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Transition at Dowlais, The 1850s and 1860s

In: A History of GKN

Author

Listed:
  • Edgar Jones

Abstract

By March 1848, when after the death of Lord Bute it became clear that his Trustees would renew the lease, the ironworks at Dowlais had been allowed to fall into a state of considerable disrepair. Little had been spent on maintenance and renewals in the immediate past and, in view of Lord Bute’s implacability and consistent refusal to reach an agreement, there had been virtually no substantial investment in new plant and technology over the recent five years. The plight of the Dowlais Iron Co. was compounded by the debilitating effect of Sir John Guest’s illness. Just when he was needed to invigorate his managers with fresh enthusiasm and set about re-building the ironworks and modernising the mines, Guest suffered from growing ill health. He was forced to spend increasing periods in the unpolluted air at Canford where he could rest without being overly troubled by the pressing problems of his family business. Who, then, would occupy Dowlais House, take responsibility for negotiating the renewal of the lease and make the decisions needed to rejuvenate the ailing iron and coal company?

Suggested Citation

  • Edgar Jones, 1987. "Transition at Dowlais, The 1850s and 1860s," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: A History of GKN, chapter 8, pages 239-287, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-349-06629-2_8
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-06629-2_8
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