The Non-Conformist and His Revolution

By Phil Tamarr

The world would witness a revolution: The Industrial Revolution, a revolution that would change not only England, the UK as a whole - but the whole wide world. Thomas Newcomen started something from which we are still befitting more than three centuries later. Moreover his engine, updated to modern precision standards, is still in use today while the Watt improvements are museum pieces in the London Science Museum.

This book tries to commemorates his achievement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phil Tamarr
• Release date: Jul 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463259535

Book preview

The Nonconformist and his Revolution

A Novel by

Phil Tamarr

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Contents

Foreword

Chapter 1: Power of the Almighty

Chapter 2: A Competitor

Chapter 3: Water, water everywhere

Chapter 4: It takes all Kinds

Chapter 5: The main Event

Chapter 6: Spreading the Word

Chapter 7: The Works of the Devil

Chapter 8: Cornwall is converted

Chapter 9: Disciples take over

Afterword

Foreword

In writing this novel about events which happened while Thomas Newcomen developed his fire-engine, later known as, a steam engine the writer is mindful of the obloquy directed at Dissenters and Non-Conformists by the religious establishment. According to the law of the land practitioners of any religion not sanctioned by Parliament and the Church of England were barred from public office, could not attend university, or preach in any established church.

Yet these prohibitions and many others actually strengthened the dissenter movement for they developed their own postal service, stayed at their own hostelries, preached in their own churches. In short their society within orthodox society became so efficient that it was asked (unofficially) to carry orthodox mail.

Yet, sadly, it may well also have constituted a handicap in the recognition of Thomas Newcomen as the inventor of the revolutionary steam engine because many of his worst detractors were C of E clergy who preferred to give the credit for Newcomen’s engine to a gentleman, Thomas Savary, who also dabbled in engines.

Even in 2012, in the 300 year commemoration, in his home town of Dartmouth, a local editor was reported to have described the steam-engine on show as a pile of old junk. Still, an eminent professor at an exhibition in the Science Museum, London judged it differently. Professor Lovelock described Newcomen’s demo of 1712 as the event that launched the onset of the modern age.

In 1709 England and Scotland were officially united as Great Britain and the War of the Spanish Succession still raged so Newcomen’s demo at Dudley colliery in the West Midlands, England in the year of 1712 went unnoticed by the public though it was a significant event for an observer from Hungary: von Erlach bought a similar engine for around £5000 and within a decade fifty of the engines were in operation throughout the UK and Europe while, in three years, as a direct result of mining water-free collieries, coal production leapt 5-fold, from 2 million to 10 million tonnes.

The world would witness a revolution: The Industrial Revolution, a revolution that would change not only England, the UK as a whole - but the whole wide world. Thomas Newcomen started something from which we are still befitting more than three centuries later. Moreover his engine, updated to modern precision standards, is still in use today while the Watt improvements are museum pieces in the London Science Museum.

This book tries to commemorates his achievement.

Chapter 1: Power of the Almighty!

From another part of the workshop John Calley heard a cry. Alerted he considered its source though surmised that it must be his partner; he called out:

Tom!

He followed it up by hurrying into his colleague’s workshop and on hearing a subsequent metallic crash he looked around the gloomy interior lit only by a solitary window and a guttering candle. He heard a groan; it came from the wall on his right and he moved towards where he thought the sound had come from and nearly tripped. On the floor stretched out where he had fallen was Thomas Newcomen.

Calley bent over the recumbent form, all six feet of it, and called his name grasping him by the shoulder with his left while his right hand hovered in front of his face. Again he repeated his name and Newcomen’s eyes opened whereupon Calley enquired again:

Tom, are you hurt?

Newcomen’s eyes focussed on Calley; he said:

That is the power of the Almighty, John. Give me your hand. I’m alright, I think; give me room to stand up.

Calley responded: Just take it easy, old friend. What happened? I heard the crash from the next room.

Newcomen was matter-of-fact in response:

Moisture was streaming down the cylinder, John and as I ran my hand down the soldered joint, I fancied the metal was paper thin when, wham-bamm, there was this tremendous crash; that was the last thing I remember. But, it’s put an idea into my head, John. I think I have a solution to one problem, at least.

Calley smiled at his partner although in the poor light he was barely visible; he drew a flask from an inside pocket and handed it to Tom:

Take a swig, Tom; for medicinal purposes!

Tom took the proffered flask, grinning: For medicinal purposes! He took a draught and relaxed though did not stand up but looked at Calley all the while completely at ease.

(Later that day)

What’s the latest from the Smoke, Jack? When did you get back?

Calley put his question to John Newcomen (nick-named Jack); he was the younger brother of Thomas. In his role of Secretary to the Merchant Seaman’s Provident Society John Newcomen had spent a week in London whilst attending a meeting at the society’s headquarters. His answer was brusque:

War, John; yes, war the so-called War of the Spanish Succession. They spoke of little else so don’t ask me for the sum of contributions into the society’s coffers; or even when the next meeting is to take place.

Calley frowned: But why! What’s so special about this war? The English have been fighting the Dutch or the French for the past decade or so. What in heaven’s name is so special ‘bout this ‘un?

Ever heard of the name, Hornblower, John?

Calley shook his head as Jack sipped his porter; he wiped a fleck of foam from his jet-black beard emitting a sigh of satisfaction and smiling as he beheld the puzzled face of his drinking companion possibly at the abrupt change of subject; He resumed on the same theme:

"Hornblower fought alongside the Dutch in their resistance to the French invasion of their country. He was wounded and his comrades sent him to Walcheren to recuperate and while there he was mightily impressed by the Dutch reclamation of the so-called polders.

Calley listened intently to Newcomen though narrowed his eyes at the mention of ‘polders’ and his companion anticipating the question said:

A polder is a stretch of low-lying land and much has been reclaimed from the sea in the past hundred years and more though Hornblower was more interested in the logistics of the work.

Again, Calley furrowed his brow to Newcomen’s amusement but before he could explain Calley spoke in dialect: Youm talking to a simple Devon man now Jack not one of your ‘Lunnon’ friends.

Jack chuckled in his reply: Same here, John; I picked up the word from a colleague at the Society: another Thomas by the name of Savary. He’s a bit long in the tooth now though in his time as a soldier in France, Bohemia, Hungary and Holland he also got to know about polders and probably mentioned logistics just to impress a simple Devon man, as you put it. But he was there at the Society because of his other interests in the welfare of former soldiers and sailors. It seems his family were gentle-folk so he also has connections with the great and the good.

John Newcomen grimaced as though he had suddenly bit into a lemon telling Calley about the Newcomen’s own distant family lineage. It seems they originated in Norfolk but had to move out when the family fortunes reached a low ebb. To his mind came the memory of his elder brother’s meeting with Savary who had recounted to Tom about his lodgings overlooking Torbay when the bay filled with ships. The occasion was the landing upon English soil of a Dutchman, Prince William of the Netherlands.

Savary had hurried to greet William and to offer accommodation to the Dutchman who, once ensconced as William IIIrd, was pleased to give royal patronage in respect of Savary’s fire-engine which performed well pumping water to a fountain though not so well pumping water from coal mines. In describing William’s patronage Savary stressed it was also down to the patronage of a king towards a gentleman, the implication being that Savary hasd developed a superior engine.

Newcomen, his thoughts on his brother, asked Calley: When is Tom due to turn up? He may well be late, answered Calley, though it will be in a good cause. His late accident was an Act of God or so he chooses to think of it. He speaks of the power of the vacuum. Are you any the wiser, Jack?

I think so, answered Jack, as it’s the same word Savary used. He spoke of miraculous powers once.. he paused to emphasise his last words, adding: ..the power is under control; that’s his goal. When I think of the many stories of mines becoming unworkable because of flooding his engine will be a God-send.

You never uttered a truer description, brother. The words were from Tom who had just entered the tavern and he joined his brother and colleague at their table. Another voice boomed from the bar: Your cordial, Tom; my special brew and guaranteed non-alcoholic. My wife and I both very much enjoyed your last sermon.

Your good health, landlord! Rejoined Tom swallowing a draught and then turning to his brother said: Any interesting news from London, Jack?

I was telling Calley, here, what the engineer, Hornblower has been up to although his anecdotes about the activities of our friend Savary in Holland turned the language somewhat blue. He is not exactly giving engineers and inventors a very good name judging by the stories of the Dutch problems with his engines.

Calley said: Sadly, for him all Savary needed was a competent tin-smith but he would look down his nose at my efforts. He needs a gentleman tinsmith.

Jack said: That’s a contradiction in terms, it seems. He might have said more had not a sound of merriment interrupted his dialogue. All three friends turned towards the sound and a man rising from an adjacent table called over to the landlord:

Serve these gentlemen whatever is their particular poison, landlord. Then turning to face the Newcomens and Calley, he said: It’s my son’s apprenticeship, gentlemen. I hope you will join me in a celebration toast.

Their tumblers suitably charged the three men raised them in salutation. It seemed the toaster’s son, Robert had that day completed the formalities attending the start of an apprenticeship. After the toast was drunk and they were once more on their own Jack addressed his brother:

It seems, Tom that your recent accident brought about a new development. How soon before we can see the results?

Before Tom could answer all three were interrupted by a commotion from the direction of the apprentice-revellers and Jack pulled a curtain around their cubicle to obscure the sight if not the noise. Tom whispered:

It’s an impressment gang of three matelots and an officer. It’s the young ‘un, they’re after.

Jack whispered furtively leaning across so that his words were not drowned out: I wonder if they know about an Act of Parliament just recently passed into law. It might be of direct concern for that young man.

How so? Queried both of his listeners as Jack bent even closer to them to explain his meaning; afterwards his listeners leaned back to digest the information and, with fingers to his lips, Tom drew the curtain aside and in a moment had arisen and left the cubicle asking the other two to stay seated.

At his approach the officer turned towards Tom saying sternly: Stand aside, Sir! Do not interfere with a Queen’s commission about their lawful duty.

Tom spoke: No interference, Officer; I assure you though I must inform you that I, too, hold a Queen’s commission being a local magistrate.

Oh! The word exploded from the officer’s mouth; he added menacingly: And what business can you possibly have with us?

Tom smiled and said soothingly: May I speak to you in confidence, Officer? It won’t take a moment.

Stand at ease, men! I’ll hear what this gentleman has to say. Tom indicated an empty table inviting the officer to join him; he introduced himself:

My name is Newcomen, Officer; whom have I the pleasure to address? The officer barked his reply: Midshipman Barker of her Majesty’s sloop, Intrepid now anchored in the bay.

As I said, Officer I am a local magistrate and before taking office I took an oath to the Crown before I was allowed to take office.

Cut to the chase, Mister Newcomen! Why should I listen to you?

You have, I assume, just made landfall and none of you aboard including your captain will have heard of the latest Act of Parliament to the effect that apprentices below the age of 18 years are expressly excluded from impressments. The young man you were about to impress is just such an apprentice.

The officer listened stone-faced to Newcomen; he also looked pole-axed and Newcomen put a question to him:

I’m not changing the subject, Sir; but, do you enjoy hot meals aboard ship?

The midshipman seemed relieved though his eyes narrowed; he said somewhat suspiciously: What have hot meals to do with this business?

Just this, Officer; your ship’s galley needs coal for the stove and the captain may even decide to re-coal in Dartmouth. This young chap is signed up as apprentice aboard a coal ship which provides coal for the local warehouse. That is one reason for the new law: to prevent apprentices being taken away from their duties.

The midshipman showed no relief at Tom’s words but stood up and addressed his matelots: Take those leg-irons off, men.

He turned to the father: "I suggest the young man join his ship as soon as possible. In the