Does anyone know what a STEEL BALLER did???

[mirandagiles]

I have discovered that my g-g-g-grandfather was what is known as a steel baller in an ironworks in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, Wales.
Does anyone know what a Steel Baller did? :)

[Anna]

This is from a list of occupations:-

Baller ; iron industry worker
"When the metal begins to melt it is the business of the puddler to watch it from time to time until it is ready for what is technically called BALLING, i.e. dividing the metals into separate balls or quantities or puddle-rolls; which having been done, they are handed over to the shingler, who has the direction of a large and heavy hammer worked by steam or water power, and the rough hot metal is, by repeated blows brought to a more compact form for the rolling mill." From the Employment Commission reports 1842

[mirandagiles]

Anna, thank you very much. Now I know what my g-g-g-grandfather did. Not a very interesting job though! nevermind someone had to do it!

[Davran]

Anna, I would imagine it was quite skilled and dangerous with all that molten metal. I have puddlers in my ancestry (but not in Wales)!

[Anna]

Davran, let's hear it for the Puddlers!

I come from Colliers, let us remembeer all those who did dangerous jobs!