Stephen Lewin or Stephen Samuel Lewin was an architect, artist, civil engineer and an iron-founder, who was a builder of steamboats and steam locomotives. Initially he worked in Boston in Lincolnshire as a civil engineer with his father William Lewin, who was an assistant to John Rennie the Elder. His should not be confused with his son, Stephen Lewin, a successful artist who specialised in historical works often featuring cavaliers and figures in 17th century costumes.
Architectural practice
After working with his civil engineer father, Lewin then set up an architectural practice in Boston and at the same time published a notable series of engravings of Medieval churches in the Parts of Holland in Lincolnshire. He was involved in the civic life in Boston and was Mayor in 1860-2 and 1861-2. His younger brother, Charles Augustus Lewin had moved to Poole in Dorset in 1856 as a timber merchant. In 1863, Lewin, who had entered into a partnership with William Wilkinson, a Boston iron founder, purchased the works of William Pearce, an iron and brass founder in Poole. This was to be managed by Wilkinson and became known as Lewin's Iron Foundry. It appears to have developed rapidly and by about 1866 Lewin left Boston. However, in 1879, partly as the result of a fire in the foundry, Lewin was declared bankrupt.
Locomotives
Only a small number of locomotives were built, including:
The 0-4-0ST locomotive preserved at Beamish Museum is the former Seaham Harbour Dock Company No.18. It was built in 1877 as a well tank, later modified with side 'wing' tanks and in 1936 outshopped as a saddle tank after extensive rebuilding at the Seaham Harbour Engine Works. The above dates are a result of new research by the curator currently charged with restoring the locomotive to working order and can be verified against assumptions made in some established texts. The locomotive was supplied to the Londonderry Railway, who operated Seaham Harbour, transferring to the SHDC in 1899 upon the latter's incorporation. Withdrawn from service in 1969/70, the locomotive was condemned as a working engine, later being transferred to the collection at Beamish. In 1977 it was 'restored' to its as-built appearance by Laings of Hartlepool, returning to Beamish where it was operated for four years. It was later loaned to a group based at Padiham Power Station, though their restoration attempt failed. Returned to Beamish it was placed on display with some work to restore it being completed before a serious bid was commenced in 2005. Now returned to steam, the loco has run a few times at Beamish, with some fettling still to do. It made a brief visit back to its former home of Seaham in 2011.
Replicas
Ant and Bee were scrapped but replicas have been built for the Great Laxey Mine Railway
Architecture by Lewin
Garfit & Claypon's Bank, 51 Market Place Boston. 1864. Designed by Stephen Lewin just before he left Boston for Poole. This replaced the original Garfit and Claypon Bank in the High Street which had been founded in 1754. Three storey building with six bay front with ashlar plinth, vermiculated ashlar rustication to ground floor, sill bands, heavy stone cornice, moulded balusters and stone panels to parapet. To left a doorway with elliptical arched head with heavy console keystone dated 1864.
Congregational Chapel Red Lion Street, Boston. On the site of the old Theatre. Described in White's Directory, 1856 as a beautiful specimen of architecture in stone coloured brick, all the columns, caps,bases, cornices, arches buttresses, etc being of bricks moulded and burnt for the purpose. At the north-west angle is an elegant tower, crowned by a short spire; and over the entrance is a large and handsome rose window. The other windows and arches have semi-circular heads, except the school, which occupies the basement storey, and has square-headed windows.
