A number of premises belonging to the Scottish agricultural implement makers went on fire. Some of the fires were very destructive with the complete loss of premises, or significantly affected production of manufactures.
The accounts of the fires in the newspaper press sometimes include detailed accounts of the premises and the businesses which are not recorded elsewhere. They included the Aberdeen Implement Works of Barclay, Ross & Hutchison in May 1920, and Alexander Newlands & Sons, Linlithgow, in February 1944. Another significant fire destroyed the Banff Foundry of G. W. Murray of Banff, an eminent, noted and long-established maker. It manufactured a wide range of implements and machines such as broadcast corn sowing machines, serpentine harrows, zig-zag harrows, chain harrows, land rollers, drill ploughs, turnip sowers, circular frame grubbers, chilled plough, Anglo-American chilled ploughs, and reapers.
What is known about the destructive fire? A lengthy article on the fire was published in the Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn express of 17 September 1892. It also provides a good deal of information about the business:
“Destructive fire at Banff
Total demolition of Murray’s Foundry
Shortly before three o’clock yesterday morning fire was discovered at the premises in Reid and Carmelite Streets, known as Banff Foundry, and it resulted in the complete destruction of the whole of the buildings, the working and fixed machinery, and plant of every description, including a large number of reapers ready for delivery. The most serious loss was that of the stock of patterns, which must have cost many thousands of pounds. Some threshing mills and a large quantity of prepared timber have also been destroyed, as well as the engine. The foundry is surrounded by dwelling-houses, and some of these on the opposite side of Reid Street, caught fire and the occupants had their effects removed, but the flames were soon extinguished. The Town and County Bank house in Carmelite Street also caught fire, but no serious damage was done. The fire, from the nature of the materials, was very alarming and threatening throughout. There were a large number of hands and a plentiful supply of water, but the fire had got such a considerable hold of the building before being observed that from the first efforts were directed to save the adjoining houses. The firm have saved their books and papers, and it is understood that the buildings and plant are insured, but notwithstanding the loss will be a serious one, and meantime some 70 to 90 hands are thrown out of employment. The tradesmen have lost all their valuable tools. The flames were fanned by a strong wind from the south, and the houses in Carmelite Street, including the Salvation Army Barracks, were only saved by the greatest efforts. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it appears to have broken out in the upper flat of the main buildings, used as a pattern-making loft, and was first observed by the occupant of one of the houses immediately opposite, who was awakened by the howling of his cat and dog, and on rising to find out the cause, saw the glare of the burning mass, and immediately raised the alarm. The loss is estimated at about £3000.
The foundry is an old established one, and under the superintendence of the late Mr G. W. Murray, the last proprietor, the business was greatly extended. Not only did the firm employ a large local and district connection, but as exporters of machinery they did a large business abroad, the hand chain-pumps which they sent out to Egypt and other parts of the world bringing the firm into prominence. As makers of reaping machines and other agricultural implements the firm are well known, and throughout the north there has been sent out from the foundry large numbers of the “Victory” reaper. Mr Murray was himself an enterprising agriculturist of the advanced school, and his farm of Colleonard was one of the best on the Fife estate. He was thus well known in the farming world, and was the means of greatly extending the old-established business at the foundry, of which he was the managing owner. On Mr Murray’s death, some years ago, the foundry fell into the hands of Mr George Duncan, son of ex-Provost Duncan, and notwithstanding the keen competition which was experienced from other firms in the north as well as from those more favourably situated in bigger centres of industry, a good business was done both at home and abroad. In fact, under Mr Duncan’s management several new features for the more expeditious carrying on of the work were introduced, and there were indications that under the new management even a greater run of prosperity than formally was to be expected.”
How did the business respond to the fire and what steps did it take to rebuild its business? G. W. Murray & Co. published an advert in the Banffshire journal on 7 February 1893, noting its intention to sell the destroyed premises and utilising its other premises:
“Banff Foundry for Sale
Messrs G. W. Murray & Co., have been able, notwithstanding the destruction by fire of the Banff Foundry Buildings proper, to maintain the business in full efficiency by utilising their other premises connected with the foundry, and by outside arrangements; and they take this opportunity of thanking their customers and friends for the kind consideration extended to them in the trying circumstances in which they were placed.
Mr Geo A. Duncan, having been offered inducement to enter on other business arrangements elsewhere, his firm of G. W. Murray & Co., have resolved to offer the Banff Foundry, Plant and Stock, for sale, by private bargain.
Banff Foundry has been in existence for upwards of 60 years, and has a wide reputation, having a splendid business connection at home and abroad, and has done a large thriving business, which has been fully maintained. The Works are conveniently situated as regards transit by land and sea.
Offers will be received for the site of the old Foundry, on which the purchaser will have an opportunity of erecting buildings after modern designs, and of placing therein the most recent and improved machinery, and he will have to take over the plant and stock at mutual valuation.
The Premises will be shown on application at the Foundry, and the titles will be exhibited by Alexander George, solicitor, Macduff, agent for the Company; and Mr Geo. A. Duncan will supply other particulars.
Banff, 19th December 1892.”
Despite the significant difficulties faced by the business, it still had a very productive year in the following year. As the Aberdeen press and journal of 26 December 1893 noted:
“Trade in the north
Banff
At the Foundry, Messrs G. W. Murray & Company have experienced a very prosperous year-between 40 and 50 hands having been kept in steady employment. The export trade in hand-threshers, harrows &c has been exceptionally brisk, and there has also been a good run of local orders. A large number of “Victory” reapers have been turned out in addition to other implements. Mr Duncan, the managing proprietor, this year brought out a Lever Sheating machine for blacksmiths, which is said to have been largely run upon. In consequence of the limited accommodation and appliances at the works since the disastrous fire here, considerable difficulty has been experienced, and the resources of the firm have at times been severely taxed in fulfilling orders of agricultural implements; but the firm have now in contemplation the erection of a large smith’s shop, which will enable them to extend operations and cope with the increasing demands of the trade.
In the iron merchants’ business, also carried on by this firm, the year has been a more than usually busy one-the overturn surpassing very considerably the experience of several years past.”
