Leicester Philip Sidney

“ Additional ironworks were subsequently acquired at Old Hill and Harts Hill, and the business grew until it became one of the largest and most important in the Midlands. In 1865, on the death of his brother Hezekiah, Benjamin became head of the firm, which was converted into a limited company in 1890. But Benjamin retained a controlling interest and continued in command until his death. For nearly thirty years he was chairman of the South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire Ironmasters' Association, and president of the Midland iron and steel wages board. ”

“ In 1881 he became a director of the North Eastern Railway Company, having previously served as director of the Stockton and Darlington railway, and on the formation of the Dunderland Iron Ore Company in 1902 he was appointed chairman. He was an active member of the Durham Coal Owners' Association and of the Cleveland Mine Owners' Association. Dale owes his main distinction to his work as pioneer in applying the principle of arbitration to industrial disputes. ”

“ Penrhyn acted throughout in accordance with what he believed to be stern equity and from a wish to obtain justice for non-union men. In 1907 he generously accorded the workmen a bonus of 10 per cent, on their wages, owing to a spell of bad weather which had interrupted work at the quarries. ”

“ Noah Hingley, like his father before him, began life as a chain-maker in a small factory on the banks of the Stour, and ultimately founded the chain making and cable firms of Noah Hingley & Sons, and Hingley & Smith of Netherton. ”

“ He further revolutionised the industry by substituting rolled armour plate for forged armour plate, and at Jarrow the first armour plate mill was laid down for the manufacture of what were known as 'Palmer's rolled plates.' He was also one of the first to recognise the value of the Cleveland ironstone, which was smelted at the blast furnaces at Jarrow from 1860. ”

“ The first iron vessel launched from this yard was a paddle tug, the Northumberland, and this was followed (in 1852) by the John Bowes, which was the first iron screw collier to be built, and had a coal capacity of 690 tons. The experiment was a complete success. ”

“ No conservative candidate ventured to oppose him, and although labour candidates contested the seat in 1885. 1892, and 1906, they were severely defeated. He was a deputy lieutenant for Durham and for the North Riding of Yorkshire. In 1886 he was created a baronet, while from the King of Italy he received the commandership of the order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus. He founded in Jarrow the Mechanics' Institute and the Palmer Memorial Hospital. He was honorary colonel of the Newcastle-on-Tyne and Durham engineer volunteers. ”

“ He died at his residence, Warter Priory, Pocklington, Yorkshire, on 27 Oct. 1907. On 5 Oct. 1871 he married Florence Jane Helen, the eldest daughter of Colonel William Henry Charles Wellesley, nephew of the first Duke of Wellington. ”

“ Fond of horse-racing and breeding, he was elected to the Jockey Club in 1887, but was not very fortunate on the turf. In 1898, however, he won the Goodwood Cup with King's Messenger, which both in 1899 and 1900 carried his master's colours to the post for the Great Metropolitan Stakes at Epsom. ”

“ Henceforth his activities rapidly expanded. He was concerned with the formation of the Consett Iron Co., of which he subsequently became managing director and chairman. In 1866 he embarked on extensive shipbuilding enterprises in co-operation with Richardson, Denton, Duck & Co. ”