Allensford Blast Furnace (Shotley Low Quarter)
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Description
.....That a forge existed in Allensford in 1670 for the making and working of iron is clear from documentary evidence. That it existed until around 1730 seems clear although its furnace may not have been in blast beyond around 1715. The excavation in 1977 proved the site and remains of a blast furnace which was almost certainly charcoal fired with water-powered blowing. While there is literary evidence for a bank of calciners, only one survived, its internal form being similar to late 17th/early 18th century lime kilns. Allensford Blast furnace, on N bank of R Derwent 250 metres east of bridge. Grade II. Remains of Blast Furnace, late C17 or early C18. Furnace neatly-squared stone, calciner coursed stone. Furnace is ruinous square structure with jambs and part of round arch; walls with temporary protective concrete capping at time of survey. Calciner, further up bank, has splayed wing walls flanking round-headed arch into circular kiln; kiln wall standing 3 metres high in parts. Important industrial monument, traditionally associated with the Shotley Bridge sword makers. Last use of the charcoal-fired blast furnace gave archaeomagnetic date of 1740+/-10. Excavations 1977/8 by Newcastle University. Second season of excavation August-September 1978 by Peter Brown and Stafford Linsley. Work continued in two of the three areas examined in 1977. Also trial trenching 120-130m west of furnace stack to try and locate waterwheel head race. Channel located, 1.3m wide x 0.8m deep with remnants of clay lining. Finds included 17th and 18th century pottery and pipe bowls, slag, charcoal and ironstone pieces. Work to continue in 1979. Proposed as a scheduled ancient monument...... -
Owner
Keys to the Past (Durham & Northumbria County Councils) -
Source
Local (Co-Curate) -
License
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Further information
Link: https://keystothepast.info/search-records/results-of-search/results-of-search-2/site-details/?PRN=N9914
Resource type: Text/Website
Added by: Simon Cotterill
Last modified: 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
Viewed: 12 times
Picture Taken: Unknown -
Co-Curate tags
