Matthew Murray 1765-1826 and the firm of Fenton, Murray and Co, 1795-1844

摘要

Matthew Murray is best known for being too brilliant a technical engineer for the liking of Boulton and Watt. From specialising in manufacturing flax spinning machinery, Murray took an interest in improving the steam engines that powered his linen mills and naturally started installing them elsewhere in successful competition. Boulton and Watt recognised his talent and purchased land adjacent to Murray's works in Leeds to stop the business expanding. His other claim to fame is for designing and manufacturing the steam locomotives from 1812-16 to operate with John Blenkinsop's patent rack railway. Meanwhile, he was the pioneer in supplying structural iron for many fireproof mills. He also supplied engines and machinery to Marc Brunei for the Navy's saw mills at Chatham. Murray was nervous of high pressure steam and, claiming a full order book, declined the Stockton & Darlington Railway's 1825 invitation to supply an improved sister for Locomotion. Even so, he openly offered the railway a suggested design that would spread the weight on the track and prevent rail breakage. After Murray's death his company re-entered the business of locomotive making with an order from the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. Through the 1830s customers included some twenty English and French railways culminating in 1840-42 with 23 locomotives for the Great Western Railway. I K Brunel, with his father's fulsome recommendation of Murray's company, insisted on their acceptance of his broad gauge order.