764 REPORT—1865. 
hand, sufficed to place the iron-trade connected with the Cleveland bed of 
ore in its present remarkably conspicuous position. 
The Middlesbro’ ironstone was opened out in the latter part of 1850, and 
in the year 1860 the following numbers indicate the weight of pig iron 
smelted in the districts quoted for the sake of comparison :— 
Northumberland, Durham, and the North Riding of York  ... 658,679 tons. 
North and South Staffordshire... oes e 336 sai; MOLOSAGOY yy 
South Wales wee aa ee aes at «es 969;025 5, 
Scotland (the whole of) sae ach 
The figures are from the Geological Survey. 
This rapid rate of increase in our local trade has been maintained without 
the exercise of any influence of a speculative character. New markets had 
to be sought, increased sources of consumption had to be organized in our 
own vicinity, and some prejudices had to be overcome before the new brands 
of this additional iron district were fairly accepted as an important contri- 
bution to the metallurgical industry of the kingdom. Now that this much 
has been honestly and completely accomplished, we may fairly look for a 
great extension of those local branches of manufacture in which iron plays 
an important part. With our cheap fuel, magnificent and improving harbours, 
and enormous commerce, it is only reasonable to suppose that rolling-mills, 
engineering establishments, iron-ship building, and many other similar 
undertakings will find a place among us, and assist in maintaining for the 
North of England a very honourable rank in those industrial communities 
which contribute so largely to the welfare and prosperity of the British 
empire. 
937,000 5, 
On the Manufacture of Steel in the Northern District. 
By Tuomas Srencer, M.LLM.E. 
Tne history of the manufacture of steel in this locality commences at a 
very early period; for we find that, probably three hundred years ago, a 
colony of Germans settled at a place on the river Derwent, within a few 
miles of this town, and, according to tradition, there established this branch 
of local industry, where they also attained some celebrity as manufacturers 
of swords and edge tools. ‘The names of these immigrants, who, it is stated, 
took refuge in this country that they might enjoy religious liberty, were Ole, 
Mohl, Vooz, &e., &c., and some of whose descendants still reside in the 
village where their ancestors originally settled, the names being now Angli- 
cized to Oley, Mole, &e. The name of the village is Shotley Bridge, and in 
the wall of an old two-story dwelling-house, the original materials of which 
are hidden under a coat of ‘‘rough cast,” there still exists a stone above the 
doorway with an inscription in bad German, to the following effect :—pxs. 
HERREN. SECEN MACHET. REICH. OHN. ALLE. SORC. WAN. DV. ZVGLEICH. IN. DEINEM. 
STAND. TREVW. VND. FLEISIC. BIST. VND. DVEST. WAS. DIR. BELOHLEN. Ist. 1691, 
of which the following is a free translation, showing that the original im- 
porters of the stecl-manufacture to this district were probably good Lutherans, 
who had suffered persecution for conscience’ sake:—“The blessing of the 
Lord makes rich without care, so long as you are industrious in your vocation 
and do what is ordered you.” 
But there is a much earlier record of these German immigrants than the 
