Amalgamated Society of Steel and Iron Workers of Great Britain Amalgamated Society of Steel and Iron Workers of Great Britain The Amalgamated Society of Steel and Iron Workers of Great Britain was a trade union representing workers in iron- and steelworks, principally in Scotland. The union was founded in Glasgow in 1888 and was originally named the Associated Society of Millmen. John Hodge of the British Steel Smelters Association (BSSA) acted as the union's first secretary, but he stood down a year later, when members elected their own representative, John Cronin. The union grew rapidly, despite charging new members a one-off fee of 5 shillings, membership reaching 3,000 by 1892,
Hired armed cutter John Bull Seville and "John Bull" brought her into Plymouth. In September the French privateer "Pourvoyeur", of Dieppe, captured the cutter "John Bull" and carried her into that port. Apparently "John Bull" and "Pourvoyeur" exchanged fire, and then the French boarded "John Bull" and took her in hand-to-hand combat. The French reported having lost one man killed; British casualties were 14. Balidar sold his four prizes from his 20-day cruise cruise, including "John Bull", in Dieppe. He grossed 447,862 francs. The other three prizes were: "Little Arthur", "Exchange" (of Wells), and Suckey. "John Bull" was commissioned in August 1810 as a French