156 NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM 
twelve types known in this country, of which eight are of 
foreign origin. 
The proximity of first-class and easily worked coal and 
ironstone and of some navigable estuaries has encouraged 
engineering work of every kind in what may be called the 
Newcastle-on-Tyne area. The shipyards which have created 
a huge industry in the two counties are suitably placed on 
the river banks, and undoubtedly owe their origin to. the 
demand for tonnage for. the export of coal. There are 
few metallurgical industries not represented in this busy 
and wealthy region, peopled by the intellectual and energetic 
race dwelling between the Clyde and the Humber, to whom 
British material progress owes an incalculable debt. The 
names of most of the leading engineering firms are familiar 
not only to Englishmen, but to traders of all countries 
having business relations with Great Britain. 
‘The firm of Robert Stephenson & Co., which continues 
to make railway locomotives at Darlington, preserves in 
active commerce the name of the engineer who constructed 
the Stockton & Darlington railway and led the world in 
early steam locomotion. The Darlington Forge, part- 
owner with John Brown & Co. of Sheffield of the Carnforth 
blast furnaces, rivals Sheffield in forged shafting and in 
castings. The Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Co., 
Aakers of steel bridges, steel buildings, steel masts and 
piers; the Whessoe Foundry & Engineering Co., manu- 
Afacturers of gas and oil plants, steel structural work and 
castings; “the Darlington Rolling Mills Co., makers of 
steel sections and rails; the Blake Boiler, Wagon & 
Engineering Co.—all these are Darlington firms. Richard- 
sons, Westgarth & Co., established at Hartlepool, Middles- 
brough and Sunderland, produces ‘marine engines and 
condensers. Ashmore, Benson, Pease & Co; of Stockton, 
makes blast furnace and gas plants. Head Wrightson & 
Co., also of Stockton, is distinguished for bridge-building.