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Raine Steel Company
The oldest established industry in the area, formerly known as Crowley Works and founded in Winlaton in 1691. Under the ownership of Benjamin and George Raine it later became the Delta Ironworks (or Raines factory) at Derwenthaugh from 1891 to 1990 it produced many materials for the mining industry, ships, etc.. It had a good access to a main railway line with its own private sidings. It had also two deep-water berths. This provided a useful exit to local shipyards, collieries and for export shipments. Scrap metal was brought in from Consett, Middlesbrough, Belgium and Iceland. The firm was contractor to the Admiralty, Board of Trade and exported to the colonies and commonwealth.
Raines Delta Works in 1983
Big expansion in the first world war following increased demand for its products and again in the second world war, the decline in mining and other industry led to its demise and eventual closure in 1990.
Comments
I worked here in the 70's.
Posted by: colin campbell at December 12, 2008 8:59 PM
Anyone got more photo's of inside worked there in1983-84. Still see old Cecil Bell walking round Swalwell. Good times.
Posted by: malcolm wigham at February 19, 2009 11:21 AM
I served my time as a fitter & turner at Raines and worked there till it closed in 1990. My father Dick Scott & brother Richard also worked there in the fitting shop, my granda John Greenwell worked as my fathers mate (labourer) until he retired, Cecil bell was also my fathers mate at one time before moving to the finishing bay were he operated the over head crane.My father has a video tape of the last day of rolling at the Delta.
Posted by: allen scott at March 31, 2009 9:48 PM
Thanks for the information Allen. It would be interesting to see the video of the Delta's last day.
Posted by: Whickham Web Wanderers at April 1, 2009 8:46 AM