Union Canal Looking West to Viewforth Bridge

Category

Library Item

Item no

4992

Title

Union Canal looking west to Viewforth Bridge with North British Rubber Works

Description

Snow covers barges and the quayside of the Union Canal at Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. In the background are chimneys, warehouses and bridges.

Artist / maker

Chrystal, Francis M.

Date

1920

Size

8.7 x 13.7 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This title is taken from a contact print index of the volume. No title is given in the volume.

The North British Rubber Company were the first to introduce the manufacture of rubber goods into Scotland and remained industry leaders in the development of rubber manufacture. The 'Castle Mills' headquarters by the side of Union Canal at Fountainbridge covered over 5 acres of land. In the 1890s the factory employed about 1600 people. The entire rubber process from crude imported India rubber was carried out: softening, breaking, cleansing, drying, milling, grinding, vulcanising, making up and finishing. They made all kinds of rubber goods including waterproof clothing and footwear, surgical, household and mechanical apparatus, bicycle tyres, inlaid pavement, horse shoes and flexible tubing specifically employed in the construction of the Forth Rail Bridge.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Chimneys

Manufacturing Industry > Manufacturing facilities > Warehouses

Natural phenomena > Weather > Snow

Places > Edinburgh areas > Fountainbridge

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Canals

Transport > Water > Barges

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