The last gasp of the age of steam
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PETER RODGERS and CHRIS GODSMARK
Another dark shadow of de- industrialisation passed over Britain yesterday when the Parsons turbine engineering works came under serious threat of closure, with the loss of 1,600 jobs.
Steam turbines have none of the romance of the great north-eastern shipyards such as Swan Hunter, which went bust in 1993 and was revived recently for a modest role in ship repairs and conversions. But for professional engineers everywhere, Parsons is celebrated as thehome of the steam turbine, an invention that put Newcastle on the industrial map of Britain.
The company was founded in 1889 by Sir Charles Parsons, who devised the first industrial turbine, after two centuries in which engineers had struggled and failed to turn a toy - first built by Hero of Alexandria in 130AD - into a practical machine.
As well as providing cheap electricity, the Parsons turbine took the world's navies by storm after an unauthorised demonstration in 1897. The 2,000hp launch Turbinia weaved around the warships at Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee review at Spithead at 40mph, a then unprecedented speed. Turbines were soon the main propulsion for warships and appeared later in the Mauretania and the Titanic.
Parsons' history since the Second World War has been marked by tough competition that forced a series of mergers ending with a takeover by Rolls-Royce, the aeroengineers, in 1989. Rolls yesterday put up a for- sale sign up after losses of pounds 30m last year, but experts cast doubt on whether a buyer could be found.
Tom Brennan, of the Newcastle Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering unions, said "It's a complete shock. But there's a real determination among the workforce for survival."
Business and City, page 18
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments