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moh
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 Posted -
03/01/2006
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10:31
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Just looking at the photo of Blackpool 1915 - I remember my grandma telling me about a huge wheel which stood next to the tower. She said she went on it once and got stuck at the top for ages. Does anyone know what happened to it?
Say only a little but say it well
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 03/01/2006 : 17:04
http://www.24carat.co.uk/bigwheelmedallionframe.html
Go to this link Mo for the history and the demolition.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk  |
TOM PHILLIPS
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Posted - 03/01/2006 : 20:57
I believe the demolition was subcontracted to a steeplejack from burnley not sure of his name but can find out. One of the carriages still remain in a barn in Outrawcliffe {near Garstang}.
"Work,the curse of the drinking class" |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 04/01/2006 : 05:56
Do it Tom, I'd be interested to know for the index.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 04/01/2006 : 06:02
The website contains this info:
"The Winter Gardens Company
In 1895, the Blackpool Winter Gardens Company wanted an attraction to rival the successful and famous Blackpool Tower. It decided upon a gigantic wheel. The first had been constructed by G.W.G. Ferris for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and was 250 feet high. Another had been built for the Earl's Court Oriental Exhibition of 1895. They floated a new company, The Auto-Music Company Ltd., to own and operate the big wheel, a wise decision, as it was not commercially successful.
Interestingly, the charge at Blackpool was only 6 pence, compared with 1/- and 2/- in London. It would seem that Blackpool gave terrific value in those days, just as it continues to do nowadays.
In 1896, the wheel opened to the public, but it was overshadowed by the tower, which at 519 feet, was over twice its height. The big wheel itself was 214 feet high, and rotated every 15 minutes compared with 35 minutes for its London rival."
The medallion struck to commemorate the demolition in 1928 says that Ward Brothers of Eccles demolished it. They were a branch of Ward Brothers at Sheffield, the biggest machinery and scrap people in the country. They scrapped the Majestic which provided so much material for the Majestic leisure complex in Barlick. It wouldn't be unusual for them to sub-contract steeplejack work out to a specialist.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
TOM PHILLIPS
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Posted - 04/01/2006 : 08:20
The steeplejack in question was called Freer {not sure of the spelling} from accrington not burnley . imformation came from men who worked with him, but you know what steeplejacks are like for tall tales
"Work,the curse of the drinking class" |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 04/01/2006 : 08:30
I'll look into it.......
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 04/01/2006 : 08:48
I've had a furtle but no joy. The only jacks I ever knew with a name similar to that were 'Firs' and I have an idea they are still in business but under a different name, perhaps Delta.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
TOM PHILLIPS
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Posted - 04/01/2006 : 09:05
Fures steeplejacks now trade under the name Omega as lightning conductor engineers but there is still Fures lightning conductor supplies {nottingham}.The steeplejack in question did exist but died many years ago.
"Work,the curse of the drinking class" |
TOM PHILLIPS
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Posted - 04/01/2006 : 15:48
The steeplejack was called horrace freer?? but the more i read about it the more likely it seems he may just have been an employee of the demolition firm.But there is a carriage in Outrawcliffe somwhere.
"Work,the curse of the drinking class" |
stan white
New Member
1 Posts
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Posted - 09/11/2006 : 23:11
I believe my Great Grandfather helped to make the actual spindle for the Big Wheel,
Does anyone know where the wheel spindle was made??
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TOM PHILLIPS
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Posted - 09/11/2006 : 23:33
Dont know Stan,the only info i have is that ,in 1895 the Winter Gardens co.approached Walter B. Bassett the engineer for the Earls Court wheel ,with a veiw to erecting a wheel in Blackpool to rival the Tower as an attraction, the construction of the wheel was bedevilled by litigation over patent rights..The Earls Court axel was hollow and you was able to walk through it,dont think Blackpool was the same..
"Work,the curse of the drinking class" |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 10/11/2006 : 08:36
He's a mine of information isn't he.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
TOM PHILLIPS
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Posted - 10/11/2006 : 15:39
Called to see a guy who might know today,SHOCK,it was the mans funeral today,he died on Monday,thoughtless sod,just when i needed him.
ps.He would agree with my last comment.
"Work,the curse of the drinking class" |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 11/11/2006 : 06:27
It happens far too frequently...... Why can't they give warning?
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
TOM PHILLIPS
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Posted - 11/11/2006 : 13:39
Just read that the spindle weighed 28tons,there should be information on the turners of it,i'll have a look in Blackpool library when i get chance..
"Work,the curse of the drinking class" |
Blackpool big wheel
