1. William Sandford was an English-Australian ironmaster, who is widely regarded as the father of the modern iron and steel industry in Australia.
37 Facts About William Sandford
1. 2.
The rolling mill at Mittagong proved unsuitable and William Sandford relocated his operations, in 1887, to the rolling mills of the Eskbank Ironworks at Lithgow, which he leased for the purpose from James Rutherford.
3.
William Sandford bought a 2000 acre property at Bowenfels, to the west of Lithgow, and added a second story to the existing house, creating an 11-room home, which he later named 'Eskroy Park'.
4.
In 1892, William Sandford purchased the Eskbank Ironworks, using money loaned by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, and was given a government contract in railway parts.
5.
Around the time he purchased the Eskbank works, William Sandford became a vigorous protectionist, leading the Lithgow National Protection Association.
6.
The tariff had encouraged William Sandford to further expand his plant and its abolition was a crucial blow.
7.
Largely as a result of this experience, William Sandford became an implacable opponent of Reid, and stood unsuccessfully, in 1896, as the protectionist candidate for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Hartley.
8.
William Sandford had not tendered; his view was that, without protection, local industry could not compete.
9.
In 1899, William Sandford attempted to interest his friend Charles Hoskins in buying the Eskbank works but the offer was declined.
10.
In 1903, William Sandford had to close the sheet mills at Lithgow altogether but continued to make galvanized iron using imported sheets.
11.
William Sandford had contested the first federal election, in March 1901, as a Protectionist candidate for Parramatta, but was defeated by Joseph Cook.
12.
William Sandford lived at an estate known as 'Eskroy Park' near Bowenfels, and his ownership of a colliery and land sales in Lithgow gave him income that was more reliable than that coming from the ironworks.
13.
Premier Joseph Carruthers persuaded him to agree to William Sandford Limited contracting to supply all of the New South Wales Government's needs for iron and steel, for a seven year period, in 1905.
14.
William Sandford embarked on a major expansion, starting with the construction of a large modern blast furnace.
15.
William Sandford had built his new blast furnace some distance from the steelmaking furnaces at the Eskbank works, which has been criticised as a poor decision.
16.
However, ultimate authority lay with William Sandford, who had become increasingly more eccentric and unpredictable.
17.
William Sandford's anxiety was clouding his ability to think clearly, work properly with his managers, and make good decisions.
18.
William Sandford Limited was a public company in name but was run more like a private family company.
19.
William Sandford Limited needed working capital just to continue operation and cash to complete the enhancements to the plant.
20.
The final form of the legislation alarmed the bank, which then withdrew its tentative agreement to support William Sandford, demanded full repayment of the overdraft amount, and took over the assets on 9 December 1907.
21.
William Sandford's shares became essentially worthless and he faced financial ruin, at the age of 66.
22.
William Sandford met Premier Wade on 11 December 1907, but that would be his last involvement.
23.
William Sandford expressed some satisfaction with that outcome, stating that, "I have come down, but I have dragged nobody with me".
24.
William Sandford had been popular and widely respected in Lithgow as a relatively benevolent employer, who had the interests of his workers at heart.
25.
William Sandford provided cheap land for his workers and assistance to build their houses, including providing house designs and guaranteeing their bank loans.
26.
William Sandford had engaged his workers by contract with an element of profit sharing; an arrangement which he advocated and in which he took some personal pride.
27.
William Sandford is viewed, justifiably, as the father of the iron and steel industry in Australia.
28.
William Sandford was associated with the growth of the township of Lithgow.
29.
William Sandford sold the orchard in May 1920 and moved to Eastwood.
30.
When William Sandford visited Lithgow in 1922, it was as an honoured guest and he received an official civic reception.
31.
William Sandford attended the service for his old friend and later foe, Charles Hoskins, who died in February 1926.
32.
William Sandford had left two children by a previous marriage in England, but he married Caroline Newey on 3 May 1884 at Goulburn.
33.
William Sandford was an Archibald Prize finalist for the years 1923 and 1937.
34.
The middle names, Fitzroy and Esk, that William Sandford gave to his two sons are the after the names of the ironworks that William Sandford was running, at the time that each of his sons was born, the Fitzroy Iron Works and the Eskbank Ironworks respectively.
35.
William Sandford retained contact with his brother Robert, who remained in Torrington, Devon, and owned a butter factory.
36.
William Sandford was survived by his second wife, Caroline, a daughter and one of his two sons by Caroline, and a daughter and a son from his earlier English marriage.
37.
William Sandford's will only recognised his Australian-born children by Caroline.