Interview with Edward Christian of Clague's Farm Foundry, Ramsey about the foundry, fishing industry and Christian family history
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Date(s): 1989
Scope & Content: Edward Christian of Clague's Farm Foundry talks to Walter Clarke about the foundry, the fishing industry and the Christian family history. Edward, born in Ramsey in 1907, talks about going to work at Clague's engineers which prior to 1913 was on the quay; history of the Clagues and the Kennishes in Laxey mines as foreman and blacksmith for Captain Rowe; the smithing of the Laxey Wheel by Clague and a Mr Tregellis from Cornwall; history of the foundry; Corlett as first moulder; manufacture of machinery for mills and steam engines for nickies; manufacture of first self-lubricating gun carriage wheels; engines shown at the 1887 Great Exhibition; casting of Queen's Pier metalwork; pattern-maker Cowle known as 'Danny the Witch'; range of items manufactured by Clagues; Robert Ferguson, Scottish blacksmith who designed first swing plough.
He recalls Tommy Kinrade and nicky racing in Ramsey bay; rowing boats for hire; cod boats; Captain Braden, harbour master of Ramsey; the 'King Orry' which belonged to Billy Christian ('Billy the Charmer'); Clagues’ invention of a hand pump; manufacture of stationary engines; Iron Man and where to obtain one for the Manx Museum; Jersey and Guernsey boats; the 'New Leader' and the 'Jennie'; manufacture of deep well pumps. There follows a lengthy discussion about the Point of Ayre salt works and their products; engineer and geologist Sandy Todd; and objections to Manx Salt and Alkalite Company.
Edward then talks about smoke houses and haddock fishing in Ramsey; failure of Ramsey oyster nursery; shipping fish to Liverpool; fishing boats; fishermen on a Saturday night rowing round the Point of Ayre; farmers owning boats; boat builders Clucas and Duggan; Johnny Corkish; boats the 'Britannia' and the 'Matty', the 'Myrie' and the 'Loomies'; the Coffey family; share fishing; the 'Hope' having the first engine for hauling nets; Young Lace who may have put the first 7 kelvin engine in for shooting or hauling nets; the Master Frank's bell; Old Ball who fished out of Ramsey; dredging and working 800 hooks and lines a mile long. Walter Clarke tells the story, from his father, about Jimmy Bradford. Edward mentions skate fishing; Georgie Corkish knowing about fishing; lists boats and crew; fish auctions; Harry Cormish, lifeboat cox; Jimmy Crick; the Kinnin family and their boats and kipper curing plant; Tommy Craine lost at sea. Walter mentions Yankee Christian and Captain John Christian with a discussion of the Yankee Christians' ownership of Douglas properties and fishing boats. Walter recalls Alma House owned by the Christians. They talk about Danny Cleator; Willy Cowle and Willy Spranger and the memorial window in St Paul's church; grandfather going to New Orleans; Old Miss Christian; and anecdotes about Yankee Christian including Tommy Wright the Whitehaven fish merchant and Bill Hodge.
Administration / Biographical History: Walter Clarke, Manx speaker, translator and Manx Museum technician (1928-2007).
Language: English
Extent: 1 hr. 10 min. 5 sec.
Item name: magnetic tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 0132
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH
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