A number of accounts of implement and machinery works record them being destroyed by fire. These can provide invaluable insights into the businesses and the buildings and implement works which are not recorded in other sources of evidence.
There are a number of accounts of a destructive fire that broke out at Shearer Brothers premises at Turriff, Aberdeenshire, in January 1901.
The Buchan observer and East Aberdeenshire advertiser provides a detailed account of the fire:
“About 6:15 on Tuesday night fire broke in the workshop belonging to Shearer Brothers, mill and implement makers, Turriff Station, carried on by Mr Eric J. Shearer. The cause of the fire is unknown. Immediately after the men had ceased work at 6 o’clock, Mr Shearer inspected the premises, and extinguished all the lights, and locked up for the night. Less than ten minutes afterwards, he saw from a window of the dwelling-house which is adjacent to the works a reflection of fire, and on returning to the workshop found it in flames. Owing to the inflammable nature of the building and materials, even in this short time the fire had taken so form a hold that it was impossible to enter this part of the workshop. He at once raised the alarm, and with the assistance of his nearest neighbour, Mr Smith, Northern Agricultural Company, several casks of paraffin and two hand threshing mills were removed. Messengers were at once despatched for the engine at the steam mills and for the one belonging to the burgh. Both of these were on the scene with the least possible delay, the former under the charge of Messrs A. Brown, agent, and Black, miller, and the burgh one under the charge of Captain Duthie, who was a member of the brigade and a number of willing hands. It was at once seen from the hold that the fire had attained, that the buildings, being mostly of wood, it was impossible to suppress the conflagration, but through the strenuous exertions of the burgh engine, the dwelling-house was saved on the one hand, and on the other the stores of Nisbet and Co., Banff, were protected by the engine from the mills. The fire was thereby confined to the workshops which were razed to the ground. In addition to the buildings a large quantity of valuable stock and plant was destroyed, including special machines for the manufacture of power threshers and valuable designs and plans and wood patterns. In all the total loss is estimated at about £10000, and is, it is understood, covered by insurance with the Caledonian Insurance Company, of which Mr John Anderson, Town and Country Bank, is agent. Only the day before a 6-horse power threshing machine, value £80, had fortunately been dispatched from the works. Mr Shearer has of late been busy, and had been employing extra hands to cope with his orders. He had six months’ work in hand, which included eight 6-jhorse power and 40 hand threshing machines. In addition to the loss sustained, Mr Shearer will be greatly inconvenienced in the execution of these orders.
That fire was also recorded in the Aberdeen Press and Journal with the headline “Big fire at Turriff. Shearer’s mill works burned down”
Last night, shortly after six o’clock, fire broke out in the workshop belonging to Messrs Shearer Brothers, mill and implement makers, Turriff Station, and carried on by Mr Eric J. Shearer. The cause of the fire us unknown. Immediately after the men had ceased work at six o’clock, Mr Shearer inspected the premises, extinguished all the lights, and locked up for the night. In less than ten minutes afterwards he saw from a window of the dwelling-house, which is adjacent to the works, a reflection of fire, and on returning to the workshop, found it in flames. Owing to the inflammable nature of the buildings and materials, even in this short time the fire had taken so firm a hold that it was impossible to enter this part of the workshop. He at once raised the alarm, and with the assistance of his nearest neighbour-Mr Smith, Northern Agricultural Company-several casks of paraffin and two hand-threshing mills were removed. Messengers were at once despatched for the engine at the steam mills, as also for the one belonging to the burgh. Both of these were on the scene with the least possible delay, the former under the charge of Messrs A. Brown, agent, and Black, miller; and the burgh one under the charge of Captain Duthie, who was ably assisted by members of the brigade and a number of willing hands.
It was at once seen-the buildings being mostly of wood-it was impossible to suppress the fire; but through the strenuous exertions of the burgh engine, the dwelling-house was saved on the one side, and on the other the stores of Messrs Nesbit and Company, Banff, were protected by the engine from the flames. The fire was thereby confined to the workshops, which were totally destroyed.
In addition to the buildings, a large quantity of valuable stock and plant was destroyed, as also special machines for the manufacture if power threshers, and valuable designs, plans, and wood patterns. In all the total loss is estimated at about £1000, and is, we understand, covered by insurance with the Caledonian Insurance Company, of which Mr John Anderson, Town and County Bank, is agent in Turriff. Only the day previous a six-horse power thrashing machine, valure £80, had fortunately been despatched from the works. Mr Shearer has of late been busy, and had been employing extra hands to cope with his orders, he having six months’ work in hand, which included eight 6-horse power and 40 hand thrashing machines. In addition to the loss sustained, Mr Shearer will be greatly inconvenienced in the execution of these orders.”
Shearer Brothers rebuilt its works at Maybank Works, Balmellie Street, Turriff, and continued its operations. It continued to make a range of manufactures, including threshing mills, until the early 1970s.
