The Newcomen Engine

The Engine House, Mayors Avenue, Datmouth, Devon. TQ6 9YY
t: 01803 834224
e: email
w: www.newcomen.com/thomas.htm

Information

Thomas Newcomen was the inventor of the first practicable atmospheric steam pumping engine, the Newcomen engine. This was to have a profound effect on the ability to mine from greater depths, thus assisting the dawning industrial revolution.
Newcomen was born in Dartmouth, Devon in 1664, a devout Baptist. He worked as an ironmonger - and so described himself throughout his life. He not only sold items but fabricated parts himself from metal. Through this he became familiar with the mines of Devon and Cornwall where he noted the difficulty and expense of removing water from the mines.

There is no known image of Thomas Newcomen, but the location of his house and workshop are known and are commemorated by plaques in Dartmouth. He worked for many years on his invention, and achieved success in about 1710 with the construction of the world's first reciprocating steam engine. This also relied on a vacuum but was a great advance over Savery's pump, and made no undue demands on the technology then available.

At Dartmouth there is a small atmospheric engine donated by the British Transport Commission, and erected by Mr Arthur Pyne, member of the Newcomen Society, in 1963. Its early history is not certain, but it was used by the Coventry Canal Company from 1821-1913 for pumping water into the canal at Hawkesbury Junction. It is fitted with a later form of condenser, but has the traditional timber rocking beam. The refurbished engine house now has a hydraulic mechanism and some descriptive material on display. check w newcomen society that we can link to their site.

The Engine can be viewed working at the Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre.
Open Easter to October 10.00 till 5pm Mon-Sat
November to Easter - Monday to Saturday 10.00 till 4.30pm