HISTORY OF THE
FOUNDRY BUSINESS CENTRE
The Foundry Business Centre based in Birkenhead is
the original site of the construction of the Resurgam II
built by Cochran & Co. and launched on 26 November
1879.
She was made mostly of iron and wood and was 45 feet
long and 10 feet in diameter. She was the second of the
two submarines designed by the reverend George Garrett,
weighing 30 tons (30 t), and taking a crew of three.
It is hard to imagine being inside that vessel when it was
powered by a coal fired closed cycle steam engine where
the temperature could reach 140 degrees. She could
produce enough steam to turn the single propeller for up
to four hours.
After successful trials in the East Float at Wallasey, it
was planned that Resurgam would make her way under
her own power from Birkenhead to Portsmouth for
a demonstration to the Royal Navy. On 10 December
1879, crewed by Garret, Jackson and Price, she set out
for Portsmouth. However, during the voyage mechanical
problems caused the crew to dock at Rhyl for repairs.
Once completed, and after trials, the crew set sail again
on the night of 24 February 1880 in a high wind, towed
by the steam yacht Elphin, which Garrett had bought
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in to assist. The Elphin now developed her own engine
problems and the Resurgam's crew transferred to her to
assist there. Because the entry hatch on the Resurgam
could not be fastened from outside, the submarine began
to ship water and the tow-rope broke under the added
weight.
She sank in Liverpool Bay off Rhyl on 25 February 1880.
For many years her exact location remained a mystery
until she was found in 1995 by Keith Hurley, while
attempting to clear snagged fishing nets in 60 feet of water.
On 4 July 1996 Resurgam was designated protected wreck
number 42 under the Protection of Wrecks Act. A replica
of the vessel was put on display at Woodside, Birkenhead,
in 1997.
Ten years ago, a local entrepreneur and builder bought the
site and undertook a labour of love restoration to convert
the site into suites of serviced offices. These are available
to rent in various combinations and at very affordable
prices with all-inclusive deals. The expensive conversion
kept some of the fantastic original features of the works.
To find out more, call CNP Properties on 0151 653 5000
or visit www.cnpoffices.co.uk