Historical information

This metal block may have been used as part of a boat or ship's rigging or winch. The becket is the loop or ring where a shackle could be attached to use as a pulley. The two-sheaved block has a mechanical advantage over a single-sheave block, using less power to lift a load.

The block was made by Tangyes, established in Birmingham, UK, in 1857, and renowned for producing high-quality, reliable machines, equipment, and tools in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Richard Tangye (1833–1906) and four of his brothers—James, Joseph, Edward, and George—were the sons of Joseph Tangye, a Quaker Cornish miner. In 1857, they founded the engineering firm Richard Tangye & Brothers in Birmingham, UK. In 1860, the firm became Tangye Brothers and moved to Cornwall Works in Birmingham. The business encouraged inventors to join the company and develop their patents there, as happened with Weston’s differential pulley block, invented by the Englishman Thomas Aldridge Weston in 1854. Tangye bought the patent in 1858, giving the firm the sole right to manufacture it. The design received a medal for “original application, practical utility and success” at the 1862 International Exhibition in London. Also in 1858, the Tangye firm was commissioned by Brunel’s shipping company to manufacture hydraulic lifting jacks, or rams, to launch the steamship SS Great Eastern. The success of this project brought favourable attention to the firm, and it became involved in other notable projects, including the erection of Cleopatra’s Needle in London in 1878 and work on the Forth Road Bridge in Scotland.

The firm underwent several name changes over the years, including James Tangye and Brothers (1857), Tangye Brothers and Price (1859), Tangye Brothers (1860), Tangye Brothers & Holman (1876), Tangye Brothers (by 1878), Tangye Ltd. (1881), and then simply Tangye. Its machinery and equipment were exported worldwide. In 1884, a branch with showrooms, offices, and a warehouse was opened in Melbourne at Cornwall House, Collins Street West. The firm was well known for producing high-quality machinery for agriculture and industry. Even today, new Tangye machinery is available for a subsidiary of Allspeeds. An extensive account of the firm’s history, names, inventions, and further references is available in Grace’s Guide, which also includes references to and diagrams of the Tangye horizontal steam engine.

Significance

The block is significant for its connection to the renowned and innovative Tangye machine makers, respected for their high quality and standards. The block's maker,, Tangyes, also manufactured an 1880s steam engine, sold by a Melbourne merchant, and locally significant for its use in a late-19th century cheese factory.
The block also represents the many blocks used in many industries, including the marine concerns, for rigging and lifting. Flagstaff Hill has a wide variety of these simple but very important pieces of equipment.

Physical description

Becket block: a metal block with two sheaves, a hook, a becket attachment point, and straps. Inscription embossed. Made by Tangyes.

Inscriptions & markings

"TANGYES"