The Wills Founder water-pressure engine from Winster, Derbyshire

Willies, Lynn, The Wills Founder water-pressure engine from Winster, Derbyshire, Transactions of the 2nd International Early Engines Conference, Volume 2, IEEC & ISSES, 2023 [ISBN: 9781872986258/ISSN: ISSES, Stationary Power v.25 0960-0663], pp.201-222 doi:10.54267/ieec2-2-12

The recovery of the Wills Founder water-pressure engine and its pumps, and their subsequent re-erection in the Peak District Mining Museum provided a unique opportunity to handle and study a complete example of this mid-19th century mine pumping technology. A substantial amount of photography was undertaken at the time, some in near impossible conditions in the 1970s. The historical background of the Winster area, and the occurrence of other hydraulic engines at nearby Alport is briefly noted. The components of the system and their purpose are described in some detail, although several vital parts are missing. It is possible that it was never used in practice due to technical difficulties, and the work abandoned as costs rose at a time of falling lead prices in the 1850s. Passage of time allows for a re-appraisal of the installation and the engineer’s original intentions.

For access see Volume 2 of the Transactions of the 2nd International Early Engines Conference