Sirocco Works
File:Samuel_Cleland_Davidson_Sirocco_Engineering_Works,_Belfast,_hand_painted_illustration.jpg
Sirocco Works, officially Sirocco Engineering Works, was an engineering firm based in Belfast, Northern Ireland.{{Cite web |title=Sirocco Works, Belfast - Hansard - UK Parliament |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/1907-05-30/debates/2e84e221-ec60-4552-ac1e-298f78d0460c/SiroccoWorksBelfast |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=hansard.parliament.uk |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-11-20 |title=STEPPING BACK IN TIME: Sir Samuel Davidson and the Belfast Sirocco Works |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/stepping-back-in-time-sir-samuel-davidson-and-the-belfast-sirocco-works-3041985 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Belfast News Letter |language=en}} The site is located beside Short Strand, adjacent to Bridge End and River Lagan.{{Citation |title=Service Firm Connections in the Dublin-Belfast Corridor |date=2017-03-02 |work=The Dublin-Belfast Development Corridor: Ireland’s Mega-City Region? |pages=163–184 |url=https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315240190-19 |access-date=2025-02-04 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-315-24019-0}} It was founded by Samuel Cleland Davidson in 1881 under Davidson and Co, which Sirocco was also known as.{{Cite web |title=Davidson and Co - Graces Guide |url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Davidson_and_Co |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.gracesguide.co.uk}}{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Colliery_Engineering/QV1LmKX-MWEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22sirocco%20engineering%20works%22&dq=%22sirocco%20engineering%20works%22&printsec=frontcover |title=Colliery Engineering |date=1957 |language=en}}{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Machinery_Market_and_Exporter/5RnxUQEMee0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22sirocco%20engineering%20works%22&pg=PR4&printsec=frontcover |title=The Machinery Market and Exporter: 1895 |date=1895 |language=en}}
Belfast Sirocco Works initially produced tea processing machinery.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-24 |title=Industrialist who ran a tea estate in India, then returned to found Sirocco |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/industrialist-who-ran-a-tea-estate-in-india-then-returned-to-found-sirocco-3469456 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Belfast News Letter |language=en}} They once produced three-quarters of the world's tea processing, and lead worldwide in ventilation equipment.{{Citation |title=Belfast: rebranding the 'Renaissance City': from 'the Troubles' to Titanic Quarter® |date=2009-10-01 |work=Urban Design and the British Urban Renaissance |pages=325–342 |url=https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203869208-32 |access-date=2025-02-04 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-203-86920-8}} Sirocco Works played a significant part of Belfast's industrial revolution at the turn of the 20th century.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-02 |title=Last link to Sirocco Works to close doors |url=https://www.irishnews.com/business/2015/05/02/news/last-link-to-sirocco-works-to-close-doors-129801/#:~:text=The%20firm%20recently%20announced%20its,300%20years%20of%20manufacturing%20experience.%22 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}
Sirocco Works' engineering products were used in a range of industries, including shipbuilding, manufacturing and mining. Davidson's invention, the centrifugal fan, among other parts, were installed in numerous ships, including the RMS Titanic. Their technology played a crucial role in industrial development across the globe.{{Cite web |title=Belfast East Bank Development Strategy |url=https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/Documents/Belfast-East-Bank-Development-Strategy#:~:text=The%20Sirocco%20site%20is%20pivotal,major%20pedestrian%20and%20cycle%20links. |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Belfast City Council |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Owen |first=Sir David John |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/History_of_Belfast/9Y8JAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=sirocco%20works%20history&dq=sirocco%20works%20history&printsec=frontcover |title=History of Belfast |date=1921 |publisher=W. & G. Baird |language=en}} Sirocco became one of the leading industries for rope production, referred to as Sirocco Ropeworks.{{Cite news |date=2016-03-21 |title=Two major development sites, Sirocco and Castlebawn, agreed for sale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-35857363 |access-date=2025-02-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=19 December 1901 |title=Northern Wig - Thursday 19 December 1901 |work=Northern Wig |pages=8}}
In 1988, Sirocco Works was purchased by James Howden and Co and its name changed to Howden Sirocco as a part of Howden Group up until its closure in 1999.{{Cite web |title=James Howden and Co - Graces Guide |url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/James_Howden_and_Co |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.gracesguide.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=HOWDEN UK LIMITED people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/R0000173/officers |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}
History
Davidson had inherited his fathers wealth following his death, and after working on a family tea plantation and becoming manager of Cacher Estate in Calcutta, India,{{Cite web |title=Sir Samuel Davidson and his amazing Sirocco Fans |url=https://strandartscentre.com/film/sir-samuel-davidson-and-his-amazing-sirocco-fans/#:~:text=As%20an%20East%20Belfast%20teenager,Sirocco%20Works%20in%20East%20Belfast. |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Strand Cinema Belfast |language=en-US}} he returned to Belfast to establish Sirocco Works in 1881.{{Cite journal |last=Brembilla |first=Eleonora |last2=Hopfe |first2=Christina J |last3=Mardaljevic |first3=John |last4=Mylona |first4=Anastasia |last5=Mantesi |first5=Eirini |date=2019-11-14 |title=Balancing daylight and overheating in low-energy design using CIBSE improved weather files |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0143624419889057 |journal=Building Services Engineering Research and Technology |volume=41 |issue=2 |pages=210–224 |doi=10.1177/0143624419889057 |issn=0143-6244}} In the beginning, he would employ only seven workers, but at its height, the factory would have 1,500 workers employed.{{Cite book |last=Ukers |first=William |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/All_About_Tea/8i4qDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22sirocco%20engineering%20works%22&pg=PA159&printsec=frontcover |title=All About Tea |date=2017-06-14 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-387-04007-0 |language=en}} The name 'Sirocco' is derived from hot wind that blows across the North African desert.{{Cite web |title=You are being redirected... |url=https://www.dib.ie/biography/davidson-sir-samuel-cleland-a2422 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=www.dib.ie}}
File:Samuel_Cleland_Davidson_with_a_centrifugal_fan_at_the_Sirocco_Engineering_Works,_Belfast.jpg
Sirocco Works developed centrifugal fans initially for tea drying.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-05 |title=Samuel Davidson: "The Inventor Who Brought Tea To Northern Ireland" |url=https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/samuel-davidson-sirocco-works |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Best Of Belfast |language=en-US}} The hot air would be used as a quick, sufficient method for air flow, where hot air would be forced through many trays of tea leaves.{{Cite book |last=Mulvihill |first=Mary L. |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Ingenious_Ireland/exics12jmtwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=sirocco%20ropeworks&pg=PA157&printsec=frontcover |title=Ingenious Ireland: A County-by-County Exploration of the Mysteries and Marvels of the Ingenious Irish |date=2003-12-23 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-684-02094-5 |language=en}} The machinery's processing speed and quality of tea leaves impressed investors, making it a success.{{Cite web |last=P&P |date=2022-07-22 |title=Belfast's Extraordinary Inventor - Samuel Davidson (Sirocco Works) |url=https://www.belfastentries.com/people/samuel-davidson/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Belfast Entries |language=en-GB}}
In 1902, the Sirocco Works produced mechanical ventilation, passing the air through wet screens to free venues from dust, soot and microbes. They installed their ventilation in Royal Belfast Academical Institution and Ulster Hall.{{Cite news |date=17 October 1902 |title=Ventilation and Disease - Northern Wig - Friday 17 October 1902 |work=Northern Wig |pages=10}}
In 1904, following its early success, the site expanded to 40 acres.{{Citation |last=Burgess |first=Thomas Paul |title=Side 1 – Origins |date=2023-12-31 |work=Wild colonial boys |pages=1–2 |url=https://doi.org/10.7765/9781526173386.00007 |access-date=2025-02-05 |publisher=Manchester University Press |isbn=978-1-5261-7338-6}} Harland & Wolff Shipyard had made a deal to use Davidson and Co for the use of their Sirocco Fans on the RMS titanic during its construction in 1909 and 1912. The partnership improved between H&W and Sirocco Works involving the fitting of ships up until the 1960s.
In 1922, Sirocco Works built heat exchangers, which helped develop terrace housing in Belfast east.{{Cite web |date=2012-10-08 |title=2 by Jonathan Major - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/jmajor33/docs/2 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}
The 1907 Belfast Dock Strike affected multiple trades in Belfast, from dockers, such as Sir Samuel Kelly's John Kelly Limited, to Sirocco Works employees, including its engineers and welders. It stemmed from James Larkin, who revived the close to dissolving National Union of Dock Labourers. He organized laborer's into the union and called for a strike following the employer's refusal to meet the wage demands of the workers. A failed strike caused by unorganized by Sirocco Works' employees escalated into widespread working class militancy.{{Citation |last=Whalen |first=Terry |title=Solitary Wonder |date=1986 |work=Philip Larkin and English Poetry |pages=56–76 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-20729-6_4 |access-date=2025-02-05 |place=London |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |isbn=978-0-333-52282-0}}{{Cite journal |last=Brown |first=Kenneth D. |last2=Gray |first2=John |date=October 1986 |title=City in Revolt: James Larkin and the Belfast Dock Strike of 1907 |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/1873394 |journal=The American Historical Review |volume=91 |issue=4 |pages=933 |doi=10.2307/1873394 |issn=0002-8762}}
In 1909, the Sirocco Works' fan was used in a training test by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Engineer/DbOcIhPfBxkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=sirocco%20works&pg=PA169&printsec=frontcover |title=The Engineer |date=July 1909 |publisher=Morgan-Grampian (Publishers) |language=en}}
In the 1910s and 1920s, Sirocco Works began advertising and installing their Sirocco Fans in England and Wales. It was used in various venues, such as theatres and office blocks, as well as factories.{{Cite news |date=25 July 1919 |title=Equipments for Factory Ventilation - Western Mail - Friday 25 July 1919 |work=Western Mail |pages=3}} Advertisements referred to how they "ensure an invigorating atmosphere that is free from impurities and smoke", as well as maintaining the right temperature.{{Cite news |date=13 March 1919 |title=Fans, Air Washers, Heaters - Kinematograph Weekly - Thursday 13 March 1919 |work=Kinematograph Weekly |pages=123}}
In July 1920, Catholic and Protestant tensions were high, following the murder of an RUC police officer in Banbridge by the Irish Republican Army. Notices appeared in Belfast shipyards and other trades calling on the predominately Protestant workforce to drive out 'disloyal' workers. Following further civil unrest, Catholics were expelled from Sirocco Works.{{Cite web |title=Decade of Centenaries {{!}} Ulster 1885 - 1925 {{!}} Expulsions from Harland & Wolff 1920 |url=https://centenariestimeline.com/1920_CSE.html |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=centenariestimeline.com}}{{Citation |last=Hinds |first=Michael |title='Mythologized, Demythologized' |date=2023-03-22 |work=Seamus Heaney’s Mythmaking |pages=147–166 |url=https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003267034-11 |access-date=2025-02-06 |place=New York |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-003-26703-4}} The Protestant workers entered the Sirocco works and used brute-force to throw the Catholics out of the premises.{{Cite book |last=Cochrane |first=Feargal |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Belfast/5vjKEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA107&printsec=frontcover |title=Belfast: The Story of a City and Its People |date=2023-01-01 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-26444-9 |language=en}}
In 1988, Howden Group purchased Davidson and Co's Sirocco Works. It was renamed to Howden Sirocco.{{Cite news |date=3 August 1988 |title=Bright Outlook for Sirocco |work=News Letter |pages=13}}
In 1991, Sirocco Works reported a slump in half-year profits. IT was git by contractual issues on a tunneling project in the Great Belt, Denmark, other issues included loss of business on sanctions placed on Iraq, as well as being hit with the economic recession during this period.{{Cite news |date=16 January 1991 |title=Howden hit by a range of problems - Belfast News-Letter - Wednesday 16 January 1991 |work=News Letter |pages=11}}
Sirocco continued to struggle in the 1990s as industrial production continued to disappear in the UK and Ireland, and move to other countries for inexpensive costs and labor.
= Closure and new ownership =
In 1999, Sirocco Works ceased operations, it was sold for redevelopment.{{Cite web |date=2016-03-28 |title=Belfast Waterside |url=https://www.futurebelfast.com/property/sirocco-quays/#:~:text=A%2016%20acre%20former%20industrial,site%20was%20sold%20for%20redevelopment. |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Future Belfast |language=en-US}}{{Citation |title=Belfast: rebranding the 'Renaissance City': from 'the Troubles' to Titanic Quarter® |date=2009-10-01 |work=Urban Design and the British Urban Renaissance |pages=325–342 |url=https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203869208-32 |access-date=2025-02-06 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-203-86920-8}} Production moved overseas. The property was demolished in 2009.
Sirocco Works was acquired by Howden group and the factory opened on Queen's Island, Queen's Road, Belfast east.
In 2015, Howden closed down, seeing around 100 jobs lost. They moved production to Glasgow, Scotland.{{Cite web |last=Smyth |first=Lisa |date=2015-05-01 |title=East Belfast workers told: Move to Glasgow or lose your job |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/east-belfast-workers-told-move-9167899 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Belfast Live |language=en}} This seen the last connection to Sirocco Works in Belfast come to an end after an over 150-year history.{{Cite news |date=2015-05-01 |title=Howden UK: Around 100 jobs expected to go as east Belfast factory set to close |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/howden-uk-around-100-jobs-expected-to-go-as-east-belfast-factory-set-to-close/31187708.html |access-date=2025-02-06 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news |date=2015-05-02 |title=Howden closure a 'savage blow' for its 100 workers |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/howden-closure-a-savage-blow-for-its-100-workers/31189245.html |access-date=2025-02-06 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} Alliance Party deputy leader Naomi Long said “This is concerning news, especially following similar closures in the East Belfast area lately".{{Cite web |last=Kilpatrick |first=Chris |date=2015-05-01 |title=Almost 100 jobs set to go due to decision to close Howden factory in East Belfast |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/100-jobs-set-go-due-9162868 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Belfast Live |language=en}}
Sirocco site redevelopment
File:Remains_of_Sirocco_Fan_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1143033.jpg
In 2000, Ewart Properties had purchased the site from Howden Sirocco for £23m. Ewarts proposed to develop 129,000ft2 of office space, 98no. apartments, a 90,000ft2 retail store and 50,000ft2 of additional retail space.{{Cite news |date=2000-03-03 |title=Queen's Island move for Sirocco |work=
In 2006, following minimal progress, Ewart Properties sold the Sirocco Works site for £40m to Carvill Group.{{Cite news |date=2016-03-22 |title=Mystery investment fund behind Sirocco and Castlebawn site deals |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/mystery-investment-fund-behind-sirocco-and-castlebawn-site-deals/34559760.html |access-date=2025-02-06 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} The new ownership tasked Llewelyn Davies Yeang, for a new proposal to be sent to DoE Planning. In March 2008, the proposal comprised 2,400 apartments (175,600m2), 4 star hotel (5,000m2), supermarket, and additional retail space (15,500m2), commercial space (10,600m2), leisure facilities (430m2), care home (2,000m2), GP surgery and 1,770 basement parking lot. Reworks from various architects had taken place, which none of them were actioned.{{Cite news |date=2011-03-16 |title=Planning go-ahead for Carvill scheme |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/planning-go-ahead-for-carvill-scheme/28598022.html |access-date=2025-02-07 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}
File:The_Sirocco_site,_Belfast_-_June_2018(1)_-_geograph.org.uk_-_5810153.jpg
In 2009, Carvill Group had developed a three-story marketing suite to contain temporary show apartments for perspective purchasers of the new proposal. The building was never fully finished, and was demolished ten years later in July 2019.{{Cite web |title=Geograph:: Former Sirocco marketing suite, Belfast... © Albert Bridge |url=https://www.geograph.ie/photo/4855361 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.geograph.ie |language=en}}
In August 2016, Swinford (Sirocco) Ltd (owned by Gulf Resources Development & Investment, Corbally Group and Graftongate) acquired the Sirocco site. Swinford (Sirocco) Ltd (Osborne and Co.) was set up by St Francis Group as an affiliate company for the project.{{Cite news |date=2016-11-08 |title=Belfast Sirocco site being sold to UK buyer for development |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/belfast-sirocco-site-being-sold-to-uk-buyer-for-development/35195575.html |access-date=2025-02-07 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}
The affiliate group Swinford (Sirocco) Ltd is also known as Osborne and Co.{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Sarah |date=2019-06-14 |title=Next step to transform Belfast former Sirocco site given go ahead |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/belfast-sirocco-site-400m-transformation-16427703 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Belfast Live |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=SWINFORD (SIROCCO) LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10269041 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2019-06-17 |title=Major Belfast plan approved |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/business/major-belfast-plan-approved-963582 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Belfast News Letter |language=en}} A £450 million proposal to regenerate the former Sirocco Works site was created by Osborne and Co. They secured planning permission July 2020 following the greenlight from Belfast City Council in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Belfast Sirocco Works Waterside development takes first step in planning approval process {{!}} Henning Larsen |url=https://henninglarsen.com/news/belfast-sirocco-works-waterside-development-takes-first-step-in-planning-process |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=henninglarsen.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2019-06-13 |title=East Belfast: Sirocco Works development gets green light |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48631183 |access-date=2025-02-04 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} It is known as The Waterside project.{{Cite web |last=Milne |first=Roger |date=2024-02-02 |title=Question mark over another major Belfast development |url=https://www.theplanner.co.uk/2024/02/02/question-mark-over-another-major-belfast-development |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=The Planner |language=en}}
The proposal includes 800,000 sq ft of office space, a 70,000 sq ft hotel, 60,000 sq ft of retail space and 800 homes.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-29 |title=Developers behind Waterside Belfast project say they 'remain committed' to £450m venture |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/developers-behind-waterside-belfast-project-say-they-remain-committed-to-450m-venture-QOX2EH5TZRHJXPQQVIHZ4PSXHY/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=The Irish News |language=en}} It is named The Waterside Project.{{Cite web |title=The Waterside |url=https://www.belfastcentre.com/city-centre-developments/the-waterside |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Belfast City Centre Management |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Waterside Belfast |url=https://www.thewatersidebelfast.net/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Waterside Belfast |language=en-GB}} As on 2025, no developments on the site have been delivered.{{Cite web |title=Waterside Belfast |url=https://www.thewatersidebelfast.net/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Waterside Belfast |language=en-GB}} The 16-acre site of Sirocco Works remains derelict and has rampant vegetation and neglected foliage.{{Cite news |date=2019-06-13 |title=Plan to redevelop former Sirocco Works site in Belfast given green light |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/plan-to-redevelop-former-sirocco-works-site-in-belfast-given-green-light/38217533.html |access-date=2025-02-03 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}
Legacy
In Sirocco Quays, a memorial walk along the River Lagan, known as Sirocco Walk was marked on paving stones. It spans from Bridge End to Albert Bridge{{Cite news |date=2018-10-05 |title='Don't let Sirocco story die' ex-Belfast workers say |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/dont-let-sirocco-story-die-ex-belfast-workers-say/37385541.html |access-date=2025-02-03 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}
Football team
{{Main|Sirocco Works F.C.}}
Sirocco Engineering Works established a football club, Sirocco Works Football Club, established in 1924. Despite the dissolution of the company, the intermediate football club is still active playing in Northern Amateur Football League in Dixon Park.{{Citation |title=Players' attitudes to violence and foul play in amateur rugby league |date=2013-01-11 |work=Science and Football (Routledge Revivals) |pages=605–610 |url=https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203720035-98 |access-date=2025-02-03 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-203-72003-5}}{{Citation |last=Shehu |first=Jimoh |title=The magical economy of the Botswana local football league |date=2019-11-11 |work=Africa’s Elite Football |pages=218–237 |url=https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429029059-15 |access-date=2025-02-03 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-02905-9}}