The Ironworks of Hawks Crawshay & Sons, Gateshead: 1748–1889

Abstract

In the early half of the 19th century Hawks Crawshay & Sons — as it became — expanded to become the largest iron-based company on Tyneside. In the course of its history, the company was controlled by two families, Hawks of Gateshead for the fi rst 100 years or so, and the Crawshays for the last fi fty. Although the company reached its zenith in the second half of the century, by then it had been overtaken by the later establishments that came to dominate the North-East. In 1889 the company collapsed, apparently without warning. This paper is an account of the rise and fall of the company and is an attempt to recognise its contribution to the industrial development of the area. Hawks Crawshay & Sons was, in effect, established in the middle of the 18th century. Although legends abound, there is a dearth of reliable information about those early years when wrought iron was recycled at Gateshead. Accounts of the fi rm’s early history have been written by Evans1 and by Manders2 but little research has been carried out on the later years of the company. Although this account is unavoidably incomplete — no company records have survived — the 19th century history of the company is examined in some detail, particularly the period after the Crawshays took a controlling interest at the time of the construction of the High Level Bridge between Newcastle and Gateshead. Comparisons are made with other companies in the area, particularly with John Abbot & Co. who were neighbours in Gateshead and were both collaborators and competitors. The ultimate sudden failure of the company is analysed in some detail.