Iwas asked whats a Whitesmith? I was one

[antiquarian_m]

I have often see the comment, Whats a Whitesmith?
I think I can explain and you might also understand it was a fairly common engineering job years gone by.
I was taken on as an apprentice Whitesmith when I was 15, my old boss, he would have been born about 1900 maybe a little earlier, told me he had to collect worn out toilet ash pans from the brick or wooden box that the toilet was in, these were dragged from under the seat so they could be emptied, after a while the bottom would wear out, his job was to collect them, take them back to the work yard and wash them out, then remove the old bottom and rivet a new one back in its place, he told me they had to test for leaks, by pumping water in them and leave them to stand for a while, before taking them back.
He pointed out to me in those days they had no gloves on!!
other jobs was repairing things like buckets, baths and other water containers, such as general light engineering.
So there you have it, straight from the horses mouth, now wheres my packing up !!

Antiquarian

[LizzieW]

My grandfather was an apprentice to a Whitesmith and Bellhanger - I can't see the connection between the two unless they also repaired bells.  If your description of what a whitesmith had to do is correct - and I imagine the apprentices got the worst jobs, no wonder he joined the army when he was 15! in 1901 having cancelled his indentures.

Liz

[antiquarian_m]

I can assure you He was a Whitesmith, and so was I,  I left that company many years ago and started my own business, His place is still thriving today, The name still stands except the word Whitesmith, that vanished about 25 years ago, when he took a step back. I have no idea what connection he had with bells, but he guilt up a big business that is well respected today.
Antiquarian

[sillgen]

The important bit of this is the "white"   It meant they dealt with lighter metals - tin, white enamelled goods etc as opposed to the "blacksmith" who did the heavy metals.   Never thought of that being ash pans.  Fascinating!
Andrea

[ShaunJ]

Antiquarian,

My ggg grandfather was a whitesmith but on one document he is described as a coach spring maker - would that require a similar set of skills?

[antiquarian_m]

Shaun I am sure it would be, I am thinking or writing some memoirs about him.
He was brilliant with metal, When I had the privilege of being his apprentice, he told me many stories, he had no need to work anymore he had the staff to do that, but I worked 44 hours a week back then, that means every Saturday til lunch time, I did not have to work much he seemed just to potter about enjoying my company, a bit like  talking to your granddad, he was stubborn but good with me, he could turn his hand to almost anything only he did things the old way, the rest was left to the staff, I saw him many a time doing some hardening and tempering metal using his anvil, often just for an old friend, I believe the Coach Spring Maker would probably be a repair on old coaches.

[LizzieW]

What is the name of the man you are thinking of writing the memoirs about.  I presume it is someone who had a company in Hull.

Liz

[antiquarian_m]

Yes I am Lizzie, I do noy know how to contact you via email, but I can pop into the chatroom now if you wish, I will be Antiquarian

[LizzieW]

Antiquarian

I'm afraid I don't use the chatroom - but to contact me by e-mail, you can click on the green scroll just under my avatar.  Anything you write there will only be seen by me but will be sent to me via Rootschat and I will get an e-mail from Rootschat advising me that I have a personal message.  I'll send you a pm now, so you will see what I mean.

Liz