James Brindley (1716 – 27 September 1772) was an English engineer. He was born in Tunstead, Derbyshire, and became one of the most notable engineers of the 18th century
James was educated at home and at age 17, he was apprenticed to a millwright in Sutton, Macclesfield, and soon showed exceptional skill and ability. He set up business for himself as a wheelwright in Leek, Staffordshire. In 1750 he expanded his business by renting a millwright's shop in Burslam from the Wedgewoods who became his lifelong friends. He soon established a reputation for ingenuity and skill at repairing many different kinds of machinery. In 1752 he designed and built an engine for draining a coal mine,. Three years later he built a machine for a silk mill at Congleton.
Brindley's reputation brought him to the attention of the 3rd Duke of Bridgeater who was looking for a way to improve the transport of coal from his coal mines at Worsley to Manchester. In 1759 the Duke commissioned the construction of a canal to do just that. The resulting Bridgewater Canal, opened in 1761, is often regarded as the first British canal of the modern era and was a major technical triumph. Brindley was commissioned as the consulting engineer, However, although Brindley has often been credited as the genius behind the construction of the canal, it is now thought that the main designers were the Duke himself, who had some engineering training, and his land agent and engineer John Gilbert. Brindley was engaged, at the insistence of Gilbert, to assist with particular problems such as the Barton Aquaduct[1] This most impressive feature of the canal carried the canal at an elevation of 12 metres (39 ft) over the River Irewell at Barton.]
Brindley's technique minimised the amount of earth moving by developing the principle of contouring. He preferred to use a circuitous route that avoided embankments, and tunnels rather than cuttings. Though this recognised the primitive methods of earth-moving available at the time, it meant that his canals were often much longer than a more adventurous approach would have produced. But his greatest contribution was the technique of puddling clay to produce a watertight clay-based material, and its use in lining canals.. Puddle clay was used extensively in UK canal construction in the period starting shortly after his death. Starting about 1840 puddle clay was used more widely as the water-retaining element (or core) within earth-filled dams particularly in the Pennines
Brindley's reputation spread and he was commissioned to construct more canals. He extended the Bridgewater to Runcorn. connecting it to his next major work, the Trent and mersey canal. Brindley believed it would be possible to use canals to link the four great rivers of England: the Mersey, Trent, Severn and Thames (the "Grand Cross" scheme). Although his dream was never realised, in total, throughout his life Brindley built 365 miles (587 km) of canals, including the Staffordshire and Worcestershire, the Coventry Canal , the Oxford Canal and numerous others., He also constructed the watermill at Leek, now the Brindley Water Museum.
In 1771, work had begun on the Chesterfield Canal but while surveying a new branch of the Trent and Mersey between Frighall and Leek Brindley was drenched in a severe rainstorm. It had happened many times before, but he was unable to dry out properly at the inn at which he was staying, and caught a chill. He became seriously ill and returned to his home at Turnstead, Staffordshire, where Erasmus Darwin attended him and discovered that he was suffering from diabetes. He never recovered and died at his home in September 1772.
Brindley's death was noted in the Chester Courant of 1 December 1772 in the form of an epitaph
JAMES BRINDLEY lies amongst these Rocks,
He made Canals, Bridges, and Locks,
To convey Water; he made Tunnels
for Barges, Boats, and Air-Vessels;
He erected several Banks,
Mills, Pumps, Machines, with Wheels and Cranks;
He was famous t'invent Engines,
Calculated for working Mines;
He knew Water, its Weight and Strength,
Turn'd Brooks, made Soughs to a great Length;
While he used the Miners' Blast,
He stopp'd Currents from running too fast;
There ne'er was paid such Attention
As he did to Navigation.
But while busy with Pit or Well,
His Spirits sunk below Level;
And, when too late, his Doctor found,
Water sent him to the Ground.
The well in the village of Wormhill is dedicated to Brindley.
Thanks to Wormhill and Green Fairfield Parish Council for allowing me to place the cache and to Wikipedia for the information about Brindley’s life and achievements.