From The Warminster Herald, Saturday 28 April 1883
On Monday last, at an invitation kindly given by Messrs. Adams and Chambers, we had the pleasure of visiting their factory in East Street, and certainly were very much pleased with our survey.
Situated contiguous to the garden of the Pack Horse Inn stands this factory, which in olden times had been appropriated to the production of strong beers and ales, making fortunes for some, and misfortunes for others; for these premises have, like most other hostelries, changed hands, until it has fallen into those of the present proprietor, who, in conjunction with his partner, Mr. Chambers, has metamorphosed everything, substituting waters for beer, an engine for the work of man’s hand, and a machine which seems set to act without human guidance.
We enter, and are escorted into the upper storey, where a large tank is being filled by the engine pumping water at a marvellous pace from some 200 feet below. From this tank pipes in various directions are running, supplying the whole factory with water by gravitation. Immediately below the tank stands a very unique gas boiler, which, we presume, though not being in the secret, is used in the production of the various syrups required in the manufacture of the various waters, and which, by the simple turning of a tap, passes them downward into circular pans, where they undergo a flavouring manipulation, and from thence through block tin pipes and silvered taps into tanks below, admirably adapted for the production of the various beverages. Here too, we observe a considerable quantity of chrystalline sugar, which looks and tastes like the very best in the market.
We now go down to the first floor, where all is bustle, for it is at this time a busy bottling day, and the hands are at work in turning out that best of all beverages, “Ginger ale,” which one of the partners hands to us in a bottle, with the colour of gold. Pop goes the stopper, and the foaming ale overtops the glass, and we drink success to the new undertaking; observing, as we finish the bottle, that such nectar is “fit for the gods,” and we cease to wonder why the “blue ribbon” is so popular, with so much effervescence behind it. The bottles are fast filling with what looks like flowing honey, and by a most simple and beautiful process each bottle receives its full charge, and no more, when they are passed on to the filling machine, where the bottler stands armed like a warrior of old, in visor strong to guard him from accident, if the charge of gas should burst the bottle; but here he stands as active as a bee, filling at a rate of 48 dozen per hour the bottles, corking, or rather stoppering them at the turn of the wrist; and here we cannot help reverting to the bottle adopted at this factory, as they entirely supersede the antiquated cork, containing as they do a small glass ball, which is so arranged that it falls to the bottom without interfering with the exit of the waters, and is certainly the most perfectly constructed, consistent with utility, that we have ever seen, and for cleanliness and quickness of opening cannot be surpassed.
On our right is a 1-horse power gas engine, working away in beautiful regularity, giving life to the whole without smoke or fuel, causing one to wonder from whence, and how came all its power. But the greatest wonder is to come, for there stands a little puzzle, which is neither an engine or machine, but a combination of the two, and a perfect marvel of invention, and such a one of its kind which no one in this, or adjoining counties, we are informed, can at present boast of. In it all the carbonic acid gas is manufactured, and that, too, in exact proportions as it is required; thus varying and improving on the old systems by which a large quantity of gas is formed, and as it becomes exhausted loses it power, hence the reason of bottles being filled unequally with gas. This little machine with its brilliant copper dome pumps its own water, makes its own gas, carries it into the bottle, and indicates by a dial the exact gas pressure without the least danger to anyone, for if the least hitch occurs a globe of water boils over and at once tells the tale, and entirely prevents any injury to pump, pipe, or valve.
We pass on, and then have before us a patent “Bottle washer,” by which many dozens of bottles can be soaked, brushed out, and rinsed with manual labour almost nil, as fast as one person can hand them to the boxes; the gas engine supplying hot water, and power for soaking, brushing, and rinsing.
The water pump, too, deserves a parting word, for here we have one which is no larger than a sewing machine, which pumps and carries water several hundred feet without an apparent effort.
We have thus surveyed this little factory, where everything to avoid manual labour has been effected, where cleanliness seems the first law of its nature, and where, if our own tastes be a guide to those of the public, the waters probably will become as popular as those of Schweppe, Summers, and other great makers; and where, we are confident, the Warminster consumers will run to satisfy their requirements, and thus, whilst obtaining cheapness with quality, render the factory in every way a success.