Chance Brothers Glassworks in Smethwick (to 1981)

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

The man keeping the world's lighthouses shining

For more than 150 years, glassmakers in one of England's landlocked regions gave light to the seafarers all over the world. It has fallen to one man on the other side of the planet to preserve their legacy.

Shining a fresh light on the forgotten past of the Midlands-based Chance Brothers is Tim Nguyen, who has dedicated himself to restoring their work in 2,000 lighthouses across the globe.

The Australian's quest to restore their optics using original parts and methods is unmatched by anyone.

He has spent 20 years honing his craft and hopes he will soon find a skilled glassblower to complete the team in Melbourne and recreate the traditional techniques used by the original Black Country firm.

Chance Brothers Glassworks in Smethwick manufactured glass used in everything from glazing the Houses of Parliament and Crystal Palace to the production of novelty ashtrays.

"If it was made in glass then Chance Brothers made it," said Ray Drury, the firm's final chief engineer, on its 150th anniversary.

When the company was founded in 1824, the world was changing rapidly. The booming shipping industry meant wrecks became a regular occurrence as more ships had to navigate treacherous coastlines, according to historian Malcolm Dick.

In response to this, Chance Brothers created optic lenses for lighthouses that were sent around the world, illuminating coasts and saving thousands of lives.

But since shutting its doors in 1981, the number of their lighthouses has dwindled and with it, the traditional skills needed to produce their hallmark glass.

Mr Nguyen's has so far not been able to find anyone with the glassblowing skills in Australia to replicate the Chance Brothers' methods.

"We've looked everywhere and can't find anyone that can cast crown glass," he said.

"I believe some people in England can probably do it. If we have a chance of finding someone who can do it, it'll be there."

Mr Nguyen said with a crown glassblower on the team, they would be able to recreate the Chance Brothers' original workshop and even return it to Smethwick.

 

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Edited By Ady1 on 24/10/2017 09:51:36

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Glassblower who can make crown glass required

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

I remember going around Chance's as a boy on a school visit! Fascinating place and processes, good to know someone is carrying on the lighthouse tradition!

Andrew.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

I bet Michael Gilligan has some of these too!

I suddenly feel very old: I seem to remember buying that box when I was about 15…

Dave

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 24/10/2017 10:43:27:

I bet Michael Gilligan has some of these too!

.

I certainly do

MichaelG.

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

The old Birmingham science museum had a grinding/polishing machine for the lighthouse glass. Most likely in store somewhere in the city now we have the Think Tank or whatever the new museum is called.

[Andy HoldawayParticipant @andyholdaway]

I have very fond memories of the old Birmingham Science museum. My mate and I used to bunk off school on regular occasions for an afternoon there!

I remember the glass polishing machine, and the lighthouse glass slowly revolving with about a 10 watt bulb in it.

I haven't bothered visiting the Think Tank as I'm sure it can't be a patch on the old museum.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I know Graham Fisher, he's a trustee of the British Glass Foundation and very involved with the Stourbridge museum. If anyone can find someone who can do this, it's him so I've dropped him an email.

Neil

[Norman BillinghamParticipant @normanbillingham91454]

Chance glass was absorbed into Pilkingtons in 1981 and I assume he's contacted them, though I doubt there is anyone left who does hand-moulded glass.

The company (or at least part of it) re-emerged as Chance Glass in Malvern and (AFAIK) still operates, producing specialty products. They still make microscope slides and precision stuff. Again. I assume, he's contacted them.

In my research days we used a lot of Veridia precision-bore tubing in measuring apparatus. I still have difficulty figuring out how you can make small (<1mm) bore capillary tube with such precision.

[SandgrounderParticipant @sandgrounder]

I visited the Chance works in Smethwick a couple of times in the late 80's when I worked for Pilkington R & D, we were looking at a glass tank they had that made very thin glass sheet that was broken up to use in reflective paint.

There was also Chance Pilkington Optical Works in St Asaph N Wales where they used to manufacture lenses etc.

John

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