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Brown Lenox & Co Ltd was a company that created chains (a chainworks) and anchors, with factories in Millwall and Pontypridd, founded by Samuel Brown and Samuel Lenox.
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Early History
The company was started by Samuel Brown, initially called Brown & Co Ltd, following his patent on a stud-linked wrought iron chain that was suitable as a ship's anchor cable, and began manufacturing in 1803. Brown was unable to finance the company alone and so formed a partnership with his cousin Samuel Lenox in 1806, although the company continued to operate under Brown & Co Ltd until 1828 when it was changed to Brown Lenox & Co Ltd. In 1812 a large works was constructed at Millwall, on the river Thames and close to the Royal Dockyard, to meet the high demand. Due to an ever increasing demand a second works was opened in Pontypridd, then called Newbridge, in South Wales; this was to become the company's main chain works. This site provided easy access to the high quantities of pig iron and coal needed in production. The new factory was established in 1816. Two canal basins were constructed, one for the receipt of raw materials the other for dispatching finished goods. The 20 foot difference between these two basins also allowed the works to be powered entirely through water wheels and turbines. From 1818 the factories also started manufacturing suspension bridge chains.
There is a monument near the site of the Pontypridd factory acknowledging Brown, Lenox & Co Ltd contribution to Marine safety.
Royal Navy supply contract
To demonstrate the increased performance of iron chains Samuel Brown installed iron rigging and marine cables upon a vessel, named the HMS Penelope, and sailed to the West Indies.
The Royal Navy were so impressed by this that they began using anchor chains created by Brown Lenox, and through the mid 19th century Brown Lenox were the sole suppliers of chains to the Navy. This commission lasted until 1916.
RMS Titanic
It has been claimed that Brown Lenox made the anchor chain for RMS Titanic. Although the patented Brown Lenox Stud link chain design was used, the chain was not made by Brown Lenox & Co Ltd.
Closure
The Pontypridd factory closed in 2000 and was demolished. A supermarket now occupies the site.