James Smith's Foundry

James Smith name plate. Photo: Clare Gervasoni

James Smith Machinery on display in Colac. Photo: Clare Gervasoni

Image: University of Ballarat Historical Collection [cat. No. 1603]

Background

James Smith was a millwright from Aberdeen. Upon landing in Victoria he spent some months digging for gold at Forest Creek. Although retaining some mining interests he became largely interested in agricultural machinery starting a factory at 10 Creswick Road, Ballarat

The James Smith Foundry was known for stationary agricultural machinery such as horse-driven chaff cutters, hay presses and bag elevators. In 1921 Jas. Smith was located at 116 Creswick Road, Ballarat.

In 1904 Smith sold the business to Joseph Osborne, who in turn disposed of it in 1921 to Sydney Snow. <ref.

Products

James Smith Foundry made chaffcutters, corncrushers, horseworks, and the chaff bagging machine known as Smith's chaff bagger.

James Smith machinery, University of Ballarat Historical Collection (Cat. No. 1603 )

During World War Two the factory was on war production. Charcoal crushing equipment was made for use in preparing charcoal for the gas producer units which drove cars of that period. <ref. Ballarat Courier Christmas Number, Ballarat, 1921.</ref>

Innovations

Using a steam engine for power James Smith devoted his time and mechanical ingenuity to the invention and manufacture of labour-saving agricultural implements.

After World War Two hundreds of chaffcutters and hay bailing presses were sent overseas to assist in food production under the U.N. R.R.A. sponsorship.

Staff

At one time the proprietor was John Osborne (1831-1906).

James Smith machinery, 1967, University of Ballarat Historical Collection (Cat. No. 13262 )

Further Reading

Smith, James (Ed) The Cyclopedia of Victoria, Vol.II : An Historical and Commercial Review. Victoria: F.W. Niven & Co., 1904.

References

---

--C.K.Gervasoni 14:52, 26 March 2013 (EST)