with not settling their accounts with the
E.G. as they became due, thereby depriving the members generally of knowing
the correct state or value of the Order: We, the delegates assembled for and
in behalf of the United Order of Friendly Boiler Makers, do most earnestly
promise and pledge ourselves to see and endeavour, by all means in our power,
to assist the E.G. in carrying out those laws to the fullest extent, in whatever
lodge either of us may hereafter be, and we trust that there is not a member
who values his Society and its interests but will come forward with heart and
voice to help, by a strict observance of all moral laws, to attain that great
end for which our Society was founded, which never can be done excepting
by a determination to act in union together in carrying out our laws."
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 43
At this meeting Annual Delegate Meetings were abolished, the Executive
being empowered to take a vote of the Order as to the holding of Delegate
Meetings in future.
On January 5th, 1849, the "Loyal Caledonia" branch was opened in
Greenock, the first Scotch branch having direct connection with the Society.
Evidently the mission of the Secretary bore fruit, and the starting of a branch
in Greenock ended the friendly arrangement that previously existed between
the Scotch and English Societies, for the rule providing for that arrangement
was soon afterwards deleted from the book, and no further mention is made
of the Scotch body until the amalgamation which took place a few years later.
There was, however, another Society started in London, despite the fact
that there was a London lodge already in existence, for a Society calling itself
the "Amicable and Provident Society of Journeymen Boiler Makers of Great
Britain" was established on October 1st, 1849.
Its preamble and declaration were as follows : —
PREAMBLE.
IMPROVED BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Without disparagement to any of the numerous societies formed by
various and distinct classes of men, uniting themselves together for the
purpose of mutual assistance in case of slackness of work, the founders
of the Amicable and Provident Society of Boiler Makers have taken into
consideration a feature which has hitherto been lost sight of, or is not
provided for by societies of the trade previously existing, the neglect of
which is too often attended with a train of evils of the most serious
magnitude ; evils, among which pre-eminently stand forth want, woe, and
destitution ; and these evils generally arise from want of management of
the resources possessed by each individual (to a greater or less amount)
while in work.
There are but few among the working classes that are provident
enough to realize, out of their hard earnings, a sufficiency to meet the
demands of nature for even a few weeks when out of work; and how
much more serious is the consideration, where a family is dependent on
such an individual. It is but too often in such cases that the
domestic hearth, which has been cherished as the greatest blessing and
comfort in this life, becomes a source of sad anxiety and care.
To provide for the common wants of nature — to stay the cry of a
beloved offspring for bread — the household goods, in which his gentler
partner and himself used to delight, one thing after another is sacrificed
44 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
for a tithe of their value, and at length, when all is gone — credit no
more — then comes the heart-rending separation of a once happy family,
to seek food and shelter in a union workhouse.
To prevent these evils, or at least to obviate them in some degree, is
one of the principal objects proposed to be attained by the improved
society.
These views can be carried into effect by uniting together, and, while
in employment subscribing a small sum per week, which, under whole-
some laws and economical management, will be capable of affording at
at least a sufficiency (to those who occasionally have the misfortune of
being out of work) to keep the gaunt wolf from their door, and prevent,
in a great measure, the painful sensation of hunger. Few, that will take
the trouble of thinking, but will allow the feasibility of this proposition;
and to add to its security, and carry out the principle of good will and
brotherly love to each other, it will be incumbent on the members of this
society, especially those in employ, to use their best endeavours to
recommend and gain, if practicable, situations for those who may be out,
and at all times to aid and assist each other with their best counsel and
advice. Acting thus, many of the evils alluded to will be avoided, and
when they may occasionally occur, their ill effects, though not entirely
prevented, will be greatly alleviated.
DECLARATION.
This society was established for the purpose of allowing a weekly
stipend to free members thereof, when out of employ, and of making an
allowance in old age, and at the death of its members; all of which
objects shall be carried into effect, and regulated by provisions hereafter
expressed, and explained by subsequent rules and regulations.
Although not necessary to dwell at any length upon this Society or its
rules, yet it is advisable to mention those rules in which a fresh principle was
established, especially as some of them were ultimately adopted by the United
Society after the two joined hands.
The majority of the benefits were almost similar to those already
described, vaiying sometimes in detail, but in principle the same.
Home Donation books were provided for signature, payment only being
made when the signature had been properly entered. Their rules also distinctly
stated that a member refusing work for private motives should be suspended
from all benefits as long as he remained out of work.
With Superannuation there was a difference, 3/- per week being the
amount paid by them, which was paid irrespective of age to anyone unable
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 45
to earn their living at the trade, providing that they had 18 or more years'
membership, and that they were not earning 15/- per week at any other
occupation.
The latter principle, after a lapse of over half-a-century, has been
introduced into the rules by a refusal to pay Superannuation to members who
have been following another occupation for five years, and by which they are
earning 25/- per week.
Honorary members were admitted, the condition being that they were
to be Boiler Makers who were not working at the trade as journeymen.
Their rules also provided for the formation of District Committees, and
also gave these committees the power to make bye-laws to regulate the business
of the district, a principle foreshadowed in the Society's rules, but not defined.
Other methods of carrying on their work were practically on all fours with
the United Society's rules,; in fact, so similar were they in many details that
the charge of plagiarism could have been easily sustained.
John Pennie, who had been a member of the Executive Council for
some time, and Avho had acted as General Secretary pro tern, after the sudden
departure of Bro. John Roberts, was early in 1849 appointed as General
Secretary. In 1850 the office removed to Pollyhurst Terrace, Rochdale Road,
Manchester, where lived John Pennie for the remainder of the brief time that
he occupied the position.
At the time of the building of the bridge across the Menai Straits
John Pennie opened a branch of the Society at Menai, and when the bridge
was completed George Stephenson the well-known engineer, put in the last
rivet and was made an honorary member, paying a donation of three guineas
for that privilege. Evidently the great engineer was sympathetically disposed
towards the Society or he would never have allowed his name to be linked
with it in any degree, and he was without doubt the first of those employers
who have marked their appreciation of the Society from then until the
present. In 1853, John Pennie went to America, from which country he
never returned, departing this life in Chicago in the prime of his manhood.
In June, 1850, an alteration was made in the Bonus rule by abolishing
the Fluctuating payment of a levy of 6d. per member and establishing a fixed
sum of £60 for total disablement through accident, half of which was to be
paid by the General Fund, and the other half to be raised by levy. Provision
was also made for the complete registration of every member of the Society,
but although made, not carried out, the principal reason being that Trade
46 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Unions were to a very great extent illegal associations, and the registration
was considered by some to be a dangerous proceeding. A curious omission
occurs in the rules of 1850, for while great pains are taken to detail the
General Secretary's duties, authorising the issue of various reports, under pains
and penalties for any neglect, yet no provision whatever was made for
payment, even the power of the Society to pay whatever may be deemed
sufficient being left out. Of course this may have been an error in printing,
as the duties set forth even provided for him being sent all over the British
Isles. The salary of two guineas granted in 1847 was shown in the accounts
to be still the basis of payment.
Clearances were now being brought into general use and were used for
travelling purposes also. They consisted of a double sheet of plain foolscap;
on the front was a reprint of the emblem then in use, inside was a list of
branches with the Secretaries' names and addresses, and also columns in which
could be entered the money received opposite the branch from which the
money was given.
In order to preserve the clearance tin boxes were in use, measuring
4f inches deep by 3f inches Avide, and an inside clearance space of ^ inch.
Clearances were folded up and put into this receptacle with a copy of the
rules and a contribution card, and thus equipped the traveller or tramp could
preserve in good condition his valued property. Some idea of the strength
of these well-made boxes can be gathered when it is mentioned that the old
relic I have in my possession weighs nearly five ounces, although the
addition of a rule book, clearance and contribution card then in use cannot
turn the scale at six ounces.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 47
1851 TO 1860.
For some time prior to the close of 1850 the principle of amalgamation
had begun to grow, and attempts were now being made to amalgamate all
the Trade Unions connected with the engineering trade. Early in the year
1850 a meeting of delegates of the Boiler Makers, Engineers, Millwrights,
Moulders, Pattern Makers, and Smiths was sought to be arranged. The Society's
E.G. and the Moulders' E.G. decided not to take any part, but the others
met and ultimately decided on an amalgamation under the heading of the
"Amalgamated Society of Engineers, etc." Some of our members were desirous
of amalgamating, the Bury and Swindon branches strongly favouring that
policy, so much so that a suspicion existed in the minds of the Executive
that they had actually made application and had obtained consent for their
admission into the amalgamation. Richard Callan wrote Mr. Win. Allan, the
secretary of the Amalgamated Society, and received the following reply, which
at least put all doubts at rest regarding arrangements for their actual
admission : —
AMALGAMATED SOCIETY
OF
ENGINEERS, MACHINISTS, MILLWRIGHTS, SMITHS, AND
PATTERN MAKERS.
General Office, 25, Little Alie Street, Whitechapel,
London, 12th September, 1851.
DEAR SIR, — In reply to your favour dated the llth inst., relating to
the Boiler Makers of Bury and Swindon being about to join our Society,
I beg to say that there is no truth whatever in the report that you have
heard. At the same time I may as well mention that the subject has
been before the Executive Council, and they have decided that it is a
question that can only be settled at our next Delegate Meeting. Trusting
this will be satisfactory.
I am, truly yours,
Mr. Richd. Callan. W. ALLAN.
However, nothing came of the negotiations, the Bury and Swindon lodges
eventually deciding to remain loyal to the Society despite their strong opinions
in favour of one great amalgamation.
48 A 1 1. 1 STORK -AI, SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
The closr of 18.")] saw the Society .still growing slowly, the first definite
record that can be traced of the actual position, numerically and financially,
being at the close of that year, at which time there were only 1,781 members,
45 branches, and the small capital of £908 8s. 7|d., which was very little more
than 10/- per member.
In its sixteen years of life the Society had witnessed many ups and
downs, first gaining ground, then receding, the set-back only giving rise to a
greater determination to push on. Many acts of self-sacrifice were made by
several of the pioneers on behalf of the principles of unity in which they
believed.
An old member, who knew something of these early times, writing thirty
years afterwards, used the following words in praise of the Society and its
early workers: —
It is a noble institution and should commend the respect of every
well-wisher of his trade and kind. Its work is to alleviate human misery,
assist the weary and woe-stricken, to protect the weak against the strong
and powerful, to give rest to the tired and aged, to raise and strengthen
the afflicted sick brother, to provide food and relief to the famishing
widow and orphan, to defend trade rights and privileges from rapacious
employers, to diminish sorrow and increase joy, to scatter blessings on
every hand — and well has it performed these Christian functions. Since
I joined when a youth over £350,000 have been expended for these
objects. Who can estimate the amount of good done? Wages have been
raised, pleasures and comforts at home increased, good feelings
engendered and harmony to prevail —
Scattering blessings on every hand,
Spreading happiness and plenty o'er a smiling land.
I love the Society, we are inseparable, it is part of my nature and
has grown with me from boyhood. I look upon our Order with the same
affection that a loving mother bestows upon her boy when he has grown
into a fine, healthy, stalwart man, and whoever attempts to injure it
injures me, who insults and reviles it I take as personal affronts. With
emotion I think of those who have laboured to build up this beautiful
edifice, who have done yeoman service in our cause; old veterans, some
of whom now rest from their labours in the silent grave, who have been
subject to contumely and suffering on our behalf — men who are bright
jewels in our own crown, a constellation of purest ray in our firmament, a
galaxy of brilliant ornaments to our Order.
Good old member ! You have tersely and ably put the objects of the Society.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 49
Christian functions they are indeed, almost forgotten as they are, as the very
essence of the Christianity of Christ; words written with a feeling of strong
love for your Society. We reverence you for those clarion notes, and trust they
may again find an echo in the hearts of many; reluctantly we climb down
from the elevation of your inspiring words to the more prosaic matter of
this work.
The Delegate Meeting in June, 1852, marks another fresh step in the
Society's onward march, and which without doubt had influence for its future good
and prosperity. There were present at this gathering twenty-seven delegates,
Gabriel Leigh being the chairman, and among the delegates George Brogden,
of Hull, a future General Secretary. The preface to the rules was altered to
express the growing convictions of the leaders, and remained without material
alteration from then down to the General Council Meeting in June, 1900.
The wording has been from time to time altered, but the spirit underlying it
remained. That it was so long-lived is the very best testimonial that can be
given to its framers. The system of separate funds was supplanted by one
general fund, with power by the Executive Council to propose the raising of
contributions and to levy the members if necessary.
District Committees were now properly constituted and given power to
make bye-laws for the well-being of the district.
Surgeons were appointed to each branch for the benefit of the members.
Trade members were definitely established and a few years later
honorary members, as they came to be afterwards known, were instituted.
Early in the proceedings an application came from the London Society
requesting to be admitted members of the Society, and also asking that they
might be allowed to be represented by delegates at the Delegate Meeting.
The latter request was agreed to, and a provisional resolution adopted agreeing
to their admission if they would consent to the handing over of their funds
in full and comply with any resolutions that might be passed at that meeting
in the interest of the Society.
The Scotch Society sent delegates praying to be heard in advocacy of
their request for admission, which was also agreed to, and towards the close of
the meeting the following resolutions were adopted : —
That the London Unity be permitted to amalgamate on the first
of August, 1852, and after that period they shall be subject to the rules
established for the government of the United Society of Boiler Makers
and Iron Shipbuilders.
50 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
That the Scotch Societies be amalgamated from the present date,
that is, June, 1852, and all members of the Scotch lodges be entitled to
full benefit from the 1st February, 1853, providing that they have been
twelve months in the Society at that date.
Some of the members of the London Unity and the Scotch Society
were following the now developing trade of iron ship building, an<l their
inclusion, and the fact that in other parts of Great Britain members \\riv
employed in this then new industry, caused the change of name, the Soci< t\
henceforward being known under the title of "The United Society of Boiler
Makers and Iron Ship Builders."
June, 1852, therefore, marks the welding together of the Boiler Makers
and Iron Ship Builders for their common good, the great attempts then being
made by the Amalgamated Engineers to embrace all Unions in the iron trades
no doubt influencing both the Scotch and London Boiler Makers and Iron
Ship Builders to join hands with the older Society and thus prevent their
absorption and consequent loss of identity.
The amalgamation of the three bodies into a united society was not
accomplished without some objection on the part of some, and the following
letter from James Rodgers to the General Office throws light upon the tactics
of some malcontents in Scotland, led by an individual who evidently did not
like to be effaced, but who received his quietus from Bro. John Allen, who
had been sent to Scotland on an organising mission by the Executive Council : —
Glasgow,
18th November, 1852.
WORTHY BROTHER, — I received your kind letter with pleasure, and
would have answered it sooner but I have been very busy this past week
on account of our Secretary leaving town, and I was appointed to take
his place, so having some little things to arrange it prevented me from
writing. I cordially agree with the sentiments contained in your letter,
and particularly regarding the conduct of some of our foremen when they
get a little power. I have experienced it myself. Men that used to go
hand in hand and take an interest in every movement, now stand aloof
and are just like mere machines in the hands of the employer- submit to
anything for the name of a foremanship ; but I hope the day is not far
distant when we will have it in our power to let both master and foreman
know that there are certain rights belonging to us which we must have,
and will have ; and these rights have been long kept back from us, and
what has kept them so is the want of a properly organised system of unity,
based upon a large and comprehensive scale ; and I hope the seed of unity
A HISTORICAL SUUVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 51
that has now been sown in Scotland will not fall on strong ground, but
will spring up and bear fruit an hundredfold. Worthy brother, the
opposition that I spoke about in my last letter was of an individual that
took an active part in our late Society, one who actually thought that we
could not do without him. He happened to be in Cork at the time of
your mission to Glasgow, and was not back here till after Cameron's
arrival from Manchester, and when he saw how far we had progressed in
this movement, and were still likely to go further without his aid, he
endeavoured then all in his power to sow dissension amongst us, and even
went so far as to make alterations in the old rules of the late Society for
the purpose of getting the majority of the members to hold still by the
old body ; and it did keep back our members at the first, but they are
beginning to see through him now, and, thanks to Brother J. Allen, he
completely put a stop to his leadership in Glasgow for the present. It
seems they had known each other in Cork, so he had to retire from the
meeting with fair shame before it broke up. He that would fain be a
public character ought to take particularly good care of his private
character. Accept my warmest thanks, along with Brother Wilson's, for
your kindness in endeavouring to get us the two emblems, and be kind
enough to mention what they will cost, and I will forward it to you by
order. James Wilson was secretary when I entered, John Cameron
president; date of entrance, 1st August; the name of the Lodge, Loyal
" Thistle " Lodge, Glasgow. I would be very happy to have a letter
occasionally from you. There is another subject that I would like to get
your opinion on, but I will be able to explain it more fully in my next.
Hoping you and family are all well.
I remain, yours in unity and love,
JAMES RODGERS.
20, Grace Street,
Finaneston,
Glasgow.
P.S. — As regards trade here, there never was such a prospect of work
on the Clyde. After the New Year there will be a great demand for
hands. J- R.
John Pennic was shortly after the close of the Delegate Meeting
superseded by George Brogden, who took up the duties of General Secretary
at the beginning of August, 1852. George Brogden only held office a few
years, dying after a short illness on March 12th, 1857. In a monthly sheet
issued about the middle of March of that year appears the following:—
We are exceedingly sorry to inform you of the serious illness of our
Corresponding Secretary. We may add that he is dangerously ill, with-
52 A HlSTOHlCAL SUUVEY OF THE BoiLEK MAKERS* SOCIETY.
out any hopes of recovery. He has been confined to his bed since
February 28th, suffering severely, consequently it has altogether incapaci-
tated him from doing the slightest duty.
Before this report was published Bro. Brogden departed this life in the
prime of his manhood, for at the bottom of the sheet appears the following
obituary notice in a deep black border: —
Since writing the above we are sorry to have to announce the death
of our late respected Corresponding Secretary, Mr. George Brogden, who
departed this life on Thursday afternoon, the 12th instant. A more
indefatigable and zealous officer we could not have lost ; his sole desire
was to better the condition of our Society and its members, and he was
blessed with a large capacity for doing so.
May he rest in peace.
His body was carried to its last resting place on Sunday, March 15th, 1857,
he having practically died in harness, the only Chief Secretary of the Society
who worked up to a few days of his death.
At the close of 1852, five months after George Brogden had taken up
his duties, the Society had 2,000 members, 52 branches, and a balance of
£1,217 15s. OJd.
The benefits then paid for a contribution of 9d. per week were certainly
too great, which contention the following summary of the benefits will readily
prove : —
Sick. — 26 weeks at 10/- per week.
26 „ „ 5/-
And afterwards 3/6 per week as long as sickness continues.
Funeral. — At member's death ... ... £10 Os. Od.
„ first wife's death ... 7 Os. Od.
„ second wife's death ... 7 Os. Od.
Bonus. — For total disablement through accident ... 60 Os. Od.
„ incapacity through apoplexy, epilepsy,
paralysis, and blindness ... 30 Os. Od.
Superannuation. — Members over 60 years of age, who
had twenty years' membership 3/6 per week.
Home Donation. — For 10 weeks each year ... ... 8/- „
,, i" ,, ,, ,, ... ... o/- „
The attempt to pay all these benefits on such an inadequate contribution
kept the Society in a chronic state of poverty, and had a big influence
numerically, for the continual docking of the benefits when in dire need
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 53
caused a feeling of unrest, rendering the Society unstable, and therefore
unreliable in its influence for good.
Trade had begun to revive during the latter half {of 1852, and continued
fairly prosperous for some little while, but before the next Delegate Meeting,
which took place in February, 1856, another decline had set in.
At this Delegate Meeting thirty-nine delegates were present, Francis
Anderson, the Chairman, and George Brogden, Secretary, making forty-one in
all ; and no doubt few then present realised that ere another year had flown
the General Secretary would have ceased his earthly labours.
The meeting resolved to remove the General Office from Manchester to
84, Finch Street, Liverpool, the removal taking place in the beginning of
July of that year in accordance with the resolution adopted; afterwards the
members to vote every two years upon the place where the General Office
was to be situated.
The General Secretary now had to remain in office two years, and then
be again subjected to the approval of the members.
Expenses of Lodge Committees were roundly condemned, and the system
of weekly Lodge Committee Meetings abolished.
Piece work was evidently still disliked, for one resolution stated : " That
prizes of £10 and £5 would be1 given for the two best essays describing the
evils of piece work as it then existed, with a suggested remedy for abolishing
or remedying the same." These essays had to be sent to the Executive
Council by December 31st, 1856, and to then be issued to the members for
them to decide by vote which was best. They were written, printed and
sent out to the members, but evidently were not of very much benefit, and
essay writing for prizes quickly died a natural death.
Just prior to this the employers had adopted the policy of compelling
foremen to sever their connection with the Society or leave their employment,
each foreman being compelled under pain of dismissal to sign what was
known as " The Masters' Declaration." In order to in some measure counteract
the effect of this declaration, the Delegate Meeting decided to re-admit,
irrespective of age or other disabilities, old members who had thus been
compelled to leave and who had lost their employment as foremen, but who had
during their foremanship acted in a fair-minded manner to the Society men.
The Foremen's Society in connection with the federation of present-
day employers is not a new idea, but one borrowed from the past, and as
54 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
history has repeated itself in this revival of old times so may we expect
history to again repeat itself in its gradual decay.
Ca-canny, as the go-easy policy is called, was to some extent in existence,
but more as a defensive measure against the methods of the then employers.
Though not defensible to-day with our accredited price lists, it was to some
extent defensible then, for prices were arbitrarily fixed by employers; and if
good wages were then earned just as arbitrarily reduced without negotiation
with the men, such actions influencing the men to go easy. Fair dealing
would have prevented the restriction of output and have made it the interest
of workers to obtain the best possible results. A depression of trade had now
again settled upon the industry, depleting the Society of its funds, and early
in 1857 many members were roaming the streets workless and dependent
upon the little assistance the Society was able to give. It had for years been
customary for members who desired to have a yearly Report to order one
through their Lodge Secretary, but as the printing of the Annuals was a
financial loss to the Society, the Reports of 1857, 1858, 1859, and 1860 wen-
abandoned on account of the low state of the exchequer.
Early in 1858 Home Donation was reduced, in fact the Executive Council
of that time were greatly concerned over the financial stability of the Society,
and special appeals were issued to prevent imposition, the Executive Council
also calling upon all members who were employed to be regular in their
payments, or Home Donation benefits would have to cease.
A further address by the Executive Council to the members later on
in the same year gives a more gloomy outlook, as the following extract^
will show :
Our Trade Report is now before you, differing little from those
preceding it, that we can only comment upon it to remind you that
employers are taking every advantage of us in our present weak and, we
may say, dejected state.
It is hurtful to see our brothers, as they are at present, walking the
towns and villages seeking employment, and without assistance from the
funds they have paid to support, but which through the long depression
of trade we have been rendered unable to assist according to rule, hence
the stopping of Home Donation, which is distressing to all of a generous
feeling.
This monthly sheet, issued in October, 1858, further on expresses the
hope that all will act unitedly together to place the Society on a firm basis,
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
and help to regain that, once proud position held by them amongst the other
trades of the land, the whole Report vividly portraying the severe depression
through which they were passing, and the evident fears of the Society's failure.
John Allen, who had only been Secretary for some eighteen months, had no
very enviable task in advising the E.G. to take the course of stopping benefits
to prevent the utter collapse of the Society, but the cessation of benefits was
imperative, for if the Society had been called upon to pay its outstanding
debts to the full, it could not have done so to the extent of £180, being
practically bankrupt. It would perhaps be appropriate at this juncture to give
a short sketch of his early life.
JOHN ALLEN was born at Lower
Glanmere, Cork, Ireland, on September
14th, 1804, and at the time of taking
up the position of General Secretary
was in his fifty-third year. His parents
migrated to Bristol, in the West of
England, shortly after his birth, in which
city John received what education
circumstances and the times would
permit. At what would now be con-
sidered a very early age he journeyed to
America, where he received the first
lessons in boiler making; returning to
England a few years later, he was
employed at the Steam Navigation
Company, Bristol, and other places, and
was for many years Secretary of the
Bristol branch, and delegated from time
to time on organising and other work,
and, like many other old pioneers,
suffered for his defence of Trade
Unionism. He was elected General Secretary early in 1857, which position he
held for nearly fourteen years. Those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance
credit him with being a deep thinker, his favourite authors being Jeremy
Bentham and the two Mills; his mottoes being:—
JOHN ALLEN.
Preserve, instruct, and moderate thyself,
creatures in order that they may live for thee.
Live for thy fellow
56 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
The Monthly Report of October,]! 888, has the following:—
IN MEMORIAM.
During the past month a very notable member of ours has gone to the
great majority, viz. Bro. John Allen, the late General Secretary, at the
age of 83 years. He entered the Bristol branch on the 26th of July, 1836, at
the age of 32. He has thus been a member of the Society for the long
period of 52 years. He held the office of General Secretary for nearly 14
years, and retired on a pension of £1 per week, which the Society voted
him in March, 1871. He became a member when the Society was in its
infancy, and was not a "fair weather " Trade Unionist, but one from the
strongest conviction that only by unity of action on the part of working
men could they ever get a fair remuneration for their labour. We should
be glad if the same principles were so deeply rooted in the hearts of
every member of ours.
In the year 1858 Bro. John Allen and his Executive Council had another
disagreeable duty to perform in advocating the curtailment of the Bonus
benefit for accidents, and the abolition of the Bonus benefit for certain forms
of sickness. However unpleasant the task it had to be undertaken, the result
being that instead of £60 for accident bonus and £30 for sick, sick bonus
was abolished entirely, and accident bonus graduated from £10 for members
of twelve months' standing, increasing by £10 for each additional year until
the maximum of £60 was reached and six years' membership attained.
Some idea may be formed of the enormous drain upon the funds when
it is stated that from September, 1857, to September, 1858, over £6,000, a
sum equal to nearly £2 per member, was paid away in out-of-work benefits,
notwithstanding that they had been curtailed. The stoppage of the benefits
undoubtedly had a bad influence, and without doubt retarded progress; still,
it was the only way to prevent a complete failure, and did in great measure
help them to again go forward, for at the close of 1858 there were 69 branches,
3,453 members, and a balance of £1,778 19s. 8^d. — less than 10/- per member
but a distinct improvement on the close of the previous quarter.
During the year 1858 the members by vote decided to return to
Manchester, the General Office being located at 84, Travis Street, Bank Top.
Evidently the decision of the General Council in 1856, to remove to Liverpool,
had not met with general approval, for at the very first opportunity given
the members to express their opinion they returned to the place of birth.
The year 1859 saw a sudden change of trade, and hope again reigned supreme',
and before the close of the first half-year the return of out-of-works did not
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 57
number twenty members. With good trade came forgetfulness of past troubles,
and again the chance to put the Society on a firm financial basis was lost.
Past horrors were forgotten in the general prosperity, and the history of the
Society will again and again prove the fleeting memories of some of its
members. Many lessons had yet to be given, and long years elapse, before
there came the true desire to make the Society so financially sound as to be
the chief aid to bringing about its numerical completeness. " Unstable; as
water, thou shalt not excel!" and the instability caused by having to repeatedly
curtail or relinquish benefits prevented an excellent organisation. Benefits
must be reliable, whether good, bad, or indifferent trade prevails, but the
fundamental principle of a sound organism had yet to find its way into the
hearts and brains of the members. With this return to prosperity matters
proceeded on a fairly even keel, and the end of the year 1860 found things
proceeding smoothly; maybe the words "happy go lucky" would more clearly
define the position to us, with the experience of another forty years to look
back upon.
58 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THK BOILEH MAKERS' SOCIETY.
JANUARY, 1801, TO DECEMBER, 1870.
The change for the better continued on through 1861, and at the close
of that year found the Society with a balance of £7,253, they having in the
meantime renewed the benefits and paid all outstanding debts, certainly a
more pleasant position, for scarcely three and a half years had elapsed since
the practical bankruptcy of 1858.
At the Delegate Meeting of 1862 thirty-eight delegates were present,
including the Chairman (Charles Wilde) and the General Secretary (John
Allen).
Among those thus gathered together were many who are still with us
to-day — many who afterwards played a conspicuous part in the future work
of the Society as district delegates, and in other ways— Charles Gouldson, John
O'Neill, of Hull ; William Swan, the first district delegate ; Richard Rothwell,
and Thomas Vickers, of Sunderland, who was afterwards Branch Secretary for
many years, were prominent at this Revision Meeting.
The evils of disorganisation and the benefit of a well-organised trade
was a theme that claimed attention and caused lengthy discussions, the outcome
being the appointment of a lecturer to speak upon the aims and benefits of
the Society in any centre where such services were of a pressing necessity.
John Pendlebury, of Manchester, was first appointed, but resigned the
appointment before the finish of the Delegate Meeting, and in consequence
the Executive Council were given powers, enabling them in conjunction with
the district requiring such assistance, to appoint anyone whom they deemed
fit to undertake the duty. The question of amalgamation with the Engineers
was still a vexed question, and a resolution dealing with the matter was
passed in the following terms: —
That the question of amalgamating our Society with the
Amalgamated Engineers be not entertained by this meeting, 'and that we
discourage all attempts to do so.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 59
This decision, although ending the serious discussion of amalgamation,
did not prevent the amalgamators, as they were generally called, doing all
they could for some years afterwards to capture and absorb the Society. In
consequence a bitter feeling sprang up, and in the published correspondence
between the two Societies, grave charges were made and not disproved, that
the Amalgamated Engine Smiths were assisting Carpenters and others by doing
the work of Angle Smiths in London, Leeds, and other places when the
members of the Society were out on dispute. The war that went on over
these actions effectively prevented all hopes of amalgamation, but as time
rolled on the bitter feeling engendered was considerably modified.
The question of a Widow and Orphan Fund was brought forward, discussed,
and dismissed as being impracticable. The experience of past financial troubles
warranted the delegates coming to that decision ; to attempt to add to the
liabilities at a time when the members were agitating for decreased contributions
would have been a grave mistake. The great need of the times was to bring
home to the minds of the members the absolute necessity of putting the Society
upon a sound financial basis. Years afterwards such a benefit was rightly
introduced, the abolition of pints giving the opportunity of more real benefits
than that which accrued from drinking each night the value of a goodly
portion of the contributions.
An increase of salary was given to John Allen, but not confirmed by
the members, which resulted in him (the General Secretary) handing in his
resignation in the following words : —
WORTHY OFFICERS AND BROTHERS,
As space in this Report will not admit of my saying a deal on the
question of my salary, I will refrain from any comments on the various
opinions and remarks made and expressed in many letters bearing the
votes. If any comments from me at present could serve me in the
advance of my salary, or stay the humiliation of handing back the
portion of wages I received according to the new rules, I would consider
myself the meanest of men to offer them; but, before I take my final
leave of the office, I hope to be allowed a space in the Report in which I
may make a few remarks upon what has passed. For the present, I will
merely return my thanks to those who have voted in my favour, and
hope they may never be proved to have acted wrong on the occasion.
Now, worthy officers and brothers, as you have reduced the salary
named in the rules without reducing the labour ; or, rather, advanced the
labour without the salary, I hereby give notice that on Friday, the 7th
day of November, 1862, I leave this office, and cease to be any longer
60 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
your servant. And further, that upon the same principles which our
members and Society profess to uphold, I shall not during the month I
hold office perform more work than the old rules (under which I am
paid) impose upon me. This is upon the principle that if your
employers came and ordered you to do a certain amount of work, more
than ever done before, you would demand more wages for it, and if not
given you would not do the extra labour demanded.
Now I contend that this principle has ever been advocated by our
Society, and that hundreds of our members have, and will again, be
supported from our funds upon that principle. Hence I object to the
extra labour which you demand me to perform. For the present I say
no more on my own account, but as my time here is short it will be
requisite to call the attention of those who are disposed to take the
office to the fact of my leaving, so that you and the one elected may
benefit in the change. I conclude by saying that, as I am only a weekly
servant and paid by the week, I should be justified in giving up in a week,
but as the whole principle of a Trade Society is lost sight of in my case I
give you a month's notice to set matters right.
Yours in unity and trade,
JOHN ALLEN,
Corresponding Secretary, pro tern.
The members refused to accept the resignation, consequently John Allen
retained his position at the salary agreed upon at the General Council Meeting.
About this time the Society was in continual trouble through the
persistent attempts of the Shipwrights or Carpenters to obtain control of the
iron work in various shipyards, causing our members to come out in dispute
in many places, the most notable being at Mr. Wigram's, of London, and at
the Chatham Dockyard, these two disputes costing the Society nearly £6,000.
Both at Wigram's and at Chatham Dockyard qualified Iron Ship Builders were
asked to work with and instruct the Shipwrights and handy men. The
Carpenters (as Shipwrights are now more generally called) went on with the
work, assisted by a few deserters from the ranks of the Society and by Engine
Smiths, resulting in both disputes dying a natural death. A novel method
of picketing was attempted by bringing members from distant centres to
undertake this duty, but the Government were able to use the country's
money and patiently wait until the men employed had practically served an
apprenticeship, and to this day Carpenters mark off a portion of the work in
H.M. Dockyards, skilled labourers doing other portions of the work. Mr.
Wigram's lot was not so happy, the work of these imperfectly-taught men
proving the reverse of a blessing and injurious to his firm.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY or THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 61
Good trade was now helping the Society to prosper, and steady progress
was being made, as a glance at the following figures will show : —
December, 1862 Funds in hand £9,442 Members, 4,830
1863 „ „ 12,495 „ 5,885
1864 „ „ 16,920 „ 7,558
1865 „ „ 19,124 8,939
the amount in hand at the close of 1865 being equal to £2 2s. 9d. per member.
Early in 1865 a circular was issued from members on the Tyne and
Wear asking for a reduction of 6d. per fortnight by abolishing the Contingent
Fund. The Executive Council issued a reply circular opposing the reduction
of contributions in what may be termed a crushing indictment of those who
so readily forgot the evil times of 1858, and the foresight of the Executive's
opposition was all too quickly realised, for scarce three years afterwards the
balance had sunk below £1,000, and the Society was again in the throes of
financial death, a fact that John Allen had unwillingly to give expression to
when giving his evidence before The Government Commission of Inquiry
upon the Organisation and Rules of Trade Unions and other Associations.
If the Executive Council showed excellent foresight in opposing lower
contributions, yet the same foresight cannot be granted them in their foolish
opposition to the Tyne and Wear advocacy of the admission of Caulkers, and
many members will read with amazement the following extract from their reply
on that part of the circular : —
Now the evil of admitting men who can only caulk or cut holes in
iron must be very plain to anyone who has visited the inland towns or
shipbuilding districts. The holder-up is a man who can caulk or hold-up
in either boilershop or shipyard in nine cases out of ten, and thus, in a
depression of trade, stands two chances to one of getting employment, and
relieving the funds from travelling money which would be received by
him who could not hold-up or do anything but caulk or cut holes.
In the inland towns, as well as many seaports, in boilershops the
riveters and holders-up do the caulking; and is it to the advantage of
our Society or trade that we should introduce a class of men generally
because they have done so in some places 1 We think not. We think it
would be as injurious in time to the places where it does not at present
exist as it is now where it does exist. We think also that the Caulkers as
a class, having a claim upon the funds of our Society, would be most
detrimental to us in a slackness of trade, and that in place of taking
sixpence off per month we should then require sixpence more when not
62
able to pay it. In fact the circular speaks of their injury to the men of
that district, and to remedy the evil purposes that we should take them as
members. In our view of the case we cannot see any other than evil,
and certainly must leave it to the general opinion of the members.
The circular states that Bro. Swan and their members must have been
placed in a very painful position by refusing the admission of Caulkers
after urging upon men working at the trade to join our Society, and that
such refusal is inconsistent.
We cannot see the inconsistency of it, but rather the consistency of
adhering to rule, and that which we think is to the benefit of the trade
as a whole, and a general body of men throughout the three kingdoms.
Why should it be inconsistent to refuse what has been considered
injurious to us?
It is because this class of men have offered themselves as a class working
at the trade 1 If so, then we might admit many of those " handy
helpers," who could in many instances do us as much injury as Caulkers,
and either of which would pay the 3s. 6d. per month now paid by us.
The members of Stockton, Hartlepool, and Middlesbro' also took up the
matter by issuing the following circular in reply to the one from the General
Office, and which throws an intetesting light on a few of the events of that
period : —
WORTHY OFFICERS AND BROTHERS,
We, the Members of the Tees District, which includes Stockton,
Hartlepool, and Middlesbro' Lodges, beg leave to claim our prerogative so
NOBLY CONCEDED BY THE EXECUTIVE, and lay before you our opinion upon
the important question of admitting Caulkers into our Society as a
separate and distinct branch; and also to disapprove of some of the
statements made by the Executive in their circular : —
Istly. — In answer to their charges that lodges making Caulkers as
Holders-up were violating rules, now we would ask how are these lodges
violating the rules when it was by the express orders of the Executive in
writing ? and also verbally by our C. Secretary at various missions, — that
they were to be made as such, and, moreover, that if they could only
rivet a little they were to be entered as Riveters ; in fact we were not to
stick so strictly to rules in these troublesome times.
2ndly. — Their assertion that in many seaports the Riveters and
Holders-up do their own caulking may be true, but so far as our experi-
ence goes quite the contrary is the case, and instead of us introducing
these men we beg to state that these men are introduced by the
employers ; and we may say, with truth, that in all our seaports and also
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 63
in some of our inland towns caulking is and always has been a separate
branch, and apprentices are bound to it and do nothing else, and the
Executive would also lead us to infer that the Caulkers as a class were
paid at less wages than even Holders-up. Now any one at all conversant
with the Caulkers in both shipyards and boilershops knows that they
are paid equally with the Riveters and in many cases are paid higher, and
to show the importance of these men we will quote the case of Wigram's,
of London. The first ship that the Carpenters turned out of that yard
was complete all but the caulking, and anyone about London at that
time knows that 10s. and then 15s. per day was offered to the Caulkers
to caulk the vessel, but, to the honour of these men be it said, not
one of them would do it, and at this time there were plenty of these
Holders-up who would willingly have done it if they knew how. Then
again in the instance of Pile & Co., of Sunderland, where our Wooden
Enemies are trying to build iron ships, but if it were not for the assistance
of two Caulkers their ships would never float. The first ship our Wooden
Enemies launched sprung about one hundred and fifty small leaks in
one side of her shell as soon as she got into the water, and in consequence
of that side being caulked by these " Great Beings," called New Iron
Shipwrights, the vessel was four-and-twenty hours in the water after
she was launched before getting into a graven dock, and during that
time a pair of pumps had to be kept in motion, owing to these aforesaid
leaks. Now let us see what had to be done to her afterwards. A great
deal of her butt straps had to be taken off and a great quantity of
cement taken out which had been put in as a substitute for iron by these
" Great Beings." Then these two competent men who had caulked the
other side had to be sent for to do these New Shipwrights' work over
again. Now, says one of them to his mate (Johnson), now is our time to
get more money for our labour. The consequence was they went to the
masters and obtained whatever amount of money they wanted to make
an efficient job of it. Now let us go to Messrs. Smith, at North Shields,
and we will see there that caulking is a stumbling block to these
" wooden men." Where a good Caulker can do so many yards in a day of
chipping and caulking single-handed our wooden adversaries cannot do
as many feet double-handed, and this brings us to their assertion that
nine out of every ten of Holders-Up can caulk. This is our opinion about
the matter: One thing in their reply shows either their entire
ignorance on this subject or their blind prejudice to these men, as we
can assure you that in all our seaports nine out of every ten Holders-Up
cannot caulk at all, and we can, with safety and truth, say that ninety-
nine out of every hundred cannot caulk; in fact these men though not
Society men are worthy of imitation. They will not in the majority of
shops let anyone touch their tools, and more especially Holders-Up, and
64 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
it would have been more to the credit of the Executive to have shown to
the members at large in what way the Caulkers as a class are injurious
to us, as they say: "Why should it be inconsistent to refuse what is
injurious to us?" Is it because this class of men have offered themselves
as class-working men at the trade? If so then we might admit many of
those handy helpers, who could in many instances do us much injury as
Caulkers.
Now we would ask any right minded and thinking person how can
we reconcile this conflicting statement when we know that caulking is a
branch of our trade, and if the employers separate it and form it into a
distinct branch both for speed and economy — and as we all know this is
an age for improvement and advancement — why should we as a Society
refuse to keep pace with the age ? By refusing to recognise caulking as
belonging to our trade — and the distinction, as we all know, is very great
between a skilled artizan and a handy helper — we rather think the
Executive have committed some slight error in comparing these two
classes of men, and making them equal when we know that these helpers
are dependent on the beck and call of Platers, and Caulkers as a body
are independent of all others ; therefore we, in conjunction with the
circular issued by the Tyne District, beg to lay our votes before you for
admitting Caulkers into our Society as a distinct and important branch
of our trade. In inland towns where Boiler Makers generally have to
plate, rivet, and caulk their own work it is not so much looked to ; but in
seaport towns where iron ship building is so extensively carried on,
Caulkers form a very marked and distinct branch. On the Clyde, for the
last 30 years, in all the principal engineering and boiler making
establishments, caulking has always formed a distinct branch. When
our worthy C. Secretary was in Cork in 1851 and 1852, Caulkers were
then recognised as a special branch, and paid their money to the
Amalgamation Strike Fund, the same as Riveters — W. Kelso, for example,
in Mair's shipbuilding yard in London in 1852. Caulkers were then a
distinct class and took separate contracts for caulking the vessels built
in that establishment. Also in the firm of Messrs. Laird & Sons,
Liverpool, they were the same; in fact in all the iron ship building
yards of any note caulking forms a distinct and separate branch, and a
most important one too, not only as caulking but also as jobbing in many
other cases, such as cutting out scupper holes, cutting, fitting and
riveting port holes, windows, and dead lights, &c., &c. Seeing, then,
they are so requisite to our trade, why do we not admit them into our
Society ? Simply because some weak-minded Boiler Makers in some inland
town will not recognise them as belonging to our trade ; but there is no
class of men belonging to us of more importance than what they are, and
in the case of a strike taking place anywhere none could do us more injury
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 65
than they, because some could go as Platers, and a great many as Riveters,
and good Riveters too; and as a conclusion we would beg leave to lay
before you a few suggestions— that they should be admitted into our
Society as a separate branch, that the word Caulker be printed on the
cards for their use, and that they shall be subject to the same regula-
tions and rules in every respect as the rest of the members, and we
would after the fashion of the Executive beg you to give this your serious
attention, but we will not presume so much as they — that our humble
address will cause you to alter your votes — but we do hope and trust
that you will see the importance of this question, and if possible show
us how to deal with judgment and wisdom.
We remain,
Yours in unity and trade,
THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
Ultimately the Caulkers were admitted members — the actual date being
referred to in a later page — surviving the attempts that had been made since
the Delegate Meeting of 1862 to crush them, and at the present day all will
admit that the Caulkers as a class or section have proved themselves worthy
members of the Society and a credit to those who persistently advocated their
admission.
William Swan had been appointed the general lecturer or delegate of
the Society since the beginning of 1863, J. Edwards, of Liverpool, later on
acting in the Mersey district for a short term in a similar capacity. Very
little mention is made of J. Edwards from the time he was appointed up to
the beginning of 1868, when both Swan and Edwards had to vacate their
positions on account of the then poverty of the Society. W. Swan certainly
came in for notice, for his presence can be traced in several districts. In the
Tyne and Wear district we find him on an organising mission strenuously
advocating the admission of the Caulkers. Later on (before the appointment
of J. Edwards), at Liverpool and also at Cardiff settling disputes caused by
Carpenters attempting to do iron work. He is next found in the Tees district
on account of the dispute that existed over that early attempt to obtain a
54 hours' week, a dispute in which some of those concerned got sentenced by
the Stockton magistrates to one month's imprisonment with hard labour for
leaving their employment, although they had given the employers seven days'
notice of their intentions, exactly the same length of notice as that usually
given to the workmen by the employers who prosecuted. Later still
66 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
W. Swan is found in Glasgow, and ends his career by attempting to form up
a Scotch Society distinct and apart from the Society.
Before closing with the year 1865, it will be interesting to draw a
comparison between the return of tonnage of iron vessels launched in 1865
(up to that time the most prosperous year of the century) with a return of
the tonnage on the same rivers during the year 1901, 36 years later, when
hi<rh water mark was reached.
1865. 1901.
Clyde and Scotland 120,000 tons 554,406 tons.
Thames 117,000 „ *55,402 „
Mersey 80,000 „ *24,737 „
TyneandBlyth 51,000 „ 319,209 „
Wear 25,000 „ 270,556 „
Tees, Hartlepool and
Middlesbro' 15,000 „ 305,980 „
An enormous increase, for while the tonnage given for 1865 will be
almost the total for the British Isles, yet we have in 1901, in addition to the
above figures, to add the large output at Belfast, and the tonnage of Barrow,
Hull, and also the minor ports ; in fact, an aggregate of 1,820,368 tons, against
less than 400,000 in 1865.
How are the mighty fallen, for a glance at the figures will show how
the Thames and the Mersey, who were then well forward in the shipbuilding
race, had, in the year 1901, fallen into insignificance as shipbuilding centres,
their shipyards giving way, as time rolled on, to dry docks and other necessities
of ship repairing. The Mersey is, however, again beginning to pay greater
attention to shipbuilding.
In the spring of 1866, the formation of the Clyde Shipbuilders and
Engineers' Association was brought into being, the early outcome of this
formation being the lock-out of May, 1866. Twenty thousand men were locked
out upon the Clyde, a lock-out which came as a surprise to Trade Unionists
generally. There had been a demand made to shorten the working hours,
and the employers then decided to issue certain conditions of labour, attached
to which was a notice that, if they were not accepted by the men, a three
months' lock-out would be the result. One of these conditions read as follows : —
"That the workmen in our employ sign a declaration binding themselves to
renounce all Unions of Workmen, and that they will neither assist morally
nor pecuniarily, directly or indirectly, any workmen who may be locked out,
or who may be on strike in opposition to the interests of the employers."
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 67
Rather a tall order, and, as stated deliberately by the employers' Secretary
at the Government Commission, designed to break down the growing power
of the Trade Unions.
The Executive Council were unfortunately not in very close touch with
the Clyde members, and had very great difficulty in getting correct information.
Under the impression that the employers' notices were unprovoked, they
agreed to pay all members, in or out of benefit, their Home Donation. Finding-
out they had been somewhat misled, they later on decided to make the out-
of-benefit members return the money received and, later still, ordered all
benefit members to travel (at a time when trade was declining) before they
could receive benefit. The lock-out threw the Clyde Trade Unionists into a state
of chaos ; the members of the Society, like the rest, suffered greatly. A drawn
battle was the result, for while the employers refused to let the locked-out men
in without a signed declaration, still they knowingly allowed other Trade
Unionists, who came from a distance, to enter their works. William Swan was
retained in Scotland to try and prevent the utter collapse of the Clyde District,
which was undoubtedly tottering from its very base, the unenviable position
being brought about by the two-fold cause of the lock-out and the difference
that existed between the Clyde members and the then Executive Council, who,
to say the least, had certainly been in want of a consistent policy. Considering
all the circumstances, chief among them being the disorganised state of the
Clyde, it would have been better to have frankly acknowledged their inability
to proceed further, closed the dispute, and to have devoted their energies to
organising the Scottish craftsmen. Maybe the difficulties were great, but
looking back upon the contents of the many circulars issued by each side,
and the attitude adopted by that Executive Council, there certainly seems
some ground for the charge made by the Clyde members, That the powers
that be did not care whether Scotland severed its connection with the Society.
Some time after this lock-out more trouble arose in Scotland. The
decision of the Society had been in favour of continuing to pay 4/- per
month, but the Clyde members refused to pay more than 3/6 per month, and
also refused to allow the Executive Council to interfere with William Swan,
who was taking the side of the Clyde members. Certainly wages were very
low, for one of the last circulars issued on the question by the Clyde men
stated that the reason of their refusal to pay more than 3/6 per month was
that day wages ranged from 17/- to 24/- per week. In consequence of their
refusal to pay all benefits were stopped, money was refused them, arid the
branches instructed not to give travelling or other relief to members coming
68
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
from the Clyde. They still persisted in their attitude, the wordy war went
on, but the Society upheld the governing body, and ultimately an attempt
was made, as before referred to, to form up another Scottish Society, under
the leadership of William Swan, who had just previously been, in conjunction
with Edwards, suspended from office on account of the inability of the Society
to pay the expense.
The following is a copy of the circular issued in advocacy of the new
Society : —
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF
OPERATIVE BOILER MAKERS AND IRON SHIP BUILDERS.
(REGISTERED BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT.)
TEMPORARY OFFICES:— 18, CAVENDISH STREET, GLASGOW.
Chairman
Treasurer
General Secretary
MR. JOHN WILSON.
,, ALLAN JACK.
WILLIAM SWAN.
SCALE OF ENTRANCES.
20 to 25 Years of Age
25 26
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Scale of Contributions
£070
076
080
086
090
096
0 10 0
0 10 6
0 11 0
0 11 6
0 12 0
0 12 6
0 13 0
0 13 6
0 14 0
0 14 6
0 15 6
0 16 6
0 17 6
0 18 6
1 0 0
Per Week.
£0 0 7i
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 09
SCALE OF BENEFITS. Per Week.
When Out of Employment — Home Donation £080
When Sick, and Services of a Surgeon ... ... ... 0 10 0
If Disabled from following Trade through Blindness, Loss of
Limb, Apoplexy or Paralysis, Is. per Member, up to ... 100 0 0
Superannuation Weekly Allowance ... ... ... ... 050
At Death of Member's Child, from 1 day to 5 Years of Age... 100
Do. Do. 5 Years to 10 Do. ... 150
Do. Do. 10 „ 15 Do. ... 1 10 0
If Still-Born 0 10 0
Single Young Men at Death of Parent ... 200
At Death of Member's Wife ... .•;,_ 500
At Death of Member 800
Home Donation will not be immediately granted. It is intended
to come into operation in Six Months after the Rules have been
certified by the Registrar.
Members of the Trade belonging to other Trade Societies can be
transferred to this Association, their time to count the same ; and if
Arrears are cleared off in Eight Weeks, to be entitled to full Benefits ; or
in Two Weeks from whatever time they are cleared off.
All Proposition Forms can be had, with any information required,
from Mr. William Swan, General Secretary, No. 18, Cavendish Street,
Glasgow.
By order of the Central Board of Directors.
JOHN WILSON, Chairman.
That this new Society never progressed is not to be wondered at, and
the unwisdom of those who were led by Swan is strongly depicted in the
above circular or prospectus.
One stands amazed at their action. They had condemned the General
Secretary and his Executive Council for bad generalship, yet the would-be
generals actually promised to pay the enormous benefits mentioned in the
circular on a paltry subscription of 7^d. per week, a contribution scarcely
equal to many Friendly Societies whose only benefits were a Sick and
Funeral allowance.
This attempt to start another Society made the disorganisation of
Scotland worse, and added to the chaos and confusion, helping to put back
the Trade Union clock to the detriment of the Clyde members themselves.
Some few years were allowed to elapse before a serious attempt was again
made to rally together the Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders of Scotland,
and in order to prove the deplorably low condition of the Society in Scotland
it need only be mentioned that in 1868 it had dwindled down to 15G members
70 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
in nine branches, the largest branch, Glasgow No. 1, having only 41 members,
and the smallest, Paisley, only two. Ten branches of the Society had more
members in each one of them than there were in the whole of the branches
north of the Tweed. Although the rules of Swan's Society are stated to
have had the approval of the employers, who were anxious to cause dissension,
still they did not make headway, it quickly dying a natural death ; and such
was the Trade Union condition of Scotland that there was for every one of
the trade who were members of the Society at least twenty more who were
not members. Whatever good work W. Swan did for the Society falls into
insignificance when arrayed against the incalculable harm done by the
stupendous folly of his action in Scotland.
The closing months of 1868 found trade still at a very low ebb, and the
Society and its members had suffered considerably in consequence. The
unwise counsels of the advocates of less contributions were being felt, and a
sharp lesson was being taught them, as the following quotation from the
Monthly Report of October, 1868, clearly proves : —
In the issue of this Report we are sorry that there is nothing which
can give a feeling of pleasure to those who read it. Trade is bad, and so
long as it remains so there can be nothing to cheer or lead us to do
anything further than hope that things may soon alter for the best. The
long and painful stagnation which has reigned throughout our trade for
nearly three years, and the consequent suffering it has caused, should be
a warning to all. It has caused us to suffer much in our homes and
families, and should warn us to be aware of the future, whenever it is
the will of Providence to place trade in our hands wherewith to save a
shilling, so that we may provide as far as possible against such heavy
trials as we have had and are still passing through.
Our homes, our families, and our Society, have gone through trials
little thought of when trade and money flourished. All went well then
with those who were misguided, so far as thought for the moment con-
cerned them. No thought for the future, no ! hence, the publican fared
best and the families worst; and though money was earned in abundance,
the families and the futurity were the last to be considered of in a
majority of cases. Indeed, to such an extent was the interest of the
publican considered, or so great was the desire for a " spree," that both
the families and Society were neglected, and when the depression came
it found many in abject want at home and out of benefit of the Society.
Such being the case to the sorrow of many who have had time to reflect,
we cannot but remind them of it, and ask the question : " Will it not be
a warning for the future, when trade revives?"
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 71
We cannot but deplore its sad and depressed state, and the state to
which many are reduced through it. We cannot mend it, or fain would
we (with all whose comfort depends on labour) join in a course which
would restore plenty to those who are suffering. But, it not being in our
power to bring a speedy revival, we make bold to implore all who stand
in need of the advice, to take warning by the past and present suffering,
and when the opportunity offers itself to benefit by the sad experience.
Our funds have suffered by the long depression, in relieving the sick
and the traveller ; and had we the funds in hand which we find we were
deficient of at the beginning of the depression, much more would they
have suffered ; but, by giving relief to those who required it.
We found that during the long depression of trade the " Twenty
Thousand Pounds " which we had at its commencement, was much too
small a sum to meet the wants of those who needed it, and were entitled
according to rule. We venture to say that had we " Forty Thousand "
in hand at the beginning of the depression, in place of the " Twenty
Thousand " we then held, we should be very little better off in funds
than we are at present if we paid to all the full benefit according to rule.
We name this for many reasons, but especially for the reason that
when our funds were supposed to have been rising many rose the cry of
" reduce the contributions/' when at the very time many were earning
double, or nearly treble, their day's wages, and spending the greater part
in " drink " and loss of time. Then, let this be a caution, that though
" Fifty Thousand Pounds " be in our funds it will be none the more
reasonable that we should not pay augment, and be prepared to meet the
trials of this great depression not yet ended ; and that by paying and still
rising our funds, we should be in a position to ward off much of the
suffering that may prevail in any similar depression in future.
The Royal Commission which had been appointed in February, 1867, to
enquire into the methods of Trade Unions and other like associations, pub-
lished their conclusions in March, 1869, the two principal recommendations in
the Majority Report being the " Registration of Trade Unions " and the
" Separation of Trade and Benefit Funds." The conditions of registration were
that no Society could be registered whose objects were : —
1. To prevent the employment or limit the number of apprentices in
any trade.
2. To prevent the introduction or to limit the use of machinery in
any trade or manufacture.
3. To prevent any workmen from taking a sub-contract, or working
72 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
by the piece, or working in common with men not members of
the Union.
4. To authorise interference in the way of support from the funds of
the Union, by the Council or governing body of the Union, with
the workmen of any other Union out on strike, or when otherwise
engaged in any dispute with their employer, in any case in which
such other Union is an unconnected Union.
The Minority Report was signed by the Earl of Lichfield, Mr. Thomas
Hughes, and Mr. Frederic Harrison, who strongly objected to these conditions
of registration.
An agitation sprung into existence among Trade Unionists in favour of
the views expressed in the Minority Report, and embodied in a Bill brought
forward by Messrs. Hughes and Mundella, an agitation which had all the more
force because the recently enfranchised workmen could by their votes make
their influence felt throughout the industrial constituencies. What part the
Society took in the agitation is best described in the following extract from
the Monthly Report of April, 1869 :—
Trades Unions have been on their trial, and the verdict of some of
their judges has been returned — to crush them in Parliament by acts of
repression and oppression.
Shall it be so? is now a question with every Boiler Maker and Iron
Ship Builder living within the radius of civilised society.
Shall those Commissioners who reported, and who wish to oppress
Trade Unionists, be allowed to go forward in their career of class
legislation, to the injury of labour and the ruin of every Trade Unionist
who stands determined to protect his home, his family, and himself by
an honest remuneration for his labours.
Shall it be so ? is the question of the day, not only of the Boiler
Makers and Iron Ship Builders, but of every man, woman and child whose
dependence is upon labour.
To other trades, or people of an occupation differing from you, and
not members of our Society, we cannot address ourselves ; but to you we
address ourselves with all the ardour of our hearts, praying you to exert
yourselves on this trying occasion. Upon your exertions depends your
future freedom or slavery — upon your exertions or your apathy in taking
up the question of petitioning your representatives in Parliament, with
other trades, to pass the Bill presented by Mr. Thomas Hughes and Mr.
Munella depends your future happiness or degradation and misery.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 73
Petition, petition, must be your cry : your action and unceasing
exertions, to get the Bill of Mr Thomas Hughes and Mr. Mundella
passed. Neglect this, and the doom of your children and your future
freedom and happiness is sealed, to give place to your enemies, that they
may still augment the one hundred and fifty million* a year which they
are at present dividing among themselves from the labour of the working
classes in the three kingdoms. It is admitted in the House of Lords
that the accumulation of capital from the labour and industry of the
people amounts to that almost fabulous sum of a hundred and fifty
millions a year : thus showing that while thousands of those labourers
who produce it — Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders among them-
are in a state of destitution and starvation, this enormous sum is pocketed
by the capitalists, who seek to oppress you by laws of oppression against
labour.
Shall it continue without a struggle to make yourselves free by
signing the Bill spoken of by Messrs. Hughes and Mundella '^ Let us
hope not, but that all will at once to the work, and in your respective
towns send your petitions to your representatives in Parliament,
requesting them to support the Bill of Messrs. Hughes and Mundella.
Should there be one amongst you who shows apathy, show him by
example that he who would be a slave or would enslave others cannot
consign the multitude to that condition without marking himself as the
tool of the oppressor, and enemy of his fellow-man and freedom.
Be alive to your own interests. Your freedom or slavery now
depends upon your own action. Take that action without delay, and
prove to others who act that you or your Society are not behind the
intelligent of the day who seek redemption from the law of vassalage,
with which Lord Overstone and his class would like to blind you.
Take immediate action in petitioning, or the majority of the Trades
Union Commission, with Lord Overstone and others, will take you back
to the combination laws, which made the workman a subject slave to his
employer.
The case is in your hands,
Be not slaves, but break the bands ;
He who would a free man be
Must strike the blow that will make him free.
You must strike the blow that will echo in Lords and Commons, that
we, as the producers of the ,£150,000,000 per year, will not be satisfied
with less than Messrs. Hughes and Mundella's Bill. We will not have
the repressive Bill of the employers who sat on the Trades Union Com-
mission : neither will we have such as Lord Overstone recommends, and
74 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
such as he would like to make law. We must have laws that will give
us power to deal with our employers, and whicji will give to us and our
families more of the £150,000,000 a year than we have ever received. It
lies with us to make the effort, and if we fail in obtaining all we want
our opponents, who expect our votes at another election, will have
" slave " too deeply impressed upon their brow to longer deceive the Trade
Unionists of the county. Then to the work that is before you. It is a
serious work, upon which so much depends that he who neglects it is no
more worthy of the confidence of his fellow-workmen than a fox among
poultry is worthy of the trust of their owner.
We close the subject by a last request for speedy action in signing
the petition.
The then Government, acting under extreme pressure, ultimately con-
sented to the second reading of the Bill, and a temporary measure giving
protection to Trade Union funds was passed, they (the Government) promising
to bring in a Bill of their own, which Mr. Bruce, the then Home Secretary,
introduced in 1871.
Trade, which had reached its lowest point in 1868, began to show a
decided improvement in 1869, and by the middle of 1870 prosperity was again
enjoyed. John Allen, who was in his sixty-sixth year, had now begun to
feel the result of his arduous labours by his health beginning to fail, and
reflecting that the Society was again on the upward trend, decided to resign,
sending in his resignation in September, 1870. The resignation was accepted,
and a retiring allowance later on granted, he keeping his position until early
in 1871 in order that the Annual Report of his last year of office should be
completed. In his final words to the members expressing the hope that
his successor would, with the assistance of the lodge officers, yet realise that
happiness to the members and that prosperity to the Society which he, with
many others, had long desired to see and struggled hard to attain.
Some criticisms were from time to time made upon John Allen and the
carrying out of his stewardship, but we in later years can look back and,
remembering the troublous times and the difficulties there were to contend
with, pass over any little errors of judgment he may have committed. Trade
Unionists were treated differently in his day and their position more precarious
than the position of Trade Unionists shortly afterwards, when the passing of
the Trade Union Acts, and later on the repeal of the Conspiracy Act, made
it much easier to organise workmen.
John Allen evidently did his best, struggling against adversities of no
mean order. Thrice was the Society on the verge of bankruptcy, through
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 75
circumstances he was powerless to control; three times thrice was his voice
raised and his pen used to impress the members with the necessity of husbanding
their resources and also swell the finances of the Society, but the lesson had
yet to be learned by the forcible example again and again of depleted funds
and the inability of the Society to meet its obligations. Whatever critics may
say, John Allen is indeed worthy of a warm corner in the hearts of the
members of the Society and of all true men.
On the eve of concluding his official career, J. Allen and his Executive
issued a series of suggested improvements in the working of the Society for the
members' consideration, among them being the all-important question of the
registration of the members, but very little interest was displayed, it being left
to his successor, R. Knight, assisted by his Executive Council, and at the
expressed wish of the General Council held later on in June, 1871, to bring
many of these much-needed reforms into existence.
J. Allen's retiring address to the members was as follows : —
February, 1871.
WORTHY BROTHERS,
As this will be the last report I shall write for the Executive
and our Society I trust that after my fourteen years of office you will
receive the following remarks as emanating from a grateful heart for past
favours, and from one who still holds your and the Society's interests
dearer than all other worldly considerations.
When I took office we had about 60 branches and 4,000 members ;
at present we have 96 branches and about 7,000 members ; and, for a
portion of my time in office, I may inform you that we had above 100
branches and 9,000 members, which fell off to our present number
through a long depression of trade and consequent privations which
many suffered.
During my fourteen years of office, our trade, our Society, and its
members have seen many changes, alternating from prosperity to
adversity ; and, as at present, have risen from the most sad condition and
suffering to a comparative state of happiness in trade and domestic com-
forts, with increasing funds and members. Such changes have I seen ;
and, with the desire to better our general condition and relieve the
suffering, I have ever felt a duty and pleasure to act honestly and free
from partiality to either Lodge or person, whatever the consequences to
myself.
In plain and simple words, I can declare that only one object has
ever been my guide during the years I have been in office — that of
honestly serving and promoting the interests of all my fellow -members ;
76 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
and though retiring not rich in pocket, rich in conscience that I have
done my best to serve, though I may have erred in some cases of judg-
ment.
When we remember that all men are liable to err it cannot be
supposed that I am an exception. You will therefore, I hope, allow
that when I erred it was more for want of judgment than a desire to act
unjustly — that is, when I was responsible in place of those under whom I
acted. That I have, in many cases, borne the anger of members and
lodges through acting under orders, is too well known to be denied ;
still, as I am now retiring from office, I forego all further comment upon
the subject.
As a conclusion, and without any exception of lodges or members, I
return thanks to ALL MEMBERS ; and, with deep gratitude for what has
been done for me, I pray that I may live to see every member of our
Society happy in his home and shop, and our Society with funds sufficient
to protect you when the hand is stretched forth to injure.
I am, yours truly,
J. ALLEN, Retiring C. Secretary.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 77
JANUARY, 1871, TO DECEMBER, 1880.
During the year 1870 a Special Committee was elected by the branches
composing the Mersey District, for the purpose of bringing about some
much-needed reforms in the Society; Richard Rothwell being appointed
chairman of the Committee.
It was recognised by all the branches that, although the Society had then
been in existence 36 years, it was far in the background as an organisation,
and that its financial position was even worse.
Several times during its existence it had been bankrupt, and unable to
pay Sick and Funeral benefits to its members.
The Committee found that if the then state of things continued much
longer the Society's existence would soon be terminated, coming to the con-
clusion, "If it could not be mended, it would have to be ended."
The place called the Society's office was illustrative of the then Society.
It consisted of a back room about ten feet square on the first floor of a small
house in Camden Street, Liverpool ; a table, eight chairs, and a few pigeon holes
for letters, unpainted, composed the furniture — total value about £2.
The result of the Committee's labours was made known to the Society
by circular. The circular also contained many suggested reforms which, if
possible to bring about, would, they thought, produce a new and vigorous
life for the Society.
At this stage John Allen resigned his position, he having held it for
nearly 14 years, and was then advanced in life. This change encouraged the
Committee in their work, as they looked forward with hope to the appointment
of a much younger man who, with vigour and energy, would give the Society
a new start.
The Society was being called upon to appoint a successor. Several
candidates were nominated, amongst the number was R. Knight, whose claims
were ably advocated by the Devonport branch, where he was then a member, and
who, when parting with him, presented him with some very valuable books.
78 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
The following mv both the nomination and the application:—
TO THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS.
WORTHY OFFICERS AND BROTHERS,
The office of Corresponding Secretary becoming vacant by the
resignation of Brother Allen, we, the Members of the Devonport Lodge,
knowing that the peace and prosperity of any Society depends to a very
great extent on the exertions of its principal officers ; and knowing, also,
that a man to fill the office of Corresponding Secretary in a Society like
ours should be possessed of abilities capable of dealing with all matters
appertaining to a Trade Society in such a way as will tend to consolidate
its various sections, and raise our Society to such a state of eminence that
we shall command respect from all, have pleasure in bringing before you
one whom we believe, after many years' experience, possesses all that is
requisite as to ability and character.
Brother Robert Knight, the candidate we now bring under your
notice, is an Angle Iron Smith, and entered our Society on the 27th day
of December, 1857, having thus been thirteen years a member, and dxiring
the many years he has been connected with us he has never been out of
compliance. He is now thirty-seven years of age.
During Brother Knight's membership he has been very active
amongst us and various other Societies, and to show you the high
estimation in which he is held by those who know him, and in order that
you may judge of his ability, we would mention very briefly a few of his
engagements; believing that you can better form your conclusions from
simple facts than from recommendations, it matters not how highly
coloured.
You will all remember a few years since, when the great change took
place with reference to iron ship building, especially in the Government
yards, when the question arose, " Who are the most competent to do it,
the Iron Ship Builders, or the Shipwrights ?" Large sums of money were
expended at Wigram's, in London, and Chatham Dockyard, and vast
efforts put forth in support of our interests as a body. In connection
with that question Brother Knight advocated our cause in the West of
England, through the weekly papers, in opposition to the claims of the
Shipwrights' department, in such a masterly way that we were delighted
to think we had such a powerful advocate. The Plymouth and Devon-
port papers inserted letters on the subject week by week, and although
the trained talent of the Dockyard was exerted to its utmost Brother
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 79
Knight indisputably upheld our claims against our opponents' theories,
and finally silenced the opposition.
He was appointed one of the two delegates to attend in London, at
the House of Commons and the Admiralty, on behalf of the factory men
at Keyham, to advocate their claims for superannuation ; he was there a
week, and gave the greatest satisfaction to all concerned.
As a public speaker we have had frequent proofs of his proficiency,
and have listened with delight to his dispassionate and clear mode of
reasoning. The United Stonemasons have held public meetings here on
two occasions, ostensibly for the purposs of presenting disabled nembers
with £100 gratuity — but also to demonstrate to the public the vast
utility of Trade Societies. Brother Knight casually attended the first of
these meetings, and his lucid arguments rendered such assistance to the
cause that on the second occasion he was specially invited by them, and
a vote of thanks was passed in his favour, with unanimous approval.
We have also had the pleasure of hearing him on the Education
question. A public meeting was held at the Town Hall, Devonport, and
an invitation was sent by them to the different Trade Societies in the
town to send delegates from their different branches to take part in the
same, and, Brother Knight's abilities as a public speaker being well
known, he was appointed to move the first resolution. The Mayor
presided, and on the platform were assembled the elite of Devonport,
with a large number of ministers, and for more than half an hour Brother
Knight spoke on the working of the Education Act, and the ultimate
results to the families of the working classes, with such effect that it
drew forth the applause of those present.
Also, a few months since, a meeting was called by the whole of the
men working in the factory at Keyham, to take into consideration the
best means to adopt to get an increase of pay, at which meeting Brother
Knight was calledto the chair. He was also elected sint (fie as Chairman
of the " Wages Movement Committee."
He has also passed through the principal offices in connection with
the Ancient Order of Foresters, for which he has received a testimonial
from that Society.
In addition, he has filled the office of Chairman and Secretary of a
Co-operative Society, and has been for years a member of a Christian
Church and a Sabbath School Teacher.
80 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
In conclusion, he has filled all the principal offices of our Lodge, as
President, Secretary, and Trustee. We therefore, worthy Brothers, leave
the matter in your hands, feeling assured that, if elected, you will have
combined in him a scholar, a public speaker, a writer, a thorough Society
man, and a man of exemplary character.
We beg to remain, yours in unity and trade,
THE COMMITTEE.
WORTHY OFFICERS AND BROTHERS,
I have been solicited by the members of the Devonport Lodge
to become a candidate for the office of Corresponding Secretary ; and
seeing the warm-heartedness with which they have pleaded for me, what-
ever may be the ultimate result, I shall ever feel indebted to them, and
hope my future conduct will cement the good feeling already existing
between us.
Knowing somewhat of the onerous duties devolving upon one filling
such an office, especially at this period, when questions are arising that
must be grappled with — questions of supreme and paramount importance,
and vitally affecting our dearest interests — I feel that we shall require all
the energies at our command. For myself, I am sure that the strongest
motives which have actuated me from first to last have been prompted by
an earnest desire to assist in raising our Society, by improved organisation,
to a higher sphere of operation than it has hitherto occupied. For the
accomplishment of this we need all the moral force at our command —
persuasiveness being the great motive power by which all bodies are
capable of being moved.
Should you consider me worthy of your votes, my whole time and
undivided energies will be devoted to the well-being of the Society ; and,
should Providence order otherwise, I hope to pursue the same straight
line I have hitherto humbly followed.
I beg to remain,
Yours fraternally,
ROBERT KNIGHT.
The choice of the members fell upon R. Knight, he being elected by a
good majority. A few more details of his life before his election to the
office of General Secretary will also be interesting.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
81
ROBERT KNIGHT was born on the 5th of September, 1833, in the
picturesque village of Lifton, in Devonshire, where his father carried on the
ROBERT KNIGHT.
business of Engineer and General Smith. He received the rudiments of his
education from his mother, who was determined that the talents of her son
82 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
should not. be lost for want of educational training; later on ho was trans-
ferred to the can-- of the village schoolmaster, under whose tuition he remained
till he reached the age of twelve-and-a-half-years, when he left the school desk
for his father's shop. After working for several years under his father's roof
he, like many other young men, made up his mind to "see the world." He
visited and worked in various parts of the United Kingdom, being subjected
to his full share of the trials and vicissitudes of fortune which usually beset
the young mechanic when travelling from home in search of employment, but
everywhere gaining the good opinions of those with whom he was brought
into contact.
Amongst other important works upon which he has been engaged he
assisted, as an Angle Iron Smith, to construct that then triumph of mechanical
art the Royal Albert Bridge, designed by the celebrated engineer I. K.
Brunnell, which conveys the Cornwall railway across the River Tamar. After
the completion of this he entered the Royal Dockyard at Keyham, Devonport,
where he remained for fourteen years, leaving only, in fact, to enter upon the
duties of General Secretary. While in the Government employ he was one
of the two delegates appointed to attend before a Select Committee of
the House of Commons, to advocate the claims of his fellow-employees for
superannuation.
He was subsequently elected Chairman of the " Wages Movement Com-
mittee" in connection with the Devonport Dockyard. Before assuming the
office of General Secretary his active business energy and powers of organisation
found scope for employment in a variety of ways ; as first chairman and then
secretary of a Co-operative Society, and in various capacities in connection
with the Ancient Order of Foresters, from which body he received, upon his
retirement from office, a testimonial expressive of their respect and esteem.
He was ever ready to lend his voice to advance the cause of Labour, and took
a warm and active interest in all measures calculated to promote the moral,
social, and educational improvement of his fellow-citizens.
The improvement in trade began during 1870 became more marked as
the year 1871 proceeded, and the General Council, who met in June, had the
advantage of legislating with the prospect of continued good trade, increasing
numbers, and increasing wealth in the immediate future years.
Just prior to the General Council Meeting the Executive had decided
to be represented on the Labour Representation League in the person of the
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 83
General Secretary, having sonic time previously decided to be represented at
the Trades Union Congress. In those early days of Labour representation our
Society paid its portion and entered into the work, but the efforts were not
lasting in character, for thirty years later we were still without any settled
connection with Labour representation organisations, our connection with the
Labour Representation Committee being of very recent date, which body it is
to be hoped has now taken a permanent and definite stand in the political
life of the workers of the country.
The revision of 1871 deserves some notice if only to contrast the
difference between the rules of earlier dates.
Sick benefits were put upon a basis from which we have not since made
any very material change.
Travelling benefits were somewhat high, inasmuch as all full members in
benefit of twelve months' standing could draw 1/6 per day for fourteen weeks,
although limited to four days at a time and a draw once in three months in
the same branch.
Home Donation could only be drawn by members of twenty years'
standing at the rate of I/- per day for thirteen weeks, although if disposed
to travel they could obtain Travelling benefits.
Superannuation was fixed upon the basis of 4/-, 5/-, and 6/-, then later
to 7/-, a basis that remained up to 1895, when it was increased by about
50 per cent.
Bonus benefits, which had fluctuated largely, now became payable on a
graduated scale, members of two years being entitled to £10, rising with
each year's membership at £5 per year until twelve years were reached, with
a total of £60. There were not any Sick Bonuses, the Bonus being only paid
to those who had lost through accident a limb or their sight.
During the sitting of the General Council the then Home Secretary,
Mr. Bruce, introduced the Trade Union Bill, which provided that no Trade Union
could be considered illegal simply because it was considered to be acting in
restraint of trade. Trade Unions were, according to its provisions, entitled to
be registered ; such registration was supposed to give absolute protection to
Trade Union funds, but which in recent times we have, to our sorrow, found
to be fallacious, the Taff Vale decision having to a great extent upset that
security. The employers fiercely resisted the Bill, contending that the Govern-
ment had given all that Trade Unionists desired.
#4 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
On the other hand the Trade Unionists charged the Government with
taking away with one hand what they had given with the other, by inserting
a clause which would give ample facilities to stretch the criminal laws to
include acts done by the Trade Unions which would not be held to be criminal
acts when done by other associations. The result of the agitation was the
dividing of the Bill into two — one called the Trade Union Bill, the other the
Criminal Law Amendment Bill, the old-time enemies of the people, the
House of Lords, making the provisions of the latter much more drastic than
was intended even by the Government.
The decision to divide the original Bill greatly helped on Trade Unionism ;
first, by putting them upon a much safer basis ; secondly, because the agitation
to repeal the Criminal Law Amendment Bill caused many to be gathered
within the fold that would not otherwise have entered. The Society, like all
others, benefited greatly by the Trade Union outburst that lasted from 1871
to 1875, a wave of Trade Union enthusiasm going over the country that is
certainly without parallel in Trade Union history, for it was not even equalled
by the later outburst of 1889 to 1894, another Trade Union wave which brought
into being the large organisation of so-called unskilled workers, and who earned
the name of the New Unionists.
There was some similarity in the two waves of Trade Union energy, for
in the writings of those days a good deal was said about obtaining control of
the instruments of production, owning of workshops, etc., and even in the
Society's Reports can be found advocacy of starting workshops owned and
controlled by the Society.
The agitation for a nine hours' day was also renewed, commencing with
a strike of the Engineers in Sunderland, which caused a combination of
Unionists and non-Unionists, under the leadership of John Burnett, who
afterwards became General Secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers,
and is at the present moment connected with the Labour Department of the
Board of Trade. During the early stages the Executives and general officers
of the Trade Unions concerned showed a want of sympathy with the move-
ment and a considerable amount of apathy, and the gaining of a nine hours'
day may be said to be in every sense of the word a victory of the rank and
file against the apathy of many of their leaders. The nine hours' day was
practically won in the beginning of October, although some two or three
years elapsed before it gradually became general.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 85
The Iron Ship Builders on the Clyde went one better, for they fought for
and obtained a fifty-one hours' working week, which some years later was lost
and has never been regained. Charles Rushton and Peter Jones, having been sent
to Scotland some few months earlier to organise, may be said to have helped
to pave the way to the much greater shortening of hours that was then conceded
in that part of the Empire.
One other new departure of great moment was made during 1871,
viz., the establishing of a Reserve Fund, a procedure that has been beneficial
to our interests. Altogether, 1871 is memorable in the history of Trade
Unionism, giving as it did a great impetus to the cause, making it far easier
than it hitherto had been to organise men; and is also memorable in our
history, as it gave to us the man, R. Knight, who was able in after years to
profit by his experience, and change old-time methods to more profitable and
surer methods that have done much to help us on to a firmer foundation.
The beginning of 1872 saw a condition of prosperity that had never
been known in the past history of the trade, of which full advantage was
being taken.
An early advantage was taken of the new Act, our Society being registered
on January 2nd, 1872, being third on the Registrar's list, only two others
making a prior claim.
The members of the Hull district held what was described as the
celebration of an auspicious event ; auspicious because at the gathering (which
was held to commemorate an advance of wages conceded without a dispute,
through the instrumentality of C. Rushton) was Mr. E. J. Reed, C.B., late Chief
Constructor to the Admiralty, and then Managing Director of Earle's Company;
a considerable number of managers and foremen of the various establishments;
and also besides a large gathering of the men, the chief officials of the Society
in the persons of R. Knight and the then District Delegate, C. Rushton. R.
Rothwell was specially invited, and another old member, John O'Neill, who
also, like Bro. Rothwell, afterwards became a district delegate, officiated as
chairman. It was a pleasant and profitable reunion, which created a lasting
impression for good, made possible by the good taste of Mr. E. J. Reed, C.B.,
who in those times of strenuous agitation did not hesitate to express his belief
in Trade Unionism as a factor for good.
The following lines were written especially for the occasion and were
recited at the meeting, receiving applause :—
86
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
CAPITAL AND LABOUR,
LINES SPOKEN AT A
PUBLIC DINNER OF THE B. M. AND I. S. B. S.,
PROTESTANT HALL, HULL.
SEPTEMBER 28TH, 1872.
Finn and fast in closest bond,
Stand we one and all ;
In compactest Union strong,
Who apart would fall ;
Onward is our noble aim,
To upraise the workman's fame,
Diligence and skill,
And by thrifty store laid by,
Stave we off the needy's cry,
In the day of ill.
Blind mistake and harsh mistrust,
'Gainst us raise a few ;
But we'll prove their slanderous dust
Utterly untrue ;
For when food and fuel were high,
And our dames for their supply
Asked a trifle more,
Then, by whom we all respect,
Our just want was duly met,
And the case was o'er.
Hon'rably would we then pray
For their great success ;
Who so far as masters may
Workmen seek to bless.
May they find, like story old,
Geese that lay the eggs of gold,
And may commerce bring
Greater wealth than Rothchild's boast,
Or than that of Persian host,
Or than Lydia's king.
Capital and Labour seem
By our Maker joined ;
Are they not like giant twins
In the world of mind ?
What can Labour do alone?
Grind its nose against the stone,
Turn a gristless mill !
What can Capital indeed
By itself 1 but hoard its seed,
Eat a golden pill.
Midas once, or so 'tis told,
Strangest gift had got !
All he touched straight turned to gold,
But pray envy not;
For his food was metalled o'er,
As he touched, it turned to ore,
Till his hunger grew ;
And until resumed again
By the God, his golden pain
Sure no comfort knew.
And if we may go so far,
Such is gold e'en now,
For not linked to Labour's car,
'Tis a painted shew.
Weave it ! 'twill not serve a lout,
Weeps nor wind nor weather out,
Food, can never be !
But when spent on Labour's loom,
O what fabrics riseth soon !
Thus, 'tis Labour's fee !
But 'tis true that Capital
All the risk must run,
Like a ship exposed to all
Winds beneath the sun ;
Feels the first trade's ebb and flow,
Most keen competition know.
So 'tis just and meet,
Labour should co-operate,
And to help with all their might
Masters to compete.
In this age of enterprise
We must never lag,
When within our port there flies
Every nation's flag;
Nor permit to meet his eye,
Who so keenly could descry,
German, Frank, or Russ ;
What has been exposed too far,
Trades disputes and social jar,
In the midst of us.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 87
Foreigners must never say Discord leaving far behind,
Britons are such flats, March we hand in hand.
Men and masters fight away, Capital with all its gold,
Like Kilkenny cats ! Genius, skill, with arts untold,
While like lawyers they look on, Labour's horny hand.
Sure to win, when trade is gone
From our shore to theirs ; Up the hill of progress bright
When, like JEsop's monkey wise, March we on in tether,
They have made the cheese their prize, Making difficulties light,
And enjoy both shares. Pulling all together,
So shall we in concord joined
O ! then as in power and arts Shew to wondering mankind
Britain is renowned; Capital and Labour
So in unity of parts Are our oars to pull the boat,
Let us too abound. Are our wings to soar aloft,
Fling our banner to the wind, In our high endeavour ?
Respectfully dedicated to those concerned. — E. B.
What was described as the "corner" system, had birth about this time
in one of the Hartlepool shipyards, Charles Rushton, being sent to enquire into
it; had it been nipped in the bud the troubles of after years would have
been avoided, but the Platers were not of one mind, and the system was
allowed to grow and grow until severe measures had later on to be taken to
eradicate it.
Peter Jones, who had been often delegated on missions, was in October
elected as the first North-East Coast of England delegate, and, like Charles
Rushton, his services were quickly in demand in other parts of the country,
Scotland, Ireland, and London benefiting by his services. In Sunderland the
Carpenters were again upon the war-path, beginning hostilities by sending
notice to the employers that they should expect in future all repair work,
whether wood or iron, and even went out on strike sooner than be confined to
their legitimate calling. In describing the matter in our Monthly the following
apt illustration was given : —
A certain Quaker was passenger on board of a ship attacked by
pirates, who when asked to fight refused, fighting being against his
religion. However, when the pirates began to board the vessel, one
succeeded in laying hold of the bulwarks near where the Quaker was
stowed away, who seized an axe and chopped off the pirate's arm,
remarking, " Friend, keep thy own ship, thou art not wanted here."
So to ship carpenters we give similar advice, " Friend, keep thy own ship,
mind your own trade."
The Iron Trades Employers' Association began to get alarmed at the
efforts of the Trade Unionists to obtain the revision, and in some cases the
repeal, of those offensive Acts of Parliament which pressed so heavily upon
gg A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
them, ami in May, 1873, issued a circular calling a private conference of
employers with a view to secure the assistance of members of Parliament to
protect their interests, which they euphemistically described as the "enterprise
of the country"; but their meeting did not meet with so great a measure of
success as they expected, for the agitation to repeal the obnoxious law still went
on, despite the attempts made to maintain it.
An addition to the district delegates was made in the person of Aaron
Wadkinson, who was elected to organise the London District, but whose term
of office proved to be but short, bad trade a few years later causing the
suspension of him and other officials.
The admission of Caulkers was still agitating the minds of those in
authority as well as many others, and although the rules had for two years
provided for their admission yet it was deemed necessary to ask a series of
questions in order to obtain the general feeling of the country regarding them.
Having obtained that feeling, the General Council, at the revision in 1874,
added a special clause to the rules, making it optional with lodges whether
they made Caulkers or not, and determining that they should remain in the
Society as such. This addition met with the approval of the members, and
later on the optional clause was deleted, it then becoming imperative to make
Caulkers in exactly the same way as the other sections, thus settling a question
that had been a debateable matter for some few years.
Before the close of 1873 would-be financiers again circularised the Society
advocating increased benefits, circulars in which reference was made to the
benefits paid by other Trade Unions, and it became necessary for R. Knight
and his Executive Council to publish copious extracts from old Reports in
order to prove to the writers how unable the Society had been to stand the
strain of their benefits in depressed times. Like many previous writers, those
responsible for the circulars, although acting in good faith, made the mistake
of comparing individual benefits instead of taking them in the mass and
ascertaining the cost per member over a given number of years before drawing
a comparison between their own Society and others.
The new Emblem, for the design of which a prize had been given, was
at the beginning of 1874 ready for publication at the price of 3/6 a single
copy, the first editions being in black and white, and which a few years later
gave way to successive coloured editions from the same design.
The different designs that have been in use are as follows : —
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
89
' ( 3> o T' l
\>
f-
^
/
iti t-^tn (L*rrfi) that
&e<rtg<e- &pjfcu
1)0
A HISTORICAL SUHVKY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Cbio 10 to Cfittft) that
^vf^
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9 \ • r ML .
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«T^ V X WP) 'S^feXS^'
•
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
92 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
In anv future edition all that will be necessary is the modernising of the
Shipbuilding and Boiler Shop illustrations so as to bring our Emblem up to
date, the present design being now thirty years old.
The revision of rules in 1874 brought about some alterations, the principal
alteration being that Bonus benefits of £100 were in future to be given to all
full members in benefit who had lost a limb or lost their sight, the amount
required to be raised by levy. This was a new departure from the graduated
scale of Bonus benefits which had previously been paid from the General Fund.
New rules were added providing for a Reserve Fund, Benevolent Fund, and the
admission of apprentices.
In the beginning of July the Society lost by death the able services
of Charles Rushton, his death being referred to in the Report in the following
words : —
We most deeply regret to have to record the death of Bro. C.
Rushton, the District Delegate of Liverpool and Birkenhead. He died
on Sunday, July 5th, from inflammation of the lungs and bronchitis,
after nine days' illness, at the early age of 39 years. The Society has
lost a most faithful and zealous servant — one whose place it will bs most
difficult to fill ; and this act of Divine Providence in taking him from
us appears a mystery, as there was so much work left undone which
he was eminently qualified to do. His life was a model of Christian
philanthropy, always seeking to do good, and the sight of evil or suffering
which he could check or soothe would have pierced him constantly if he
had left it alone.
May we follow his example and walk in his steps.
Matthew Smith was elected in his stead, and has retained the position
right up to the present time, viz., the date of the publication of this work,
having held the position for thirty years. The following brief account of his
life will be of interest : —
MATTHEW SMITH was born in the year 1840 at York, and commenced
to work at the trade in the early part of 1854 as a Rivet-heater at
Grassland's Union Foundry, Bradford, his family, after many changes, ultimately
settling in Manchester, Matthew then being apprenticed at the boilerworks of
Messrs. Sharp, Stewart, & Co. He joined the Society at the age of twenty
years, and was quickly in harness, for two years later we find him secretary
of Birkenhead No. 1, a branch of nearly 400 members. Later on he was
elected on the Executive Council, serving several terms, twice being elected
chairman, and began to take part in important diplomatic work, being often
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
93
deputed to confer with employers in different parts of the country, and was
likewise sent on various missions to specially audit branch accounts. In July,
MATTHEW SMITH.
1874, he was elected to help to revise the rules, officiating as chairman of that
important body. In the following September he was elected to the office of
94 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
district (It-legate, a position he has ever since held, having been re-elected
fourteen times. Whilst acting as district delegate much work of an important
character has fallen to his lot, he having in the first twelve years visited 150
branches in Great Britain and Ireland.
On four occasions Matt., as he is popularly known, has been the recipient
of testimonials. When taking up his position as district delegate his old
shopmates presented him with a gold chain and medallion. After nine years'
service as district delegate he was presented with a testimonial of £100, seven
years later with one valued £70, and later still, in the year 1900, with another
valued at £70 to commemorate his successful carrying out of his duties for
twenty-five years.
He has often represented the Society at Trade Union Congresses, and
been found doing sterling work in many directions.
All who know him personally testify to his genial character, and many
will regret the time coming when age compels him to take a well-earned rest
— a rest all well-wishers hope will be in comparative comfort as a reward for his
long and faithful services.
Matt. Smith has the distinction of having served the Society as one of
its paid officials for a longer period than any other man, having exceeded
Robert Knight's length of service by some months, and it may be long years
before his record will be broken by any other official, if that ever takes place.
The Clyde Shipbuilders and Engineers' Employers' Association were again
upon the war-path, and a circular was issued to other employers in which they
plainly stated that every effort must be made to regain the position lost in
1871 by securing either an increase in the hours of labour or a decrease in
wages, or both, the questions put to those employers being : —
1. Are you in favour of an increase in the hours of labour, or a
reduction of pay, or do you think it possible to secure both ?
2. Wrhat increase in the hours of labour or reduction of pay would
you be willing to propose ?
3. Are you willing to give effect to your views by co-operation with
the other employers in what action may be resolved upon ?
How far they were successful will be seen in later pages, bad trade, which
was now beginning, giving them the opportunity they desired, they also being
greatly helped by the then unorganised condition of the Clyde yards and
shops. Attempts were made to resist the action of the Clyde Employers'
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. !»."•
Association by the appointment of a district delegate to organise the Civile
workers, John Cameron, of Sunderland, being elected to that position early in
1875.
An attempt was made to federate the various trades, and during the
Congress week in January a meeting was held having this object in view, the
circular calling the meeting being signed by J. Kane, Ironworkers ; J. 1). Prior,
Carpenters and Joiners; and Robert Knight. The stated object of the meeting
was to form a federation of those societies which were organised on sound
financial principles for the purpose of creating a fund available in any important
trade struggle in which the course pursued merited the sympathy of those
trades combined for mutual protection, and a committee was formed to draw
up rules on that basis.
This quickly gave place to another method, for in March of the same
year the following circular was issued : —
To THE MEMBERS OF THE ENGINEERING TRADES.
For some time the recurring incidents of commercial life have
given apparent evidence of a strong desire on the part of the employers
in several branches of industry to depart from " the nine hours per day
system," to a more lengthened period of time for the day's work. These
ominous signs have been gradually developing until there are good
grounds for believing that if immediate steps are not at once adopted
to oppose such attempts the Employers' Federation will endeavour to
carry out their desires upon a national scale.
These feelings being entertained by the principal officers of the
following Societies : Amalgamated Engineers, Iron Founders, Boiler
Makers and Iron Ship Builders, and Steam Engine Makers, resulted in
a conference of delegates from each being held at the office of the first
named Society, on Tuesday, 16th February, to devise a policy whereby
they could act as one in resisting any encroachment on the hours of
labour so far as the engineering trade is concerned.
After a long and careful deliberation on the question the following
resolutions were adopted : —
1 That a Reserve Fund be raised from the four Societies in con-
nection with the Iron Trades, viz., Amalgamated Engineers, Steam
Engine Makers, Iron Founders, Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders,
amounting to £6,000, to be set apart for the purpose of resisting any
encroachments on the '' nine hours system " ; such a fund to be raised by
a levy on the members of 2s. each, to be made payable in four instal-
ments of 6d. per member. — Carried unanimously.
96 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
2. That in event of the former resolution being agreed to this
Conference suggests that the amount be deposited in the names of four
trustees, one from each Society, and also in the names of the Societies;
the trusteeship to be joint, and to be appointed by their various
Councils. — Carried unanimously.
A second conference was held on Monday, 22nd February, when it
was reported that the Council of each Society had approved of the
scheme. It was then resolved to lay the matter before the four Societies
for approval or otherwise.
This is now done, and the Executive of each earnestly hopes that
its members will unanimously adopt the scheme, thereby making common
cause for the preservation of a mutual interest.
In these times it would be fatuity, almost approaching the character
of social crime, to stand in stolid isolation whilst danger is hovering
around, and look with listless indifference upon this sacred cause. Give
then your support to those officers whose solicitude remains unabated day
by day for your general welfare, and who with unflinching fidelity to the
trust reposed in them, should the day of trial come, will be found equal
to the occasion.
For once in our history put diversity of opinion aside, and you
will not only avert the threatened catastrophe, but unfold what can be
done by unity of purpose and timely intervention, and from this source
of power may spring a more brilliant day for the Engineering Trades in
the future than what it has had in the past.
Signed — Charles Wood, William Robson, John Wilson, Secretary
pro tern., Amalgamated Society of Engineers ; Daniel Guile, General
Secretary Iron Founders; James Swift, General Secretary Steam Engine
Makers ; Robert Knight, Secretary Boilermakers and Iron Ship Builders.
The contents of the circular were recommended through the columns of
our Report in the following words : —
We feel that the before-mentioned address is sufficient of itself to
recommend the first resolution contained therein to your unanimous
approval, without any further remarks from us, and we shall be deceived
if there is a dissenting voice. Should any member object to the payment
of sixpence per quarter for four quarters to establish a reserve fund for
the purpose named he ought to be compelled to work ten hours per
day for nine hours' wage ; but we have not any doubt upon this point.
These four Societies have not less than seventy-five thousand members,
and an accumulated capital of three hundred and sixty thousand pounds,
— a mighty army with good supplies.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 97
The return of votes on the question of federation was 8,869 for and 1,408
against. The Executive Council expressed great pleasure that the Society had
recognised that all trades had a common danger to meet. Despite this approval
federation hung fire, for twelve months elapsed before anything further was
heard of it. In the meantime incidents had transpired which led our Executive
Council and others to conclude that it would be unwise to confine the Federation
to the question of hours only, they considering it should embrace every question
that might arise affecting Trade Unionists.
A code of rules was submitted to the members to be voted upon, with
a strong recommendation that the Society federate under them. This met with
a considerable amount of opposition, and the following extract from the Monthly
Report for May, 1876, gives the conclusion of this effort to federate : —
The votes received on the federation question was as follows, viz. : —
For, 5,876; against, 4,371, leaving a majority in favour of it of 1,505.
We therefore deputed our C. Secretary to attend the Conference of
Delegates to be held in Birmingham on the 22nd day of May, with the
instructions : " That we as a Society should not join a Federation unless
there was a number of large Societies willing to unite.
When our C. Secretary arrived there he found many representatives,
but most of them from small Societies, numbering from 2,000 to 4,000
members. The General Secretary of the Amalgamated Carpenters was
there, but his Society had voted against it. Mr. D. Guile of the Iron
Founders was also present, and he was placed in a similar position to
our C. Secretary; when after some considerable discussion the following
resolution was unanimously carried : —
" That, seeing the spirit of apathy existing amongst the various Trade
Unions on the subject of General Federation for trade purposes, this
meeting of delegates is of opinion that the policy pursued by many
trades on this question is a very short-sighted one ; but we hope they
will see before it is too late the advantages to be derived from such a
federation, as we believe the question a very important one to all
Trade Unionists, and therefore pledge ourselves to do all we can to
forward it."
The matter is therefore at an end for the present.
Thus ended for some time the attempts made to federate kindred trades.
Another attempt was, however, made by the Trades Congress in 1879, which
was put to the members without any expression of opinion by the Executive
Council, and was carried by a small majority ; but as only 1,075 members
expressed an opinion another vote was taken and resulted in the scheme being
defeated.
98 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Early in 1875 James Webb was elected to carry on the organisation of
the Staffordshire district, the Society having determined to try and improve this
(from a Trade Union standpoint) black spot of the Midlands ; he undertaking
a task that proved to be beyond accomplishment, for when, a few years later,
bad trade caused the suspension of the delegates, Staffordshire stood exactly
where it stood at the time of the appointment — a low-paid centre of unorganised
men.
In May the Society suffered another great loss, Peter Jones departing this
life at the early age of thirty-seven years, the storm and stress of official life
proving too much for his constitution. An extract from the obituary notice
in the Report of that time sets forth the esteem in which he was held : —
Bro. P. Jones, the District Delegate of the Tyne and Wear, died on
Thursday evening, May 13th, in a railway carriage, whilst his friends
were taking him to Birkenhead for a change of air, at the early age of
37 years. His body was laid in its last resting place on the 17th, by
those who loved him.
We have lost two most faithful servants within a few months. It
appears that the labour and anxiety of official life is too great for men
of rather weakly constitutions. The loss of Bro. Jones will be keenly
felt by the members. He was unceasing in his endeavours to strengthen
the Society, to consolidate and increase its power, to extend its usefulness,
and in every way to direct it so as to make each advance permanent, and
every new point gained a resting place whereon to gather strength for
further progress. He was wise in counsel, cautious in action, determined
and resolute when the struggle came ; his motives w^ere never questioned,
his advice never distrusted. The welfare of the Society was never lost
sight of, nor the true interest of employers overlooked. He has gone to
receive reward, but has left behind to us an inheritance of good.
Richard Dumberline was elected to the vacant position.
The agitation for the repeal of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of
1871 still went energetically forward, despite the fact that the Gladstone
Cabinet refused to listen to the appeals of the Trade Unionists' leaders, and
in order to show the utter want of sympathy that was prevalent amongst the
Government's supporters it is only necessary to quote the fact that the London
Liberal Association appointed as their secretary Mr. Sidney Smith, who had
been primarily responsible for many lock-outs, and was the bitter opponent of
Trade Unions for over twenty years. Independent Liberals introduced labour
reforms, but failed to carry them because of the opposition of the Cabinet.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 1M»
The opponents of the Government took the opportunity and fearlessly
proclaimed their support of Trade Union desires, but upon being returned to
power appointed a Commission, which failed to do much good. Finding that it
would not pay to play with the matter they had to tackle the question in
earnest, and the upshot was that the obnoxious laws were repealed by the
passing of the Labour Laws, 1875, followed by the Trade Union Act, 187(j,
which practically conceded all what Trade Unionists had up to then been
striving for.
John Cameron, who had recently been elected for the Clyde district, sent
in his resignation, the worry, irritation, and duties of the office beii.'g too much
for him, he not being in robust health. However, the Clyde members prevailed
on him to remain until his term of two years had expired, which ended early in
the following year, 1877. John Cameron returned to the workshop and ultimately
became technical delegate for the Tyne Employers' Association, a position he
held for many years.
The Society having sanctioned a delegate for the Tees district, John
O'Neill, of Hull, was elected in August to fulfil that position ; but, like John
Cameron, he only served one term of office, resigning the position in 1878 on
account of having several sons for whom he could not obtain shops in which
they could learn their trade. Fortunately a situation was offered and accepted
which gave the opportunities desired, and John O'Neill severed his connection
as a paid official of the Society, although we find him later taking for years a
lively interest in the Society's work.
One of the unpleasant chapters of the Society's history took place at this
period. Richard Dumber-line, who followed Peter Jones as District Delegate for
the North-East Coast of England, had not worked smoothly with the General
Office, and strong words were used, which ended in the members voting by a
large majority in favour of R. Dumberline's removal. Circumstances connected
with the resolution of removal caused an intervention on the part of others,
and arbitration, with Mr. Lloyd Jones, of London, as umpire, was agreed to
upon the understanding that whoever the verdict was given against should
retire. The verdict was given in favour of the Executive Council, and Richard
Dumberline retired, thus ending an unpleasant chapter, the full details of which
are neither good nor beneficial.
R. Rothwell was in March, 1877, chosen to fulfil the post vacated by
John Cameron, and as two other old officers, who are still doing duty, were
100 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
elected in th« same year, viz., John Rowat and .James O'Neill, it will be as
well to at this period give a brief account of them.
RICHARD ROTHWELL.
RICHARD ROTHWELL was born in the year 1834, the year the Society was
instituted. He commenced to work at the trade at the age of eleven years,
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 101
becoming a member at Heywood in August, 1854, at the age of twenty,
fulfilling all important branch offices. He served on the General Council of
I8(i:>. several times on the District Committee and Executive Council, and
during his term of office was chairman of both bodies. He \v;is exceedingly
popular with all classes of workmen, for as well as advocating the rights of our
members, he advocated with both voice and pen the rights of seamen, miners,
and others, being often requested to speak at large meetings on their behalf.
Elected to the office of Clyde District Delegate in 1877, he did excellent
work in that centre, and after ten years of strenuous labour asked and obtained
the consent of the Society to allow him to fulfil the position of District Delegate
for the Tees, made vacant by the death of Charles Gouldson, a position Dick
Roth well held until the close of the year 1900.
The cause of his retirement was an unfortunate accident to his knee, laming
him for life, which, taken in consideration with his twenty-six years of official
life, influenced the members in almost unanimously agreeing to pay a 3d. levy
per member, realising nearly £600. In addition to this the Tees members
and friends raised another £65, but on account of Rothwell's condition
the presentation was a private one. Dick, as he was familiarly termed, now
rests in retirement on the outskirts of Stockton, an inactive life on account of
his affliction, the inactivity being far from easy to bear because of the contrast
between the unceasing activity of his long official life and the quietude of the
present. All who had the pleasure of his personal acquaintance will vividly
remember his jovial disposition and his unflinching efforts on behalf of the
Society. May his remaining years be free from care.
JOHN Row AT was born in Glasgow in the year 1840, entering the Society
in 1864 at Glasgow No. 1. After serving in many branch offices he was elected
Secretary of Glasgow No. 2, a position he held for nearly ten years.
Serving on the District Committee, he was appointed chairman, was sent
on missions by the Executive, and held the position of Special Auditor for the
whole of Scotland.
The General Council of 1877 were unanimously in favour of a second
delegate for Scotland. The Society approved and elected John to the position.
It is to his credit that he had the courage to take up the duty in the midst
of a great Scottish lock-out, at a time when the Scottish Employers' Association
were doing their best to smash the Scotch Trade Unionists, a position he had
102
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
to vacate two years later when the almost bankrupt condition of the Society
influenced the members in discharging some of their officials.
JOHN ROWAT.
John was thus cast upon the streets at a time when he had incurred
the displeasure of the Scottish employers, preventing him obtaining employment
A HISTORICAL SURVEY or THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 103
in that locality, and in the midst of a depression that made it impossible to
obtain employment across the Border; but when, with returning good trade,
the Society decided to engage an assistant secretary, John was their choice,
and in his twenty-four years in that position has proved the wisdom of that
decision. No one member knew better than Robert Knight, his friend and
co-worker for nearly twenty years, the services he has rendered to the Society
by his strict and earnest attention to his duties, and when retiring Robert was
able to say that in those long years of partnership not one angry moment
had occurred.
Of late years his health has not been all that could be desired, but it is
pleasing to know that he is still able to carry out his labours on the Society's
behalf.
Like other veterans, he has known what it is to be appreciated in the past
by being the recipient of testimonials.
JAMES O'NEILL was born in Manchester in December, 1838, and commenced
to work at the trade in June, 1852, beginning his apprenticeship in September,
1855.
He joined the Society at Birkenhead in 1862, was for six years secretary
of the Birkenhead No. 2 branch, afterwards a member of the Executive,
chairman of the General Council in 1877, and was, before being elected a district
delegate, deputed on many important missions in connection with the Society's
work.
He was elected the District Delegate for the Tyne and Wear at the close
of 1877, and has been in that position for nearly twenty-seven years, and, like
Matthew Smith, may be said to have been all over the three kingdoms in the
interests of the Society.
He was sent on a special mission to France in 1884, his report of that
mission being of great value to the Society.
The Employers' Association, recognising his worth, offered him a ten years'
engagement at £5 per week, later on making a more substantial offer, both of
which he declined. He was nominated for General Secretary on the retirement
of R. Knight, but withdrew his nomination on account of the salary being
reduced, he considering it a departure from Trade Union principles.
He has often received in a substantial manner the appreciation of his
fellow members, chief among the testimonials being one in 1882, by the Platers
104 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
of.Sunderland, of a gold wutch and chain and a purse of gold; and another
in 1891, consisting of a presentation emblem by the Executive Council. From
JAMES O'NEILL
the Wear members 100 guineas, silver-mounted walking-stick, a gold appendage,
a dressing-case, for Mrs. O'Neill a silver tea and coffee service, for Miss
105
O'Neill ;i secretaire, and to commemorate the occasion an illuminated address
as follows : —
TO JAMES O'NEILL, WEAR DISTRICT DELEGATE.
We, the members of the above Society, wish to express our thanks to
you for the services rendered to our Society during the past twenty-nine
years, and more especially for acting as our recognised district leader for
the space of 14 years.
You came amongst us a stranger, but your ability, straightforward-
ness, and honesty in all your dealings, not only with the members but
with our employers, soon endeared you to all. And we need not remind
you of the fact that it is not only in your district you are held in the
highest respect and esteem, but throughout the Order.
We have also to thank you for bringing us safely through the many
troubles and trials in which we have been placed from time to time, and
also for the many disputes averted by your integrity and kindly counsel —
not peace at any price, but peace with honour. May you long be spared
to champion the cause you so ably and honourably represent is the wish
of yours in unity and friendship.
James O'Neill is a Justice of the Peace, has been requested to stand for
Parliament, but refused, and although getting on in years is still energetic,
respected by all who know him as a sterling character — one of those men who
bring credit to labour and add lustre to the Society which owns him as member.
All should rejoice that another grand old man is still with us, and wish him
health and comfort in his declining years.
The General Council of 1877 introduced the £50 Bonus for accidents
other than loss of limb and sight, and included the following complaints arising
from general causes : — Blindness, imperfect vision, apoplexy, epilepsy, and
paralysis. Besides dealing with the rules, they took into consideration the
growing evil of the " corner " system, but the time to eradicate it had not yet
arrived. A solemn warning was issued in their name, but without much good
being effected. The question of piece work also demanded serious attention.
A system of individual bargaining was growing, selfish men gaining an advantage
over their more self-respecting brethren to such a degree that the Executive
Council adopted and published the following resolution : —
That when any member or members have given in a price for work,
no other member of the Society shall offer to do the said work for a
lower sum than the first estimate given, unless by the sanction of his
Lodge, or a Committee of the same. Any member violating this resolution
106
shall, on proof being given thereof before either a Lodge Committee,
District Committee, or Executive Council, be fined any sum not
exceeding five pounds for the first offence, and for the second be expelled
the Society.
Thr spirit of this resolution was afterwards incorporated in our rules and did
much to bring about recognised price lists in many of the shipbuilding
districts.
Another lock-out took place on the Clyde during the year. The previous
lock-out in 1807 lasted six months, crushed the spirits of the men, and destroyed
organisation for years. The lock-out of 1877 began over an application in
February for 10 per cent, advance, which the employers peremptorily refused.
The Carpenters followed by an application for 15 per cent., and not being
content with a refusal struck work, and the lock-out commenced. A meeting
was arranged between the Carpenters and the employers, a basis of arbitration
agreed to but rejected by the larger body of employers, who posted a notice
stating that work could be resumed on the old terms ; but our members, who
had withdrawn their request for an advance before the lock-out, renewed the
request immediately they were locked out, and refused to go back to work on
the old terms. Gradually the other trades returned, a method of arbitration
being agreed to by the Carpenters, and the Society was left to fight the
battle alone.
Several attempts were made to obtain arbitration on the wage question,
but the employers refused, insisting that the rules and constitution of the
Society should be the first matter for consideration. Later in the year renewed
efforts were made to smash up the Scotch branches, for on October 17th the
employers decided to lock-out all over the Clyde, refusing to have anything
to do with the General Secretary or the Executive Council.
Later still the employers met a large body of the men, at which meeting
the Clyde members were urged to sever their connection with the Society and
form up a Scottish Society. To their credit they stood loyal, and the
employers, finding they could not sap the loyalty of the men, agreed to the
following terms of arrangement : —
1. That the wages question should be in abeyance for the present and
be taken into consideration six months hence.
2. That on returning to work none of the workmen should be victimised
or oppressed.
3. That all piece work should be contracted for by those who had to
perform it.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 107
Thus the dispute ended after another six months' fight without any
material advantage, although the gallant stand to resist the attempts to crush
them had its moral advantages. Special resolutions were passed by outside
bodies of Trade Unionists congratulating the men on the splendid fight m.-idi-
against a determined effort to smash the Scottish branches — compliments well
deserved.
A few employers refused to carry out the arrangement, and as trade —
which had been declining since 1874 — was still depressed some more of the
employers were not inclined to faithfully carry out their bargain.
In June of the following year the Scotch employers were reminded of
their undertaking, and at a meeting held to discuss the matter they intimated
that either a reduction of wages or an increase in the working week must
take place, following that up by a fortnight's notice to extend the working
hours from 51 to 54 per week.
At a later meeting the men presented a good case against the increase
of hours, which the employers' deputation promised to lay before the larger
body ; but instead of a reply being forthcoming a private circular was issued
to all employers requesting that common action be taken to enforce increased
hours. Evidently the unanimity desired was not obtained, for the hours
question was dropped and the attack changed by the posting of a general
reduction of 7^ per cent., to take place in seven days. Our members voted
in favour of the Scotch members resisting those employers who insisted on
this reduction, and other trades accepting, the Society was again left to fight
single-handed. This strike ended in February, 1879, after lasting some months,
by an acceptance of the employers' terms, and so low had the Society sunk
with trade being still depressed that they were unable to do anything to
prevent the increase of hours from 51 to 54, which gradually took place over
the whole of the Scottish districts before the year closed.
During 1878 John O'Neill resigned his position of Tees District Delegate,
the position being filled by George Black, who had to vacate his position the
following year on account of the extreme financial poverty of the Society.
Before the year closed the Iron Trades Employers' Association made an
attempt to regain a ten hours' working day, the concluding words of their
circular being as follows: —
It has been resolved by a large majority of the Iron Trades
Employers' Association, supported by a general agreement among other
employers, to give notice in their workshops that the hours of labour
shall be increased to the number prevailing before the adoption of the
108 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
nine hours limit. This statement of their case is respectfully submitted
to the London employers to collect their views, and, if possible, to pro-
pitiate their co-operation.
This attempt to increase working hours to ten per day at a time when it \\.-is
impossible to find employment for many thousands at nine per day never came
off, for the men of all trades were determined to suffer any amount of misery
sooner than yield up the blessing of the shorter working week. Their deter-
mination caused the employers to halt. Had they not done so Great Hritain
would have been involved in one of the bitterest industrial conflicts in her
history.
The year 1879 is one of the worst years of the Society's history, it open-
ing with the necessity of increasing the contributions to 1/6 per week in order
to keep it from a financial collapse. Notices of reductions in various districts
were the order of the day, London being plunged into the well-remembered
strike of that year. The then condition of things was described in the
January Monthly in the following words : —
The year opens with Labour completely at the mercy of Capital, and
with Capital gloating over its power to inflict the most cruel pangs upon
Labour, and exercising that power with a venom that will work an
inevitable terrible retribution. The worm will turn when trod upon, the
rat will fight when cornered, and who will believe that Labour will not
some day turn and, throwing aside their demands for justice, seek only
revenge.
Despite the increase of contributions the financial condition grew worse.
and two propositions were put to the Society — one asking that the contributions
should be increased to 2/- per week, the alternative one being that the
contributions and benefits should be reduced.
In advocacy of the increase of contributions it was stated that the
Amalgamated Society of Engineers were paying 2/- per week, Steam Engine
Makers 2/- per week, and the Ironfounders 3/- per week ; but despite this
the vote went against increased contributions, the members preferring a
reduction of benefits.
The offices of District Delegate for Staffordshire and London had already
been dispensed with on account of the poverty of the Society, and in order
to curtail expenses two more district delegates were dispensed with, one
for Scotland and one for the North-East Coast of England; R. Rothwell
having to act for Scotland and James O'Neill for the North-East Coast of
England — a decision arrived at by the votes of the Society.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 109
Sick, Home Donation, and Travelling benefits were reduced, and in
addition to the reduction a member had to be out of emplovmenl five davs
to obtain two days' Home Donation or Travelling.
Lodge expenses and the Council's Benevolent Fund were reduced 50 per
cent., thus cutting off Benevolent Fund supplies. Vice- Presidents of branches
were abolished.
District Committee payments were reduced one-third, and instructions
given that they were not to meet oftener than once in six weeks.
Dispute pay was reduced and methods adopted in other minor matters
to lessen expenditure.
The Reserve Fund Bonds had to be disposed of until only £3,500
remained, the financial condition at the end of the year being a capital of
less than ll/- per member — a striking contrast to the position of a few years
before, when the average worth per member was £3 11s.
Once again, after forty-five years of life, the Society was on the verge
of bankruptcy, the decrease of benefits staving off that unenviable position.
During 1879 it was decided to remove the offices to Newcastle, the date
of removal being held over until the spring of 1880.
Efforts were made to raise a fund to assist members to emigrate to
America, but so great a difference of opinion existed that the question was left
over for discussion at the General Council, who were to meet in the following
vear, and ultimately was dropped altogether.
Early in 1880 a work on " Boiler Making, Ship Building, &c." was published
by the General Secretary, Robert Knight, which has now reached its seventh
edition, and has found its way to our Colonies and America.
Trade now began to improve; men took heart, looking hopefully to the
future. The financial condition began rapidly to improve, the first quarter
ending with an increased balance of £2,308 — not a large one, but indicative of
improving conditions. Headquarters were removed to Newcastle, the members
of the Mersey district presenting the General Secretary with an illuminated
address and a gold watch and chain, a complimentary gathering being held at
Sunderland to welcome him to the North-East districts.
Advances now began to be the order of the day, but two firms in the Tees
and Hartlepool district refused the advance and entered into an engagement
with the Ship Carpenters' Society to supply them with men, that association
willingly playing the part desired of them. One firm quickly dispensed with
110 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
tlu-in, the other ultimately following suit, being glad to get buck qualified men
and dispense with those who for a time had served their convenience.
Increasing trade again produced bad memories, for the miseries of the past
must have been forgotten as a clamour arose to reduce contributions to I/- per
week. A vote was taken, ending in a refusal to pay for another twelve months
the 1/3 per week. A second vote was taken on the question of paying 1/1
per week, and it was only the statement of the Executive Council that the
benefits would have to be reduced that caused the proposition that 1/1 per
week be paid for twelve months to be carried.
Grave complaints of loss of time were made, showing how quickly the
careless ones had forgotten their past suffering.
The General Council met, the principal alteration being the decision to
pay Home Donation to all full members in benefit without the necessity of
travelling; but the question was still unsolved, for it remained for a later
General Council to put it on a more satisfactory basis, the benefits given being
far too large for the amount of contributions paid. Recognising this fact the
General Office again made an attempt to get the members to pay increased
contributions — an attempt that was defeated, with what dire results was
experienced later on.
It was also decided by the General Council that an Assistant Secretary
was needed. The members approving, John Rowat was elected, a brief resume
of whose life has already appeared.
The period from the beginning of 1871 to the close of 1880 proved a
momentous one in the history of the Society. It witnessed the election of
R. Knight to the position of General Secretary — a circumstance advantageous
to the building up of the Society. Also the election to official life of four
old veteran officers — M. Smith, J. O'Neill, and John Rowat being still in
harness; the other, R. Roth well, through his accident, now taking a compulsory
but well-earned rest.
During that same period many entered the Society who have played, and
are now playing, a prominent part in the Society's work as branch and district
officials, district delegates and Executive Council men, the present General
Secretary also belonging to the latter portion of that period.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. Ill
JANUARY, 1881, TO DECEMBER, 1890.
The year 1881 opened under favourable auspices, the prevailing opinion
being that the years of adversity had come to an end. A strong, healthy
trade was undoubtedly springing up, and with feelings of pleasure all were
looking forward to the future.
With the beginning of 1881 the Employers' Liability Act, passed in
1880, came into operation. For many years Trade Unionists had been pressing
upon the Legislature the necessity of such a measure, and now, after years of
persistent agitation and great cost, this measure of scant justice was an
accomplished fact.
Efforts were quickly made on the part of the employers to contract out
of the Act, and to such an extent was this persisted in that it became
necessary for the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Congress to issue a
special warning to the trades, our own Executive joining in urging our
members not to act foolishly and by contracting out undo the good that had
been effected.
In order to be in a position to meet the expense of resisting refusals
to pay compensation for injuries, the " Employers' Liability Expenses Fund,"
as it was then named, was established — a fund that was kept up until the
various levies were merged into one general contribution some twenty years
later.
About the middle of the year the Society wisely agreed to admit the
Ironworkers of Dumbarton and Sunderland, called Ironshipwrights, into the
ranks of the Society — one more step to complete organisation thus being made.
The " corner " system, which had for some time been a bone of contention,
now became acute, and the Sunderland Platers, loyally assisted by the
Sunderland Ironshipwrights, determined to bring this pernicious system to a
conclusion. Under the "corner" system helpers were paid so much per plate
or "corner," arid so intolerant had they become that instead of the Platers
having control of the helpers, or even their own work, the labourers had become
-complete masters of the situation. They would work when they liked, do just
as they liked, hurry a plate away improperly finished, and if a Plater ventured
to protest they would boycot him by a refusal to work, ultimately driving him
from the locality. Efforts were made to settle the dispute by the Platers and the
11 -2 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Society's officials requesting the helpers to meet in conference, but these over-
tures only brought discourteous replies, and the determination was then made to
tight on. Later another offer was made, the Platers offering to work at day rates,
or at piece rates and pay the helpers time and half, and if neither of these
offers were satisfactory to submit the question of payment to an arbitrator:
but nothing short of "corner" work would satisfy, and the drastic step was
then taken of importing others, the dispute, after being stubbornly contested,
wearing itself out. The breaking up of the "corner" system in Sunderland
caused the Executive Council to resolve that any Plater working under the
"corner" system or its equivalent would be fined £5, and if then persisting
in it would be expelled, giving the death-blow to a system that had been
costly to the Society and bringing about a change that would, from a monetary
standpoint, have been of benefit to the helpers had they been wise enough to
accept the change.
The finances of the Society began to rapidly improve, and suggestions
were made to drop the Id. extra per week that had for some time been in
operation. This suggestion brought an interesting letter from Southampton,
in which the members showed the true spirit of Trade Unionism and certainly
some foresight when they advocated the retention of the Id. until such time
as the funds equalled £2 per member. Despite this the votes went against
the continuance of the Id., although the balance in hand was less than 35/-
per member.
Another step towards organisation was the admission of the Holders-up,
who were not entitled to become full members of the Society under the rules.
This section of men had become numerous, and finding they could not become
members of the Society had begun to arrange for a separate organisation.
The Executive Council, guided by the General Secretary (R. Knight), quickly
saw in this a menace of the organisation and warmly advocated their admission
under special conditions, their admission being agreed to early in the following
year by a large majority, a circular being written later on in the form of a
personal appeal to the Holders-up pointing out the benefit the Society would
be to them.
During the year it was decided that a delegate should be appointed for
the Tees District, Charles Goldson being the chosen one, but his stay with
the Society was not of long duration for death claimed him quite early in
life.
CHARLES GOLDSON entered the Society in 1868 at Boston, Lincolnshire,
and was at the time of his election as district delegate thirty-three years of
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 113
age. In his thirteen years of membership he had worked assidumislv on behalf
of the Society, always ready to do any work that was required of him, filling
branch and district offices with credit, and winning good opinions from those
whom he was from time to time deputed to meet on matters of interest to
the members. Within two years of his election he lost his wife and help-
mate, he himself departing this life in December, 1886, from an attack of
typhoid fever. Having left four little children doubly orphaned, the members
generously agreed to a levy of 3d. per member towards their assistance.
Early in 1882 efforts were made to improve the discipline of the members.
In some districts vexatious trivial disputes were caused by the sudden holding
of meetings in the works or outside in the street, and so irritating had they
become that it was deemed necessary to publicly declare shop or street meetings
as illegal, unconstitutional, and contrary to rule, and in order to emphasise
that position the Society was informed that the decisions of such meetings
were not binding upon any of the members.
The strike at Galloway's, Manchester, commenced during this year, bringing
about a rupture between the firm and our members, which to this day has not
been healed, although Mr. Galloway, the member for one of the Manchester
divisions, has recently declared in the House of Commons that he has no
objection to Trade Unionism. Overtures have repeatedly been made from the
Society, but the long feud has not yet ended — a circumstance which goes to show
that strikes do engender a feeling of bitterness which time, the common healer,
sometimes fails to successfully assuage.
Again came the request for more district delegates, this time London
being one of the applicants, Scotland requesting a second delegate to deal with
the steadily growing numbers in that district and to assist in gathering all
others into the fold of Trade Unionism. The Society approved, and Thomas
F. Allen, son of John Allen, late General Secretary, was elected for the London
District.
TOM ALLEN was born in the City of London on September llth, 1831, and
became a member of the Society in the year 1850. He early took an interest
in the Society's affairs and was deputed on many occasions to do work on
behalf of the Society. After a time of privation in the South of England he
found his way to the Tyne, serving upon the Executive Council, and was
appointed to assist Bro. James O'Neill in the struggle in Sunderland over the
"corner" system. Returning to London in 1882, he was soon afterwards,
elected to the position of district delegate — a position held up to his retirement,
over eighteen years afterwards, at the ripe old age of seventy years. Amongst
other work done for the Society all then members will remember the great
114 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
legal fight of Allen versus Flood and the success attained after four years .it'
prolonged anxiety — an anxiety shared by others — during which the case was
being fought from the lowest to the highest Court of Appeal, viz. the House
of Lords. As a retiring testimonial a 2d. levy was agreed to by the members.
JOHN McLAREN was the elect for Scotland. He entered the Society in
1870, and prior to his election had found work for his hands to do in the branch
and on the District Committee. He had been a member of the 1877 and
1880 General Councils and the chosen representative of the men on many
occasions. He resigned his position in 1889, was again elected some years
later, but only served a term of two years when he was superseded by
John Hill, and at the present moment serves the Society in a more humble
capacity.
A further effort was made to organise by the admission of the Sunderland
Ship Smiths, an effort which aroused considerable opposition, F. A. Fox, of
Sunderland, who afterwards became District Delegate for South Wales, being
one of the chief opponents of their admission. Later on in life, after mature
consideration, he acknowledged his error of judgment ; but the mischief was
done, and this attempt to bring about more complete organisation by absorbing
those who were a menace to the Society's completeness met Avith failure, the
votes of the members being against their admission.
The Emblem of the Society was this year issued in colours, the price
for a single copy being 4/6, and the black and white prints gradually became
things of the past.
The year closed with work plentiful, the Society having made a big
advance both in numerical and financial strength.
In April of the following year attempts were made to increase the
benefits, an attempt which happily failed. The financial position of the Society
was far from being a sound one, and any increase of benefits, without a
corresponding increase of contributions, would have brought the Society again
to bankruptcy in the next depression, which turned out to be the most severe
in the history of the shipbuilding trade. Those who advocated the increase
had not profited by the lessons of the past. The recent depression, which
gave them a taste of their previous folly, when 7/- per month had to be paid
in order to meet the expenditure of reduced benefits, should have convinced
them of the necessity of husbanding their resources. Happily the good sense
of the majority prevailed and future financial ruin was avoided.
The influence of the Society was gradually spreading, and a number of
head draughtsmen applied for admission. The Executive Council suggested
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OP THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 115
that head draughtsmen should be admitted as honorary members, but the
suggestion was not approved of and an opportunity of future good relationships
was thus lost.
By the middle of the year signs were not wanting that a storm was
brewing on the Clyde, a severe attack upon the members being made in the
Clyde Press. This Press attack was ably defended by R. Knight, 11. Rothwell,
and J. Willie, a Govan Plater. The attack upon the Society and its officials
was without doubt inspired, for it followed a circular issued to the employers
generally by which means the matter was collected which formed the basis
of attack. The feeling engendered found its reflex before the year was out ;
trade began to decline, and immediately there came a clamour ft.r reductions.
The Tyne and Wear employers wanted at one bite a reduction equal to all
the advances that had taken place in the preceding four years.
The Tees employers demanded 20 per cent, reduction. The West of
Scotland employers demanded 10 per cent., which was to be followed in five
weeks by a further 10 per cent, applicable to all Scotland.
A Trade Union, whose name need not be mentioned, advocated the
reduction being enforced in order to, as they said, allow the employers to
give them an advance — a bit of childish reasoning and Trade Unionism of an
extremely low order.
A dispute took place in Dundee, Port Glasgow, and Greenock because of
the refusal of the employers to give time for consideration. Ultimately a
reduction of 10 per cent, was agreed to early in 1884. This, however, failed
to satisfy, for in twelve months the reductions equalled all the advances that
had been obtained in four years. When the workmen were slowly obtaining
advances of wages the Press, platform, and even the pulpit loudly declaimed
against what was termed the greed of men. These same critics had not the
good taste to be silent when the employers made such wholesale demands, but
found excuses by saying they were the inexorable exigencies of trade — the
kind of shallow sophistry that Capital invariably bolsters up Capital with.
Early in 1884 James O'Neill declined to stand re-election for the Tyne
and Wear District, Alexander Keith being elected in his stead.
ALEXANDER KEITH entered the Society at Hull in 1871 at the age of
twenty- four years, and fulfilled many minor services for the Society prior to
being appointed to serve on the Executive Council. While acting as chairman
to that body he was sent upon many missions of trust, and was acting as
delegate pro tern, at the time of his election. Alexander Keith served as
delegate for nearly eight years, the Society losing his services by death in
116 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
the year 1891. His orphan children were provided for by the members
agreeing to a levy of 3d. per member for their support.
The year 1884 was the Jubilee year of the Society, and for months efforts
had been made to hold a fitting celebration in Newcastle of that auspicious
event. It was proposed that the Newcastle demonstration should be of a
national character, but bad trade, which had begun at the close of 1883,
rapidly grew worse, and so bad did it become that the Jubilee national
demonstration at Newcastle was abandoned at the last moment. Preparations
for district demonstrations had been proceeding in other centres, and despite
bad trade the London, Manchester, and Mersey Districts celebrated the Jubilee
in a most praiseworthy manner.
The year 1884 was, however, the most disastrous one for the Society in
the annals of Iron Ship Building. A collapse so sudden, so widespread, and so
injurious had not been witnessed before. Its blighting effects were felt all
over Great Britain and Ireland. Yards and workshops were closed, the ring
of riveting hammers was almost unheard, and thousands of workless workmen
were walking the banks of the great rivers seeking the work that would not
come. Those superficial thinkers who had recently clamoured for increased
benefits saw in this one year the accumulated capital reduced by nearly one-half,
the out-of-work pay alone increasing from £3,171 in 1883 to £57,205 in 1884,
an average of nearly £2 per member. This was followed by two more bad
years, at the end of which the funds were in a sadly depleted condition.
During the year 1885 the rules were again revised, at which revision
alterations were made that had a beneficial effect upon the financial position
of the Society. Prior to that revision Home Donation benefits of equal value
were paid to all full members of twelve months' membership providing they
were in benefit, and experience had proved that there were many who drew
all the benefit possible and then left the Society to rejoin later on, a method by
which they paid but little into the funds but could draw considerable sums out.
To prevent this the then General Council instituted a system of graduated
Home Donation benefits which not only gave to a member of some years'
standing a financial status superior to that of a younger member but also gave
encouragement to more consistent membership on the part of the careless, who
had become so unreliable in their membership. The lessons repeatedly given
during previous depressions had at last borne fruit, and it may truly be said that
the revision of 1885 marked a turning point in the history of the Society.
Although the depression lasted until the close of the year 1886, still the fact
remains that from the time the 1885 rules came into operation the Society,
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 117
from a financial standpoint, has never really looked back. True, there have since
been periods of depression, during which the Society's funds have been
materially reduced, but since the middle of 1886, when the balance in hand
only reached a trifle over 15/- per member, the Society has never been on
the verge of bankruptcy, neither has the necessity arose to increase the
contributions during a depression to save its stability. In conjunction with
financial reform a change in policy and ad ministration was being slowly
accomplished. Large sums of money had for years been spent on disputes —
disputes that in most cases were justified on account of the action of many
employers. But the change of policy was necessary ; the hour had come
for determined action. The man of the hour was found in the person of
Robert Knight, who, looking back upon his fifteen years of continual strife,
determined, despite the fact that the employers had insisted upon large and
unreasonable reductions, to preach forbearance, educate the members in a belief
in conciliation, and prove to the employers that conciliation and reason was
best to all concerned. The struggle was a big one. To a large extent
success was attained ; and not one who stops to think can deny that this
change of policy, coupled with the financial reforms of the 1885 revision, has
largely benefited the members and put the Society in a secure financial
position, which can ojily be shaken by the present-day adverse decisions —
decisions not dreamt of in the days in which these beneficial changes occurred.
During this depression so concerned were the powers that be regarding
it that they appointed a Royal Commission to enquire into its causes, but
like all other Commissions it failed to find a remedy. This waste of time and
money could be passed over without comment were it not for the fact that the
Commission had to admit that the unfavourable condition of trade and industry
could not in justice be attributed to the action of Trade Unions and similar
combinations, which, the Commissioners said, had in recent years been conducted
with propriety and judgment.
The year 1886 closed with piece work prices and time rates lower than
they had been for twenty years, and may be said to be the lowest point
reached during the last forty years of the Society's work.
In the beginning of 1887 Richard Rothwell, whose duties upon the Clyde
had become too arduous for his increasing years, replaced Charles Goldson in
the Tees District, James Conley, now one of the Society's Labour candidates
for Parliamentary honours, being elected to the Clyde.
JAMES CONLEY was born on the 29th May, 1850, in Tow Law, Durham,
becoming an indentured apprentice in February, 1867, and entered the Society
118 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
at South Shields in February, 1872. Six months after his initiation he was
elected secretary of the branch, later on being appointed district auditor for
the Tyne arid Wear District, being the first district auditor appointed by the
Society, a position he held with credit for six years. He was secretary of the
committee that was instrumental in locating the General Office in Newcastle,
and was presented with a purse of gold, gold medallion, and secretaire for
the energetic services he rendered. In 1881 he was nominated for Assistant
General Secretary but was unsuccessful. Later on he found a seat on the
Executive Council, was chairman of that body, and ultimately became again
branch secretary, this time for the then newly-opened branch of Shields No. 2
— a position he held until elected Clyde District Delegate in 1887. His work
on behalf of the Society in Scotland has been well done, Scotland gradually
but surely taking its place among the well-organised districts. One striking
proof of his success was a presentation in 1900 of a purse of gold £100 in
value, gold albert chain and appendage, travelling bag, and gold-mounted
umbrella, which has since shielded him from many a copious shower.
Unsuccessful in his efforts for the position of General Secretary, he was
successful in obtaining first place as the Society's prospective representative
in Parliament, and it is devoutly to be hoped that soon after these lines are
in print the magic letters M.P. will be attached to his name. At the moment
he is a member of the Partick Town Council and a Justice of the Peace both
for Partick and the county, being now known as Bailie Conley, J.P.
During 1887 trade gradually improved, the long depression giving way
to a more satisfactory condition of affairs. If it advanced slow it was sure,
and the end of the year saw a decrease in the number of unemployed and an
increase in the financial condition of the Society. Had the old method of
Home Donation been in existence the saving that year of some £3,000 would
not have been effected.
The beginning of 1888 witnessed a marked improvement, and quite early
in the year a strong, healthy trade was springing up. Wages began to rise
all over the country — in some districts not without a stubborn contest — and
by the middle of the year there was a great reduction in the unemployed.
Hope and joy supplanted the hopeless, workless condition of thousands, and
the clang of hammers was everywhere heard with pleasure.
Attention was now drawn towards the question of building permanent
offices for the Society, it being stated that for fifty-four years the Society had
been without a home, having had a wandering existence, years of change,
vicissitude and uncertainty that should be ended. It was agreed to have a
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 119
permanent centre, and in the voting that took place as to where that centre
should be Newcastle-on-Tync was an easy first.
During the year the contributions, which had been I (i per week during
the depression, were reduced to 1/3 per week to all members in benefit,
out-of-benefit members having to pay the extra 3d. per week — a beginning of
a system to reduce arrears that has been found to be very effective. The arrears
in those days stood at nearly 8/- per member. Evidently the members were
more loose in carrying out their obligations than they are to-day, when the
arrears per member do not in any way reach one-half of that amount ; and
although the penalty of extra contributions has some bearing yet there is
still a great amount of credit due to the excellent manner in which the
majority of the branch secretaries look after this matter, and do sterling work
for the Society in many other directions which can never be adequately paid
for, and which the appreciation of their fellow members should always be
wholeheartedly given as some slight recompense for their valuable labours on
their behalf.
South Wales was the next district to apply for a district delegate, Frank
Allen Fox being elected early in 1889.
FRANK A. Fox was born in 1854, joining the Society at Sunderland No. 2
in 1874, he being in 1879 elected as secretary of the branch; later on, in
1882, serving on the Executive Council. Proceeding to South Wales he was
instrumental in forming the South Wales District, was elected Secretary of
that District Committee, and for two years prior to his election as delegate
acted in that capacity whenever the needs of the district required his assistance.
During the whole of the time he occupied the position of district secretary
he was found doing good work, and his official life as district delegate
increased his popularity. Well known throughout the country, he was, on the
retirement of R Knight, an easy first in the vote taken for the election of
General Secretary, his majority being only a few hundred short of being
absolute. Just prior to the second vote he retired from the contest, preferring
to take up the position of Technical Delegate for the Bristol Channel Ship
Repairers' Employers' Association, a position he still holds. And whatever
difference of opinion may exist regarding that action credit must at least be
given for the good work done when acting as an official of the Society.
John McLaren having resigned his position of delegate on the Clyde,
John Scott was elected in his stead. Born in Glasgow in May, 1843, JOHN
SCOTT journeyed to the Tyne when a lad of thirteen years and found employ-
ment at Palmers, of Jarrow, in 1856, where he remained employed until elected
j 20 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
to the officr of District Delegate. He joined the Society at Jarrow in
and quickly commenced taking an interest in the Society's business, filling
every office from guardian upwards. He sat on the General Councils of 1874
and 1885 and was twice a member of the Executive Board. He fulfilled the
position of district delegate for nine years, never having been out of harness
prior to his retirement in I8!)8. He is at present working at the trade, and
still takes an interest in the work of the Society.
Wages gradually advanced during the year, trade still being in a very
prosperous condition. The lost time question agitated the minds of all well-
meaning members, and excellent advice was tendered from the General Office.
Very little of it bore fruit, for the seed fell on stony soil and did not mature
to any real extent, to the regret of those who foresaw great possibilities of
future good if all could have been induced to make hay while the sun shone
in order to realise a glorious harvesting. A more striking proof of the complete
recovery of trade cannot be given than comparing the average percentage of
unemployed for the year 1889 with the preceding years. In 1889, 2£ per
cent. ; 1888, 7f per cent. ;' 1887, 21£ per cent. ; 1886, 28 per cent. ; 1885, 26f
per cent.; and 1884, 23f per cent.
Towards the close of the year a large number of shipbuilding and
engineering employers formed themselves into a national federation to, as they
said, enable them to deal more effectually with trade questions.
Early in the new year of 1890 another attempt was made to form up
a federation of unions engaged in the same trade, the object of the federation
being not of an aggressive character but to defend and protect the rights
already acquired. Conferences were held, and ultimately the federation of
the Engineering and Shipbuilding trades of the United Kingdom became an
accomplished fact, under the presidency of R. Knight.
Early in 1890, by a good majority of the members, it was agreed to pay
a levy of 10/- per member in order to increase the funds of the Society while
trade was good — a wise precaution for the next depression, that ruling industrial
conditions make inevitable from time to time.
The General Council Meeting took place during the year, at which were
made some needed alterations of detail, the main principles governing the
benefits and administration of the Society being left intact.
The General Offices, being completed, were on September 22nd officially
declared opened amid scenes of great rejoicing, the following being the photo
of the building just prior to its opening and a brief Press account of the
proceedings : —
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
121
122 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
BOILER MAKERS' AND IRON SHIP BUILDERS' SOCIETY.
OPENING OF PERMANENT PREMISES.
MONSTER DEMONSTRATION IN NEWCASTLE.
The principal streets of Newcastle presented a more than usually
lively appearance by the assembly of some 7,000 members of the Boiler
Makers' and Iron Ship Builders' Society at the ceremony of opening their
new head offices. These are well situated at Jesmond, and under the
name of Lifton House there are comprised a very complete, not to say
handsome, suite of offices. From many parts of the North of England
representatives of the Society began to arrive at the Central Station,
Newcastle, about eleven o'clock in the morning, and by noon the huge
space from the foot of Grainger Street to the Cattle Market, and
extending some distance along Westmorland and Scotswood Roads, was a
dense sea of moving people. Each of the sections was being brought
into position by the active marshals, working under the personal super-
intendence of the General Secretary of the Society, Mr. R. Knight.
From a distance nothing could be observed but the constant
wheeling of banners and other emblems carried high above the people's
heads, and after these manoeuvres had lasted some time the procession
was at last completed and ready to start.
At the order to move forward a dozen bands equally distributed
over the whole line commenced to play, and the flying banners, the
martial strains of the music, and the tramping of thousands of feet made
an imposing and inspiriting scene. Not only were banners carried, but
there were some splendid models of ships, bridges, engines, boilers,
furnaces, hammers, and other implements of work, all eloquently demon-
strative of hardy toil, from which the men who carried them had that
day a respite. All the way up to Jesmond large crowds accompanied
and followed the procession, and at about one o'clock Lifton House was
reached. The great number of the men now entered the football field
adjoining, while the ceremony of formally unlocking the door of the
building took place in the presence of two or three hundred of the chief
delegates.
SIR BENJAMIN BROWNE, who held the key of the door, was accom-
panied by the Mayor of Newcastle (Mr. Thomas Bell, J.P.), the Sheriff
(Mr. Edward Culley), the ex-Sheriff (Mr. Wm. Sutton), Mr. R. Knight,
the General Secretary, and others. Three cheers having been respectively
given for these gentlemen, the door was opened amid further cheering.
The remainder of the procession then entered the football field, where a
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 123
large concourse of the men had assembled round the grand stand, on
which the principal speakers now took their places.
MR. KNIGHT, who was received with cheers, introduced Sir Benjamin
Browne, who, he said, had been invited by the Executive Council to pre-
side over the meeting.
SIR BENJAMIN was heartily cheered on rising. He said that day was
a day on which he must congratulate them all most heartily on the work
they had now accomplished. (Cheers.) It was, he considered, a great
epoch in the Labour history of the country. It was a great step in
advance, and he believed one which hereafter would be remembered with
pride and satisfaction by all those who took a real interest in the well-
being of the working classes or in the industrial future of this country
(Hear, hear.) For himself, he felt humbly thankful and proud for the
great honour they had done him that day. He had been engaged nearly
the whole of his life in manufacturing industries. All his time had
been spent in connection with the working classes, and he felt that the
kindness with which they overlooked one's shortcomings, and the kindly
feelings which he might believe from that meeting existed between them,
was a thing for which one should be sincerely thankful. He was one
of the employers of labour who had always with his whole heart believed
in and upheld Trade Unionism. (Loud cheering.) For years and years
past he had always given his testimony, whatever it was worth, in that
direction. The work which had been done in that way in the elevation,
the comfort, and improvement of the working classes was something
incredible and, moreover, he believed it had done very little, if anything,
less for the consolidating and strengthening of trade. Last of all, he
believed it was of very great benefit to employers of labour like himself—
nay, more, he said frankly that he very much doubted if it would be
possible for the enormous enterprises of this country to go on as they did
now if the workers were not organised so as to act with unanimity and
system all through the country. If every two or three men here and
there were to rise up and attempt to carry out the fetish of competition
and the law of supply and demand to an unlimited extent, and all the
rest of it, he did not believe large industries could go on at all. It was
better for everybody that there should be a steady organisation, and then
they got the benefit of the experience of men like their friends Mr.
Knight and Mr. Burt, who thoroughly understood the needs and interests
of the trade, and who made the best they could of the labour market.
He believed such a state of things was better for the employers, better
for the men, and better for their customers, who were most worthily
represented by an influential shipowner like the Mayor. (Cheers.) He
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
(Sir Benjamin) congratulated them most heartily on their new offices.
It was a bold step to build a permanent place and say, " This is our
home and habitation." He was glad the offices were roomy and con-
venient, and that there were plenty of rooms in which groups could
converse on the many subjects which would come under their notice at
committee meetings and conferences. This was often a great aid to the
settlement of matters in dispute. He hoped with God's help they might
go on together, carrying on the industries of Tyneside, of England, and,
indeed, of the world, in a way which would be for the benefit of all
concerned, and that the strides which had been made in civilisation and
industry in the past few years might be only a small matter compared
with the future. (Hear, hear.) He had great pleasure in declaring their
building open and wishing them every success. (Cheers.)
THE MAYOR OF NEWCASTLE (Mr. Thos. Bell), in addressing the
assemblage, said he was very pleased indeed to be able to take part in
that great demonstration. When Mr. Knight did him the kindness of
asking him to be present he not only accepted the invitation with
pleasure but he considered it was a matter of duty as the chief
representative of the people of this great town to be present with them —
(hear, hear) — and to recognise and express the satisfaction which the
people of Newcastle must feel that they were the centre of a great and
important district which was honoured with the great assemblage that
day. The Society of Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders — one of the
most powerful in the country — was a Society connected with what he
considered to be the chief industry of this great country — (applause) — for
without ships, and without the boilers and the engines which were fitted
to navigate these ships, the future prosperity of this country would be
in very considerable doubt. He could not instruct them upon the
question of shipbuilding, neither could he give an interpretation of their
feelings, but he could only say this, that as one who had spent much of
his life in the business of the great shipping enterprises of this country
he could not but recognise in their Society a very great and powerful
element in connection with that industry. (Applause.) That they
should assemble there and make this the centre of their business, and that
the people of Newcastle should have the honour and the privilege of
having as a citizen a man of the great ability of their secretary, Mr.
Knight, was a credit to the city. Led and directed by a man of the
character and ability of Mr. Knight, their Society was well led, and they
might depend upon it that they would never have anything but words of
wisdom coming from a gentleman of his capacity — a man who was well
acquainted with the requirements of the country and the district, and
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 125
who would recognise, as Sir Benjamin Browne had said, the weaknesses,
and the faults, and the sympathies of his fellow men, and would always
be ready to recommend them to meet them. (Applause.)
MR. F. A. Fox then moved the following resolution: — "That the
best thanks of this meeting are due, and are hereby accorded, to the past
and present Executive Councils and the General Secretary for their
services in the execution of such a splendid block of buildings for the
Society's offices and secretary's residence, as the same is a great credit to
our noble Society, and will be a standing monument in future generations
of the completeness of our organisations in the latter part of the nine-
teenth century." He did not think it required any word of his to
commend that resolution. Coming from the romantic hills of Wales, the
land of song and ancient history, he himself felt proud of the honour
which he felt had been conferred upon him in being asked to move that
resolution. He sincerely thanked Mr. Knight and his colleagues on the
Executive Council for the kind invitation, and for the opportunity
afforded him in attending that splendid gathering — that massive and soul
stirring assemblage of the many thousands who together formed a strong
and powerful organisation. It was a monument to the men who held
aloft the banners of their organisations when the night was the darkest
and the storm raging the fiercest. He said with a previous speaker that
if it had not been for the shipping of this country, for the shipbuilding
industry, if it was not for their splendid navy and merchant fleets,
this country — this island home of ours — would dwindle into insignificance.
And where would this shipping be were it not for their hardy sons, the
Boiler Makers? (Applause.)
MR. CONLEY seconded the resolution. He said he would not attempt
to describe his feelings in being there that day, but he little thought eight
years ago when they brought their Executive Council from the city of
Liverpool that he should ever see the day when such a noble edifice
should be erected as that viewed that day. He was sure that the
councils both past and present who undertook that work had to consider
the pros and cons in every detail, and he could fearlessly say, although
some might find fault, that every credit was due to the past and present
councils and the General Secretary for the labours expended, and which
had been so nobly crowned that day. Very often the finger of scorn had
been pointed at Trade Unionism, but if their Society worked in the
future as it had done in the past, hand in hand with the employers, it
would be acknowledged and dealt with justly. (Hear, hear.) They
wanted a better share of the profits of their labour than hitherto.
Employers like Sir Benjamin Browne they could always deal with, and
126 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
and he was very glad to say that other employers were coming round to
view Trade Unionism in the same light. (Loud applause.)
The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried, amid great
cheering.
MR. KNIGHT then briefly addressed the gathering. He said if ever
there was one day in his life which called forth his feelings of gratitude
it was that day. He saw that day the crowning effort of the labours of
years in the past. (Applause.) They had never been able to get for
their Society a house of its own until the present time. They had now
succeeded, and he was glad to think they were all pleased with it. He
thanked the chairman and others who had favoured them with their
presence. Sir Benjamin Browne had been spoken of as one of their
model employers, but he would like to inform them that they had a
very large number of employers as good and as greatly honoured — much
as they honoured the name of Sir Benjamin. (Applause.) The fact was
that they were getting to know one another better than they had ever
done before. It was simply because the employers did not understand
Trade Unionism and the objects and aims of working men, and because
the employes did not understand the difficulties of the employers, that
they looked upon each other as enemies. But of late years they had
been drawing gradually closer together — (hear, hear) — and the influence
of their Society with the employers was great indeed — and he hoped it
ever would be great. (Applause.)
The MAYOR, on behalf of himself and others on the platform,
tlmnked the audience for the reception given them that afternoon.
The proceedings then terminated with cheering.
Towards the close of the year trade began to decline, the spell of good
trade not being of very long duration. Just three years and again evident
signs were appearing foreshadowing another period of depression and adversity,
but thanks to the lessons of the past, which had been now more inwardly
digested, the financial future of the Society was far better assured than it had
hitherto been throughout the long years of its history.
The coming slackness caused the overtime question to be considered,
and arrangements for its limitation were decided upon and instructions sent
out to the members. Working overtime is in no one case either satisfactory
or beneficial, and becomes a positive injustice to the out-of-works if carried
on unnecessarily during bad trade. Evidently that was the view taken, for
strenuous efforts were made to confine it to a very narrow limit, and to some
extent the effort was successful.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 127
JANUARY, 1891, TO AUGUST 20TH, 1904.
Early in the year 1891 the Apprentices question claimed serious attention,
and instructions were issued stating that no one was to be admitted a full
member who had not served five years continuously as an apprentice to the
trade prior to arriving at the age of twenty-three years, in one firm if possible,
and must have entered the yard or shop prior to the age of sixteen years.
Notices dealing with various aspects of the question were from time to time
issued throughout the year, which were continued well into the year 1892,
and instances given of firms employing more apprentices than journeymen —
one firm in particular having thirty-three apprentices in their small shipyard
and only five journeymen in their employ. However, the evil was not in
any way abated, and towards the close of 1892 an Apprentice Card was issued
and instructions given that they were to be used at the beginning of 1893.
This Apprentice Card contained the following information on main principles :—
After January, 1893, no one was to be admitted a member of the Society
who had not been supplied with one of these cards.
Cards were only to be issued in accord with the number of apprentices
allowed by the rules, viz. one apprentice to five journeymen. The card was
to be stamped at the beginning of each quarter. Apprentices were to stay
with one firm the whole of their time. No one was to be allowed to work with
the tools and learn the trade who was not in possession of the card.
This raised the ire of the employers, and a strongly worded letter was
sent by the Employers' Federation. A conference was asked for and agreed
to, the result of the conference being that the Apprentice Cards were withdrawn
on the following resolution being agreed to : —
We consent to withdraw the Apprentice Card at once on condition
that the employers will appoint a committee to meet a committee from
our Society, to settle the whole Apprentice question satisfactorily to both
parties.
Instructions were at once given not to issue the card, and some months
later the proposed terms of the agreement were carried by a large majority
of the members.
128 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
The shipyard agreement was signed on the llth October, 1893, and the
boilershop agreement in the following December. The shipyard agreement laid
down the following general principles: — Five years' apprenticeship was to be
served in one firm prior to arriving at the age of twenty-three years. Apprentices
should be indentured; work on new or old work on time or piece at the
discretion of his employer, and not belong to the Society while apprenticed
except for benefit purposes. A restriction of two apprentices to every seven
journeymen was agreed to, but it definitely stated that such restriction was
not to apply to boilershops or bridgeyards. The agreement was to remain
in force for six years, not any provision being made for a renewal.
The boilershop agreement differed in the two particulars just mentioned,
viz. a restriction in numbers was not agreed to in the boilershops and a clause
was added which made it impossible for the agreement to lapse unless a notice
of six months was given to terminate it.
Unfortunately in 1899 the shipyard agreement was allowed to lapse, no
attempt having been made to renew it until the beginning of the year 1900,
when the action of some of the employers, who suddenly began to violate the
terms of the agreement, caused the knowledge that we were without any
agreement to be brought vividly before the Society. Immediately efforts were
made to obtain an agreement upon the same lines as the one that had lapsed,
and conferences, including all the officials and district representatives, were
held, R. Knight, who, at the beginning of 1900 vacated the position of
General Secretary and was then Consulting Secretary, being present through-
out the whole of the negotiations to assist. Despite all efforts the Shipbuilding
Employers' Federation (who were now a much more strongly organised body)
refused to agree to any restriction, and the Society had to be content with
a modified agreement somewhat on the lines of the boilershop agreement,
and what little privilege was conceded in giving the right to complain against
over-stocking has been practically destroyed by a false interpretation put upon
Clause 6 by the Employers' Federation until the agreement has become
practically worthless, and unless some modification of that interpretation is
conceded, may early end in its abolition.
To go back to 1891, trade was now declining. Towards the middle of the
year notices of reduction caused attention to be once more called to the necessity
of having some general understanding with the employers to regulate these matters.
The advocacy of some such arrangement was first spoken of during the awful
times of the depression of 1884 to 1886, and although a better understanding
now existed on the North-East Coast of England, still the time was not yet quite
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 129
ripe for such an arrangement, but the Society was being gradually brought
to believe more and more in Boards of Conciliation as opposed to the old-time
method of the strike.
The carrying of oil in bulk was now becoming quite general, and as
sufficient care was not being taken when these oil-carrying steamers were being
repaired, many accidents happened, which caused the following instruction to
be given : — That on all oil tank steamers the minimum rates payable are to be :
Platers 15/- per day, Riveters and Caulkers 12/6 per day, and Holders-Up
10/- per day; this decision being come to in order to compel measures being
taken to ensure the safety of the men working on this class of steamer, and
which formed the basis of an agreement later on.
The Staffordshire District pleaded for a district delegate to be again
elected to better organise that portion of the country, a plea that met with
favour, William Sharrocks being the choice of the members.
WILLIAM SHARROCKS entered the Society at Gorton, in 1871, at the age
of twenty-one years, and is the son of one of that little band of pioneers who
first formed up the Society in 1834. William entered into the work of the
Society very early in life, filling many branch offices, and while District
Secretary of the Manchester District, was deputed by the Executive Council
upon many occasions to attend to disputes in that district, and upon other
occasions deputed to assist some of the district delegates on important missions.
He served on the General Council on three separate occasions, presided over
their deliberations in 1885, and received practical appreciation of the respect
in which he is held in the shape of testimonials from those amongst whom
he has laboured. He has for many years attended the Trades Union Congress,
making the question of Trade Union rates and conditions on Government
and Municipal work his very own. Massive in proportions, genial in manner,
to be seen and heard is for him to be always remembered.
Before the year closed death claimed the Tyne District Delegate,
Alexander Keith, he dying with inflammation of the brain, after a short illness.
He left to mourn his loss, a wife and seven children, six of whom were unable
to do anything towards earning a livelihood. The Society generously came to
their assistance by agreeing to a levy of 3d. per member, the sum thus raised
being sufficient to render material help to the children until they were in a
position to help themselves.
R. DUNN, who was elected early in 1892 to fill the position vacant by
Alexander Keith's death, entered the Society in 1872, and from that time
until he resigned his position as district delegate in the year 1900, was
130 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
constantly in office. He was three times elected to serve on the Executive
Council, represented that body on the General Council of 1885, and was
during one term of office chairman of that Executive Council. At other times
he sat upon the District Committee, was twice its chairman, and often called
to assist in settling various questions in the district. After his election he,
by steady methodical ways, was enabled to accomplish a large amount of
work, and many with whom he worked deeply regretted that he decided to
give up his certainly onerous duties to become the technical delegate for the
Tyne Ship Repairing Employers' Association. At present he is the senior
technical delegate for the joint ship builders and ship repairers of the Tyne
district, and is in robust health.
During the year imperative instructions were given that Riveters must
see that their Holders-up become members of the Society. A society of
Holders-up existed in Scotland on a small scale, who ultimately were induced
to see that their interests were best served by joining the Society — another
slight gathering-in of those outside the fold, marking another step, if small,
towards the goal of complete organisation.
The Society was at this period honoured by the appointment of its
General Secretary, R. Knight, and the Wear District Delegate, James O'Neill,
to the position of Justices of the Peace, they being practically among the
first batch of workmen Justices of the Peace appointed in the North of England.
A dispute took place in the hill district of South Wales, which is worth
recording. The South Wales Delegate, in the course of his labours, discovered
that the Boiler Makers working at the Ebbw Vale, Dowlais, Tredegar,
Blaenavon, and Rhymney steel works, were little better off than slaves.
Fastened to the locality they were forced to accept whatever the rich
combination of millionaire employers offered them, their wages for a 54-
hours week being as low as 17/-, and in no case exceeding 19/2. Frank
Fox determined to organise these men, and, having the assurance that
the Executive would assist, the task was undertaken. The men joined; an
advance was asked for and refused, and war declared by a strike commencing
at the Ebbw Vale works on January llth, 1892, which extended later on to
the other works, and there was then entered into one of the most stubborn,
and certainly most just, contests, from a workmen's standpoint, between Capital
and Labour in the history of the Society. Winter gave way to spring, spring
to summer, and winter again came round, but still the fight went on until all
concerned grew weary of the struggle, but defeat in so righteous a cause could
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 131
not be for one moment entertained. After a fourteen months' struggle a
desperate, but happily an effectual, remedy was found by the issue of the
following : —
We therefore give notice that on and after May 13th, 1893, we will
not work, use, or manipulate any iron or steel plates or angles
manufactured by the Dowlais Co. ; neither will we execute repairs on
any vessels engaged in carrying iron ore to these shores for the said
company until the wages question at Dowlais is satisfactorily settled.
This latter sentence applies to vessels carrying iron ore for the Blaenavon
and Ebbw Vale Companies.
Before this was done every effort to arrive at an amicable understanding
had failed, in fact these rich companies absolutely refused to meet or treat in
any way with a deputation consisting of the General Secretary of the Society
and the general secretaries of other societies who had become implicated in
the struggle.
The issue of the notice, which was practically a boycott, caused the
Shipping Federation to make strenuous attempts to get the repair dock
owners to close all their docks, but the attempt failed, and the Society
publicly stated that when the rich companies of steel works were prepared to
treat, then the embargo upon the shipping trade would be removed. Influence
was brought to bear and in two months three of the chief companies capitulated,
making a substantial increase of wages and abolishing an obnoxious sliding
scale that had been conceived in the interest of the employers and was a
method by which the men were slavishly enthralled, thus ending a struggle
of sixteen months' duration, in which the General Secretary and the Executive
Council rendered valuable help, backed by the self-sacrifice of the members
throughout the Society, without which the victory would not have been won,
It is all the more creditable because that victory was won and those sacrifices
made during a falling market and bad trade, and when many who refused to
work upon the boycotted vessels stood actually in need of good, solid, and
sustaining food.
The beginning of 1893 also marked a fresh step in Trade Union circles.
Mr. John Burnett had for some six years been the Labour correspondent of
the Board of Trade, and in response to repeated requests from Trade Unionists
and Co-operators to put the Labour Bureau, as it was then called, on a more
satisfactory basis, the President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Mundella, gladdened
the hearts of the Trades Congress deputation in January, 1893, by stating
that it was the intention to create a Labour Department, with a Commissioner
of Labour, a chief Labour correspondent, and three additional Labour
132 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
correspondents and a staff of clerks, with local correspondents in large
provincial towns, and to also issue a Monthly Labour Gazette.
Mr. Llewellyn Smith was appointed Commissioner of Labour and general
supervisor of the department, Mr. John Burnett being appointed chief Labour
correspondent. Some few weeks afterwards the General Secretary, R. Knight,
was pressed by the President of the Board of Trade to accept one of the
new positions of additional Labour correspondents to assist in the work of the
department — an offer he declined, preferring to put in a few more years of
work on behalf of the Society rather than in the service of the Government.
Early in the year an attack upon Trade Unions was successfully resisted
by the unions concerned known as the Temperton v. Russell case. Temperton,
a master builder, sued Russell and others of the building trade societies, both
in their individual capacity and as representatives of the societies to which
they belonged, charging them with having induced certain persons to break their
contracts, induced workmen to leave his employ, and induced other persons
not to use his goods. Besides damages he also claimed an injunction. The
appeal against the judge's decision in the lower courts was heard before Lord
Chief Justice Coleridge and Justice Hawkins, who, in granting the appeal,
stated that Parliament again and again had said that these men had the right
of combination, and if it was sought to put down Trade Unionism it was for
those who wished to do so to appeal to the Legislature. There was no rule
which authorised the plaintiff to sue the defendants as representing the
members.
Viewing what has happened since, viz. the determination to weave
around Trade Unions a net of legal difficulties and disabilities, one thought comes
uppermost, and that is, that an opportunity was here missed of getting re-stated
through the Legislature a proper definition of the Trade Union position, backed
by the supreme law authority, the law lords of the House of Lords. Had
such been done the position of Trade Unionists would not have been what
it is to-day. The year 1893 closed with thousands of the members being
unemployed, many reduced to the brink of starvation, and the streets of the
cities and towns in shipping districts crowded with multitudes of willing
workers unable to find the labour necessary to provide their families and
themselves with the necessities of life.
The payment for repairs on oil vessels, which had been for some time
a bone of contention, was settled upon a definite basis, an agreement having
been arrived at at a conference held in Newcastle in December, 1893, which was
drawn up and signed at 7, Grey Street, Newcastle, on 12th January, 1894, and
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 133
which fixed upon a definite basis the rates of payment that had repeatedly been
published as an instruction to the members for some two or three years. In
addition to fixing the rates it also provided that an expert's certificate of safety
should be obtained daily and posted in a conspicuous place, thus lessening the
chance of future injuries and fixing rates for work necessarily done at piece
work speed on a fair and equitable basis.
For some few years the Trades Union Congress had been agitating for
an Act to be passed exempting from Income Tax the invested provident
funds of Trade Unions, and a Bill having that object in view was prepared
and entrusted to Mr. George Ho well, M.P. to pilot through the House of
Commons. His efforts having been successful, the right of Trade Unions to
reclaim Income Tax deducted from investments of Trade Unions applied in
payment of provident benefits became law.
The Act has been of especial benefit to the Society, for the first year
it became law the General Secretary was enabled to reclaim £77 11s. 5d.,
which increased in varying sums until we were actually enabled to obtain for
the year ending April, 5th, 1903, no less a sum than £480 12s. 5d. as returned
Income Tax. The total amount claimed since the Act came into force on
January 1st, 1894, until April 5th, 1904, is over £2,200, for which sum the
Society has, with others, to thank the joint Trade Union and political action,
as represented by the Trades Union Congress and undertaken by them on
behalf of Trade Unionism.
The time was fast arriving to bring into operation an agreement that
had been from time to time foreshadowed — to regulate wages advances and
reductions, and to prevent vexatious disputes. For some years the General
Secretary and the Executive had preached against illegal disputes, advocated
their suppression, and issued instructions of a very decisive character, and for
quite two years the following notice had appeared periodically through the
columns of the Monthly Report :—
We have often cautioned our members against leaving their work
without first getting the Council's sanction or even consulting their
district delegate. In the. future, when such cases occur, we shall most
certainly punish the offenders.
District delegates must not make any new demands on employers
without first receiving the Council's sanction.
and despite the fact that summary punishment was threatened very little
improvement was accomplished, for on the very eve of an agreement being
arrived at an even more drastic notice was issued.
134 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
The result of the negotiations between the employers and the Society's
officials was the signing on July 5th, 1894, of the arrangement that is now
commonly known as the North-East Coast agreement. Briefly, the object of the
agreement was to regulate the alteration in wages, sectional or individual
disputes, and to provide machinery to deal with changing conditions in ship
construction and increased or decreased facilities for accomplishing work. The
agreement was brought into operation by the majority vote of the whole
Society; most of the North-East Coast branches were opposed to it, and
before long the Society was being circularised against it, which caused an
exhaustive explanation in reply to be issued to the members, in which it was
necessary to refresh the failing memories of some of the opponents by a
publication of the enormous reductions that took place prior to the Executive
determining to try and obtain a better understanding with employers and
a recognised system of dealing with these questions. The Society having
voted, and thus authorised the signing of the agreement, the Executive refused
to take a re-vote, and the matter ended as far as any official and adequate
protest could be made. The agreement as then drafted is still in operation.
Towards the close of 1894 proposals were made to sever our connection
with the Trades Congress, and these proposals having the approval of the officials
at the General Office a vote was taken on the famous South Shields No. 2 resolu-
tion:— " That this meeting, seeing the altered composition and aims of the Trades
Union Congress during the past few years, considers that it has ceased to be
of any value to us as a Society, as it no longer represents our views," was
put to the Society, and carried by a majority of those voting.
The proposals to break away from Congress were undoubtedly the
outcome of the representatives' report, who reported strongly against the
Congress's doings; but objection was soon taken to the decision as the
representatives were not elected representatives, and the resolution of South
Shields No. 2 simply expressed an opinion, but did not put to the members
the direct issue of " Shall we sever our connection with the Trades Union
Congress ? "
Gallant little Wales stepped into the breach, circularised the members,
and the General Council who met in the middle of 1895 determined to again
take the opinion of the Society, with the result that the previous decision
was defeated by a very large majority, and a rule made that preserved
unbroken the connection with the Trades Congress, and made imperative the
election of the delegates by the votes of the members, setting aside the
method of selection that had previously been in operation.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 135
The General Council of 1895, among other alterations, came to the
decision to create an Executive of permanently paid officials to administer
the rules of the Society, such Executive to be elected from seven electoral
districts of almost equal voting power, thus abolishing the system that had
been in operation ever since the formation of the Society of electing the
Executive Council from the district in which the General Office was situated.
They also made a great alteration in the payment of Superannuation,
bringing into existence a levy of Id. per week per member, in order to increase
the Superannuation payments. Prior to the 1895 revision, and indeed up to
the close of 1898, the Superannuation paid was from 4/- to 7/- per week,
according to length of membership, being for twenty-five years 4/- per week,
graduating until forty years was reached and a payment of 7/- per week. As
a result of the decision of the 1895 General Council, Superannuation now
commences at 6/- per week, and reaches ll/- per week for forty years'
membership.
' The depression that had been going on for some few years now began
to ebb away, giving place to a more satisfactory state of trade, the lowest
point of this depression being reached in March, 1895.
Water-tube boilers had begun to make headway in the country, the
construction of which had caused some irritation and friction with another
trade. Conferences were held, but as a settlement was not arrived at the
matter was unanimously submitted to the arbitration of D. J. Dunlop, Esq.,
Engineer and Shipbuilder, whose award was loyally accepted by the two
trades concerned, a copy of which will be found in the concluding pages under
the heading of "Interesting Arbitration Awards and Agreements."
The request now came from the West Riding of Yorkshire for the
appointment of a district delegate, which met with the approval of the
members generally. The writer being then resident in London was
approached by some influential members in that district to allow himself to
be nominated for that position, at first refusing. He ultimately consented, was
elected by a large majority, and thereupon took up the duty of Yorkshire
District Delegate. It is difficult for one to write about himself, but for the
information of those who desire to know something of the writer's early
history the following extract from a recent number of Reynolds' s Newspaper
may fulfil that purpose : —
D. C. CUMMINGS.
" DAVE," as he is known to all his intimates, was born at Greenwich
in December, 1861. His first educational experience was gained at
136 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Roan's School, and he was afterwards transferred to one of the London
Board Schools. Here he headed the list of scholarships for the
Greenwich division in December, 1874. On leaving school in 1875 he was
apprenticed at Rennie's shipbuilding yard, and in the year 1880, at the
age of nineteen years, joined the Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel
Ship Builders' Society. He entered with all the ardour and sincerity of
youth into the work of his own Trade Union. The educational facilities
he had enjoyed stood him in good stead, and at the age of twenty-one
years he was called upon to act as a branch officer. As such he soon
became well known, and the next step was to represent his Society on the
London Trades Council. He was very soon placed on its Executive,
where he did good work. He was strongly pressed to run for the London
County Council as the colleague of Burns, Crooks, Steadman, Sidney
Webb, and others, but family considerations prevented. In 1895, at the
request of the Yorkshire District of his Society, he gained the position
of Yorkshire District Delegate and Organiser. He was thus brought in
contact with the leaders and the rank and file of the Trade Unionists of
Leeds and district. Here he quickly became popular, and before he had
resided in Leeds two years he was elected as Labour member of the Leeds
School Board. His friends tried to persuade him to run for the City
Council, but holding the opinion that the interests of the Society
demanded his first consideration, this honour he was compelled to decline.
His ability and earnestness won for him golden opinions in Yorkshire,
and when the general secretaryship became vacant he was urged to stand
forward, obtaining that position in December, 1899, the members in
Yorkshire and Grimsby, amongst whom he had laboured so well for some
years, presented him, on his leaving to take up his secretarial duties, with
a mark of their appreciation and goodwill.
The year 1895 was happily brought to a close with definite signs of
improving trade.
Early in 1896 the Belfast and Barrow members were given the
opportunity of electing a district delegate, H. Howard being ultimately the
chosen one, after a series of elections brought about by the election in the first
instance of one who had to tender his resignation in a few weeks as unfit for
the duties he had been elected to fulfil.
HARRY HOWARD was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in the year 1853,
and unfortunately lost both parents early in life, which made his early upbringing
a severe experience. He joined the Society at Partick No. 1 in 1877, and was
soon transferred to Whiteinch at the opening of that branch, he being elected
branch president within two years, and from that time was continually in harness
in some capacity or other. Leaving Scotland, he journeyed to Barrow, where
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 137
his worth both as a workman and an official was quickly recognised, and inanv
wore the deputations he formed a member of. Elected to the General Council of
1895, he made his presence felt and received the grateful thanks of the Barrow
members for his labours. Elected to the position of district delegate in 1896, he
had to remove to Belfast, ultimately finding his larger sphere of action as a
permanent official of the Society in the county and country in which he first saw
the light. He has laboured incessantly for the benefit of the members in the
district, and Belfast and Barrow have to thank him for the good he has
accomplished. Like many men of the Emerald Isle, he is impulsive and
generous; and though, like mankind generally, liable to err, nevertheless his
desire always is to improve and benefit his fellow-man.
Trade was still improving, and advances of wages now became general.
Future prospects were bright and cheerful, and month by month throughout
the year came news of ever increasing trade and a decrease in the number
of unemployed.
Towards the close of the year the new Executive, consisting of paid
officials each representing one of the seven electoral districts, was elected, and
at the beginning of 1897 commenced the new era, the old order thus giving
place to the new.
The membeivs of the last Executive Council under the old order of things
were — C. Laws, J. Corbett, W. Pye, G. Gates, J. Matthews (Council's Referee),
G. T. Redhead (Council's Treasurer), and M. Charlton (Chairman).
For over sixty-two years the Executive Council had been chosen from
the immediate districts in which the General Office had from time to time
been situated — Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle (with 'Sunderland) having
shared that honour. And in leaving that long period of our history some
little mention must be made of the members of the last Executive under the
old regime who shared with the General Secretary the responsibility of governing
what had now for some years become a great Trade Union organisation.
MATTHEW CHARLTON entered Sunderland No. 1 in the year 1882 and was
almost immediately put into office harness, serving in various capacities, and
elected in 1895 upon the Executive Council. He served until the close of
189(5, being chairman the last twelve months, and was one of the youngest
if not the youngest member who had ever held that position. He has since
found congenial work in his branch and serves the interest of Labour upon a
public body.
G. T. REDHEAD entered the Society in 1878 at Newcastle, held many
branch offices, was often elected to serve on deputations on wage and other
10
138 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
questions, served <>u the District^Committee, and did his duty well upon all
occasions. When a member of the Executive Council he, as treasurer, kept
a watchful eye on the finances of the General Office.
JOSEPH MATTHEWS acted as the Council's Referee, and as he was elected
upon the new Executive and afterwards became Tyne District Delegate a brief
sketch of his career appears upon a later page.
CtJTHBERT LAWS entered the Society in 1872 at Newcastle and served in
all the branch offices except secretary and treasurer, serving on the old
Executive during its last term with credit to himself.
J. CORBETT entered the Society in 1880, held various offices, and had been
for years an active and well-known member in the Tyne District before becoming
a member of the Executive, and is still doing useful work in the Society's
interest.
W. PYE was born July 8th, 1857, joining the Society at Howdon in 1877.
Removing to Sunderland, he served in many minor offices, and later as president
of his branch. He was one of the first representatives on the Wear District
Committee, and was three times elected to serve on the Executive ; often on
wages and other conferences, and has in other directions found useful work
to do.
G. B. GATES, General Trustee and one of the old Executive, entered early
in the year 1880 at Howdon and soon became an energetic member of the
Society. Every branch office except that of secretary has been filled by him,
and in several shops and yards upon the Tyne he has acted as shop steward.
On wages committees and upon deputations on wages questions he has done
excellent work ; on District Committees and as Executive representative he has
also given satisfaction. Besides being for years one of the General Trustees
he is continually serving in some office or other, his recent labours as Chairman
of the Riveting Repair List Committee being much appreciated.
AARON FORREST, General Trustee, entered the Society in the year 1870
at the age of twenty-two years and was quickly in office. At one time when
leaving office to take up a position as foreman he received a handsome testimonial
from his fellow-members and the Emblem of the Society from the Executive
Council. He has been often on the District Committee and several times
District Secretary, and was a member of the first Executive Council in the Tyne
District. He has been one of the General Trustees from the first and is still
acting in that capacity ; has been on several deputations to employers, special
auditor for the district, and has represented the Society at the Trades
Congress. He still finds much useful work to do.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
139
THE OLD EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, 1896, AND GENERAL TRUSTEES.
JOSEPH MATTHEWS.
CUTHBERT LAWS.
J. CORBETT.
W. PYE.
140
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
THE OLD EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, 1896, AND GENERAL TRUSTEES.
MATTHEW CHARLTON, Chairman.
G. T. REDHEAD Treasurer.
G. B. DATES, E.C. and General Trustee.
A. FORREST, General Trustee.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
1 11
MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEW ORDER).
A. COLQUHOUN (1897).
G. ELLIS (1897).
J. BREMNER (1897),
R. W. LINDSAY (1897).
MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEW ORDER).
^fP ft^Efl
A. LAMBIE (1897).
W. RYAN (1901).
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 143
GEORGE ELLIS first saw the light on April 19th, 1860, at Shrewsbury.
Leaving school at the early age of eleven years, he followed various occupations
until his father's family removed to Crewe, which gave him the opportunity
at the age of fifteen years to become an apprentice in the boilershop at the
London and North-Western Railway Works. At the age of twenty-two yeara
he journeyed to London and found employment in the Great Eastern Railway
Works at Stratford, becoming a member of London No. 4, soon taking a
prominent interest in the work of his branch and holding most of the branch
offices. Representing his branch upon the District Committee he was elected
secretary, and held that position for two years. Taking an interest in outside
work he was appointed upon the Local Trades Council, was instrumental in
forming a branch of a friendly society, becoming its first branch secretary.
In 1890 he became connected with the interchange privilege ticket movement,
became its chief secretary, the success of that movement being to a large extent
due to his efforts. Nominated for a seat on the new Executive he was
triumphantly returned on the first vote, becoming the first chairman. In
Newcastle he takes an interest in Co-operation, Labour Co-partnership, the
Workmen's Train movement, and other work which he deems of benefit to
his fellows.
THOMAS WATERTON came into the world at Hoyland Nether, Yorkshire,
on July 14th, 1848. Going to school at an early age he remained until
sixteen years, finishing his education at Ashcroft Academy. Apprenticed at
Milton and Elsecar Boiler Works he entered the Society at Sheffield in
February, 1871, and was in a few months elected to the office of Sick Visitor.
He took part in the agitation for the nine-hours day, warmly defending that
principle. Later on he was appointed branch auditor for some few terms, and
was in 1884 appointed branch secretary, but a severe illness compelled him
to early relinquish that appointment and give up other good work in which
he was engaged. After recovery he obtained an appointment as foreman, and
spent many years in a similar position in various Yorkshire firms, and on more
than one occasion received a substantial token of the respect and esteem of
the members employed under him. Becoming a member of the Stanningley
branch he again interested himself in the work of the Society, and represented
Stanningley on the Yorkshire District Committee, upon which committee he
was appointed treasurer, a position he held until elected upon the Executive
Council at the close of 1896. He takes an outside interest in national and
local politics, is greatly interested in Co-opevation, takes a warm interest
in the Lifeboat movement, and renders support to other efforts to benefit
humanity.
144 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
R. W. LINDSAY is a native of Hartlepool, and was born in that old
town on the 26th October, 1868. He commenced to serve his apprenticeship
in February, 1877, and entered the Society in the Hartlepool No. 1
branch on August 26th, 1882, just prior to arriving at the age of nineteen
years. In the year 1888 he made his way to Sunderland, and worked in both
boilershops and shipyards in that district. He early took an interest in the
Society's work, holding several branch offices and on several occasions fulfilling
the duties of shop steward. Joining Sunderland No. 4 in 1885 he was at
once induced to take office, and in the year 1891 became secretary of that
branch, a position he held with credit up to becoming a member of the Executive
Council. He represented the 'Wear District on the General Council of 1895,
and took an active part in the revision of the rules. During the same year
he was prominently connected with an attempt made in Sunderland to ^obtain
a Boiler Makers' Hall, his contention being that a central meeting place
would solidify the members in the district. Had trade been good the effort
would have been successful and the benefits of such an institution have been
long since experienced. In Newcastle he now takes an active interest in
politics, housing of the people, municipalisation and workmen's trains extension.
JOSEPH MATTHEWS was born in 1859. He entered the Society at Jarrow
in the year 1880, at the age of twenty-one years. Being ready with his pen
and quick at figures he early found scope for his abilities as branch auditor,
a position he occupied for some years. He found work to do in other directions,
representing his branch upon the Local Trades Council, on other work of a
social character, and as shop steward was noted for the excellence of his
judgment. He presided over the destinies of his branch upon many occasions,
found a larger scope for his abilities upon the District Committee, whose
secretary he became. In 1895 he found a seat upon the Executive, and
when the Society determined to have an Executive of paid officials Joseph
was the first choice of the vast majority of the Tyne members. When, in
1900, Richard Dunn vacated his position of Tyne District Delegate "Matthews
is the man " was the first thought of the majority of Tyne members, and
bowing to their wishes he vacated his position on the Executive to take up
the onerous duties of district delegate in what was then the largest district
in the whole Society. In the year 1903 he left his position to take up a
responsible position of trust in a repairing establishment, and as a proof of
the approbation of the Tyne members a handsome testimonial to Mrs.
Matthews and himself was presented in May, 1904.
ANDREW LAMBIE, bora in I860. He entered the Society at Port
Glasgow in October, 1881, at the age of twenty-one years, and was within
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 145
twelve months from his entry elected to a brunch office. For yeans he
steadily worked in the interests of the Society, fulfilling every duty satisfactorily,
and occupying as the years rolled by every branch office of distinction. As
well as attending to his branch members he found time to take his part in
the larger sphere of District affairs, and when the Society decided upon a
Permanent Executive he was the choice of No. 2 Electoral District for that
important office. Not being re-elected three years later he returned to Port
Glasgow and again took up branch work, and is at present again acting as
secretary for his branch. Ever since the first twelve months of his membership
he has been continually in office, and whatever the future may hold for him
— be it a branch office or a more important and responsible position — Andrew
can be relied upon to do his duty in the way he conceives such duty should
be done.
ALEX. COLQUHOUN was born in Glasgow in 1858, in which city he learned
his trade. At the age of twenty-two he joined the Society at Glasgow No. 2,
removing to Campbeltown early in 1882. At Campbeltown he quickly took
office, and after holding minor positions became in turn secretary and chairman
of the branch. The slack times of 1884 compelled a return to Glasgow, Alex.
on this occasion joining Glasgow No. 4. Again he interested himself in the
Society's work, serving the branch in various capacities as well as representing
it upon the Clyde District Committee. Half-way through the year 1886 he
undertook the duties of branch secretary, a position he continued to hold until
elected upon the Executive Council at the close of the year 1896. While
holding the position of secretary he was to be found warmly interested in all
movements for the benefit of his fellows, using* the experience he had gained
in his working life at nearly all classes of work undertaken by a Riveter and
Caulker for the good of those with whom he lived. He strongly advocates
direct Labour representation, and hopes to see the day when the workers
have realised their need for adhesion and are consistently using their power
to better the conditions of the greatest number, viz. the working population
of the Empire.
JOHN BREMNER was born in Leith in the year 1853, and after serving
his apprenticeship entered the Society at Dundee in February, 1874. Trade
being slack he journeyed to London and was for some time a member of the
Millwall branch. Returning to Dundee he found employment on the ill-fated
Tay Bridge, afterwards finding employment in various shops and yards on the
North-East Coast of England, finally settling in Liverpool after a somewhat
wandering and chequered career. As a member of Liverpool No. 1 he held
146 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
several offices, vacating the position of president to take up the duties of
secretary of the newly-opened branch of Liverpool No. 8, remaining in that
position until elected as a member of the present Executive Council. He
represented the Mersey District on the General Council of 1895 — a Council
memorable on account of so many of its members being afterwards elected to
prominent official positions in the Society. He was again a member of the
General Council of 1900, representing the Executive Council on that body.
In addition to his knowledge of the United Kingdom he has had the experience
of foreign travel — at one time out in Geneva erecting a yacht on the lakes,
at other times in the capacity of a sea-going Boiler Maker, visiting many
countries. His advice to young men is to travel before finally settling down,
thus obtain the experience for doing good work for the Society, and to always
endeavour to do all things well.
DAVID REID, after having served five years as an indentured apprentice
with Messrs. Scott and Co., Greenock, joined the Society in the early part of
1889. Taking an active interest in the Society's work he was quickly called
upon to act as shop steward and took a goodly share in the work that was then
done in completing the organisation of the men employed in the boiler works
of that company, having the pleasing experience of seeing every man working
at the trade members of the Society. He held various minor offices in the
branch before being elected president, and afterwards became secretary, a
position he held for about six years, receiving on every special audit a " very
good " report. He represented Greenock No. 3 upon the Trades and Labour
Council, taking a lively interest in all questions of good for his fellow-workers.
He took a leading part in bringing the four Greenock branches under one
roof, thus lessening the causes of friction and increasing the comfort of the
members. As a member of the Hall Committee he greatly assisted in getting
together a good library for the instruction and interest of the Greenock
members. He represented his branch at many conferences on wages and
other questions, the experience standing him in good stead since his election
to the Executive Council at the close of 1899.
WILLIAM RYAN first cast his eyes upon this troublous world in the North
of England July, 1862, but before reaching the age of twelve years his parents
removed to Southampton, he serving his apprenticeship as a Plater at Messrs.
Oswald and Co.'s. He became a member of the Society at Woolston, in which
branch he quickly took office. Leaving Woolston he journeyed to London, and
for some time was a member of London No. 11, proceeding later to Cardiff.
He again travelled back to the vicinity of Southampton, finding employment at
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 147
East Cowes, at that time a disorganised place. After his entry a branch was
speedily opened, and he with others quickly put the place on a more satisfactory
basis. Returning to the district of his birth he settled down at Howdon-on-
Tyne, and soon became known as an energetic member of the district, serving
in several branch offices, upon the District Committee, and upon many
important conferences for the Society's good. He was chairman of the Tyne
District Committee when Joseph Matthews resigned that position, and was
the next choice of the Tyne members as Executive representative, a position
he has held ever since.
Attention had for some time been directed to the admittance of Light
Plate Workers into the ranks of the Society, and excellent reasons were given for
their admittance. A vote of the members was taken, which resulted in a
majority deciding in favour of their admission. It was decided that they were to
form a section by themselves and to be admitted as individuals and not as a
Society, and early in 1897 the following rules were drawn up for their
guidance : —
LIGHT PLATE WOKKERS.
1. All Light Plate Workers must be admitted into the Society according
to the Society's rule, without exception.
2. All men so admitted must confine themselves to the class of work
they are at present engaged upon.
3. When they remove from one district to another to work they will
have to conform to the bye-laws recognised in each district as to
.the question of demarcation of work and all other bye-laws in
existence that may in any way affect them.
The gathering of these men into the Society has not met with unqualified
success ; the failure to do so may be found in the rather rigid restrictions. The
work these men undertake is ever increasing, and the work they do is certainly
of a good — or, to put it in the words of the advocates of their admission, " of a
tasty character." Greater efforts will yet have to be made to include them, and
without doubt a lessening of the restriction, by permission being given allowing
them to progress after five years' membership upon the ordinary conditions of
progression, and in addition an assurance that another qualified Light Plate
Worker member should take the place of the progressed one, would materially
aid in their complete organisation.
Thursday, March llth, 1897, was a red-letter day in the annals of
the Society, and in the life of Robert Knight, for the evening of that day
148 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
witnessed a, gathering of representative members and officials from all corners
of the three Kingdoms to do honour to him and commemorate his sil\< T
jubilee of office. The employers were represented by Mr. Bone, who officiated
as chairman, Sir Benjamin Browne, and Mr. James Robinson; the representatives
of kindred societies being in plentiful attendance. A large company sat down
to dinner at the Assembly Rooms, and after the inner man was completely
satisfied, Mr. R. Knight was presented with a silver salver and a cheque for
£600, Mrs. Knight being remembered by the gift of a handsome diamond ring
and brooch ; their children also coming in for some recognition. R. Rothwell,
on behalf of those members and employers who had contributed to the financial
success of the undertaking, made the presentation in a suitable speech, Robert
thanking the donors in a happily chosen address. Toasts and good music
made a very enjoyable evening, and a memorable day in the career of Robert
Knight was brought to a close 'by general expressions of goodwill.
Taking advantage of the gathering of the clans the Executive Council
called a conference of the district delegates and district representatives who
were present to discuss the questions of Dockyard Shipbuilding, the organisation
of Railway and Locomotive Shops, and the admission of Drillers into the
Society. As a result of that conference efforts were made to deal with these
matters, but the good results anticipated have not yet been realised. Despite
failure, another attempt and yet another should be made to cope with these
difficulties and not any effort be spared until complete success is obtained.
The 'admission of Drillers has perhaps received the greatest amount of
attention, and the refusal of the members upon three separate occasions to
accept the advice of the officials in the matter marks a page in t"he history of
the Society that is regrettable and is one of those blunders that from time to
time seem just as inevitable in the life of a trade union as they undoubtedly
are in the life of a nation or of an individual. To the future alone belongs
reparation, and it is to be devoutly hoped that the necessary retrieving of that
mistake will be recognised before it becomes too late to remedy it.
The middle of 1897 saw trade still good, wages advances being general,
the number on the out-of-work funds being then only 1,500.
The year 1897 also witnessed the beginning of the great lock-out in the
Engineering trade over the eight-hours working day. Some time prior to
the close of 1896 the Executive of the Shipbuilding and Engineering Trades
Federation had decided to try and obtain a reduction of the working hours in
conference with the employers, but the strained relationships that existed
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 149
between some1 of the trades and their employers prevented that conference
being then brought about.
Early in the year 1897 the Amalgamated Engineers, without consulting
other great Trade Unions, made a demand upon the London employers for an
eight-hours day, and there is not a doubt that had they allowed the federated
trades to continue their efforts a shorter working week than fifty-three or
fifty-four hours would long ago have been an accomplished fact.
It is quite true to say that the London District of the Society were
represented upon the Committee with the consent of the Executive, but it
was upon the distinct understanding that the movement was to be a peaceful
one, and that the support of the London members of the Society would aid
the movement, on account of the eight-hours day having been conceded to
them for some years.
The movement in its preliminary stages was a friendly one, but the
allied trades could not induce three large firms to agree to work the eight-hours
day, and it was decided to strike these shops, an action which brought about
the discharge of twenty-five per cent, of the members of the allied trades, the
other seventy-five per cent, retaliating by leaving their work. A struggle
was then entered into which lasted for nearly seven months, which ended in
the defeat of the trades concerned and brought into existence a strong body
of federated employers prepared to act together to resist Trade Unionists'
desires.
Looking back one cannot help regretting that such a hasty action was
taken — no doubt hurried in some quarters by the desire to outdo the federated
trades — and that a second vote was not taken as to whether a strike likely to
involve the whole country was advisable or not.
The lock-out caused a considerable amount of distress throughout the
Society, throwing thousands of the members out of employment, and so acute
did it become that it was found necessary in order to alleviate it to grant
special Donation over and above the Home Donation allowed by rule.
The Workmen's Compensation Bill was introduced in the House of
Commons by the Home Secretary, Sir Matthew White Ridley, on May 3rd,
going quickly through the various stages and receiving the Royal Assent on
August 6th becoming law on July 1st, 1898. This Act was a distinct
advance upon the Employers' Liability Act, by the abolition of the doctrine of
common employment, by throwing the responsibility upon employers of proving
serious and wilful misconduct, and by broadening the basis of compensation;
150 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
and although its faulty wording has caused many complications, it has without
doubt been of immense benefit to the members of the Society as well as to
Trade Unionists generally. Its defects are many, but the time is quickly
arriving when some of the acknowledged defects will be remedied.
A VICTORY FOR TRADE UNIONISM was before the close of the year
obtained by the decision of the Law Lords in the well-known case of Allen
r. Flood. Four years had almost passed away from the time when the case
commenced, but it was fought out in ;i manner worthy of the traditions of
the Society and at a cost that laid the whole Trade Union world under an
obligation.
When the case first appeared the very serious charge of conspiracy was
made against the Chairman of the Council at that time, the General Secretary,
and T. F. Allen, London District Delegate. When the case came before the
Court in London the three officials named were present, and after a protracted
hearing the case of conspiracy could not be maintained, and judgment was
given in favour of the Executive Council Chairman and the General Secretary :
the following may be taken as a bare outline of the facts of the case as affecting
Allen : — The respondents Flood and Taylor were workmen engaged by the day
at the works of the Glengall Company. They were shipwrights doing wood
work on a vessel called the Sam Welter. The company employed a far larger
number of the Society's members than they did shipwrights ; there was a strong
feeling against the respondents on the ground that they had previously, being
shipwrights, done iron work for another firm. One of the members on April 1 2,
1894, telegraphed to Allen, and he went to the dock and saw the man who
had sent the telegram, who told Allen that the men were talking of throwing
down their tools at dinner-time. Allen warned the member to be careful, and
said the men must not leave without the sanction of the Society. Shortly
afterwards Allen saw Mr. Halkett, the managing director, to whom he showed
the telegram, observing that the men felt aggrieved at having to work with
Flood and Taylor, and that if these were continued on the job the men would
leave off work or be called out. The two men were thereupon dismissed by
Mr. Halkett and brought their action against Allen. At the trial Mr. Justice
Kennedy, after stating that no case had been established of conspiracy or
of coercion or intimidation, left two questions to the jury : — 1. " Did Allen
maliciously induce the company to discharge the plaintiffs ? " 2. " Did Allen
maliciously induce the company not to engage the plaintiffs ?" The questions
were answered in the affirmative, and damages against Allen for £40 was
given, to which notice of appeal was at once given.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 151
The trial before Mr. .Just-ice Kennedy was in February, 1895, and
judgment was given in accordance with the findings of the jurv in the following
March. Within a month the case found itself in the Court of Appeal, which
Court affirmed the decision of the learned Judge. The further appeal came
before the Lords in the first instance in December, 1895, and was argued
before the Lord Chancellor, Lord Watson, Lord Herschell, Lord Macnaghten,
Lord Morris, Lord Shand, and Lord Davey. As there was a diversity of
opinion among the noble and learned Lords, it was announced in December,
189u', that the appeal was to be reheard in the presence of certain of Her
Majesty's Judges; and on March 25, 1897, it was again commenced to be
heard before a House strengthened by the addition of the Lord Chancellor
of Ireland and Lord James of Hereford, and the members of the Bench who
assembled to hear the arguments and to tender their advice, were as
follows: — Mr. Justice Hawkins, Mr. Justice Mathew, the late Mr. Justice Cave,
Mr. Justice North, Mr. Justice Wills, Mr. Justice Grantham, Mr. Justice
Lawrence, and Mr. Justice Wright. Six of the learned Judges thought the
appeal should be dismissed, whilst two, Mr. Justice Mathew and Mr. Justice
Wright, were in favour of its allowance; but the Law Lords, by a majority of
six to three, reversed the decision of the lower Courts and entered judgment
for Allen.
This decision established the right of Trade Unions to threaten employers
with suspension of work unless men obnoxious to them were discharged,
providing that the threat was an individual one. It did not in any way alter
the common law right of the individual to freedom from personal intimidation.
Had the Law Lords decided against Allen every man discharged or locked out
by an employer at the instance of another would have had the right of action
against that other.
Several letters of appreciation were received by other Trade Union
organisations, the following one being the general tenour of the others : —
FEDERATION OF ENGINEERING AND SHIPBUILDING TRADES OF THE
UNITED KINGDOM EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,
25th March, 1898.
DEAR SIR, — An Executive Council Meeting of the above Federation
was held in Liverpool last Wednesday, and at the conclusion of the
ordinary business a resolution was unanimously agreed to " Thanking
your Society for the manner in which they had vindicated the rights of
152 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Trade Unionism by their determination and persistence in carrying the
case of " Allen v. Flood " to the highest Court of Appeal."
This resolution but faintly represents the appreciation of the whole
of the members of the Executive Council at the manner in which your
Society has pursued this costly and protracted case to a final and success-
ful issue — -it was felt that your Society had, by finally determining the
extent of the powers of Trade Unions, not only placed the organised
workers of this country under a deep and lasting obligation, but you
have also completed a work of great public benefit by establishing a test
case which will prevent expensive litigation in future, and which pre-
serves to Trade Unionists the right to express their objections to any
workman, who has made himself obnoxious to the general body of his
fellows, without being liable to prosecution and conviction for
intimidation. Yours faithfully,
WM. MOSSES.
The Society having agreed to a Manchester District Delegate CHARLES
LUKE was after a contest elected to that position. Born in Manchester he,
through the loss of the breadwinner, had to commence to earn his own living
before arriving at the age of ten. Apprenticed at Galloway's, of Manchester,
he at the age of twenty joined the Society, and within twelve months from
that date began to take an interest in the work of the Society, both inside
and outside the branch meetings, always doing his best for the interests of
his fellows. He has held several branch offices, often on the District
Committee, was twice chairman of that body, served on many deputations, and
was a member of the General Council of 1895, being elected District Delegate
in June, 1898, a position he still holds with credit to himself and benefit to
the members of the district, his one great desire being to try and help his
fellow-men.
The question of weekly pays in Scotland had for some time been a bone
of contention. Conferences were held, the final one taking place in Glasgow,
on November 24th, 1898, between the Shipbuilding and Engineering Federation
of Employers and the representatives of the societies composing the Workmen's
Federation. The Amalgamated Society of Engineers were asked to co-
operate with the other trades in the effort to secure the boon of weekly pays,
but in this they declined to take part.
The Scotch employers contended that weekly pays would mean a larger
amount of lost time on the part of the workmen. The representatives of the
men believed that it would have the contrary effect, and it was therefore
agreed to recommend that a trial be given to the payment of wages weekly
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 153
for a period of twelve months. In the event of (lie employers finding at the
end of the said twelve months that there has been no improvement in the
time kept by the workmen in their employment, or that the tirne-keeping
has become still worse, it was understood and agreed that the custom of
fortnightly pays may be again reverted to, but not before a conference of the
parties had been held and proof adduced.
At the close of the twelve months the Scotch employers again reverted
to fortnightly pays upon the plea that the lost time had increased, a plea
that was not by any means proven. Several attempts have been made to
get the employers to agree again to weekly pays, but without avail. The
Amalgamated Society of Engineers again refused to take action with the
Federation, or in any other way to act with the other trades, although
in favour of the agitation. Without doubt a return of good trade will see a
determined effort made to secure the weekly pay day. Recently an under-
standing between the two federations has been arrived at, the Amalgamated
Society of Engineers agreeing to act with the rest of the trades interested.
At the beginning of 1899 a small society in London was admitted into
the ranks, a settlement of a question that had been under consideration for
a considerable period and had been more than once subject to an arbitrator's
decision.
Upon the Wear an attempt was made to include another small society;
the majority of the men were willing, but a minority and the employer were
against that course and the attempt failed.
Trade was now in an exceedingly brisk condition, a period of prosperity
was everywhere in force, and with that prosperity came peace, for it is worthy
of note that although there was so much good trade the members everywhere
were content to let well alone, and did not make any great demands for
improved conditions.
Early in 1899 R. Knight tendered his resignation, although circumstances
compelled him to retain his position until the close of the year. D. C.
Cummings took up the position of General Secretary on January 1st, 1900,
R. Knight being appointed Consulting Secretary, a position only held for
twelve months, it being abolished by the General Council in 1900, and the
allowance of £3 10s. per week was later on granted to R. Knight as a life
superannuation, he then, like other superannuated members ceasing to be a
paying member of the Society. A change also took place upon the Executive,
D. Reid taking the place of A. Lambie.
11
154 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
The Registration and Inspection of Boilers Bill which had been promoted
by the Society was fortunate in obtaining a place early in the Parliamentary
Session of 1900, the result of the discussion on the measure being the appoint-
ment of a Select Committee to enquire into the question. The Committee
met and the report stage was reached, but Parliament dissolved and this
prevented the report being laid before the House of Commons. The findings
of that Select Committee did not go as far as the Society desired, as it
refused to agree to the sensible request that Boiler Inspectors should be
qualified Boiler Makers and under the control of the Board of Trade, but the
other findings of the Committee would if passed into law go far to minimise
the loss of life and limb caused by boiler explosions. Some day the growing
intelligence of our legislators will recognise the logic of the request for qualified
and practical Boiler Makers as Boiler Inspectors.
During the latter half of the year, and even longer, the question of the
revision of the rules again engaged attention. The General Council met in
June and July and made some material changes. With the new rules the
ballot vote for important questions and elections became an accomplished fact.
The Monthly Report was by the same decree to be issued to every member,
and a portion of its pages opened for technical, educational, and other like
subjects, giving the opportunity for its columns to be made more instructive
and interesting than before. One other change in the rules is worthy of a
remark or two, and that is the opportunity that was by a new rule given
for careful members to obtain a loan from the Superannuation Fund to enable
them to purchase their own house. The housing question is a question having
a greater bearing on the character of men than is popularly supposed, and
the employers of the country would be watching their own interests if they
combined to help local authorities to deal with the question of the housing of
the people. The Society cannot house all its members, the magnitude of the
task requires grappling with by authorities having greater and special powers.
The Society's scheme will at least help some of the careful and thoughtful
members, whose wages are not sufficent to enable them to early obtain the
complete ownership of their home, and thus increase their pride in that
which is rightly theirs. The manner in which a man is housed influences his
life for good, and it is beyond dispute that the localities in which the people
are best housed less lost time and less drinking is noticeable, the worst
delinquents invariably being in districts where the housing of the people is
of the worst possible character.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 155
During the year R. Dunn resigned to take up an appointment under
the Employers' Federation. T. F. Allen retired from the position of London
District Delegate, having been for fifty years a member of the Society. R.
Rothwell retired under the sad circumstances previously mentioned. M. Smith,
district delegate, celebrated his completion of twenty-five years' service as a
District Delegate. Jas. Conley, District Delegate, received an excellent token
and public appreciation of the good- will of Scotland's sons : and John Rowat
received a national testimonial which the members cheerfully and readily
granted.
The retirement of some of the old officials and the changes consequent
on the election of the General Secretary caused many official posi ions to be
vacant during the year. The decision of Frank Fox to take service under
the employers left the position of South Wales Delegate to be filled, J. H.
Jose being elected.
The vacancy in Yorkshire was filled by the election of W. Travis;
Alex. Richards obtained the London position ; P. Keeley followed R. Rothwell
on the Tees ; Joseph Matthews vacated his position on the Executive to fulfil
the position vacated on the Tyne by R. Dunn ; W. Ryan was elected for the
vacancy on the Executive, and during the year John Hill was elected to the
position previously held by John McLaren.
The following is a brief summary of the life of the District Delegates
elected during the year 1900 : —
J. H. JOSE was born in Somersetshire in 1857, where he resided until
arriving at the age of thirteen years, when, with his parents, he removed to
Cardiff. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to Messrs. John Gunn and
Co., now known as the Mount Stuart Dry Docks Company, Limited. In
March, 1879, he entered the Society as a Plater, and has been a continuous
member ever since. After being in the Society twelve months he was chosen
repeatedly to audit the branch accounts. In 1886 he was elected President
of the branch. A year later he was elected Branch Secretary, which office
he filled with credit to himself and the branch for three years, for which
services he was presented with a handsome testimonial from the Cardiff
members. In 1890 Bro. Jose secured a situation as foreman at the Barry
Graving Dock, which position he held for two years. Whilst foreman he was
instrumental in forming the Barry branch of the Society. After giving up
the position of foreman he was elected District Auditor in 1893, and the
following year he was appointed District Secretary, which position he held up
156 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
to his appointment as District Delegate in February, 1900, which he obtained
without any opposition, still retaining the full confidence of the members in
South Wales. He has continuously represented the Society at the Trades
Union Congress, and is well known in the political world. Hopes are entertained
that he may some time in the near future represent Labour in the House
of Commons.
WlLLTAM TRAVIS was born in Yorkshire in the year 1859. Learning his
trade at Sheffield he became a member of the Society in the year 1880 at the
age of twenty-one years. Soon afterwards, to gain experience, he journeyed
to Hull, finding employment on marine boiler work ; and later on his desire
for further experience took him to Middlesbro', finding there employment in the
shipyards. Returning to his native city he took an active part in the affairs
of the Society, fulfilling many offices and doing much good work. Early in
the year 1892 he became branch secretary, and while in that position he
gained the respect of those with whom he came in contact by his thoughtful
consideration for all, coupled with a strict regard for fair dealing. He held the
position of branch secretary until called upon to fulfil the larger and more
onerous duty of District Delegate for the Yorkshire and Hull Districts, a
position he still holds. Although having broad political and social sympathies,
he has not, since becoming district delegate, had the opportunity to enter
largely into political and social work on account of having first to remove to
Leeds and then to Hull to satisfy the exigencies of his district. No doubt
the future will see him so doing.
ALEX. RICHARDS comes from the extreme South, being born in Portsmouth
in the year 1857. His parents removing to Southampton caused him to learn
his trade in that port, but to this day he regrets the necessity that compelled
him to start work at the early age of twelve and before the opportunities for
education that exist to-day were to be obtained. Arriving at the age of
twenty he felt the need of educational improvement and attended technical and
" other classes. Entering the Society in 1880 he soon took an interest in the
work, his first experience of secretarial duties being obtained in 1885, while acting
pro tern, during the absence of his branch secretary on the General Council.
Shortly afterwards he was elected Treasurer, holding that position until he
removed to London in 1890. He quickly became popular with the London
members, for shortly afterwards we find him Secretary of London No. G. He
in turn became District Representative, District Chairman, and District Auditor,
and when T. F. Allen resigned he was the popular choice of the London
members. He always bears testimony to the good fellowship of the London
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. Io7
members, and speaks with pleasure of the assistance rendered him by his
fellow-officers. London and the South of England certainly have bo thank him
for his assiduous labours on their behalf.
PHILIP KEELEY is a Lancashire man, and served his apprenticeship in
Bolton, being admitted a member of the Bolton branch in 1877 at the age
of nineteen years. From the North- West of England he found his way to the
North-East, settling down in Middlesbro', and after a period of service in
minor offices we find him in 1884 Secretary of Middlesbro' No. 1. Slack trade on
the North-East Coast forced him to Chiswick, London, but after about eighteen
months' stay he returned to Middlesbro' and was again elected Secretary in
1887. Elected District Auditor in 1891 he held that position for nearly ten
years, only relinquishing it when called to the position of Tees District Delegate
late in 1900. He represented the Tees District upon the General Council,
where the experience he had gained both as secretary and district auditor
proved valuable to his fellow-councillors. Philip takes an interest in educational
matters and was a member of the Middlesbro' School Board prior to the
abolition of that body ; he also takes an intelligent interest in the social and
political questions of the hour.
JOHN HILL comes of an old Black-squad family, his father and grand-
father being engaged in the trade before him. Born in Govan, he at the age
of thirteen started to work at the trade. He early took an interest in the
bettering of the condition of his fellow-workmen. Elected upon the District
Committee on two occasions he was at first treasurer and then chairman of
that body, and was continually appointed upon deputations and committees
to do work on behalf of the Clyde District. He interested himself in many
questions that were beneficial to the members, successfully helped to obtain
their trade rights, and used considerable influence in establishing local halls
for meeting places. Upon the Trades Council he did excellent work on
general Trade Union questions, being elected to his present position in 1900.
Taking an active interest in outside work he has had to consent to work upon
the public bodies of the locality. While trying to improve others he also
found time to improve himself, and in the Science and Art department of the
evening schools he has been very successful ; in addition he holds a first-class
certificate for naval architecture. He steadfastly believes that in Trade
Unionism and Co-operation lie great possibilities for the people, and is firmly
convinced that Labour representation is an absolute necessity. He is
prospective Labour Candidate for Govan and may soon write the magic letters
M.P. after his name.
158
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
DISTRICT DELEGATES.
JOHN SANDERSON.
W. SHARROCKS.
T. McCLEARY ('903).
JAMES CONLEY.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
DISTRICT DELEGATES.
L6'J
P. KEELEY.
C. LUKE.
ALEX. RICHARDS (1900).
J. H. JOSE (1900).
1GO
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
DISTRICT DELEGATES.
HY. HOWARD.
JOHN HILL.
W. J. WATSON.
W. TRAVIS (1900).
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 161
SOME PAST DISTRICT DELEGATES STILL ENJOYING LIFE.
JOHN SCOTT.
162 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
The year 1901 witnessed a twofold attack upon Trade Unionism, legal
and journalistic, which on the surface may not seem to have any connection
with each other, but there certainly is more than a sympathetic connection,
and may be said to be two sides of a policy carefully thought out and
considered by those who are using the law and the Press to try and destroy
the Trade Unions, who have done so much to improve the status of the
worker, and who in doing so have certainly largely benefited the country
generally. The Press attack led by a certain well-known newspaper was to be
expected, for that section of the Press to which it belongs has ever shown
itself to be on the side of Capital, whether right or wrong ; and against Trade
Unionism.
The legal attack, as shown in the Law Lords' decision in the Taff Vale
and other cases, is a more serious matter, and whether we are of the opinion
or not that this was brought about by mistakes in policy, yet the fact remains
that such decisions are now so-called law, that the time for recrimination is
past and that the necessity exists for all to work solidly together to regain
the lost privileges.
Early in the year a third delegate for Scotland was elected to officiate in
the western portion of the country, the choice of the members being J.
Sanderson, of Port Glasgow.
JOHN SANDERSON, who in appearance is a typical Scotsman, was born in
the year 1865, entering the Society in March, 1889. After fulfilling offices
in connection with his branch he was sent to represent them on the District
Committee on several occasions, and was for more than one term of office
chairman of that body. On many occasions he was called upon to represent
his branch and the District Committee on important conferences on wages and
other questions, and was often one of a deputation to meet the Employers'
Federation on questions affecting members of the district. He was elected to
his present position of District Delegate for the West of Scotland early in
1901, and carries out his duties with satisfaction to those concerned.
A second delegate for the Tyne was also agreed upon, W. J. Watson
being the popular choice.
WILLIAM J. WATSON was born at Willington-on-Tyne in December, 1860,
educated at the Stephenson Memorial Schools, Willington Quay, and served
his apprenticeship as a Plater in the Tyne Iron Ship Building Co. He
entered the Society as a member of the Howdori branch on October 3rd, 1892,
and held various branch offices. In 1887 he left the Tyne and went to Cardiff,
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 163
where he remained for two years, returning to the Tyne in May, 1889. He
was elected to represent the Howdon No. 1 branch on the Executive- Council,
and after finishing his term of office was elected Branch Auditor, which
position he held until he was elected as Branch Secretary in October, 18!)±
He retained this office until October, 1897, and then gave it up to accept the
position of head foreman Plater at Messrs. R. Stephenson & Co.'s Hebburn
Shipbuilding Yard. After being in that position for some two years he resigned,
and again started work with the tools at Messrs. Hawthorn, Leslie's, Hebburn,
where he remained until elected to his present position as District Delegate,
the duties of which office he took up on May 6th, 1901.
The year 1902 started with trade declining, a decline that slowly but
surely continued, and the year had scarcely commenced before reduction in
wages became general. It will be memorable also on account of the decision of the
Society to be directly represented in Parliament by those of their own trade
and calling. No one can say that this demand is an immoderate one. Even the
bitterest opponents of the Society will be forced to admit that a society nearly
50,000 strong, and then having over £415,000 to its credit, is indeed modest when
it only asks for one or two representatives for the many and varied interests
of so great a number of British citizens. The political voice of the Trade
Unionists have too long been inarticulate, and bad as the recent decisions in
the Law Courts had been, they had at least done some good in rousing
Trade Unionists from the lethargy into which they had undoubtedly fallen.
Labour interests are great indeed, and have a right to have that share of
attention that so great an interest demands. Wealth cannot possibly be
produced without labour. Without labour production is impossible, and
while we may concede to capital its rightful place, yet we should not give
way one jot on the right of labour to be heard and to have that just
consideration which should be given to what is, after all, the largest portion
of our population.
This year also witnessed the actual starting of the Building Society
method of loaning money adopted by the General Council of 1900, a method
that has undoubtedly been the means of causing many to become the owners
of their own houses who would not have seriously considered so important a
matter. Efforts were also made to regain the position lost by the Taff Vale
decision by a motion moved by Mr. Beaumont, M.P., " That legislation is
necessary to prevent workmen being placed in a position inferior to that
intended by Parliament in 1875," the motion being defeated by the Government.
104 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
The bad trade of 1902 continued throughout 1903 and a wage reduction
was again general throughout the shipbuilding districts. During the early months
of the year 1903 hopes were being entertained that trade would revive and an
improvement had commenced, only to be scotched by the Fiscal agitation,
which caused capital to become shy, thus intensifying the dislocation of trade
and utterly preventing any immediate recovery taking place.
The year opened with hopes of employment being found in South Africa
for many of our members and other white workers, hopes that have since been
doomed, the powers that be having, at the bidding of wealthy magnates
without souls above their own aggrandisement, determined to make a Chinese
colony of what might otherwise have been a prosperous British colony of white
workers, under conditions of indentured labour that is worse than the chattel
slavery of the slave days of old, for in those days the black slave was a
valuable asset whom it paid the slave owners to keep alive and well, while
it is actually in the interest of the Randlords to do the exact opposite and
thus save the expense of returning these poor Chinese indentured labourers
to their own country. The object of these magnates was and is to fight
Trade Unionism. Prominent Rand capitalists have plainly stated that white
labour would organise into Trade Unionism and possess votes, and thus dictate
terms to the wealth of South Africa.
A demarcation difficulty in connection with the Niclausse boilers was
early in the year decided in favour of the Society, the evidence having been
taken late in the preceding year. See later page for the details of the
award.
Labour representation as affecting the Society went forward another
step by the adoption of James Conley as Labour candidate for the Kirkdale
division of Liverpool, and went forward still further by the decision of the
Society early in the following year, 1904, by a very large majority to increase
the levy for this purpose, and financially render support to John Hill, who
had been adopted Labour candidate for Govan.
In 1903 another attempt was made by Mr. Shackleton, M.P., to retrieve
the disaster to Trade Union law, which again failed, and in the year 1904
another effort was made, Mr. Paulton, M.P., introducing a Bill drawn up by
the Parliamentary Committee, which passed the second reading but was
blocked by Sir Frederic Banbury in the interests of the opponents of that
measure.
Joseph Matthews having resigned the position of Tyne District Delegate
Thomas McCleary became the choice of the Tyne members.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 165
THOMAS MCCLEARY was born on August 17th, 1855, just three days prior
to the Society obtaining its majority of twenty-one years. After serving his
apprenticeship at Henderson & Co.'s, Renfrew, X.B., he crossed the ocean to
Australia, joining the Boiler Makers' Society at Sydney in December, 1878.
While in that part of the world he represented the Australian Society on the
Trades Hall Committee, an institution similar to the Trades Federation at
home. McCleary returned to Scotland in 1884, and joined the Society in
June of that year at Paisley. Trade becoming bad he decided to again try
his fortunes in Australia, but he again returned to Scotland in 1881), becoming
a member of Govan No. 1. Since finally settling down in the old country he has
taken an active interest in the Society's affairs mainly upon the Tyneside,
having been a resident in Jarrow for many years. Serving on the District
Committee, on wages conferences and demarcation difficulties, he ultimately
was elected late in the year 1903 to take up the position of Tyne District
Delegate vacated by Joseph Matthews.
The beginning of 1904 saw trade still on the down grade, and the
close of the Society's seventy years of life come in the midst of a severe
depression. The morning of August 20th opened with a burst of sunshine,
the day being, from a weather standpoint, one of the best, and at the hour
when the fourteen men met in Manchester seventy years before the flag run
up upon the corner of the offices was waving proudly in the breeze,
celebrating as well as it was able the closing of the first seventy years of
strenuous work on behalf of the Society whose anniversary it had been unfurled
to commemorate. Seventy years of Trade Union life ; years in which many
sacrifices had been made and during which many had suffered for the good
of their fellows. Some of those now with us were members in the early days
of the Society's history, and the photos of some of the old veterans are
certainly worthy a place in this work. It is said that the young men of
to-day have not the grit or the stamina of their forefathers, that they come
into a Society of great influence, whose benefits are many and whose finances are
good, and that they do not realise to the full their responsibilities or stop to
think over the sacrifices others have made on their behalf. Maybe a glance at
some of the old members who struggled long years to bring the Society up
will bring home to the minds of those who are content to accept without
question or thanks the work of the old veterans, their duty to their fellows,
and inspire them to live the nobler life of those who deem it more blessed
to give' than to receive.
166 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
SOME OLD BRANCH SECRETARIES OF LONG STANDING.
JOSEPH DICKENSON.
WILLIAM GRIFFITHS.
Entered the Society in 1853, held the
office of secretary 36 years, the last
time for 30 years continuously. He
is over 5 1 years a member,
Entered the Society in 1864, has com-
pleted a 40 years' membership ; is still
holding the position of branch secre-
tary, which he has now held for over
37 years.
Entered July, 1242, was a branch
secretary for 50 years of his long
membership, holding a record
unique in the Society's history.
At the time of his death in Dec.,
1901. he had almost completed a
membership of 60 years. The
photo was taken over 25 years ago.
RICHARD BRADSTOCK.
Entered the Society in 1862, has held various offices ;
was secretary for nearly 28 years, when he retired
from that position.
JOHN MOODIE.
Entered the Society in 1872, is 32 years a member ;
has been secretary of Thornaby No. i for 30 years,
still acting in that capacity.
A HISTORICAL SUKVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
167
SOME OLD VETERANS.
THE THREE
PORTSMOUTH VETERANS,
N. CUNCLIFFE.
Entered March, 1851, nearly
54 years ago.
JOHN POLLITT.
Entered October, 1846, died May,
1904, being over 57 years a member.
E. TAYLOR. Entered in the year 1846,
and is now 58 years a member.
I. GIBBON. The " Grand Old Man " of
the Society, entered in 1838, is still
living, being now 66 years a member
of the Society,
S. PARKER. Entered early in the year
1846, and when he departed this life
in November, 1903, was nearly 58
years a member,
J. MAKIN.
Entered in the year 1844, and is 60 years a member.
JONATHAN HEY.
Entered June, 1840, deceased January, 1904,
being 64 years a member at the time of death.
168
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
SOME OLD VETERANS.
THE BROTHERS RAVENSCROFT,
OF CREWE.
R. TAPLEY.
Entered 1841, is still with us in his
64th year of membership, and is the
next in seniority to I. Gibbons.
GEORGE DUTTON.
Entered September, 1352, and has
continued with us 52 years.
EDWARD RAVENSCROFT. Entered
August, 1845, being now 59 years a
member of the Society.
JOHN RAVENSCROFT. Entered July,
1841, died June, 1902. being 61 years
a member.
KIDD.
Entered May, 1844, and is now 60 years
a member.
MARK COUPE.
Entered the Society in the year 1851, recently
departed this life.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 10'.'
There are other old veterans and also many other old branch offic.-rv
The Burnley branch have two old officers: J. Favvcett has been secretary
since 1875 (over twenty-nine years), and Cornelius Wolstenholme lias been
branch treasurer for over thirty-two years. James Bateman has been secretary
of Ilkeston over twenty-seven years. John Crabtree, late secretary of I 'rest mi.
and Thomas Vickers, late secretary of Sunderland No. 1, both hold very
lengthy records, so do many other old branch officers: and there are a
considerable number of branch officers of the present whose years of
membership do not permit of a twenty-five-years' service but who have from
their first entry into the Society rendered yeoman service, and it is to their
self-sacrificing help to carry on the work of the Society that this history is
being dedicated, as well as to those who have gone before. Let the
contemplation of the work of old veterans, old officers, and those others whose
work cannot ever be adequately remunerated, spur on the laggards to a sense
of their duty. Those who are content to live upon the efforts of their
forefathers and are day by day benefiting by the efforts of their fellow-
members, who take no share in the work, contributing no act of self-sacrifice,
seeking only to gratify their own individual passions and pleasures, lead a
worthless life that might be closed to-morrow and the Society be even better
for their having passed away: God forbid that we should not care for their
lives ; but let our desire be to make them better and truer men, knowing that
by so doing we shall make them better and truer Trade Unionists. Charges
are made that the average Trade Unionist of to-day seeks only to gain personal
material benefits, forgetting altogether his share of work always needed to be
done to improve the conditions of his fellows irrespective of what may be the
result to himself. If the reading of this work but arouses the interest of
that growing class who, seeing a society numerically and financially strong, seek
only to obtain as much as possible without doing anything to benefit others,
then it will not have been written in vain, and the writer can then be content
with the knowledge that the labour it has entailed has not been thrown away.
The seventy years' history has now drawn to a close, but attached to it are
comparisons and illustrations of some sections of our trade prior to 1834 or
in the early days of the Society and of the present day, concluding with
a few arbitrations and agreements, previously mentioned, as of interest to all.
D. C. CUMMINGS.
12
170
A HISTORICAL SURVEY or THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
SHIPBUILDING AND MARINE BOILER MAKING
PAST AND PRESENT.
SHIPBUILDING.
Before the close of the 18th century, after Watt had begun to produce
his steam engines, many capable men were working simultaneously to adapt
the steam engine for the propulsion of vessels.
In 1801 Lord Dundas got Symmington to build him a steam vessel—
the Charlotte Dundas — which was driven on the Forth and Clyde Canal.
Ten years afterwards, in 1811, Henry Bell built the Comet — the first passenger
vessel in Europe driven by steam. She was 30 tons burden, 40 ft. long, 10£ ft.
broad, driven by side paddle-wheels and engines of 3 horse power. She ran
between Glasgow and Greenock for some years. With her success the era
of steam navigation may be considered to have begun.
THE "ENTERPRISE"
In 1819 the first steam vessel crossed the Atlantic. This was the
Savannah. She was built in America, was a full-rigged sailing ship of 355
tons, fitted with a steam engine for driving paddle-wheels, which were so con-
structed that they could be detached and hoisted on deck when not required.
She took 25 days to cross to Liverpool. Her engines were used 18 days,
the rest of the voyage being made under sail.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 171
In the year 1825 the Enterprise, a steamer 122 ft. long by 27 ft. l»«-;n...
made the voyage from the Thames to Calcutta in 118 days, bring lln- first
steamer to accomplish that journey.
THE "ROBERT F. STOCKTON"
[A.v IRON SCRKW STKAMKR BUILT BY LAIKD & Co. 1838. SAILED ACROSS THK ATLANTIC 1839.]
In June, 1838, less than four years after the formation of the Society,
Messrs. Laird & Co. launched at their Birkenhead works a small screw steamer
the Robert F. Stockton. Her dimensions were : — Length, G3 ft. 5 in. ; beam,
10 ft. ; depth of hold, 7 ft. ; tonnage, 33 tons ; horse power, 30. An extract from
a printed record from the works kindly supplied me by Mr. Roy M. Laird
reads as follows : —
In 1838 a screw steamer, with a propeller on Ericsson's plan, was
built at the Birkenhead works for river and canal work in the United
States. Although only 33 tons burthen, 63 ft. 5 in. in length, 10 ft. in
breadth, and 7 ft. in depth, she made a voyage from Liverpool to New
York under canvas — her propeller having been taken out — with every
success. Until he built this vessel, the Robert F. Stockton, Mr. Laird
had constructed only paddle steamers ; and we believe we are correct in
saying that, with at the utmost only two or three exceptions, she was the
first screw vessel built.
In 1838 we come to the actual introduction of steam power for ocean
navigation. Two steamers made the voyage almost simultaneously — the Serins,
of 450 tons and 250 horse power and the Great Western, 1,340 tons and 450
horse power. Two years later the first Cunarder, the first Britannia, was
launched, steaming 8i knots an hour.
Iron steam shipping soon became an actual necessity, developing and
developing until in sixty years we have developed the splendid steel vessels
172
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILKK MAKERS' SOCIETY. 173
of the present day, one of the typical ones being the H.K. O//-/V, of which a
photo and particulars are given for comparison.
The s.s. Cedric, which when launched in August, 1902, was the largest
vessel afloat, was built at Messrs. Harland and Wolff's shipbuilding vard,
Belfast, for the White Star Line.
She is a twin screw steamer 700 ft. in length, 75 ft. beam, and 49 £ ft.
deep, her gross tonnage being 20,984 tons, with engines of 13,350 horse
power.
Having nine decks she is built on the cellular double-bottom principle,
divided into numerous water-tight compartments. She has accommodation for
about 3,000 passengers, and quarters for a crew of 350. Being built for the
double pin-pose of cargo and passenger traffic, she was not designed to be one
of the greyhounds of the Atlantic, the question of a good return for the money
invested being the guiding factor of her design.
The engines, which are of the Harland and Wolff quadruple expansion
balanced type, will drive her at the designed speed with a considerably less
consumption of coal than what is necessary for a vessel of extreme speed.
Although recently superseded by a larger vessel built at the same works,
viz. the s.s. Baltic, and that two Cunarders are now being built of 30,000
gross tons, yet the contrast between the s.s. Cedric and either the Enterprise
or the Robert F. Stockton is sufficient to show the enormous developments
that have taken place in the shipbuilding trade, developments that are still
proceeding with great rapidity.
[I am indebted to the Editor of The Shipping World for the loan of
the blocks of fche three vessels herein reproduced.]
MARINE BOILER MAKING.
SKETCHES OF A 24 HORSE POWER MARINE BOILER MADE BY MESSRS. JOHN
PENN AND SONS IN 1838.
The section, sectional elevation, and elevation of front; were taken from
an old drawing the 'property of the Thames Shipbuilding and Engineering
Co., London, which they were good enough to loan me, accompanied by the
photo and particulars of the modern type of boilers made by the same firm.
174
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
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A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
175
The boiler shown in the sketches was made for the s.s. Dtiyi'njhl l>v Messrs.
Perm and Son, now the Thames Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., and was
one of the earliest marine boilers. From the sketches it is easy to judge the
developments in marine boiler making that have taken place in tin- seventy
vears under consideration, and all that needs to be added in describing it is
that the plating was of iron ranging from | in. to 'i in. in thickness, the
tubes being 2£ in. outside diameter and made of brass.
PHOTO AND PARTICULARS OF THE CYLINDRICAL BOILERS N(>\V KEING MAMK AT
THE THAMES ENGINEERING WORKS FOR H.M.S. " liLACK I'RINCK."
The above photo with particulars were kindly supplied me by the
manager of the above firm, and are very interesting as showing the difference
between the present day and the one previously dealt with, which was made
nearly seventy years ago in the same works.
1 76 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Thf inside diameter of these boilers is 1 3 ft. H in., length 9 ft. <i in.,
and the shell plating lT5ff in. in thickness — at least an inch thicker than the
shell of the boiler for the Daylight.
The tubes number 370, are 2£ in. in diameter and 6 ft. 5 in. in length.
There are three corrugated furnaces each 3 ft. 7£ in. in diameter and 7 ft. 2 in.
in length, the plates being £~ or about f in. thick ; the combustion chambers,
three in number, being also f in. thick and the fire bars 6 ft. 3 in. long.
The total heating surface is 1,904 square feet, the total grate surface
being 61 square feet.
These boilers will have a working steam pressure of 210 Ibs. to the
square inch, and are to withstand a hydraulic test pressure of 315 Ibs. to
the square inch. The whole of the material used in their construction is
Siemens-Martin mild steel — the strength of these boilers being enormous when
compared with the iron 25 horse power boiler of 1838.
Marine boilers have also developed in another direction, water tube
boilers being now much in evidence, although experts differ very much as to
which is to be the marine boiler of the future.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
177
LOCOMOTIVES IN THE EAKLY DAYS AND THE
PRESENT.
The early locomotives, as shown in the illustrations, belonged to the
Stockton and Darlington Railway, which was the first public railway opened
in Great Britain. The Stockton and Darlington Railway was afterwards
merged into the North Eastern Railway, to which the property now belongs.
I am indebted to Mr. Wilson Worsdell for the particulars, and to him and
the Editor of the Engineer for the permission to reproduce the photos.
The " Leader" was built by Hackworth. The boiler was 10 ft. long and
4 ft. 4 in. in diameter. The arrangement for heating surface piesented some
novelties at the time of its construction, and formed a return multitubular
fire tube. It consisted of a main tube 2 ft. 4 in. in diameter at the large
end, diminishing to 2 ft. at the other end, and 8 ft. long. The large end
contained the fire grate, and at the small end a box of a D shape was placed
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to receive the heated vapour after its passage through the main tube,
conveying it back again through the water by a number of small copper tulu-s
surrounding the large tube on all sides except the bottom, being inserted in
the tube box at one end, and in the plate forming the end of the boiler at
the other; at the fire end a semi-circular box carried the smoke into the
chimney.
178
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181
182 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
No. 2111 is a six-coupled passenger engine, the leading dimensions of which
are as follow : — Wheels, coupled, 6 ft. 6 in. diameter ; do. bogie, 3 ft. 6 in.
diameter ; do. tender, 3 ft. 9 in. diameter ; total wheel base, engine and tender,
48 ft. 4f in. ; cylinders, outside, 20 in. diameter, stroke, 26 in. ; boiler and
firebox, 23 ft. 10£ in. long, the boiler being 4 ft. 9 in. diameter ; tubes, 204,
2 in. diameter, 15 ft. long ; heating surface : firebox, 130 sq. ft. ; tubes, 1,638
sq. ft. ; total, 1,768 sq. ft. ; grate area, 23 sq. ft. ; tank capacity, 3,782 gallons;
weight in working order : engine, 67 tons 2 cwt. ; tender, 40 tons ; total,
107 tons 2 cwt.
No. 2116 is an eight-coupled goods or mineral engine, its leading dimensions
being : — Wheels : engine, 4 ft. 6 in. diameter ; tender, 3 ft. 9 in. ; total wheel
base, engine and tender, 41 ft. 11| in. ; cylinders, outside, 20 in. diameter,
26 in. stroke ; boiler and firebox, 22 ft. 6 in. long ; diameter of boiler, 4 ft. 9 in. ;
tubes, 193, 2 in. in diameter, 15 ft. long; heating surface : firebox, 125 sq. ft.;
tubes, 1,550 sq. ft. ; total, 1,675 sq. ft. ; grate area, 21^ sq. ft. ; tank capacity,
3,761 gallons ; weight in working order : engine, 58 tons 6 cwt. ; tender, 38 tons
18 cwt. ; total, 97 tons 4 cwt.
The photos of the boiler of the " Leader " possess special interests as
showing the striking difference between the old and new methods in boiler
construction.
Engines Nos. 2111 and 2116 represent the latest and also the most
powerful types of passenger and freight locomotives in use on the North
Eastern Railway. Each was constructed at Gateshead Works from the designs
of Mr. Wilson Worsdell, Chief Mechanical Engineer to the Company.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 183
BKIDGEBUILDING.
The subject of this illustration is an old bridge which was recently
removed from the position it had occupied for nearly eighty years. This
interesting relic dated from 1823, having been built for the Stockton and
Darlington Railway Company at the western extremity of their original main line
at West Auckland, and spanned the river Gaundless, a tributary of the Wear.
This bridge was in use when the " first public railway " was opened in September,
1825, between Witton Park and Stockton. It consisted of cast and wrought
iron in combination, and is said to have been the first metal railway bridge
ever erected in this country and the only one of its kind. The piers were
cast-iron columns braced together — the bracing bars being connected together
at their point of intersection. The spans measured 12 ft. (i in. The frames
constituting the girder each consisted of a pair of wrought -iron arched
members united by cast-iron verticals cast round them. Each frame had thus,
it will be seen, to act as a couple of arches, one arch being inverted as there
was no bracing between the verticals. All the shearing forces must have
been resisted by the curved members. The cast-iron vertical pillars extended
upwards to form a support for the roadway. The ends of the top and
bottom members had bosses cast round them, and spigots were made to
fit into the top of the column forming the piers. Each pair of columns was
connected by a casting which fitted into grooves in the bosses at the ends of
the main girders — in fact the general design was such that the structure
should fit together like a puzzle. The bridge is generally believed to have
been built to the designs of George Stephenson, who at this time was
engineer to the Stockton and Darlington Railway, but a Mr. Storey is credited
with its erection.
It may not be without interest to make some slight reference to the
first railway "suspension" bridge ever erected. By Act of Parliament dated
May 23, 1828, the construction was authorised of a railway between Stockton
and Middlesbrough, including the building of a bridge across the river Tees,
at Stockton. The building of this bridge was entrusted to a Captain
Brown, R.N. On testing the bridge by placing 18 tons at the centre a
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
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A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOII.KK MAKKHS' SOCIKTV. 185
deflection of 9'3 in. was observed. A train consisting of engine, tender, and
28 empty trucks, weighing 37 tons, and extending from end to end of tin-
bridge caused a deflection of 2'3 in. The engineers eventually reported that
" trade might be carried on with the bridge as it was by passing loaded wagons
over one by one, the engine passing over first." It was added that "the
engine might return with the whole train of empty wagons closely connected
together," and that "twenty wagons might be passed over in this wav in
about six minutes, after the man got into the method." It is not surprising
to learn that before long this method of procedure ceased and a more solid
structure was erected.
THE FORTH BRIDGE.
Although the feasibility of a tunnel was discussed in considering the
schemes for more direct railway communication across the Forth, the
construction of a bridge was preferred. Several schemes for bridges had been
proposed from time to time, and a steel suspension bridge for crossing the
Forth at the. site of the present bridge, with two spans of 1,000 ft., was
authorised in 1873. The foundation of one of the towers of this bridge had
already been commenced when the overthrow of the large spans of the Tav
Bridge by a gale in December, 1879, led to the abandonment of the suspension
bridge, and the adoption of a design by Messrs. Fowler and Baker for a
steel cantilever bridge, the construction of which was authorised in 1882.
The bridge, which is tubular, has two central spans of 1,710 ft. each,
and two side spans of 680 ft. across the two channels on each side of
Inchgarvie Island, with a clear headway of 150 ft. at high water for the
central 500 ft. of each large span. The main portion of the bridge consists
of three double, symmetrical cantilevers resting on piers on the shore side of
each of the deep channels and on a central group of piers on the island.
These stretch out over the two channels, viaducts on each bank connecting
the bridge with the high land rising on each side of the Forth. The interval
between the cantilevers over the centre of each channel is spanned by a pair
of lattice-girders 350 ft. in length supported on the ends of the cantilevers.
The length of the main portion is 5,330 ft., but the total length of the bridge,
including the approach viaducts on each side, is 8,296 ft.
The work was commenced early in 1883. Each of the three cantilevers
rest on four circular masonry piers, on which the four central steel columns
of the cantilever stand.
The erection of the central portion of the cantilevers was commenced
on the completion of the piers. The skewbacks were first proceeded with,
186
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOTLKK MAKERS' SOCIETY. 187
and then the horizontal tubes connecting them wen- put, together on staging
and riveted up.
The nearly vertical columns and the diagonal strut were then built up,
with their cross-girders and diagonals for bracing them together, the riveting
of the tubes being done by hydraulic riveting machines.
As no staging could be erected in the deep channels on each side of
the island the projecting cantilevers on each side of the central towers had
to be built out, and the tubes forming the bottom compression members of
the cantilevers, 12 ft. in diameter and of 1£ in. plates, were commenced first,
starting from the piers. The bottom member though curved in outline was
formed of straight lengths of tubes joined together at a gradually diminishing
angle to the horizontal for facility of construction. For building out these
tubes a square cage was constructed round the tube which could be shifted
forward in pieces as the work advanced, and on which a hydraulic crane was
placed for handling the plates. A hydraulic tube riveting machine within the
cage fastened up the plates. The tube was temporarily supported by chains
and ties till the tube struts and lattice-ties of the first bay of the cantilever
could be completed and connected by the aid of lifting platforms, and the
top lattice-girder members of the cantilever were built out by cranes from
the top of the tower. The successive bays of the cantilevers were then
gradually built out on each side by means of cranes, and the internal viaduct
was simultaneously carried forward, on which two lines of way and a footway
on each side are borne by two longitudinal lattice-girders braced together
and supported at intervals on the cantilevers by trestles and cross-girders.
Finally, on the completion of the cantilevers, the central lattice-girders of
850 ft. span over the centre of each channel were built out from each end
of the adjacent cantilevers and were joined in the centre of the span. To
provide for longitudinal expansion and contraction rocking columns were
interposed between one end of the central girders and the cantilevers, and
the shore extremities of the other two cantilevers were left free to slide on
their abutments. The weight of steel in the cantilever portion of the bridge
amounts to 51,000 tons.
With a wind pressure of 56 Ibs. on a square foot the lateral pressure
against one of the large spans amounts to 2,000 tons. To provide for this
pressure, in addition to diagonal wind-bracing in the cantilevers the cantilevers
at the central towers, where the greatest surface is exposed, have been
widened to 120 ft. at the base, decreasing to a width of 33 ft. at the top of
188 A lllSTOUICAI. Sl'ltVKY OF THE Boll. EH MAKEHS* &OC1ETY.
the towers, and these widths arc reduced at the ends of the cantilevers to
32 ft. at the bottom and 22 ft. at the top, the inward slope upwards of the
sides of the cantilevers of about 1 in 7£ being maintained uniform throughout.
As the dead weight of one of the large spans is about 16,000 tons,
and the maximum moving load in ordinary daily working is only HOO tons,
the chief strains on the bridge are due to its own weight.
The bridge was opened for traffic in March, 1890, its erection having
occupied about seven years. Sir John Fowler, Bart., Past-President Inst. C.E.,
and Sir Benjamin Baker, K.C.M.G., Vice-President Inst. C.E., to whom I am
indebted for the publication of these details, superintended the construction
of the bridge as engineers-in-chief, and Sir William Arrol was the principal
contractor. The works, including the approach railways, Parliamentary
expenses and interest during construction, cost approximately £3,000,000.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILEU MAKERS' SOCIETY.
INTERESTING ARBITRATION AWARDS AND
AGREEMENTS.
REPAIRS ON OIL VESSELS.
BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
The rates for Repair Work shall be as follows : —
Platers 15/- per day.
Riveters 12/6 „
Caulkers 12/6
Holders-up ... ... ... 10/- „
These rates are only to be paid to men when working in the tanks,
including shell and decks in connection therewith, coffer-dams, hatches,
or oil pump room.
The employers undertake that, before men are put to work on the
above jobs, an expert's certificate shall be obtained daily to the effect
that the tanks are absolutely safe. Such certificate to be posted in some
conspicuous place.
Ordinary repair rates only are to apply with regard to oil vessels
that have been cleansed, and have carried perishable goods as the last
cargo.
It is agreed by the Boiler Makers' Society that for the rates above-
named, piece-work speed must be worked.
The above agreement to come into force on and after the second full
week's pay in February.
R. G. FLETCHER,
Chairman Ship Repairers of the United Kingdom.
R. KNIGHT,
General Secretary Boiler Makers' and Iron and
Steel Ship Builders' Society.
7, Grey Street, Newcastle,
12th January, 1894.
The above-mentioned agreement only applies to vessels carrying
refined or lubricating oils. When crude oil is carried crt-ri/ number of
ours working on such a vessel must receive the full rates.
The agreement just brings us back to the instructions first given in
our Monthly Report of September, 1891, when only those members who
HO A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILEU MAKERS' SOCIETY.
were working in or about the tanks or hatches received the extra pay.
But our position now is very different, as we have an agreement with
the employers to pay the rates, whereas before we were continually
fighting with individual employers to compel them to pay.
Signed on behalf of the Council,
J. JACKSON, Chairman.
R. KNIGHT, General Secretary.
NORTH-EAST COAST WAGES AGREEMENT.
Agreement V.etween the Tyne, Wear, Tees and Hartlepool Shipbuilders and
the Executive Council of the Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel Ship
Builders Society, entered into on July 4th, 1894.
1. ALTERATIONS IN WAGES. — No general alteration to be made
until after six calendar months have elapsed from the date of last
alteration, and no single alteration to be more than 5 per cent. Four
weeks' notice in writing to be given of any proposed alteration. Previous
to such notice being given by either side, a request for a meeting between
the Associated Employers and the Boiler Makers' Society shall be given
by the party intending to give notice ; this meeting shall be held within
14 days after the receipt of the request. Failing agreement during the
month's notice, the notice may be extended to any time not exceeding
another month, if acceptable to both parties ; but whatever the settle-
ment may be, the advance or reduction (if any) shall commence from the
expiration of the first month's notice.
Should a settlement not thus be effected, the question can be dealt
with as may be considered best.
2. SECTIONAL OR INDIVIDUAL DISPUTES. — In the event of any such
disputes, they shall, in the first instance, be referred to the Society's
officials and the employer, or his representatives. If any dispute takes
place respecting the price of work, the job shall be proceeded with as on
piece, and whatever the price may be when settled, the same shall be paid
from the commencement of the job, and in the meantime, if a pay-day
comes before a settlement, the man or men can draw whatever amount
it has been the custom of the firm to pay under the circumstances, or the
disputed job can be done at day rates if so agreed upon between the
firm's officials and the district delegate.
Failing a settlement of the dispute by ordinary means, the terms of
settlement shall be adjusted by a committee representing employers
and the Boiler Makers' and Iron Ship Buliders Society within fourteen
days.
A HISTORICAL SUUVEY OF THE BoiUOU MAKKKs' SOCIETY. 1 1U
3. APPLIANCES, &c. — Notwithstanding any of the above clauses, the
Shipbuilders are to be entitled to a revision of rates on account of
labour-saving appliances, whether now existing and not already
sufficiently allowed for, or hereafter to be introduced ; for improved
arrangements in yards ; for rates to be paid in vessels of new types where
work is easier, and for other special cases. The terms of these revisions
to be adjusted by a committee representing employers and the Boiler
Makers' and Iron Ship Builders' Society. Then men shall in like manner
be entitled to bring before the said Committee any jobs, the rates of
which may require revision due to new conditions of working, structural
alterations in vessels, or any other cause.
4. WORK PENDING SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES. — Work shall in all
cases be proceeded with without interruption, pending the settlement of
any dispute, whether as to prices or otherwise.
5. STANDING COMMITTEE. — A Standing Committee of three on each
side (exclusive of the delegate on each side) shall be appointed for each
river to consider local disputes. In the event of any dispute involving
more than one river, a Joint Committee, the members of which shall be
selected from the local committees involved, shall be convened.
6. DURATION OF SCHEME. — The scheme to be tried for a period of
five years, and to be afterwards terminable by six months' notice on
either side.
Signed on behalf of the Tyne, Wear, Tees and Hartlepool Ship-
builders.
H. DYER, CHAIRMAN.
Signed on behalf of the Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel Ship
Builders' Society.
R. KNIGHT, GENERAL SECRETARY.
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
5th July, 1894.
When any dispute takes place respecting the price of any job, or
allowances, the man or men affected cannot be sent away and the job
given to someone else, but they must continue to work on the job until
the question in dispute is settled according to terms of agreement.
Prices set forth in the agreed price lists, arrangements made by the
firms with the district delegates and settlements come to by the Wages
Committee, cannot be set aside by any firm or firms without negotia-
tions as per agreement.
D. C. CUMMINGS,
General Office, GENERAL SECRETARY.
January, 1904.
192 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILEU MAKERS' SOCIETY.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT.
Re the Apprentice Question, between the Iron Trades Employers'
Association and the Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel Ship Builders'
Society.
BOILER AND BRIDGE APPRENTICES.
1.- — Boys about 14 years of age to be taken on as " Rivet boys,"
and similar work, as probationers. These boys are not to be bound in
any way. Except in special cases the apprentices will be selected from
the most capable and best conducted of these probationers.
2. — Apprentices who have not been probationers to commence at the
age of 16 years, and to serve five years. Probationers to commence their
apprenticeship at 16 years of age, if possible, but in cases where there
are not vacancies for them as apprentices they can be allowed to com-
mence at any time not later than 18 years of age. The limitation of 18
years not to apply to boys actually on the books at present. In all cases
five years' apprenticeship must be served.
3. — Every apprentice is to come under an indenture or written
agreement, as may be adopted by the firm of employers where the appren-
ticeship is served. The indenture or agreement to be subject to revoca-
tion in the event of misconduct on the part of the apprentice. During
the term of apprenticeship, the apprentice is to work as required in his
employers' works, at new or old work, and on time or piece, at the
discretion of his employer. But the apprentice may be so employed out-
side the employer's premises only during the last 18 months of his
apprenticeship on new work, and only during the last 12 months of his
apprenticeship on repair work. He is not to belong to any Trade Society
except for the purposes of benefit) nor is he to be interfered with in any
way by any Trade Society. A certificate of having served his apprentice-
ship is to be granted by the employer to the apprentice at the expiration
of his agreement.
4. — Apprentices are not to leave their employers except with their
permission in writing.
5. — All time lost during the year, unless accounted for by certificates
of sickness, must be made up at the end of each year. The minimum
rates of pay for apprentices shall be as follows : —
1st year ... ... ... ... 6s. per week.
2nd „ 7s. „
3rd „ ... .". 8s. „
4th „ 9s.
5th „ 10s.
Piece work rates to be arranged locally — i.e., by districts.
A HlSTOlUCAL SuilVEY OF THE BoiLEU MAKEHS* SOCIETY. 193
6. — Restriction in the number of apprentices, which has been
admitted in shipyards, is not to apply to boiler shops and bridge yards.
7. — The above rules are not to apply to premium apprentices.
8. — This Agreement to be in force for six years and thereafter, unless
terminated by six months' notice expiring on 1st January, 1900.
9. — Definition of Boiler Shop or Bridge Yard : — " A Boiler Shop or
Bridge Yard " is understood to be a yard or shop where " power " and
plant is employed suitable for the manufacture of boilers or bridge work,
and where new boiler work or bridge work is occasionally carried on.
JOHN LAIRD, Chairman Executive Committee Iron
Trades Employers' Association.
R. KNIGHT, Secretary Boiler Makers' and Iron
Ship Builders' Society.
13th December, 1893.
NOTE. — The employers recognise that the sons of men working in
the different departments of the boilermaking trade have a claim to
be taken on as probationers, and while not binding themselves to do so,
they will endeavour to give these lads the preference.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
BELATING TO
Apprentices made between The Shipbuilding Employers' Federation of
the one part and The United Society of Boiler Makers and Iron and
Steel Ship Builders of the other part, this Eighteenth day of
December, Nineteen Hundred and One.
TO APPLY TO SHIPYARDS ONLY.
1. — Boys about fourteen years of age taken on as " Platers'
Markers," " Rivet Boys," and for similar work, may be considered as
probationers. These boys are not to be bound in any way, but may be
selected for apprenticeship from the most capable and best conducted
of them.
2. — Apprenticeship to commence not earlier than sixteen nor later
than nineteen years of age.
Apprentices starting up to eighteen years of age to serve five years.
194 A HlSTOKICAL SUKVEY OF THE BoiLEU MAKEHS' SOCIETY.
Apprentices starting after eighteen years of age to serve till they are
twenty-three years of age.
3. — Every apprentice is to come under an indenture or written
agreement as may be adopted by the firm of employers where the
apprenticeship is served. The indenture or agreement to be subject
to revocation in the event of misconduct on the part of the apprentice.
During the term of apprenticeship the apprentice is to work as
required in or out of his employers' works, at new or old work, on time
or piece, and with either journeymen or other apprentices, at the
discretion of his employer. He is not to belong to any Trade Society
(except for the purposes of benefit), nor is he to be interfered with in
any way by any Trade Society. A certificate of having served his
apprenticeship is to be given by the employer to the apprentice at the
expiration of his agreement.
4. — Apprentices are not to leave their employers except with their
permission in writing.
5. — All time lost during the year, unless accounted for by certificates
of sickness, or by absence on leave through stress of weather, want of
material, or usual holidays, must be made up at the end of each year.
The minimum rates of pay for apprentices shall be as follows :
1st year ....
6s. per week.
7s. per week.
2nd „ ....
7s.
8s.
3rd „
8s.
... 10s.
4th „ ....
10s.
... 12s.
5th „
12s.
... 14s.
Piece work rates to be arranged locally — i.e. by districts.
6. — The employers recognise that the sons of men working in the
different departments of the shipbuilding trade have a claim to be taken
on as probationers, and whilst not binding themselves to be so, they will
endeavour to give these lads the preference. The employers are opposed
to any limitation in the number of apprentices to be employed ; but it is
not their intention to overstock yards with apprentices, and if the Boi lei-
Makers' Society finds it necessary to prefer a complaint respecting the
number of apprentices, this must be done through the secretaries of the
Shipbuilding Employers' Federation. When requested, the secretaries of
the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation will furnish a list of recognised
apprentices, stating their names and ages, and also the time of their
commencing their apprenticeship, but not oftener than once a year.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 195
7. — The above rules are not to apply to premium apprentices.
8. -This agreement to be in force for six years, and then subject to
six months' notice on either side.
Signed on behalf of the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation,
P. WATTS, PRESIDENT.
THOMAS BIGGART, i v
JAMES ROBINSON, ) '
Signed on behalf of the United Society of Boiler Makers and Iron
and Steel Ship Builders,
JOHN BREMNER,
CHAIRMAN OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
D. C. CUMMINGS,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, GENERAL SECRETARY.
December 18th, 1901.
DEMARCATION OF THE WORK ON BELLEVILLE BOILERS.
AWARD.
GLASGOW, 1st July, 1895. — The Arbiter having heard parties and
considered the question referred to him : Finds that the particular
portion of the work which forms the subject of the present reference —
viz., the work of " screwing the tubes into the boxes and the subsequent
testing of same and of putting on the doors," is Boiler Makers' work, and
should be given to that class of tradesmen accordingly: Further, as
regards the additional claim of the Boiler Makers' Society to " put in all
screw stays and stud bolts and hammer or rivet and caulk same in feed
collectors," finds that this portion of work is without the reference,
and in consequence he does not make any award thereon : Finds neither
party entitled to expenses ; and Finds and ordains that the incidental
expenses of the Arbitration be paid equally by the parties.
(Signed) D. J. DUNLOP.
Note. — The dispute submitted to the Arbiter is one of that intricate
class of questions which arise out of the demarcation of work between
different classes of tradesmen. While in such questions there are
necessarily always present the conflicting claims of the different classes of
tradesmen, there is usually also involved the consideration of the
employers' position, which in the interest of both employed and employer
cannot be overlooked. In the present case, however, this does not arise,
the employers having from the first treated the question as one upon
which the two classes of tradesmen should come to an understanding.
The particular work in dispute is clearly defined and the facts
regarding the operations which lead up to that part are equally well
196 A HISTORICAL SUHVEY OF THE BUILEU MAKERS' SOCIETY.
defined. From the first the preparation of the tubes, boxes, and various
pieces which go to form the sections, technically termed " elements," has
been admitted by the representatives of the Boiler Makers' Society to be
work to which they can make no claim. The Arbiter finds further, from
the evidence led before him, and also from personal visitations to the
establishments where Belleville boilers are constructed, including Mr.
Belleville's works in France— whose practice and procedure is closely
followed at Clydebank — that this preparation of these various parts
leaves them in a finished state for erection, and that when thus completed
they are passed on to another set of men to be put together. Further,
the Arbiter finds that this fitting together, which is the particular
portion of work in dispute, is quite capable of being done by either class
of tradesmen.
In every manufacturing industry great changes will and must
necessarily arise in course of time. Such changes may at times demand
the services, to a greater or less extent, of a new class of tradesmen, or at
least of men specially trained for this new departure.
It appears to the Arbiter that unless such changes amount to a
complete transition no new class of tradesmen introduced should, in the
general case, and in the absence of any special considerations, receive
more than that portion of the work which is outwith, or foreign to, the
work pertaining to the trade recognised as the producers of the special
article or structure.
In the case of a new type of a well-known article, in the Arbiter's
opinion, a similar result follows, unless the new type is such that the
article has lost the essential characteristics of that which it has displaced.
The Arbiter has felt himself unable to adopt the conclusion which
was ably urged on behalf of the Engineers, that so great was the
transition which had taken place in the Belleville Boiler that the
characteristics of a boiler were a wanting; neither has he felt that he
could look upon the " elements " by themselves and deal with them apart
from the boiler as a whole.
On this point it is desirable to keep in view that, in the progress
of this new type of boiler, firms will devote themselves to the preparation
of the various parts which go to form the " elements," and, in perhaps
the majority of cases, the firm actually building the boiler will only begin
at the stage of fitting together these various parts.
The " elements " will not necessarily be delivered complete. Fre-
quently they will be received not as complete sections but in parts
different portions coming from different works. Such has already
occurred in actual practice, and shows that the " elements " cannot be
dealt with as distinct and separate articles.
A nisTouuAi, PURVEY OK TIIK P.OM.KK MAKKIS.S' SOCIKTY. 19?
In applying the principle indicated as to the division of work
between different classes of tradesmen the Arbiter is of opinion that the
special portion of work before him is Boiler Makers' work, and should be
assigned to them accordingly.
In the award now given the Arbiter is conscious that if it is at once
enforced considerable disturbance and loss must arise to the employers on
work presently in hand. It is not within the limits of the Reference to
him to in any way defer the operation of the award. lie, however,
adverts to this, trusting that this mention of it is all that is necessary to
ensure some arrangement being come to that will be equally satisfactory
to the successful party and the interests affected.
When parties came before the Arbiter the claim of the Boiler
Makers' Society was stated more broadly than in the previous Minute
of Reference, and made to cover the " putting in of all screw stays and
stud bolts and hammering or riveting and caulking same in the feed
collectors." The work here referred to is of little extent, still the
Arbiter cannot in his award go beyond what was particularly referred to
him. If desired, he is prepared to deal with it.
The Arbiter cannot allow this opportunity to pass without referring
to the satisfaction he has had in connection with this arbitration, the
care and ability with which each Society prepared and presented their
respective cases, and the spirit they have shown throughout.
In past years questions of demarcation of work have frequently
been productive of disastrous strife, though so eminently suited either for
a mutual arrangement or a settlement in some such form as has been
adopted in the present case. The Arbiter expresses the hope that the
step which has on this occasion been taken by the two powerful unions
interested will be adopted by them in any future differences which may
arise, and that the example they have set will be widely followed.
(Intd.) D. J. DUNLOP.
ARBITRATION ON
BOILER MAKERS' CLAIM FOR WORK
ON WATER TUBE BOILERS AND TORPEDO STEAMERS.
AWARD.
2, Queen Square Place,
Westminster, S.W.
July 31st, 1896.
Having heard the parties on the 27th and 28th instant, and
inspected the classes of work in dispute at Messrs. Thornycroft's Works,
my decision with respect to the 13 claims set forth in the letter of the
198 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel Ship Builders' Society to Messrs.
Thoruycroft & Co., dated October 29th, 1895, is as follows: —
Claim (1) " Our first request is that we should put in all stay tubes with
nuts and to make all stay tubes joints."
I decide that the above is Boiler Makers' work.
Claim (2) " That all manhole doors and dogs should be fixed and all
manhole joints be made by our members."
I decide that the above is Boiler Makers' work.
Claim (3) " We desire to make and fix all firehole doors."
I decide that the above is Boiler Makers' work.
Claim (4) " We ask that we should put in all studs for boiler casing where
the casing is attached to the barrels or boilers."
I decide that the above is Boiler Makers' work.
Cla!m (5) " We consider that our members should build, construct, and
connect all parts of the boiler casing completely and entirely."
I decide that the above is Boiler Makers' work.
Claim (6) " We request that you will allow our members to prepare to
test and to do all testing to our own work, and which should be
under the supervision of the foreman Boiler Maker."
I decide that the Engineers should fix the gear for testing, and
be present at the testing to see the result of the same as regards
their own work, but that the testing of the boilers is Boiler Makers'
work."
Claim (7) " We respectfully ask to be allowed to put on all ends and
flanges on wing tubes and barrels."
I decide that the above is Boiler Makers' work.
Claim (8) " To make all cowls and ventilators, whether made of iron or
steel plates."
Engineers withdrew the claim in this case.
Ciaim (9) " We contend that we are entitled to do all chipping of all
bunker holes and all manholes in decks, &c., and to do all chipping
and cutting on or about the shell of a boat or a boiler."
I decide that the Boiler Makers are entitled to do all chipping
and cutting of bunker-holes and manholes in decks, and generally
all other chipping and cutting connected with their work, but that
the Engineers are to be at liberty to do such minor chipping and
cutting as may be required in connection with the fitting and adjust-
ment of their pipes and tubes, &c., on board ship, and that the
cutting of holes by rachet brace, or by special machine tools and the
fitting of gun-metal rings and lids of bunker-holes is engineers'
work.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THK ROII.KK MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Claim (10) " We claim that our members are entitled to make and fix all
pipe stays and brackets, such as ladder brackets, spare gear brackets,
tank stays and bands, &c., and to mark and cut all holes, and to rivet
or bolt up all kinds of stays and brackets that are made of plate,
angle or bar iron, or steel."
I decide that the Engineers are entitled to fit and fix all stays
and brackets for the pipes, and for the spare gear connected with the
machinery, but that all other work of the kind is Boiler Makers'
work.
Claim (11) " We respectfully ask that we should put in all studs which
are put in to substitute rivets, such as round the bosses and stem
post or any others inside or outside the shell of the ship."
I decide that the above is Boiler Makers' work.
Claim (12) " We desire to ask to put up all stanchions, columns and stays
from deck to deck, or from floors to deck, &c."
I decide that the above is Boiler Makers' work.
Claim (13) " We ask to be allowed to do all our own testing to fresh
water and oil tanks which we make and rivet up.
I decide that, as far as possible, the same practice should be
followed with regard to tanks as to boilers. (See Clause 6.)
(Signed) BENJAMIN BAKER.
NICLAUSSE BOILERS.
AWARD.
Whereas a dispute has lately arisen between the Amalgamated
Society of Engineers' and the Boiler Makers and Iron and Steel Ship
Builders' Society, as to which of the two above-named societies is entitled
to do certain work in connection with certain boilers, known as Niclausse
boilers.
And whereas by an agreement made the 17th day of November,
1902, between the above-named societies, it was agreed that the question
raised as regards the said Niclausse boilers as to which of the said
societies is entitled (a) to reduce the back end of the tubes (b) to put up
the risers, and connect steam drums (c) to put in the tubes, put on the
dogs, and make good the joints (d) to do the usual testing when the boiler
is completed, should be made the subject of a Demarcation Agreement
between the said societies, and that the terms of such agreement should
be drawn up and settled by an arbitrator appointed by the Board of
Trade.
And whereas by an order of the Board of Trade, dated 27th
November, 1902, and made in accordance with the above agreement, I,
'200 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
William Markby, of tleadington Hill, in the county of Oxford, was
nominated to act as arbitrator for the purpose of drawing up and
settling the terms of such Agreement.
Now having heard and considered the facts and arguments adduced
before me by the parties, I do make my award as follows : —
I do award and determine that the following shall be the terms of
the Demarcation Agreement to be entered into by the parties : —
" Agreement made the day of between the
Amalgamated Society of Engineers of the one part, and the Boiler
Makers and Iron and Steel Ship Builders' Society of the other part.
Whereas a question has arisen between the two above-named
societies as to who is entitled to do certain work in connection with
Niclausse boilers. It is agreed as follows : —
(a) That neither Engineers nor Boiler Makers are exclusively
entitled to reduce the back end of the tubes of the said boilers, but
that either party may do this work if directed to do so by the
employer, (ft) That Boiler Makers and not Engineers are entitled to
put up the risers and connect steam drums in the said boilers.
(c) That Boiler Makers and not Engineers are entitled to put in the
tubes, put on the dogs, and make good the joints in the said boilers.
(d) That neither Engineers nor Boiler Makers are exclusively entitled
to do the usual testing when the said boilers are complete, but that
as regards so much of the work then tested as is Engineers' work
Engineers are entitled to do the usual testing, and that as regards
so much of the work as is Boiler Makers' work, Boiler Makers are
entitled to do the usual testing.
In witness whereof the said societies parties hereto have here-
unto set their hands the day and year first above written."
And I do order that an agreement in these terms shall be forth-
with executed by each of the above-named societies in the form in which
agreements are usually executed by the above-named parties.
January 5, 1893. WILLIAM MARKBY.
Upon receiving the above Award the following correspondence
ensued : —
Dear Sir, January 6th, 1903.
Yours of the 5th inst. to hand enclosing your Award, which we
accept.
Is our notification of your Award sufficient for you, or do you want
our signatures?
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 201
Having agreed to go to Arbitration both sides must of necessity agree
to your terms without having the slightest power of objection, that being
so I take it that a definite finding given to all concerned would be
sufficient, although the language used in your Award gives the impression
that you want signatures to it.
Faithfully yours,
Sir W. Markby, D. C. CUMMINGS,
Headington Hill, Gen. Secretary.
Oxford.
Headington Hill,
Oxford,
Dear Sir, 7/1/03.
By the terms of the agreement of the 17th Nov. it was my duty to
draw up and settle the terms of a demarcation agreement between the
two societies, and the strictly correct course would now be for such an
agreement to be signed by the two societies in the terms set out in my
Award.
As you say, however, my Award fully defines the positions, and if
neither party insists upon an agreement being signed nothing further
need be done.
I am, dear sir,
D. C. Cummings, Esq., Yours faithfully,
Lifton House, Eslington Road, W. MARKBY.
Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Dear Sir, January 7th, 1903.
Your letter of the 7th inst. to hand, for which I thank you.
My Executive Council and myself are strongly of opinion that as the
impression conveyed in the Award is the need of signatures, that it
would be best to get these signatures attached.
Would it be troubling you too much to ask for another copy to be
sent us, which we will sign for you to send to the Amalgamated Society
of Engineers for their signature.
Faithfully yours,
Sir W. Markby, D. C. CUMMINGS,
Headington Hill, General Secretary.
Oxford.
Dear Sir, Headington Hill, Oxford, 13/1/03.
I enclose herewith two copies of the Agreement as settled by me.
I thought it might be convenient to have a second copy.
I am, yours faithfully,
D. C. Cummings, Esq. W. MARKBY.
14
202 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Dear Sir, January 16th, 1903.
Enclosed is a letter from Sir W. Mark by, and two copies of the
Award.
Will you sign both of them, and return one copy registered to me.
Faithfully yours,
Mr. G. N. Barnes, D. C. CUMMINGS,
General Secretary,
Amalgamated Society of Engineers.
Dear Sir, January 21st, 1903.
Your letter of the 17th has been duly placed before my Council, and
as a result I have to say that, while we are quite ready to abide by the
result of the Markby arbitration, we see no need to sign the agreement,
and therefore return same. The view taken is that the matter is not
understood as a mutual Trade Union Agreement, but an Arbitrator's
decision arising out of a claim on employers.
We understood by a letter dated 8th inst., from Markby, that there
was no need of, and " neither Society recognises an agreement to be
essential."
Yours sincerely,
Mr. D. Cummings, GEO. N. BARNES.
Secretary,
Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders.
The foregoing letter from the A.S.E. was acknowledged, and Sir
William Markby made acquainted with its contents, Sir William, in
reply, writing to say that as the Engineers have, through Mr. G. N.
Barnes, signified their intention of abiding by the Award, it will not be
necessary to insist upon an agreement being signed, to which opinion we
concur, the Award being in itself convincing proof of our right to this
class of work.
Four Awards of a similar character have now been given in our
favour, being on Locomotive, Belleville, Thorneycroft, and Niclausse
types. A refusal on our part to go to arbitration in future on similar
work after so many decisions in our favour would certainly be justified,
and matters will have to assume a very serious aspect before we again
allow ourselves to be driven to arbitration on this point.
P. C. CUMMINGS, General Secretary.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 203
TUBING OF LOCOMOTIVE BOILERS.
ARBITRATOR'S AWARD.
Jan. 21st, 1899.
The following is my award in the dispute between the Amalgamated
Engineers and Boiler Makers at the Lilleshall Company, Oakcngates,
Salop, re the Tubing of Locomotive Boilers :
" I have given careful consideration to the evidence submitted to me
by the delegates representing the above societies on the 12th inst. I
have also read with care the correspondence as between the two societies,
the letters from the firm and other documents entrusted to my care.
After most anxious thought and much consideration, weighing the
evidence given and the written statements submitted, I have come to the
conclusion that the tubing of boilers is Boiler Makers' work, and give my
decision accordingly.
I may add that the Engineers made out a strong case for their side,
they having held this work from 1851 till 1890, but the former custom of
the firm having changed now for the last eight years, it became necessary
to decide this question on broader lines, and became one of demarcation
of trades. On these lines, in my judgment, the tubing of boilers is more
closely allied to and connected with the boilermaking trade than that
of engineering, fitting, or coppersmiths. It cannot be said that the tools
used in connection with this work are an encroachment on the tools
that may be exclusively claimed as those of fitters. In fact, it is
admitted that these tools are such as are used by Boiler Makers in their
ordinary work.
It must be clearly understood that this decision does not affect any
other fittings or attachments to boilers other than tubing, and, further,
that it has no reference to or should have any influence on the practice or
customs of any other district, firm, or works other than the Lilleshall
Company, Oakengates, Salop, this being according to the terms of
reference. I have to acknowledge the kindness and consideration
extended to me by both parties, and for the honesty displayed in sub-
mitting to me documents that told both for and against their case. I
have no doubt that my decision will give some disappointment to the
Engineers ; but if they will put themselves in my position, they will see
that the decision could not be given in favour of both sides, and I have been
compelled, without fear or favour, to decide for the side I believed to be
right ; and in doing so and deciding a most difficult and knotty question,
I trust I shall not sacrifice the friendship and the confidence of any of
my friends or the Societies they represent."
I am, yours faithfully,
JOHN V. STEVENS, Arbitrator.
•204 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
FAIRFIELD DEMARCATION.
BOILER MAKERS v. SHIPWRIGHTS.
FINDINGS BY S. CRAWFORD, ESQ.,
SHIPBUILDER, KINGHORN.
THE UMPIRE.
Abden Shipbuilding Works, KINGHORN, 31st July, 1899. — The
Arbiters having differed in opinion in regard to the items of work
referred to in the list claimed by the Caulkers at Fairfield, as falling to
be executed by the Boiler Makers' trade, and which also the Shipwrights
claim as falling to be executed by their trade, and having devolved the
submission on the Umpire, and the Umpire having heard the evidence led
by both parties, and having now considered the various matters in
dispute, and the evidence adduced, Finds and Declares as follows : —
1. — Netting Eyes (Jackstay Eyes). These are lined and marked off in
all cases by Shipwrights, and fastened by them when they are on wood,
but when they come on iron, the hole-borer drills the hole ; if tapped, the
Caulker taps and finishes fixing ; if riveted, the Riveter finishes fixing,
but if plain hole, the Shipwright finishes fixing.
2. — Tread Plates. The Shipwrights mark off position, make moulds,
mark holes for fastening, and fasten where these come on wood : where
they come on iron decks, the Shipwrights mark off for hole-borer, then the
Caulker finishes the fixing if tapped, and the Riveter if riveted, and if
fixed with bolts, the Shipwright finishes fixing.
3. — Feet of Stands for Filter Tanks and Stowage c«mnH«l
with same. Shipwrights mark off position and make moulds for both
feet and stowage, put them in place and mark holes for hole-borer, then if
tapped, riveted, or plain bolted, the job is finished by Caulker, Riveter,
or Shipwright respectively.
4. — Portable Rifle Racks. The Shipwrights mark off position, make
moulds, and mark off material when made, and when these come on
wood, finish the fastening. When they come on iron, the Shipwrights
mark off holes for hole-borer : if tapped, the Caulkers follow up and finish
the work : if plain holes, the fixing is done by Riveters or Caulkers as the
case may be.
5. — Hammock Netting, where tapped (Hammock Hooks). The
Shipwrights mark off position for hole-borer, and if the hooks come on
beams they finish the job. When the hooks come on bulkheads the
Shipwrights mark position of holes for hole-borer, and the Caulkers follow,
up with the tapping and finishing.
6.— Sword Racks (unless wood intervenes}. The Shipwrights mark off
position, make moulds, get article made, and mark off position of holes
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. ^
for hole-borer. If article conies on wood or if fixed with plain bolt,
grimmet and washer, Shipwright finishes the fastening : if tapped or
riveted, the Caulker or Riveter finishes fixing, as the case may be.
7. — Stove complete. Shipwrights mark position, make moulds, and
mark holes for hole-borer, the Caulkers or Riveters, as the case may be,
follow up and finish.
8. — Bag Racks. Shipwrights mark position, make moulds, and
mark holes for hole-borer, then Caulkers follow up and finish if tapped
on : if plain bolted with grimmet and washer, or if riveted, the Ship*
wrights or Riveters, as the case may be, finish the job.
9. — Rag Tanks. Shipwrights mark position, make moulds, and mark
position of holes for hole-borer; then if tapped bolted, the Caulker
finishes the job : if plain bolted or riveted, the Shipwrights or Riveters,
as the case may be, finish the fixing.
10. — Stowage of Portable Gratings. The Shipwrights mark position,
make moulds, and mark holes for hole-borer; if tapped, the Caulker taps
and finishes fixing : if plain bolted or riveted, the Shipwrights or Riveters,
as the case may be, follow up and finish the job.
11. — Permanent Rifle Racks where tapped. — Shipwrights mark off
position, make moulds, arid mark holes for hole-borer, and place in
position; then Caulkers follow up with tapping and fixing.
12. — Shot Racks. The Shipwrights mark position, make moulds for
Ironworkers, place racks in position, and mark holes for hole-borer;
then if tapped, the Caulkers follow up and finish : if holes are plain, the
Shipwrights or Riveters, as the case may be, do the finishing.
13. — Stowage for Hose. Shipwrights mark position, make moulds,
mark holes for hole-borer; if tapped, the Caulkers finish the job, but if
plain holes, the Shipwrights or Riveters, as the case may be, finish.
14. — Storage for Coupling Keys. Shipwrights mark position, make
moulds, mark holes for hole-borer ; if tapped, the Caulkers finish the job,
but if plain hole, the Shipwrights or Riveters, as the case may be, finish.
15. Stowage for Nozzles. Shipwrights mark position, make moulds,
mark holes for hole-borer ; if tapped, the Caulkers finish the job, but if
plain holes, the Shipwrights or Riveters, as the case may be, finish.
16. Stowage for Hose Reels (Fastening for Hose Reel Brackets on
Standards'). Shipwrights mark off position, make moulds, and mark
off position of holes for hole-borer; if tapped, the fixing is done by
Caulkers; if plain holes, the fixing is done by Shipwrights or Riveters,
as the case may be.
17.— Splinter Racks (Splinter Nettings). The Shipwrights mark off
position and mark off holes for hole-borer; then if tapped, the tapping
206 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
and fixing is done by Caulkers: if plain holes, the fixing is done by
Shipwrights or Riveters, as the case may be.
18. — Ammunition Hacks (Hooks). Shipwrights mark position, make
moulds, and mark holes for hole-borer ; if tapped, the tapping and fixing
is done by Caulkers ; if plain holes, the fixing is done by Shipwrights or
Riveters, as the case may be.
19. — Chest Sacks. The Shipwrights mark off position, make moulds,
and mark off holes for hoL-borer; then if tapped, tapping and fixing
is done by Caulkers ; if plain holes, fixing is done by Shipwrights or
Riveters, as the case may be.
20. — Whip Racks. Shipwrights mark off position, make moulds, and
mark holes for hole-borer ; then if tapped, tapping and fixing is done
by Caulkers ; if plain holes, fixing is done by Shipwrights or Riveters,
as the case may be.
21. — Hammock Racks. Shipwrights mark off position, make moulds,
and mark off holes for hole-borer; then if tapped, tapping and fixing is
done by Caulkers ; if plain holes, fixing is done by Shipwrights or Riveters,
as the case may be.
22. — Scuttle Rings. Shipwrights mark off position, make moulds,
and mark holes for hole-borer; then if tapped, tapping and fixing done
by Caulkers ; if plain holes, fixing is done by Shipwrights or Riveters, as
the case may be.
23. — Fire Bucket Hangers. These depend very much on the position
in which they are stowed. As a rule they are stowed by both Carpenter
and Joiner, if on wood. If fixed on iron, Shipwrights mark off position
and holes for hole-borer; then if tapped, the Caulkers follow up and do
the tapping and finish the job. If, however, the holes are plain, the
Shipwrights or Riveters, as the case may be, finish the job.
24. — Rammers. Shipwrights mark off position and holes for hole-
borer; then if tapped, the Caulkers follow up and do the tapping and
finish the job. If, however, the holes are plain, the Shipwrights or
Riveters, as the case may be, finish the job.
25. — Binding Bands for Tanks and Stools for same. Shipwrights
mark off position, make moulds, and mark holes for hole-borer ; then if
tapped, the Caulkers follow up and do the tapping and finish the job.
If, however, the holes are plain, the Shipwrights or Riveters, as the
case may be, finish the job.
26. — Fitting Bulls-Eyes complete, and Guards connected with same.
This job depends very much upon the position in which it is placed. If
these are being put into the light rooms of Magazines, then the Ship-
wrights have to do all the cutting of holes, fitting in the electro-plated
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 207
copper shield reflector, and fastening the guards connected with same ;
but if they be in the engine-room skylights or other skylight Haps (if of
iron), then the Shipwrights mark off position for the Caulkers to cut
holes, and they also mark off holes for hole-borer, and the Caulkers do
the fastening.
27. — Washers, Grimmets, and Nuts — (Put same on bolts passing or
coming through water-tight work.) If the holes be plain and not tapped,
the Shipwrights put in all bolts with lappings under heads, with
grimmets, washers and nuts underneath, and screw up the job complete ;
but if the holes are tapped, then the Caulkers put in bolts, with.
grimmets, washers and nuts, and complete the job.
28. — Levelling Beams. If in ordinary work the Shipwrights sheer
the deck lines and put the ribbands on deck to carry up the weight of the
beam, then the Caulkers help or cut the holes on beam knees to raise
or lower the beam as required. If on an upper deck, the Caulker will
cut off frame tops by or to the sheer line. If it be a double bottomed
ship, the beams are usually made fair, and any discrepancies made up by
angle corner pieces on tank margin plate. These pieces are fitted by
Ironworkers.
29. — Fastening Name and Number Plates on Beading of Cofferdams*
and Casing Doors. The Shipwrights or Joiners mark off position of
plates, and mark holes for hole-borer ; then the Caulkers tap and complete
the job.
30. — Fastening Strajw for Cortesene. — The Shipwrights mark off all
straps for hole-borer ; then the Caulkers tap the holes. The Shipwrights
lay down the Cortesene and the strips by tack set pins, and the Caulkers
follow up and complete the job.
In all such work as above set forth, the Caulkers put in all set pins
or tapped bolts, irrespective of the shape of the heads, whether they be
hexagonal, square, or countersunk, with a square on head for a dwang;
while the Shipwrights put in all bolts with lappings through plain holes,
with grimmet, washer and nut. Of course, where riveting has to be done,
this does not apply. (g.gned) g CRAWFORD.
Note. — Looking to the contradictory nature of the evidence adduced
at the Proof, and after a careful review of the whole facts and circum-
stances connected with the subject matter of the dispute between the
parties, and taking into account his own practical knowledge of the
different branches of labour involved therein, the Umpire is of the
opinion that the above are, in the whole circumstances, the only Findings
that he can arrive at in order to do justice to the parties concerned.
(Intld.) S. C.
208 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
THE RIGHT TO DO IRON AND STEEL WORK.
Arbitration Award given in a case heard at Bristol, the main question
being whether the Iron Ship Builders had violated any rules or agreement
in going into Messrs. Stothert and Co.'s, Bristol, to do iron and steel work.
AWARD.
Whereas disputes have arisen between the Associated Shipwrights'
Society (Bristol Branch) and the Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel Ship
Builders' Society (Bristol Branch), in connection with Messrs. Stothert
and Co.'s shipbuilding yard at Bristol, and whereas the said Associated
Shipwrights' Society duly appointed Mr. John Jenkins and Mr. Robert
Howell as Arbitrators on their behalf, and the said Boiler Makers' and
Iron and Steel Ship Builders' Society duly appointed Mr. John Henry
Jose and Mr. Frederick Coleman as Arbitrators on their behalf, and
whereas the said societies both belong to the Federation of Engineering and
Shipbuilding Trades of the United Kingdom, and whereas before entering
on the reference of the said disputes, I the undersigned Alfred Arthur
Hudson, Barrister-in-law, of 5, Paper Buildings, Temple, London, was
appointed Umpire, all of which appointments were acknowledged by the
said Arbitrators to be duly made under and in pursuance of the rules of
the said Federation. And whereas the said Associated Shipwrights'
Society claimed that the said Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel Ship
Builders' Society had : —
(1) Violated the terms of a certain document dated the 13th of
April, 1893, addressed by Mr. F. A. Fox to Mr. G. Richards, and further
had:—
(2) Violated a certain rule of the Federation of Engineering and
Shipbuilding Trades of the United Kingdom, to wit, the rule that:
" Whenever any dispute exists between an employer or employers and
any society belonging to this Federation, no member or members com-
posing the societies forming this Federation shall do any work of the
men on dispute.
And whereas the said Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel Ship
Builders' Society denied that they had either violated the terms of the
said document or the said rule, and whereas the said Arbitrators disagreed
and gave me verbal notice thereof. Now I, the said Umpire, having
heard and duly weighed and considered the several allegations of the said
parties, and their evidence, do hereby make and publish this my award
and umpirage of and concerning the matters referred to me as aforesaid
in manner following. That is to say, — I award and decide : —
(1) That the said Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel Ship Builders'
Society have not violated the terms of the said document of the 13th
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKKHH' SOCIETY. 209
April, 1893, whether such document is or is not binding on the said
societies, and
(2) That the said Boiler Makers' and Iron and Steel Ship Builders'
Society have not violated the said rule (above referred to) of the Feder-
ation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades of the United Kingdom.
As witness my hand this 21st day of October, 1901.
ALFD. A. HUDSON.
Signed and published on the day and year last above mentioned in
the presence of Frank P. Place, clerk to Mr. A. A. Hudson, 5, Paper
Buildings, Temple, E.G.
MAKING SHIPYARD TEMPLETS.
ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS
BETWEEN THE
GOOLE BRANCH OF ASSOCIATED SHIPWRIGHTS' SOCIETY
AND THE
HULL DISTRICT OF THE BOILER MAKERS' AND IRON AND
STEEL SHIP BUILDERS' SOCIETY.
HELD AT GOOLE, OCTOBER 25TH, 1901.
Before His Honour, Judge AUSTIN, Bristol, Arbitrator on behalf of
the Board of Trade.
AWARD— Re WOOD TEMPLETS.
Whereas a difference as to the demarcation of work has arisen
between the Goole Branch of the Associated Shipwrights' Society (herein-
after called " the Shipwrights ") and the Hull district of the United
Society of Boiler Makers and Iron and Steel Ship Builders (hereinafter
called " the Boiler Makers.")
And whereas for the purposes of settling such difference by
Arbitration the Shipwrights appointed William Greenwood Millington
and William Chester to be Arbitrators on their behalf and the Boiler
Makers appointed William Travis and Alfred Edward Scarlett to be
Arbitrators on their behalf.
And whereas the said Arbitrators have failed to settle such difference
and have not made any award.
210 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
And whereas on the 6th day of September, 1901, the Board of
Trade, upon the application of both parties to such difference, appointed
me, the undersigned, James Valentine Austin, Judge of County Courts,
to be Umpire in the matter of such difference for the purposes of the
Conciliation Act, 1896.
And whereas I have taken upon me the burden of acting as Umpire
in the matter aforesaid, and have heard and duly considered the state-
ments laid before me on the 25th day of October, 1901, by the said
Arbitrators and the evidence of the witnesses called by them respectively :
Now I, the undersigned, do hereby Award and Determine as
follows, that is to say, —
That, as between the Shipwrights and the Boiler Makers, and without
prejudice to the lawful orders of any employer of labour :
(1) The Boiler Makers shall be entitled to make all such wood
templets as are made in or about the ship in construction or repair
and as can be made without the use of Shipwrights' edge tools.
(2) The Shipwrights shall be entitled to make all wood templets and
moulds other than the templets mentioned in the last preceding paragraph
of this my award.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
October, one thousand nine hundred and one.
Signed and published by the above-named Umpire, in the presence
of FREDERICK WHYMAN USHER, Bristol County Court.
J. V. AUSTIN, Arbitrator.
DEMARCATION OF WORK,
AS ARRANGED BY JOINT COMMITTEES OF
ASSOCIATED SHIPWRIGHTS AND IRON AND STEEL SHIP
BUILDERS' AND BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETIES.
And as decided by the Referees appointed under rule of the Engineering
and Shipbuilding Trades Federation of the United Kingdom, and
agreed to by the Employers of the Liverpool and Birkenhead
Districts.
[This List of Work to come into force on and after May 1st, 1902.]
DEFINITIONS.
1. — This list of work is intended to avoid continual friction, and the
following work, which was in dispute, has been decided as a future basis
for the guidance of the members of the societies.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 211
2. — That the finding in this list shall apply to the Mersey District.
i.e. Liverpool and Birkenhead sides of the Mersey.
3. — That the Iron and Steel Ship Builders and Boiler Makers shall
continue to fasten with slotted screws all work that they have fastened
since 1890, and not defined under the head of fastening in this list.
4. — That this list admits of no interference with work done at
present by either trade which is not included in these decisions, it being
their custom to have done it.
5. — That Moulds and Templates defined in I.S.S.B.S. list are those
which can be made without the use of Shipwrights' tools, and not
including Moulds usually made by Mould Room staff.
6. — That where the trades have worked in conjunction tn the same
job neither trades shall interfere with each other's portion of the said
work.
7. — That " Marking Centre Line of Shaft " in Shipwrights' list
means " to produce the lines required for sighting line through ship."
8. — Levelling Engine and Boiler Seating means " what shoring is
required for the same."
BOILER MAKERS' AND IRON AND STEEL SHIP BUILDERS-
LIST OF WORK.
Levelling of Gun Pedestals.
Marking the position of circular ventilation in engine room and stokehold,
and square trunk ventilation throughout the ship.
Lining out for trolleyways and railways in bunkers, stokehold and engine
room.
MAKING OF MOULDS AND TEMPLATES.
Make all Moulds for Keel Plates, Straps and Bars, Floorings, centre and
side Keelsons and Bars.
„ Reverse Bars and Web Frames.
„ Stringer Plates and Bars, Shoes and Lugs.
„ Bulkheads, fore and aft, thwartships, Bars and Stiffeners.
„ Bunker Plates and Bars.
„ Engine and Boiler Seatings, Plates and Bars.
„ Deck Plating and Angles, also forecastle and poop Fronts and
Brackets.
„ Casings, engine and boiler rooms.
„ Deck Houses, Plates and Bars, galley and cabin sole.
212 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Make Bilge Keels, Breast Hooks, Back Bone or Whale Back.
„ Breakwater and Bow Chocks and Shoots.
„ Wheel Houses, Chart Houses, and Side Houses.
„ Companions, and circular and square Hatch Coamings.
„ Chain Locker, Donkey Engine Seat, all Doors to casings, bunkers
and houses.
„ Tank side Plates and Bars and Brackets.
„ Facing Plates and Angles, Tunnel and rubber Plates and Angles
(except specified in Shipwrights' List).
„ Stool and Thrust Blocks in tunnel.
„ Fresh-water Tanks built in vessel, Gangway Doors, Waterway Angles
on all decks and Gunwale Bars.
„ Gravits, Plates and Angles, intercostal Plates and Bars, Moulding,
Hawes pipe, Stiffening Plate, all Liners and Lugs.
,, Pipe Covers and Plate Covers for running steering gear.
„ Rudder, single and double plated, also Bridge Plate and Front.
„ Stanchions Foot, Plate or Bars.
,, Mast Steps, Plates and Bars.
„ Tank-top Plating and Angles.
„ Tank Lids and Wash Plates.
„ Longitudinal Girders, Plates and Bars.
„ Wash Port and Coal Port Doors.
,, Ventilators and Coal Pipe Plates.
,, Skylights and Trunks.
,, Turtle Backs, Deck-ties and Bridles.
„ Box-beams and Watertight Flats.
,, Water-closet Plates and Angles.
,, Shell-plating and Shell Liners.
,, Lighthouse Towers and Bulwarks.
„ Masts, Yards and Bowsprits.
,, Mast-rings and Strength-plates.
„ Fairlead Plates and Bars, Bulb-iron Winch Seating and Bollard
Plates.
The folloiving was also added to Boiler Makers' List : —
Make Edge Moulds for shot and ammunition racks.
,, Moulds for trolleyways and railways, Straps for tanks of forty gallons
capacity, and under, Straps for tanks in engine-room and boiler-
room.
MOULDS FOR STOWAGE WORK.
Moulds and Templates for Portable Coal Shoots, Hawes Pipe and Covers,
inclined Planes, when such are made by Iron Ship Builders,
Smith's Forge and Anvil (for ship's use) and Chain Pipe Covers.
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILEH MAKERS' SOCIETY. 213
MOULDS FOR DAVIT HANGERS.
Platers and Shipwrights to work together on this particular work.
NOTE. — The Moulds and Templates made by Iron Ship Builders arc such
as can be made without the use of Shipwrights' edge tools.
FIXING OF NAME AND NUMBEK PLATES,
Fix and fasten Name and Number Plates in engine and boiler rooms,
exhaust louvres, and all ventilators (except constructive numbers).
ARBITRATORS' AWARD.
Having considered the foregoing questions submitted to us for final
settlement, we are of opinion that the clauses proposed by Shipwrights
(as an amendment to the proposition of the Boiler Makers and Iron and
Steel Ship Builders) together with the following proviso, which we here
insert, viz. : —
" That Iron and Steel Ship Builders continue to fasten with Slotted
Screws such work as it has been the custom for them to fasten
at Messrs. Lairds' yard during and since the year 1890," is a fair
settlement of the question in dispute.
We therefore decide, that for the future guidance of the two trades,
the following clauses, together with the above proviso, shall be observed,
which clauses, &c., we determine shall cover, in addition to Stowage work,
the fixing and fastening of Iron Ladders, Foot Plates, and Escape
Ladders.
BOILER MAKERS' WORK.
Clause 1. — That the Iron Ship Builders' Society, as at present con-
stituted, shall fasten all Stowage fittings and gear with Rivets or Bolts--
what articles their members make.
Clause 2. — Arrange and complete the stowage of portable gear when
moulds are made for stowage by their members (as per agreement).
Clause 3. — Arrange and complete the stowage of portable gear in
engine rooms and stokeholds.
Clause 4. — Fasten, when riveted or bolted, all fixed fitments or
attachments — made by their members.
Clause 5. — Fasten, when riveted or bolted permanently, all Angles
and Plates for working gear — when made by their members.
SHIPWRIGHTS' WORK.
LINING AND MARKING-OFF POSITIONS.
Line in and mark off position of all gear necessary for the working and
navigation of ship.
Marking-off and trammelling for anchor davit and hawse pipe holes.
Mark off position for stowage of portable gear (except specified in H. M.
list).
214 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY.
Mark off position for gear necessary for working cargo and coal.
Mark off position for gear necessary for the working of ammunition and
guns.
Mark off position for circular ventilation throughout ship (except in
engine and boiler rooms).
Mark off position of ammunition and coal scuttles.
Mark off position of shot and small arms racks.
Mark off position of hand-holds and grips.
Mark in centre line of shaft.
Line in centre of barbettes and position of ground angles and frames.
Line off for deck plating.
Line off for conning tower.
Line off for trolleyways and railways (except specified in B. M. list).
Level engine and boiler seating.
Level all gun seating.
Fair beam ends to beam shear.
MAKING MOULDS AND TEMPLATES.
Make Moulds for ships' construction in mould loft, upon boards, and
on vessels — mould room work (except specified in B. M. list).
„ Moulds and Templates for all arrangements of angle-bars and plates
(single or attached) for all work commenced by Shipwrights.
„ all Moulds for stowage of gear for which Shipwrights find position of
stowage except boiler and engine rooms.
„ Moulds for debris deck and all Gratings throughout ship (except
specified in B. M. list).
„ Moulds for gun ports and gun stands.
,, Moulds for ammunition railways.
,, Moulds for all racks and garlands.
„ Moulds for inclined planes (except specified in B. M. list).
,, Moulds for shot racks (except specified in B. M. list).
,, Moulds for stowage of ventilation cowls, coamings and covers.
,, Moulds for straps to secure tanks, over 40 gallons capacity (except
specified in B. M. list).
,, Moulds for face plates on wooden rubbers.
FIXING AND FASTENING.
Clause 6. — Place in position for riveting or bolting all stowage work
ordered by Shipwrights, and fasten, when screwed with tapped or slotted
screws. (Except specified in clause 2, B. M. list).
A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 215
Clause 7. — Place in position for riveting or bolting all fitments or
attachments ordered by Shipwrights, and fasten with tapped or slotted
screws, and bolt the same. (Except specified in clause 4, B. M. list).
Clause 8. — Place in position for riveting or bolting all working gear
ordered by Shipwrights, and fasten with tapped or slotted screws, and
bolt the same. (Except specified in clause 5, B. M. list.)
Clause 9. — Fit and fasten all work where wood intervenes.
Clause 10. — Fit and fasten all name, number and contents plates.
(Except specified in B. M. list.)
Arbiters— THOMAS JEFFERS,
FRANK SMITH,
ALEX. KENNEDY, Chairman.
15, Belmont Road, Liverpool, 3rd May, 1904.
SHIPWRIGHTS v. BOILER MAKERS.
At the Meeting on Tuesday, April 26th, 1904, at the Feathers Hotel,
Liverpool, which was attended by Messrs. C. Neil, R. Derby and J.
Rowland, representing the Shipwrights' Societies and Messrs. M. Smith,
H. Devlin, J. Henderson and E. Morris, representing the Boiler Makers'
Society, the question as to the meaning of the award given in 1902 was
referred, by mutual agreement, to the independent chairman, Mr. Thomas
Jeffers.
The difference between the two societies related to the fastening of
certain Stowage Fittings with slotted screws. The Shipwrights claimed
that under the award Shipwrights only should fasten, with slotted screws,
Stowage work, as per clause 6, page 12. Boiler Makers claimed to fasten,
with slotted screws, Stowage Fittings which were made by their members,
as per clause 1, page 9.
Having heard statements from both sides, my ruling is: — " That the
whole of the clauses found on pages 9 and 12 must be considered, together
with the proviso on page 8, inserted by the Arbiters, which gives to the
Boiler Makers the right to continue to fasten with slotted screws such work
as it had been the custom for them to fasten at Messrs. Lairds' yard during
and since the year 1890."
THOMAS JEFFERS.
216 A HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE BOILEK MAKERS' SOCIETY.
FEDERATION OP ENGINEERING AND SHIPBUILDING TRADES
OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
MERSEY DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
Arbitration Board on Demarcation of Work for Skip Repairs.
BOILER MAKERS v. DRILLERS.
COPY OF AWARD.
We, the Arbiters, after hearing the evidence from either side, and
likewise having taken expert evidence, have decided that the following
decisions come into force from June 1st, 1903, and is based on claims put
forth by both trades as the custom on the Port of the Mersey, and not to
be taken as a precedent or applicable to other Shipbuilding and Repairing
Ports, or as between any other trades.
BOILER MAKERS' LIST.
Clause 1. Boiler Makers shall, when making new Scarphs, do all drilling
or cutting in connection with keels, stem or stern posts.
Clause 2. Drill all holes on Boiler Repairs, and do all drilling in boiler
room up to base of funnel.
Clause 3. Drill out Rivets or Studs on hull or shell of ship.
Clause 4. Do all Chain Drilling for holes round, square or oval, above
3in. dia. on hull or shell of ship.
Clause 5. Run in all Bolts and Studs where wood does not intervene.
Clause 6. That Boiler Makers shall drill and tap all holes on watertight
work, and for which they are held responsible.
Clause 7. Boiler Makers shall tap all holes they drill according to the list.
Clause 8. That the Boiler Makers shall drill all holes required to be
tapped for cattle fittings.
Clause 9. Boiler Makers drill and tap all holes for rolling chocks.
Clause 10. Boiler Makers shall drill and tap all holes in engine room for
which they are responsible and all holes above Sin. dia.
Clause 11. Boiler Makers to have free use of drilling machines on all
work specified in their list.
DEFINITION. — It is understood that Boiler Makers are responsible
where the work affects the seaworthiness or structiiral parts of the vessel.
DRILLERS' LIST.
Clause 1. Drill or knife all plain holes up to and including Sin. dia.,
except those specified in Boiler Makers' list, Sin. dia. to mean the
finished size of hole.
A HISTORICAL SUKVEY OF THE BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY. 217
Clause 2. Drill or knife all plain holes in interior of ship when required
by other trades, and for which the Boiler Makers are not responsible
(engine room excepted).
Clause 3. Drill and tap all holes in connection with electrical installation,
excepting in boiler room.
Clause 4. Drill all plain holes for cattle fittings.
Clause 5. All drilling for other trades in engine room up to 3 in. dia.
when finished, to be done by Drillers.
Clause 6. To have free use of drilling machines on all work specified in
their list.
DEFINITION. — It is understood that Boiler Maki-rx <n •• ri'x/><>nxil>li'
where the work affects the seaworthiness or structural i><irt* <>f tin- /vxx«/.
Arbitration Board —
CHARLES ROUSE,
ALLEN F. FREYER,
WILLIAM IRVINE,
W. H. PATTERSON,
FRANK SMITH, Chairman.
FEDERATION OF ENGINEERS AND SHIPBUILDING TRADES
OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
July 4th, 1903.
DEFINITION TO CLAUSE 6, BOILER MAKERS' LIST. — To mean hull or
shell of ship.
DEFINITION, CLAUSE 1 — DRILLERS' LIST. — It is understood that
Drillers tap all holes they drill, and they can drill and tap holes up to
3 inches on the hull of ship when required by other trades.
ADDENDUM TO ORIGINAL DEFINITION. — The seaworthiness or structural
parts to mean hull, shell ribs, watertight bulkheads, and thwart ship
beams. Drilling and Tapping in the aforesaid parts for other trades to
be done by Drillers.
CHARLES ROUSE, A. FREYER,
W. IRVINE, W. H. PATTERSON,
F. SMITH, CHAIRMAN.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS,
Portrait of General Secretary
(Mr. D. C. Cummings) faciny Title.
Portrait of Jas. Cooper 14
First Emblem of the Order 16
Lines to the Memory of John Roach 39
Portrait of John Allen 55
Portrait of Robert Knight, J. P. 81
Second Emblem of the Order 89-90
Present do. do. 91
Portrait of Matthew Smith 93
Do. Richard Roth well 100
Do. John Rowat 102
Do. James O'Neill, J.P. 104
View of General Offices, Newcastle 121
The Old Executive Council and
General Trustees 139-140
Members of the Executive Council,
New Order 141-142
District Delegates
158-160
Some Past District Delegates still
enjoying life 161
Some Old Branch Secretaries 166
Some Old Veterans - 167-168
The " Enterprise " - 170
The " Robert F. Stockton " 171
The s.s. " Cedric " 172
Sectional Views of Boilers 174
Photo of Cylindrical Boilers now
making for H.M.S. "Black
Prince " 175
Section of Boiler of the "Leader" 177
No. 10 Engine - 178
No. 1041 Engine, "The Dart"- 179
No. 2111 Engine, N.E. Ry. - 180
No. 2116 do. 181
The First Metal Railway Bridge
in England .- 184
The Forth Bridge
186
CONTENTS.
PR K FACE
EAKLY TRADE UNION STRUGGLES — 1800-34 9
THE FRIENDLY BOILER MAKERS' SOCIETY — 1834-40 - 13
PREFACE TO DO. DO. 17
LECTURE — PART I. 19
Do. —PART II. ->\
1841 TO 1850 ;w
1851 TO 1860 47
JANUARY, 1861, TO DECEMBER, 1870 58
JANUARY, 1871, TO DECEMBER, 1880 77
JANUARY, 1881, TO DECEMBER, 1890 111
JANUARY, 1891, TO AUGUST, 1904 127
SHIPBUILDING AND MARINE BOILER MAKING, PAST AND PRESENT 170
LOCOMOTIVES IN THE EARLY DAYS AND THE PRESENT 177
BRIDGEBUILDING , - 183
ARBITRATION AWARDS AND AGREEMENTS 189
mni M
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