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Historical Sketch
Site, Extent Valuation
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Water Supply
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Port and Harbour
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Historical Description and Statistics
of
BELFAST BOROUGH
Belfast, a maritime town
and Parliamentary borough, the capital of Ulster, the chief
manufacturing and commercial town of Ireland, and since 1850, the
county town of Antrim, chiefly in Antrim County, 101 miles North
of Dublin, lat. 54 deg. 36 min. 8.5 sec. N., long. 5 deg. 55 min.
53.7 sec. W., comprises an area in the present boundary of 6,805
acres, including 4,322 acres O roods and 32 perches in the Co.
Antrim, and 1,668 acres 3 roods and 22 perches in the County Down
or suburb of Ballymacarrett. There is an additional area of 813
acres 3 roods and 34 perches of tideway inclusive in the borough
boundary in the latter district. It is now proposed, however, to
extend the entire borough, so as to embrace a further area of
3,766 acres. In 1851 the population was 100,301; in 1861, 120,777,
inhabiting 18,375 houses; and in 1871 the population had increased
to 174,412, occupying 27,691 inhabited houses; at the beginning of
1876 the number of inhabited houses was 32,670, and the estimated
population about 206,000. At the beginning of 1880 the population
was estimated at about 230,000.
No town in Ireland (if indeed any in the United Kingdom) has so
rapidly developed itself, from insignificance to vast importance,
as has Belfast. In the year 1757 it contained only 1,779
habitations, mostly straw thatched, and a population of 8,549
inhabitants, and the increase in the population may be traced
through the various years up to the present as follows:- |
Year
Persons |
1782
13105 |
1791
18320 |
1816
30720 |
1821
37117 |
1831
48224 |
1834
60813 |
1841
75308 |
1851
100301 |
1861
120777 |
1871
174412 |
1876
206000 |
1880
230000 |
In the year 1841, the total number of habitations in Belfast was
11,885; in 1851 there were 15,000; in 1861 there were 18,375; in
1871 there were 27,691; 1876 the number was 32,670; and in 1879
nearly 37,000.
The town of Belfast is situated at the mouth of the Lagan, a river
which has its source in Sliebh Croob Mountain, in the centre of
County Down. This river separates the Counties of Antrim and Down,
and is navigable, except at low tide for barges and lighters of
large capacity from Donegall Quay to the first locks at Annadale.
It is under the conservancy of the Lagan Navigation Company,
between Belfast and Lough Neagh. The River Lagan, within the
borough, is spanned by four bridges, the first of which - Queen's
Bridge - is situated at the foot of Ann Street, in close proximity
to the site of the ancient "Long Bridge" - a long,
narrow bridge of twenty-one arches. The new bridge was erected in
1844, at a cost of £27,000, It consists of five arched spans,
each of which if fifty-eight feet wide, and about 9 1/2 feet above
high water. It is built of granite, and forms the leading
connection between Belfast and Ballymacarrett, the latter place
being the seat of several important manufactories, also of the
termini of the County Down and Belfast, Holywood and Bangor
Railways. The traffic over this bridge is very considerable. The
second bridge is that constructed by the Belfast Central Railway
Company. It spans the river convenient to St. John's Church. The
superstructure of this bridge, which is on the line connecting the
Great Northern Railway with that of the County Down Company, is
composed of wrought iron, constructed on the lattice girder
principle, the substructure being of large cast-iron screw piles,
placed at such distances apart as to allow ample space for the
river navigation. The third bridge, which is of stone, is called
the Albert Bridge. It forms the approach to the Lagan Village, a
place inhabited to a large extent by employees in the Lagan
Foundry. It also leads to the Ballynafeigh and Castlereagh roads,
and Sydenham and Mount Pottinger, the latter of which places is
being rapidly developed into a pleasant and populous suburb of
Belfast. The fourth bridge, which is called "Ormeau
Bridge" (or by some the "Ballynafeigh" or
"Marquis's Bridge"), convenient to the main entrance of
the Ormeau Park - a beautiful pleasure ground a few years since
placed at the disposal of the public by the Belfast Town Council.
Besides these bridges, there are three ferries, all of which are
under the control of the Harbour Commissioners. The first of these
- a steam ferryboat, capable of accommodating sixty
passengers - is placed on the station opposite the Custom House
and Post Office, and plies to the County Down side of the river,
opposite the County Down and Belfast, Holywood and Bangor Railway
termini. So greatly, however, has the traffic here increased,
owing to the facilities of transit, that a new and larger steam
ferry, capable of accommodating 82 passengers, has been placed on
the station. A hand ferry, plies between the station at Prince's
Dock entrance and the Queen's Island, and is largely availed of by
the shipyard artisans and labourers, and as well, by visitors to
the Queen's Island pleasure grounds. Another hand ferry is
situated on the Prince's Quay, between which place and the
Abercorn Basin (upper corner of Queen's Quay) it plies.
Belfast Lough, the natural advantages of which have contributed
largely to the claim of the town to be considered a seaport of
importance, is about twelve miles in length; its breadth, which at
the entrance is upwards of five miles, decreases gradually towards
its extremity. The shores on both sides are extremely picturesque.
Vessels are protected from gales blowing from almost every
direction by the shelter of its hills; and, the water being deep
enough to float vessels of the largest tonnage, and the anchorage
excellent, it is largely used as a harbour of refuge. The course
up to the town is marked by three lighthouses, a stone beacon, and
several floating marks. The channel is somewhat devious, and was
formerly much more so, until the making of a new cut, by means of
which the navigation was directed in a straight course between the
Twin Islands.
Historical Sketch
Belfast cannot claim to be looked upon as
possessing in itself much historical interest. Unlike many of the
smaller towns in the North of Ireland, its name is associated with
no past event of great political significance. It is essentially a
modern town, and its history is simply one of industrial progress,
extending back no further than to the present century. During this
short space of time, however, the town has advanced from a
position of comparative insignificance to be justly considered the
Commercial Metropolis of Ireland. According to Joyce, the learned
and erudite writer on the subject of Irish names of places, the
name of Belfast is derived from Beol, a ford, and fearsad,
a sandbank. Though from its having been mentioned in histories of
the country dating so far back as the middle of the twelfth
century, it may be assumed that the nucleus of the town was
already being formed, even at this early period; there is still no
evidence to lead one to suppose that it consisted of more than a
few small houses. The first castle of Belfast was probably built
by Sir John de Courcey shortly subsequent to 1178. This is most
likely one of the strongholds taken by Edward Bruce, brother of
the celebrated Robert Bruce, in 1316, when he landed, intent on
his ambitious designs for the subjugation of the country. Little
is known of the place until 1604, when there is an account
of the grant of the town, manor and castle of Belfast, with much
of the adjacent territory forfeited by the O'Neills of Clandeboye,
to Sir Arthur Chichester, Lord Deputy of Ireland (afterwards Baron
Chichester of Belfast), who erected a new castle, probably on the
foundation of the old one. This was the last castle of Belfast,
and it was destroyed accidentally by fire in 1708, when the three
Ladies' Chichester, perished in the conflagration. At the date of
the grant just mentioned, a number of English and Scotch settlers
were introduced, and being for the most part industrious people,
the town began its course of prosperity. In 1613, it had become of
sufficient importance to warrant the grant of a charter from James
I., constituting Belfast a municipality, consisting of a
Sovereign, twelve Burgesses and a commonalty, and authorizing the
town to be represented in Parliament by two members. The first
stimulus to the trade of the port was given to it by Wentworth,
Earl of Strafford, Lord Deputy, who, in 1637, purchased from the
Corporation of Carrickfergus the right of importing certain
commodities at one-third of the duties payable at other places. In
1688 a new municipal charter was granted by James II., by which
the number of Burgesses was raised to thirty-five. In 1690,
William III, visited the town, after which the grant called the Regium
Donum was made to the Presbyterian clergy of Ulster. The
formation of volunteer corps in 1715, 1745, 1760 (the date of
Thurot's landing at Kilroot, near Carrickfergus),and 1778, for the
better defense of the country, is the next event of historical
importance before the Union. Subsequently the local government was
considerably modified, Police Commissioners, and what were called
"Life Commissioners," being appointed in conjunction
with the previous Corporation. The Police Commissioners were
invested with the power of levying taxes for public expenses, and
the Life Commissioners with power for regulating the paving,
watching, lighting and cleansing of the town. This mode of
government continued until the passing of the Municipal Act in
1841, in conformity with which the Corporation now consists of a
Mayor, Alderman and Town Councillors, to the number of forty
altogether. During the interval embraced by the time in which
these civic changes occurred, there were formed at different
periods the Board of Harbour Commissioners, a Board of Water
Commissioners, a Chamber of Commerce, and various other public
bodies and institutions, such as were rendered necessary by the
rapidly increasing requirements of the Borough.
Site,
Extent, Valuation etc.
Belfast is situated on the barony of Upper Antrim,
and includes on its Parliamentary representation the suburb of
Ballymacarrett, in County Down, from which it is separated by the
river Lagan. The borough comprises an area of 6,805 acres - 4,690
acres being in County Antrim and 2,581 acres in Down. There is, as
already indicated, the almost certain prospect of an extension of
this area around the present boundary by some 3,766 acres. The
total valuation exclusive of exemptions, on 1st January, 1861,
amounted to £270,930; and on 1st January, 1876, to £489,824. The
total Government valuation on the 1st January, 1879, was £534,866;
and on the 1st January, 1880, £549,560, showing an increase in
valuation within the past 19 years of £278,630. The Docks on the
Antrim side have a valuation of £18,990, and on the Down side of
£5273 - total, £24,263. During the period indicated there were
22,042 new buildings erected within the borough.
For facility of reference, we give in a tabular form the number
and valuation of new buildings in each of the years from 1862 till
1880, distinguishing those on the Antrim and County Down sides of
the river; and in a second table we give the total valuation of
the borough as it stood at the beginning of each year from 1861
till 1880 inclusive :-
|
|
Number and Value of New Buildings
Valuation of Belfast
|
Year
|
Antrim Side
|
Down Side
|
Total Incr in Value
|
Total No. of new bldgs
|
Year 1st January
|
Antrim Side
|
Down Side
|
Total *
|
|
New Bldgs
|
Incr in Value
|
New Bldgs
|
Incr in Value
|
|
|
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
|
770
1055
1243
1236
934
1313
1467
1490
906
1209
869
660
656
819
931
972
1205
1121
|
£
7317
9270
12341
17259
20831
19059
21682
17960
8922
14553
8725
10968
10986
12536
12428
14735
14974
12926
|
70
205
160
306
226
228
135
170
105
52
178
163
213
160
170
186
248
203
|
£
301
1094
1326
1640
2517
2355
125
2270
1378
120
1161
1487
1630
1204
1434
1375
2220
1768
|
£
7618
10364
13667
18899
23348
21414
21807
20236
10300
14673
9886
12455
12616
13740
13862
16110
17194
14694
|
840
1260
1403
1542
1160
1541
1602
1660
1011
1261
1047
823
869
979
1101
1158
1453
1324
|
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
|
£
253674
261118
268435
277705
290046
307305
328136
347195
368877
386837
395759
410312
419037
430005
440991
453527
465955
479738
494275
506785
|
£
17256
17689
17990
19084
20410
22050
24567
26922
27047
29317
30695
30815
31976
33463
35093
36297
37731
38861
41057
42775
|
£
270930
278807
286425
296789
310456
329355
352703
374117
395924
416154
426454
441127
451013
463468
476084
489824
503686
518599
535332
549560
|
| * This total does not include the property in the
occupation of the crown upon which the Government contributes all
local rates, nor the Harbour Commissioners property upon which the
General Purposes Rate only is levied. The former is valued at £5,700
and the latter at £24,375.
During the year 1875 the most important work executed was the
drainage of the chief part of the County Down side of the borough.
The cost of the system of drainage there was about £22,000 and
the length about 19,524 feet. In 1873 the sewerage of the Windsor
district was commenced and completed in 1877. The entire cost was
about £10,000. This work, completes the fourth drainage district,
the whole sum expended being about £50,000. Number of streets
sewered and paved at cost of owners under the direction of the
Borough Surveyor during 1875, 79; during 1876, 35; number of
houses and buildings of which plans were approved, in 1875, 1,269l
and in 1876, 1,342; number of private streets sewered, paved and
completed during 1879, 58; number of buildings of which plans were
approved in the same year, 1,670; number of buildings erected
during the year, 1,324.
Municipal
Government etc.
The Borough of Belfast returns two members to the Imperial
Parliament. It is governed by a Corporation elected by the
ratepayers of the five wards - St. Ann's Dock, Smithfield, St.
George's and Cromac - each ward returning two Aldermen and six
Councillors. A Mayor is annually elected.
Water Supply
The water supply of Belfast is under the control
of the Corporation of the Belfast Water Commissioners, who were
incorporated in the year 1840 by Act of Parliament. There are
fifteen elective Commissioners - three to each Ward; one
Commissioner in each Ward retires annually. Prior to 1840, the
supply of water to Belfast was in the hands of the Belfast
Charitable Society, who hold certain lands and springs in Malone;
but all their rights passed to the Water Commissioners by the Act
of 1840. Immediately on their incorporation, the Water
Commissioners constructed certain works near the Antrim road for
the collection of the waters of Carr's Glen for town use. Owing,
however, to the growth of the town, the water of Carr's Glen
became inadequate; and under the powers of the Belfast Water Act
1865, extensive works in the district of Woodburn, near
Carrickfergus, were constructed by the Commissioners. Further
extensive works were constructed under the authority of the
Belfast Water Act, 1874, and an important addition made to the
water supply. During the past Session of Parliament (1879), the
Water Commissioners obtained an Act of a very extensive character.
Under the powers of this Act, the Commissioners are now proceeding
with the construction of several large storage reservoirs in the
Copeland district near Carrickfergus. They are also proceeding
with several works of a secondary character, so as to render
more perfect the existing system. The rapid extension of the town
and suburbs has also received attention, and new mains of large
diameter are being laid throughout the Borough. Improved
appliances are also being introduced for the extinction of fires,
and everything is being done to render the supply and distribution
of water in Belfast as efficient as possible. The following is a
list of the reservoirs already made or in progress, with their
capacities:-
|
|
Storage in Million Gallons
|
High Service Reservoir, Old Park, Antrim Road,
Belfast
Carr's Glen "
"
"
"
Town Basin "
"
"
"
Dorisland Settling Reservoir, Carrickfergus
Lower South Woodburn
"
Middle "
"
"
Upper "
"
"
North Woodburn
"
"
Lough Mourne
"
"
Copeland
"
" |
40
10
130
80
120
350
365
100
350
150
|
| The water is conveyed to Belfast through a conduit
of brickwork some nine miles in length. On the completion of the
works now in progress, the average supply to Belfast will be about
8 1/2 million gallons per day. The water supplied to Belfast is of
good quality, being obtained principally from mountain pasture,
and is of about 8 degrees of hardness. A considerable quantity of
water is sold by the Commissioners for trade purposes, and a great
boon has thus been conferred on the manufacturers in the Borough.
The Commissioners have power to levy a domestic rate of 1s. 8d. in
the pound, Poor-Law Valuation; but the present rate is only 8d., a
fact which speaks highly for the capacity and skill of the
gentlemen who now hold office as Water Commissioners.
Religious
Denominations
|
Religious Census in 1834, 1861 and
1871,
Which includes the inhabitants of Belfast and
Ballymacarrett within the then boundary.
|
Places of Worship in 1879
|
|
Denominations
|
1834
|
1861
|
1871
|
Episcopalians
Presbyterians
Roman Catholics
Methodists
Independents
Baptists
Society of friends
*Other Persuasions
Jews |
16,383
23,576
19,712
-
-
-
-
1,137
-
|
29,639
42,229
41,237
4,929
323
227
202
747
11
|
46,423
60,249
55,575
6,775
904
435
165
3,865
21
|
Church of Ireland
Gen. Assembly Presbyterian
Reformed Presbyterian
United Presbyterian
Original Secession
Wesleyan
Primitive Wesleyan
Primitive
Independent
Evangelical Union
Baptist
Unitarian
Society of Friends
Roman Catholic
Catholic Apos. or Irvingite
Jewish Synagogue
Moravian
Seventh-day Baptists
Total |
19
34
2
1
1
17
3
4
3
2
2
4
1
8
1
1
1
1
99
|
|
| The following is an analysis of the
column headed "Other Persuasions" in the foregoing table
:- Unitarians 1,498; Protestants 673; Reformed Presbyterians, 632
; Evangelical Union, 303 ; Christian Brethren, 207;
Convenanters, 135; Non-Subscribing Presbyterians, 88; Plymouth
Brethren, 44; Catholic Apostolic Church, 43; United Presbyterians,
31; Mormons, 24; Lutherans, 20; no profession, 17; Moravians, 15;
Evangelical Church, 11; Congregationalists, 10; Christians, 9;
Freethinkers, 8; Christian Israelites, 7; Presbyterian
Congregationalists, 7; Christadephians, 5; Independent
Presbyterians, 5; Morrissonians, 5; Non-Sectarian, 5; Brethren, 4;
Nonconformists, 4; Seceders, 4; Calvinists, 3; New Connexion
Methodists, 3; New Testament Disciples, 2; Presbyterian Free
Church, 2; Separatists, 2; Anabaptists, 1; Confucian, 1; Deist, 1;
Ecclectic, 1; Free Church, 1; Free Church of Scotland, 1; French
Catholic, 1; Greek Church, 1; High Church of Scotland, 1;
Materialist, 1; Protestant (Non-Sectarian) 1; Prussian Protestant,
1; Reformed Church, 1; Swiss Protestant, 1; unspecified, 25.
The Port and
Harbour
The Harbour of Belfast, which was originally an
insignificant creek of the River Lagan, has, owing to successive
improvements and extensions, now become one of the finest in the
United Kingdom. |Previous to the year 1637 Belfast Harbour may be
said to have existed merely in a name, and to have been under no
regular system of government, it being at that time in possession
of the Chichester Family. The trade was then as insignificant as
the harbour itself, the port being, in point of fact, of secondary
importance to Carrickfergus, which was then the only stronghold in
the bay. Prior to the date referred to the Carrickfergus
Corporation enjoyed the privilege of reserving to their use
one-third of all the Customs duties payable on goods imported into
that place, together with other trading monopolies. These
immunities were purchased for Belfast by the Earl of Strafford in
1637, and from that date the commerce of this port became a matter
of considerable importance. By an Act of Parliament - 3rd George
II., passed 1729, the Municipal Corporation were constituted the
conservators of the Harbour. This Act was, however, repealed, and
another substituted in 1785 - Act 25th George III., cap. 64 -
which appointed a separate Corporation, giving to them the sole
management of the affairs of the port, and with the appointment of
this commission the substantial improvements of the harbour may be
said to have commenced.
The new Corporation proceeded first to remove several artificial
fords which formed bars across the Lagan, and deepened by dredging
the bed of the river. A graving platform was erected for repairing
vessels in the year 1791, and two graving docks were constructed
in the years 1800 and 1826. In the year 1841 the first cut of a
new straight channel, made through the slob lands at Queen's
Island, was opened. In 1842 the old quays, wharves and docks on
both sides of the river were purchased, and in 1844 the
construction of new quays was commenced on the County Down side of
the harbour for a length of 2,500 feet. This work, which was of
timber, was called Queen's Quay. About the same time the
construction of the new quays on the County Antrim side of the
river was proceeded with. These quays were also formed of timber.
In 1846 the second straight cutting of the channel was commenced,
and was completed in 1849. This, which was called the Victoria
Channel, lies between the Twin Islands. In the year 1847 a patent
slip was constructed on the south end of the Queen's Island
capable of taking on vessels of 1,000 tons burthen. In the years
1849-50 the Clarendon Dock was formed, and, at the same time, the
old tidal docks situated at the foot of Warring street and Great
George's street were filled up. In 1848 a stone beacon (which has
lately been removed and replaced by a timber structure) was
erected on the west bank at Garmoyle, and in 1851 three
lighthouses were constructed in the channel, between Garmoyle and
Belfast. A large lighthouse was also placed on the Holywood bank.
This structure, which rests upon Mitchell's screw piles, contains
a bright light, recently fitted with a revolving eclipsing
apparatus, which indicates, on the Morse alphabetic principle, the
letter U. This lighthouse is also used as a station in connection
with the pilotage establishment, the latter consisting of three
masters, and fourteen branch pilots, two mates, and ten boys, the
Harbour Master being the super-intendent. The foregoing works,
including the reclamation of a large area of slob lands from the
sea, of County Antrim side of the river, may be said to have been
the only works of importance carried out at this works between the
years 1785 and 1864. In the latter year the Commissioners
commenced the construction of new floating and tidal docks in
County Antrim and a large graving dock and tidal basin in County
Down. These works, unlike the preceding ones, were constructed of
stone, and the time occupied in their construction was about seven
years. In connection with this dock and quay works, tramways have
been formed, and a large 50-ton secured. During 1877 the Spencer
Dock entrance reconstruction was completed. In 1878 and 1879 the
old Queen's Quay was entirely removed and renewed, the breastwork
being set back so as to give additional waterway in the river. The
work is an admirable specimen of engineering skill and
completeness, and has proved of immense advantage to the great and
increasing traffic on the side of the Harbour. At present the
reconstruction of Donegall Quay is being carried out in a similar
manner. A very fine sub-way has been formed by the Central Railway
Company for the passage of their trains and waggons under the
Queen's Bridge, which has been tunnelled accordingly, there being
now no risk of their traffic interfering with the general traffic
of convenience over the bridge.
Trade,
Manufacturers etc., of Belfast
Only one hundred years since Arthur Young
visited Belfast in the course of his journey through Ireland, and
he tells us that there were then 15,000 inhabitants in the town,
which was "very well built of bricks, the streets being broad
and straight, and having a lively and busy appearance." He
further states, "a vessel of 200 tons, half loaded, may come
to the quay, there being 9 1/2 to 10 feet of water. The number of
ships belonging to Belfast are about 50 sail, from 20 to 300
tons." In 1815 a meeting of the principal merchants assembled
at the White Linen Hall, after the market at the Brown Linen Hall
in Donegall Street, at which complaint was made "that the
Linens shipped on bounty from Belfast were required to be examined
at the Custom House, which was a place very inconvenient to
shippers." The same indulgence which was then given to the
export merchants of Dublin was requested for Belfast, and the
Secretary of the Linen Board advised that a communication should
be made to the Commissioners of Customs requesting to know if they
would have any objection to allow the White Linen Hall at Belfast
to be in future the place for examination of cloth shipped on
bounty." The exports from Ireland that year were 43,383,732
yards of plain linen, and 11,934 cwt. of linen yarn. It is quite
evident from these and other records that the principal exports
from this port consisted of flax fabrics, and the rapid increase
in the size and population of this town, numbering at this time
230,000 inhabitants - an increase almost without parallel in the
history of the United Kingdom - is mainly due and owing to the
rise and progress of the Linen Trade of Ulster, of which we
propose to give a short resume.
This important industry is the only remaining textile manufacture
carried on to any extent in Ireland, and, in consequence, has been
styled our staple trade. It is rue, there are factories for
weaving silk, woollen, cotton and mixed goods, but the only
manufacture of importance is that of Linen. An extensive silk
weaving trade, founded by the French Huguenots, existed at one
period in Dublin; but, owing to strikes and other causes, the
trade gradually decayed, and it is now carried on in a
comparatively limited way by a few firms in the metropolis, who
are principally engaged in the poplin manufacture. The woollen
industry was at one period in a most flourishing condition, and
gave employment to very large numbers, chiefly in the southern
parts of the country; but, through jealousy on the part of the
English manufacturers, the Government of the day induced the Irish
Parliament to place heavy duties on the exportation of woollen
cloth, and the result was that a splendid and flourishing industry
was completely prostrated. What led to this was a compact entered
into between the two countries, that the Irish should give up the
woollen manufacture if England would relinquish linen weaving. The
compact was not faithfully observed by the sister country, but
many opportunities were afforded to the Irish to prosecute their
flax industry, which was nursed and subsidised for a length of
time by grants of money from the Imperial Exchequer.
The Linen Trade by many writers has been looked upon as quite a
modern industry in this country, statements being made that the
earliest records only go back to the thirteenth century. The
manufacture of linen - certainly the most ancient textile fabric
of which we have any authentic record - seems to have flourished
at a very remote period in Ulster, and in the year A. D. 1254
Walter de Burgo, Earl of Ulster, had large parcels of linen woven
for his household at Newtownards, County Down; and in 1542 linen
and woollen yarns are enumerated in an Act of Parliament as
amongst the principal branches of trade in Ireland. By whom it was
first introduced is now known, but, probably the cultivation of
flax was first encouraged in this country by the Norman settlers
who occupied Ireland in the 12th century. Indeed, it is stated
that, prior to their coming "the Irish had no settled
industry, and no settled habitations, and scarcely a conception of
prosperity." Under such conditions manufacturers could not
possibly be established, The texture of the linen fabric of even
the 16th century must have been of the coarsest kind, and in width
it was only 12 inches. The Lord Deputy, Earl of Strafford,
introduced several improvements, and imported flax-seed from
Holland, which produced a superior fibre. The exports of linen
goods at this period amounted to about £10,000 annually, whilst
those of woollen goods are said to have reached £110,000. During
the reign of Charles II. premiums were awarded by Grand Juries to
successful growers of flax, and to weavers for the finest webs of
cloth. Manufacturers had certain privileges granted to them - such
as exemption from military and jury service. It was not, however,
until after the revolution of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, and the
advent of the Huguenot refugees into Ulster, that the linen trade
assumed any features of importance. Crommelin, in his essay,
published in 1706, says -"The people are entirely ignorant of
the mysteries relating to the manufacture," and then proceeds
to detail the rude methods of manipulating the flax, and spinning
and weaving it into cloth. These Protestant refugees first
introduced, the spinning-wheel into Ireland, which continued in
common use amongst the tillers and occupiers of the soil for
nearly 150 years, and whose pleasant hum enlivened many a cottage
as well as added much comfort to the household. It has now almost
disappeared from the country, and may be seen occasionally in
museums and exhibitions in towns, where it is regarded as a
curiosity and as an evidence of the primitive ideas of our
forefathers in the matter of spinning.
The history of the trade possesses much interest. From 1711 to
1827 the Linen Trade received bounties from Parliament, in various
shapes and forms, amounting at one period to about £20,000 per
annum; and during the past century, and the earlier part of the
present, the home and foreign trade in linen goods was carried on
through Dublin under the control of a Central Linen Board. The
Linen Board was appointed in 1711, in the reign of Queen Anne, for
the encouragement of the flax and hempen manufacturers of Ireland,
and was only dissolved in 1828. The White Linen Hall in Dublin
(now occupied as a Military Barracks) was then the centre of the
trade, and the Board met every Tuesday in their house near the
Hall. An Annual vote of Parliament of £20,000 was granted to the
Board for propagating and improving the manufacture of linen, but
much of this grant was wasted in the payment of bounties to
exporters. In one case a sum of £200 was voted to a man in
Belfast to fit up new looms. The disbursements of the trustees
seem to have greatly exceeded the vote of the House of Commons,
and at one time amounted to £33,000.
The exports of linen from Ireland in 1690 were estimated at
300,000 yards; in 1720, 240,000 yards, the value of the latter
being £100,000. Accurate returns of the exports of linen and
linen yarn were kept by the Linen Board between 1728 and 1821,
which are as follows :-
AN ACCOUNT OF LINEN CLOTH PLAIN, AND LINEN YARN, EXPORTED FROM
IRELAND, BETWEEN 1728 AND 1821
|
Years ending at Ladyday
|
LINEN PLAIN
|
LINEN YARN
|
Years ending at Ladyday
|
LINEN PLAIN
|
LINEN YARN
|
Years ending at Ladyday
|
LINEN PLAIN
|
LINEN YARN
|
|
Exported
|
Exported
|
Exported
|
Exported
|
Exported
|
Exported
|
|
1728
1729
1730
1731
1732
1733
1734
1735
1736
1737
1738
1739
1740
1741
1742
1743
1744
1745
1746
1747
1748
1749
1750
1751
1752
1753
1754
1755
1756
1757
1758
1759
|
Yards
4,692,764
3,927,918
4,136,203
3,775,830
3,792,551
4,777,076
5,451,758
6,821,439
6,508,151
6,138,785
5,175,744
5,962,316
6,627,771
7,207,641
7,074,168
6,058,041
6,124,892
7,171,963
6,836,667
9,633,884
8,692,671
9,504,339
11,200,460
12,891,318
10,656,003
10,411,787
12,090,903
13,379,733
11,944,328
15,508,709
14,982,557
14,093,431
|
c.
q. lbs.
11,450 0 6
11,855 3 1
10,088 1 9
13,746 0 6
15,343 2 16
13,357 2 21
18,122 0 22
15,900 3 20
14,743 3 13
14,695 2 11
15,945 3 3
18,200 1 6
18,542 3 8
21,656 3 14
16,330 2 22
14,169 1 10
18,011 0 1
22,066 1 25
27,741 3 20
28,910 2 20
19,418 0 6
21,694 0 20
23,373 0 5
23,743 0 20
23,407 0 5
23,238 0 5
22,594 2 0
27,948 3 7
26,997 0 15
31,078 3 15
31,995 0 15
27,571 0 0
|
1760
1761
1762
1763
1764
1765
1766
1767
1768
1769
1770
1771
1772
1773
1774
1775
1776
1777
1778
1779
1780
1781
1782
1783
1784
1785
1786
1787
1788
1789
1790
1791
|
Yards
13,365,456
12,048,881
15,559,676
16,013,105
15,201,081
14,355,205
17,892,102
20,148,170
18,490,019
17,790,705
20,660,754
25,376,808
20,599,178
18,450,700
16,916,674
20,205,087
20,502,587
19,714,638
21,945,729
18,836,042
18,746,902
14,947,265
24,970,303
16,039,705
24,961,898
26,677,647
28,168,666
30,728,728
35,487,691
29,344,633
37,322,125
39,718,706
|
c.
q. lbs.
31,042 1 15
39,699 2 25
35,950 1 25
34,468 0 7
31,715 1 25
26,127 0 0
35,018 1 0
30,274 3 0
32,590 1 25
37,037 0 20
33,417 0 15
34,166 0 10
32,441 2 25
28,078 3 25
29,194 1 10
30,598 3 5
36,152 2 5
29,698 1 10
28,108 3 10
35,673 0 15
42,369 3 25
37,202 2 0
28,187 3 0
35,812 3 23
33,013 2 15
28,842 1 5
31,062 0 20
31,049 2 0
27,275 0 11
28,742 2 0
31,572 3 20
26,999 2 15
|
1792
1793
1794
1795
1796
1797
1798
1799
1800
1801
1802
1803
1804
1805
1806
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
|
45,581,667
43,312,057
43,257,764
42,780,840
46,705,329
36,559,746
33,497,171
38,466,289
35,676,908
25,041,516
37,767,077
35,491,131
37,432,365
42,988,621
43,534,971
39,049,727
40,901,442
43,904,382
37,061,859
36,846,971
31,392,845
35,787,671
38,994,381
42,964,064
43,383,732
45,617,854
55,770,636
50,805,586
37,464,279
43,507,928
|
c.
q. lbs
17,190 2 14
16,644 2 3
19,056 1 20
22,730 3 10
20,601 0 5
12,865 1 0
20,330 2 15
16,850 3 5
12,201 1 0
11,135 1 0
23,492 1 0
9,315 0
0
7,847 0
0
8,967 0
0
7,075 0
0
8,705 2
0
12,443 0 0
25,392 0 0
13,701 0 0
6,049 0
0
9,282 0
0
21,043 1 0
19,123 0 0
11,362 0 0
11,934 0 0
13,852 0 0
14,008 3 0
10,626 3 0
5,553 1 14
9,256 3
7
|
* From Returns published by Linen Trade Board in
1821
Imports of Flaxseed into Ireland from Year
1864 to 1879 inclusive.
|
Year
|
Riga
Barrels
3 1/2 Bushels
|
Dutch
Hhds.
7 Bushels
|
American Hhds.
7 Bushels
|
English
Sacks
4 Bushels
|
Bushels
|
Sufficient to sow acres
|
Average sown
|
Price
|
|
Extra picked Riga per brl.
|
Dutch per Hhd
|
English per qr.
|
|
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
|
86,503
58,205
59,943
98,470
45,580
95,996
61,877
82,094
41,105
42.222
34,439
23,855
49,532
32,377
28,092
48,404
|
29,541
34,837
36,136
16,591
19,414
23,111
15,600
17,983
8,125
15,577
13,668
17,844
17,164
18,000
12,252
14,828
|
503
50
50
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
11,573
16,817
18,496
5,792
7,608
8,975
3,800
7,569
6,682
4,966
1,832
472
1,097
1,283
2,142
2,200
|
559,360
515,194
537,086
483,950
325,860
533,663
340,969
443,486
227,470
276,680
223,540
210,288
297,898
244,451
192,654
286,010
|
279,680
257,597
268,543
241,975
162,930
266,831
170,484
221,743
113,735
138,340
111,770
105,144
148,949
122,225
96,327
143,005
|
301,693
251,534
263,507
253,257
206,446
229,178
194,893
156,883
122,003
129,432
106,886
101,248
132,878
123,362
111,808
128,004
|
59/4
53/10
67/4
42/2
61/7
41/8
41/-
40/-
42/-
41/6
36/6
38/0
40/0
39/-
45/-
40/-
|
87/-
74/4
120/10
101/10
102/1
88/9
84/6
82/6
95/-
100/-
77/9
77/6
95/0
79/-
95/-
115/-
|
84/-
71/-
83/4
74/-
90/9
78/3
72/-
76/-
80/-
88/-
76/-
-
80/-
82/-
85/-
84/-
|
| Exports
of Linen Yarns and Linen Manufacturers from the United
Kingdom from 1831 to 1879 |
|
Years
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1949
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
|
Linen Yarn
|
Linen Manufactures
|
Years
1856
1857
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
|
Linen Yarn
|
Linen Manufactures
|
|
Quality
|
Declared Value
|
Quality
|
Declared Value
|
Quantity
|
Declared Value
|
Quantity
|
Declared Value
|
|
Lbs.
-
110,188
935,682
1,533,325
2,611,215
4,574,504
8,373,100
14,923,329
16,314,615
17,733,575
25,220,290
29,490,987
23,358,352
25,970,569
23,288,725
19,484,203
12,688,915
11,722,182
17,264,033
18,220,688
18,841,326
23,928,592
22,893,586
17,696,867
18,177,484
|
£
-
8,705
72,006
136,312
216,635
318,772
479,307
746,163
818,485
822,876
972,466
1,025,987
898,829
1,050,676
1,060,566
875,405
649,893
493,449
732,065
881,312
951,426
1,140,565
1,154,977
944,502
932,981
|
Yds.
69,283,892
49,531,057
63,232,509
67,834,305
77,977,089
82,088,760
58,426,333
77,195,894
85,256,542
89,373,431
90,321,761
69,232,682
84,172,585
91,283,754
88,401,670
84,799,369
89,329,310
89,002,431
111,259,183
122,342,516
129,106,753
133,192,627
134,165,291
111,648,657
118,039,721
|
£
2,461,704
1,774,727
2,167,024
2,443,346
2,992,143
3,326,325
2,127,445
2,820,272
3,414,967
3,306,088
3,347,555
2,346,749
2,803,223
3,024,800
3,036,370
2,830,808
2,958,851
2,802,789
2,493,829
3,947,682
4,107,396
4,231,786
4,758,432
4,119,043
4,118,013
|
Lbs.
25,118,349
28,847,811
32,047,492
27,290,387
31,210,612
27,981,042
32,584,676
38,553,643
40,510,967
36,777,334
33,666,338
34,103,859
32,857,117
34,565,542
37,122,747
36,397,781
31,218,749
28,730,138
27,164,268
27,814,636
22,278,259
19,216,001
18,473,800
17,415,500
|
£
1,365,980
1,647,958
1,746,340
1,674,602
1,801,272
1,622,216
1,854,866
2,535,728
3,010,109
2,505,497
2,380,032
2,453,684
2,309,111
2,328,778
2,233,826
2,220,103
2,141,649
1,975,738
1,721,205
1,854,804
1,449,513
1,291,729
1,213,025
1,075,054
|
Yds.
146,410,188
133,687,197
122,561,748
138,120,498
143,996,773
116,322,469
156,871,020
180,395,967
209.859,714
247,012,329
254,943,531
211,972,840
209.380,250
214,925,554
226,470,696
220.966,101
245,019,404
208,123,476
194,682,464
204,444,130
-
-
-
160,446,130
|
£
4,887,780
4,516,880
4,124,356
4,590,698
4,774,669
3,840,909
5,131,104
6,448,126
8,158,545
9,155,358
9,576,163
7,473,106
7,094,319
6,798,373
7,378,284
7,521,561
8,247,664
7,295,121
7,123,596
7,270,644
5,620,636
5,834,443
5,534,776
5,474,199
|
The Imports of Linen Yarn into the United
Kingdom within the past five years were as follows :-
|
Years
|
Quantity
|
Declared Value
|
Years
|
Quantity
|
Declared Value
|
|
1874
1875
1876
|
1,887,290
3,486,846
3,414,205
|
121,800
202,245
185,747
|
1877
1878
|
5,308,395
5,969,434
|
285,942
397,787
|
The civil war in America led to an enormous
expansion of production, as flax fabrics were largely used in the
place of cotton goods. The figures given below will illustrate the
rapid progress made at this time. This abnormal expansion was
unfortunately followed by a serious reaction, from the effects of
which the trade, down to the present date, is still suffering. The
great falling off on demand proved disastrous to many, and it has
taken ten years to bring back the trade to something like its
normal condition. We repeat the figures given in former editions
of our work, carrying the data down to the present time, with some
additional information. The Linen Trade Committee publishes a
weekly Circular, which is the recognised official organ of the
trade; and the transactions of the Flax Supply Association also
give much valuable information to all interested in the details of
the trade. The subjoined tables are made up from the "Linen
Trade Circular," and also from the reports of the Flax Supply
Association :-
|
Spinning Mills
|
Power Loom Factories
|
|
Mills
|
Spindles Employed
|
Spindles Unemployed
|
Total Spindles
|
Proposed Extension
|
Factories
|
Looms Employed
|
Looms Unemployed
|
Total Looms
|
Proposed Extension
|
|
1864........74
1866........86
1868........90
Spindles
1876........70
1878........64
1879........63
|
642,000
760.000
842,000
adapted
899,124
848,630
798,006
|
9,000
11,000
60,000
for twisting
21,553
69,552
38,160
|
651,000
771,000
902,000
thread
820,677
918,102
836,160
|
51,000
104,000
15,000
19,000
-
-
-
|
1861........35
1864........42
1866........44
1868........66
1876
1878
1879
|
4,600
7,900
10,500
11,100
-
-
-
|
300
300
300
4,100
-
-
-
|
4,900
8,200
10,800
15,200
20,152
20,958
21,353
|
-
1,700
6,500
1,000
-
-
-
|
"Of the 21,353 looms in Ireland in 1879,
10,259 were attached to spinning mills, and 11,094 were in weaving
factories alone. The following will indicate the number of
spindles in Ireland in the several years mentioned, and include
all, whether in operation or standing - 1850, 396,338 spindles;
1861, 592,981 spindles; 1871, 866,482 spindles; 1874, 880,559
spindles; 1876, 920,677 spindles; 1879, 836,160 spindles. The
power-looms in Ireland show a very marked progress in the
undermentioned years:- 1859, 3,633 looms; 1864, 8,187 looms; 1871,
14,509 looms; 1874, 19,331 looms; 1876, 20,152 looms; 1879, 20,958
looms." Extract from Report of Flax Supply Association. The
following table shows the relative prices of Irish Flax, and also
of cotton, from 1860 to 1879, with the minimum rate of discount at
the Bank of England, and the circulation of the three Belfast
Banks :-
|
Flax per stone
|
Rate of average Discount
|
|
Flax per stone
|
Rate of average Discount
|
|
Dec. 3, 1860..........
Aug. 1. 1864..........
May. 1, 1865..........
Dec. 4, 1865..........
Dec. 3, 1866..........
Dec. 2, 1867..........
Dec. 5, 1868..........
Dec. 4, 1869..........
Dec. 5, 1870..........
|
s. d.
s. d.
6 0 to 11
6
7 0 to 10
6
4 6 to 9
6
6 0 to 16
0
7 0 to 15
0
6 3 to 12
6
7 0 to 15
0
4 0 to 13
0
4 3 to 10
9
|
per cent
5
7
4
6
4 1/2
2
3
3
2 1/2
|
Dec. 4, 1871..........
Dec. 2, 1872..........
Dec. 1, 1873..........
Dec. 7, 1874..........
Dec. 6, 1875..........
Oct. 2, 1876..........
Dec. 1, 1877..........
Dec. 7, 1878..........
Dec. 6, 1879..........
|
s. d.
s. d.
7 0 to 13
6
5 0 to 13
0
5 9 to 11
3
5 0 to 9
6
8 0 to 12
3
5 0 to 9
6
5 3 to 9
9
5 0 to 8
6
6 0 to 12
6
|
per cent
3
6
6
6
3
2
3
3 3/4
2 1/2
|
The price of flax is that of mill-scutched, and
we give the highest and lowest prices, as reported in the
"Linen Trade Circular." The following table is made up
from same source, and shows the minimum quotations of line and tow
weft yarns from 1860 to 1879 :-
|
Ordinary Line Wefts
|
Tow Wefts
|
|
40's
|
50's
|
60's
|
80's
|
100's
|
120's
|
140's
|
160's
|
180's
|
200's
|
25's
|
30's
|
35's
|
40's
|
|
Dec. 3, 1860
Aug. 1, 1864
May. 1, 1865
Dec. 4, 1865
Dec. 3, 1866
Dec. 2, 1867
Dec. 7, 1868
-
1869
Dec. 5, 1870
Dec. 4, 1871
Dec. 2, 1872
Dec. 1, 1873
Dec. 7, 1874
Dec. 6, 1875
Oct. 2, 1876
Dec. 5, 1877
Dec. 7, 1878
Dec. 5, 1879
|
s. d.
5 9
9 3
5 1 1/2
7 4 1/2
6 6
6 0
6 4 1/2
5 7 1/2
5 0
6 3
6 1 1/2
6 3
5 10 1/2
6 6
6 1 1/2
5 9
5 4 1/2
5 4 1/2
|
s. d.
5 0
8 6
4 9
6 10 1/2
6 1 1/2
5 0
5 9
5 0
4 4 1/2
5 6
5 4 1/2
5 4 1/2
5 1 1/2
5 9
5 6
4 10 1/2
4 7 1/2
5 0
|
s. d.
4 7 1/2
7 6
4 7 1/2
6 4 1/2
6 0
4 6
5 3
4 6
4 0
5 3
5 3
5 1 1/2
4 4 1/2
5 3
5 0
4 6
4 3
4 9
|
s. d.
4 3
6 7 1/2
4 7 1/2
6 1 1/2
6 0
4 3
4 10 1/2
4 0
3 6
4 10 1/2
5 0
4 7 1/2
4 0
4 6
4 0
3 9
3 9
4 10 1/2
|
s. d.
4 3
5 7 1/2
4 7 1/2
6 6
6 3
4 3
5 0
4 0
3 6
4 9
4 10 1/2
4 6
3 10 1/2
4 4 1/2
3 10 1/2
3 6
3 3
4 10 1/2
|
s. d.
4 4 1/2
5 3
4 7 1/2
7 1 1/2
7 0
4 9
5 6
4 0
3 9
5 0
5 0
4 6
4 0
4 6
4 0
3 7 1/2
3 4 1/2
5 1 1/2
|
s. d.
4 7 1/2
5 1 1/2
4 7 1/2
| | |