Discover the fascinating history of the Essex company behind Titanic’s windows
Braintree: Over 175 years ago, a man named Francis Crittal started a business. He moved from Kent to Braintree and opened a small manufacturing company. This company would go on to work on some iconic buildings and ships.
Crittall Manufacturing Company began at 27 Bank Street. It had a shop, a warehouse, and even a living area. They started small but quickly became a global success. They worked on projects for royalty and important buildings, including one ship that made headlines before World War I.
This company specialized in metal-framed windows. They became well-known worldwide, with branches everywhere. They worked on hospitals, shops, and homes. They even contributed to Buckingham Palace and Coventry Cathedral, among others, including the Titanic.
The Titanic was a massive ship, featuring 1,116 portholes and 416 windows. It set sail from Southampton in 1912, heading to New York. The ship cost £3 million to build, which is about £370 million today. Sadly, it sank on April 15 after hitting an iceberg, resulting in the loss of around 1,500 lives.
