|
Underlined Text & Images are used for Hyper-Links to more
Relevant Information
|
|
Lord
Armstrong – Victorian Engineer
|
|
Cragside was built from the vision of William Armstrong and an Architect
Richard Norman Shaw during the later half of the nineteenth century and
remains a fine example of the wealthy Victorians culture.
|
|
Lord Armstrong who died in 1900 at the age of ninety was one of the
Engineering Genius’s who profited from the Industrial Revolution, whose
hydraulic machinery developed from experiments carried out on the Cragside
Estate requiring the creation of two lakes.
One of the lakes is now drained but the weir remains along with a
thatched roof boathouse providing a sheltered location for a picnic on a wet
day. The lakes were used to power the hydraulic machinery, which is on
display in the Power House at the lowest point on the Estate.
|
|
|
The resulting machinery produced in his factories located along the side of
the upper navigable river Tyne at Elswick to Scotswood was used to shipbuilding
an heavy engineering industries and also used to raise Tower Bridge in London.
He also turned his hand to manufacture of artillery weapons supplying the
Armies and Navies of Military powers worldwide, his name and factories continued
well into the twentieth century during both World Wars.
The house was built by Richard Norman Shaw who was brought from London on
three occasions had to learn new materials which were available in
Northumberland.
Stone was found locally and on the Estate, the quarry is now a car park for
those wishing to venture out on the many trails within the grounds or wanting
shelter to picnic on a windy day.
Following the original construction the Library and Dining Room were
added then Turkish Baths and additional bedrooms under the supervision of
William and his wife Margaret, who was an enthusiastic botanist. She
instigated the construction of the gardens which cascade down from the house
and botanical garden and Greenhouses which are open to the public.
|
|
|
She also imported many trees from around the world for planting on the vast
acreage of the estate many of which can be observed from the drive around the
estate or trekking on the many trails, on which it is easy to get lost.
The Power Circuit trail, a 1mile walk
alongside Debden Burn, includes the Ram and Power houses
in which hydroelectric machinery is displayed.
The Terraced Garden contains an Orchard House and restored 19th-century clock tower
Within the house there are many exhibits of Armstrong’s inventions, a fine
collection of paintings and period furniture as well as early examples of
taxidermy which interested Margaret with her friend John Hancock founder of the
Natural History Museum in Newcastle and said to be the founder of modern
techniques of taxidermy in Britain.
The hall was the first to have permanent electric lighting, a service lift
from the kitchen and a rotating spit over the fire all powered by
hydroelectricity generated on the estate using the man made lakes and pump house
below.
The visitor’s centre located in the stables in the gamekeepers lodge also
houses a fine exhibition of the engineering brilliance of Lord Armstrong. The
estate is now managed and maintained by the National Trust, closed through the
winter months and worthy of a full days visit to capture the majesty of
Cragside.
Cragside - Ivan Lindsay
|
