Plaque

Brunel - E14

Inscription

{On the left side of the information board:}
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
One of the first regular visitors to these works
9th April 1806 - 15th September 1859 (53 years)
Samuel Brown, a successful Naval Captain, was a brilliant engineer in his own right. In 1806 he formed a partnership with his cousin, Samuel Lenox to be known as Brown Lenox & Co. Ltd and built this site, 188 West Ferry Road, in 1812 as a chain-works. Both Brunel and Brown were magnificent engineers. Brunel visited these works on many occasions to discuss the anchor chain for the "Great Eastern" being built at the adjacent yard {Napier Shipyard, 460 yards away on West Ferry Road}. This picture was taken in these works, in front of the chains for that vessel.

These works were purchased by Vanguard in 1980 ...{information about the current Vanguard company.}

{On the right side of the information board is a list of Brunel's achievements:}

This text is ambiguous about where the photo was taken: at this site or at the Napier Shipyard? Wikipedia is clear that the chain was made at the Brown Lenox works in Pontypridd (then "Newbridge"), established in 1816. If that's correct it seems unlikely that the photo was taken at the Brown Lenox works in West Ferry Road.

Site: Brunel - E14 (1 memorial)

E14, Westferry Road, Vanguard Self Storage, 188

Satellite View suggests that none of the original works buildings have survived.

A little to the south on Westferry Road is the site where Brunel built and launched the Great Eastern. There is a modern information board there but it is so degraded by weather that we did not to collect it. We'll go back and hope it has been renewed.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Brunel - E14

Subjects commemorated i

Brown Lenox & Co

Created as Brown & Co, by Samuel Brown, a Naval Captain.  Became Brown Le...

Read More

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Civil engineer. Born Portsea, Hampshire. Constructions include: Great Western...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Brunel - E14

Created by i

Vanguard

Vanguard Storage Services Ltd is a privately owned and family run business. V...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

John Joseph Sims VC

John Joseph Sims VC

E12, Gardens Way, City of London Cemetery

A walk through this cemetery in c.1870 is described on pages 52-57 of May Sinclair’s 1919 novel ‘Mary Olivier: A Life’.  Mary is taken by...

War served | Other war
1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Tony Hancock - SW7

Tony Hancock - SW7

SW7, Queen's Gate Place, 20

Unveiled on Hancock's 90th birthday by scriptwriters Galton and Simpson.

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Chelsea Temperance Society - Dauncey

Chelsea Temperance Society - Dauncey

SW3, Pond Place, 23

There are two stone plaques either side of the entrance, low on the wall, and two, rather classier, plaques in the entrance lobby. Readi...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
The Langham Hotel

The Langham Hotel

W1, Portland Place, 1

The plaque was unveiled by the writer and former MP Gyles Brandreth.

5 subjects commemorated, 4 creators
Putney Debates

Putney Debates

SW15, Church Square, St Marys Church

The Bridge plaque is on the far side of the wall beside the woman's head in our photo. The jubilee plaque is laid into the terrace betwee...

3 subjects commemorated