North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers
Encyclopedia
The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers (NEIMME) is a British institution dedicated to the research and preservation of knowledge relating to mining
and mechanical engineering
. Founded in 1852, the Institute possesses the largest library of its kind in the world, named the Nicholas Wood
Memorial Library after its founding member, housing over twenty thousand volumes – primarily technical literature in the fields of mining, geology, mechanical engineering, government blue books, mineralogy, mineral chemistry, mining statistics, mining law, seismology and other related topics.
, upon whom contributed immensely to placing the Institute in its current position. John Buddle
was an active and wealthy member of the land owning class of Newcastle-upon- Tyne, and became a prominent member within local societies such as the Literary and Philosophical Society and the Natural History Society, the former of which provided a vital role in founding the Institute. Within time, John Buddle would prove to contribute a resounding influence with the Durham and Northumberland Coalfield, even earning himself the title of 'John Buddle, King of the Coal Trade'. In 1816, Budlde devised a system of diverting an underground ventilating current which is still in use today, however, he did not live to see the full impact of his legacy, as he died in 1843, nine years before the founding of the North of England Institution. His papers and 'place books' were later deposited at the Institute, and they still remain there today.
Following an explosion at Felling in 1812, the Sunderland Society was set up with the purpose of increasing the safety of gas usage within mines. This committee secured the services of Sir Humphry Davy, the inventor of the safety Lamp, in 1815, however, despite these changes, explosions continued to occur, culminating in a devastating explosion at St Hilda Colliery, in which 52 persons were killed. The South Shields Committee recommended the introduction of Government inspections of mines, and the thorough education of mechanical engineers, leading to the first Government Inspection Act of 1850. In just a few years, however, a Coroners court was held at the Mill Inn, Seaham, in 1852, where it was suggested that it would be of great advantage to form a society to consider the prevention of accidents in coalmines.
At a meeting of the Literary and Philosophical Society on 3 July 1852, it was proposed to form a society to meet at fixed periods and discuss the ventilation of coalmines, the prevention of accidents and purposes connected with the general working of the coalmines. They proposed the society be called "The North of England Society for the Prevention of Accidents and for other purposes connected with mining.", and that Nicholas Wood
would be the chairman. It was agreed that a committee be appointed to draw up rules for the regulation of the society, which were accepted, and the inaugural meeting was held on 3 September 1852, at which Mr Nicholas Wood delivered the inaugural address at the lecture theatre of the Literary and Philosophical Society. It was determined the Object of the Institution was "to endeavour if possible, to devise measures which may alert or alleviate those dreadful calamities, which have so frequently produced such destruction of life and property" and, secondly, "to establish a literary institution, more particularly applicable to the theory, art and practise of Mining".
Nicholas Wood held the office of President from the inauguration of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers in 1852 until his death on 19 December 1865, at the age of 70, however, in 1858 he suggested he should not be automatically re-elected. Earlier in his life, Robert Stephenson, the son of George Stephenson
, a contemporary of Nicholas Wood, became a pupil of his, and went on to provide numerous railway contributions. Robert died in October 1859 and a sum of £2000 was left to the Mining Institute, which formed the basis of a fund for the building of a permanent home for the Institution.
presiding over the library, mounted on the top of a throne in the setting of an iconstasis. There are other works of art within the room, such as marble busts of John Buddle and Thomas Foster, the Institute's second President.
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
and mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
. Founded in 1852, the Institute possesses the largest library of its kind in the world, named the Nicholas Wood
Nicholas Wood
Nicholas Wood was an English colliery and steam locomotive engineer. He helped engineer and design many steps forward in both engineering and mining safety, and helped bring about the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, holding the position of President from its...
Memorial Library after its founding member, housing over twenty thousand volumes – primarily technical literature in the fields of mining, geology, mechanical engineering, government blue books, mineralogy, mineral chemistry, mining statistics, mining law, seismology and other related topics.
History
The heritage of the Institute first stems from William Turner, a Reverend of the Hanover Square Chapel, situated just behind the present position of Newcastle's Central Station. Here, he began Newcastle's first Sunday School, 'a focus of light and yearning' for the town. One of his more famous students was John BuddleJohn Buddle
John Buddle was a self- made mining engineer in North East England, becoming one of the leading mining engineers of his day...
, upon whom contributed immensely to placing the Institute in its current position. John Buddle
John Buddle
John Buddle was a self- made mining engineer in North East England, becoming one of the leading mining engineers of his day...
was an active and wealthy member of the land owning class of Newcastle-upon- Tyne, and became a prominent member within local societies such as the Literary and Philosophical Society and the Natural History Society, the former of which provided a vital role in founding the Institute. Within time, John Buddle would prove to contribute a resounding influence with the Durham and Northumberland Coalfield, even earning himself the title of 'John Buddle, King of the Coal Trade'. In 1816, Budlde devised a system of diverting an underground ventilating current which is still in use today, however, he did not live to see the full impact of his legacy, as he died in 1843, nine years before the founding of the North of England Institution. His papers and 'place books' were later deposited at the Institute, and they still remain there today.
Following an explosion at Felling in 1812, the Sunderland Society was set up with the purpose of increasing the safety of gas usage within mines. This committee secured the services of Sir Humphry Davy, the inventor of the safety Lamp, in 1815, however, despite these changes, explosions continued to occur, culminating in a devastating explosion at St Hilda Colliery, in which 52 persons were killed. The South Shields Committee recommended the introduction of Government inspections of mines, and the thorough education of mechanical engineers, leading to the first Government Inspection Act of 1850. In just a few years, however, a Coroners court was held at the Mill Inn, Seaham, in 1852, where it was suggested that it would be of great advantage to form a society to consider the prevention of accidents in coalmines.
At a meeting of the Literary and Philosophical Society on 3 July 1852, it was proposed to form a society to meet at fixed periods and discuss the ventilation of coalmines, the prevention of accidents and purposes connected with the general working of the coalmines. They proposed the society be called "The North of England Society for the Prevention of Accidents and for other purposes connected with mining.", and that Nicholas Wood
Nicholas Wood
Nicholas Wood was an English colliery and steam locomotive engineer. He helped engineer and design many steps forward in both engineering and mining safety, and helped bring about the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, holding the position of President from its...
would be the chairman. It was agreed that a committee be appointed to draw up rules for the regulation of the society, which were accepted, and the inaugural meeting was held on 3 September 1852, at which Mr Nicholas Wood delivered the inaugural address at the lecture theatre of the Literary and Philosophical Society. It was determined the Object of the Institution was "to endeavour if possible, to devise measures which may alert or alleviate those dreadful calamities, which have so frequently produced such destruction of life and property" and, secondly, "to establish a literary institution, more particularly applicable to the theory, art and practise of Mining".
Nicholas Wood held the office of President from the inauguration of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers in 1852 until his death on 19 December 1865, at the age of 70, however, in 1858 he suggested he should not be automatically re-elected. Earlier in his life, Robert Stephenson, the son of George Stephenson
George Stephenson
George Stephenson was an English civil engineer and mechanical engineer who built the first public railway line in the world to use steam locomotives...
, a contemporary of Nicholas Wood, became a pupil of his, and went on to provide numerous railway contributions. Robert died in October 1859 and a sum of £2000 was left to the Mining Institute, which formed the basis of a fund for the building of a permanent home for the Institution.
Architecture
The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers was built amongst the richest buildings of the era, within Grainger's new town, having been built on the site of the medical school on land traditionally held by the Dukes of Westmoreland,the Nevilles. The library hall was commissioned and built in 1872 to the design of Archibald M Dunn, whose Father had been present at the inaugural meeting of the Institute. The library was built at the height of the English Gothic Revival, and has come to represent the era with high windows and a sky lit barrel vaulted ceiling, showing a mixture of gothic and Tyneside Classical themes. Within the building, there is a monumental statue of Nicholas WoodNicholas Wood
Nicholas Wood was an English colliery and steam locomotive engineer. He helped engineer and design many steps forward in both engineering and mining safety, and helped bring about the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, holding the position of President from its...
presiding over the library, mounted on the top of a throne in the setting of an iconstasis. There are other works of art within the room, such as marble busts of John Buddle and Thomas Foster, the Institute's second President.