< Previous | Contents | Next >
W. J. FURSE & CO.,
Electric Light Contractors and Engineers, Burton Street, NOTTINGHAM
Telephone No. 593. Telegrams: "Furse, Nottingham."
WITH characteristic up-to-dateness Nottingham has been among the foremost of our large cities to possess itself of the advantages of electric-lighting, in substitution of gas and oil illuminants for both public and private purposes, and may claim additional credit as the centre of one of the most extensive enterprises devoted to supplying the requirements of users of electric installation for either lighting or motive force. The enterprise in question owes its prominence and successful establishment to the energy of Mr. W. J. Furse, head of the well-known firm of electrical contractors and engineers of that name, who have been identified with the execution of many of the most important works of the kind carried out in Nottingham and other parts of the country within the past few years. Originally articled to the firm of J. Vicary and Sons, engineers, of the Exe Island Works, Exeter, Mr. Furse enjoyed exceptional opportunities for perfecting his practical experience in the profession, and so great was the confidence of his employers in his ability that at the early age of twenty years he was selected to superintend and carry out some important works for Weston-super-Mare Gas Company. On the completion of this contract in 1881, Mr. Furse was appointed engineer and manager of a firm of electrical engineers and contractors, in the City of Nottingham, which business he successfully carried on for twelve years.
Quorn Parish Church.
In 1893 an opportunity occurred of acquiring the business of the late Mr. Till, of Burton Street, and Mr, Furse then embarked in business on his own account. Within the comparatively brief period of the firm's establishment, they have carried out a large number of contracts for complete electric lighting plants, including engines and dynamos, among which the following have been supplied and erected recently:—Walter Boden, Esq., The Pastures, Derby; Henry Boden, Esq., The Friary, Derby; St. Werburg's Church, Derby; Mr. S. Smith, shoe manufacturer, Nottingham; W. Wright, Esq., Saxelby Park; Messrs. Bayley and Co., leather manufacturers Lenton; Messrs. E. Turney and Co., Whitemoor, Nottingham; the Raleigh Cycle Company; and the Nottingham Corporation Gas Works, Basford. Others of the principal installations fitted in Nottingham by the firm, but deriving current from the Corporation supply, are the Castle Museum for the City Council, the Joint Stock Bank, Nottingham; Messrs. Burton and Sons, Poultry, Nottingham; and Dr. Mason's residence and museum, Burton-on-Trent.
The chief specialities manufactured or supplied by the firm are:—Plating plants for cycle works, etc., lighting plants of every description driven by steam, gas or oil power, motor plants for factories, collieries, pumping, dental work, etc.; telephone systems for large works, of which hundreds are in daily use; electric bells of every description, speaking tubes and accessories, carbons for arc lamps, incandescent lamps, wires and cables of every description for lighting, telephones, and bells; batteries of all kinds, sal-ammoniac installations for telegraph, telephones and signal works; lightning conductors erected and manufactured; arc lamps, to burn 200 hours without trimming, of which large numbers are daily running in Nottingham, plating vats, switch boards and all electrical requisites and accessories of the most modern and improved type.
Nottingham East Croft Gas Works Chimney Shaft.
As suggested in our illustrations, Messrs. Furse and Co. by no means confine their undivided attention to the department already indicated in this brief outline of their electrical engineering business, the principal of the firm having originated and perfected a system of repairing church spires and mill chimneys, and affixing lightning conductors to such-like lofty structures, which has been proved in actual working to be the most practical and efficient method yet introduced for the purpose. Until a very few years ago, as a matter of common knowledge, it was necessary in carrying out work of this nature to employ the services of a "Steeple Jack" with his kite-flying apparatus, cords, lines, etc., and by these means the ascent was made in the most dangerous fashion, and the lightning conductor fixed or other work done in a manner which did not permit examination to ascertain whether it had been well or ill done. By Mr. Furse's system all these risks are entirely obviated, and the ascent being made by means of ladders in short lengths securely fastened to the masonry as the men go up, the work can be performed with perfect safety to life and property. In connection with this subject we may be permitted to quote a brief extract from "The Christian Union Annual Number" descriptive of Mr. Furse's improvements in this direction :—"The most eminent architects and engineers have affirmed that for assuring the safety of buildings from damage by lightning, Mr. Furse's improved copper tape conductors, and especially his system of Nottingham Electric Lighting Station, erecting them by means of a bracket hold-fast invented by him, entirely doing away with the old idea of glass insulators, are regarded as the most reliable because they are the outcome of a large experience extending over many years, and where erected under his personal supervision, or from plans prepared by him, have never been known to fail."
Nottingham Electric Lighting Station.
In a subsequent paragraph the writer continues:—"Only a short time since the fine old spire of Newark Parish Church (of which we give an illustration) was struck by lightning. It stands out as a landmark for many miles round as many of our readers are doubtless aware, being upwards of 300 feet in height, and Mr. Furse's men fixed the whole of the ladders on a Saturday afternoon, to the utter amazement of hundreds who witnessed the feat from the Market Place."
We also reproduce illustrations of the spires of Newark and Gotham Parish Churches under repair. The former is in course of restoration after being struck by lightning in 1894, and the latter spire is being entirely rebuilt and the tower restored (1895). Other edifices upon which the firm have been engaged in a like capacity have been Donisthorpe Church, St. Peter's, Mansfield, Annesley Church, Burton Joyce, St. Thomas', and St. Peter's, Nottingham, Quorndon Church, and a large number of chimney shafts in all parts of the country, of which we select a view of that constructed for the electricity department of the Nottingham Corporation Gas Department as a further illustration of the work. Not only is the system of ascending these lofty buildings a ready means of carrying out the work, but it enables a survey of the spire or chimney to be made from time to time, and damages readily estimated for all purposes. Mr. Furse also undertakes the design and construction of chimney shafts of any elevation, together with hooping, raising and taking down (here we may mention the important contract of removing the tall shaft, 339 feet high, for the Edinburgh Gas Company was entrusted to him), or straightening these erections on the most approved and workmanlike principles, and also hoists and fixes chimney caps—weight and height being immaterial—for engineers and contractors. Another department to which special attention is given is the "pointing" of the brickwork of tall chimneys, a branch to which the firm have devoted many years in perfecting a system and material whereby the best workmanship is assured. The material referred to is a mastic cement for pointing, this preparation being alone capable of withstanding any kind of weather or temperature, and is in nowise affected by frost or heat—two of the most damaging elements to cement or mortar. Mr. Furse also undertakes to examine and report on any buildings or plans, and confer with architects, engineers, etc., as to the best system of protecting buildings, etc., from lightning, and as a specialist in such matters his services are at the disposal of insurance companies as a valuer and for the assessment of damages.
Gotham Parish Church.
