1. One Lake District legend has it that Wilkinson (or his father Isaac?) had already experimented with an iron barge at the earlier time when his father had a foundry at Backbarrow, then in Lancashire. It is rumoured that the boat still Ues buried beneath the mud of Helton Tarn. Enthusiasts in the area are still searching for it
2. 1787. Letter from Wilkinson from Bradley Ironworks, October, quoted by Pringle-Scott in his lecture, see above
3. Schofield, R. B.Transactions of the Newcomen Society17–38. 53