⇐ S.I.H. 1982 (No. 12)S.I.H. 1984 (Issue 14) ⇒
Sussex Industrial History: Journal of the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society, edited by Professor E. O. Taylor, published 1983 (N. 13, Sussex Industrial History) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Brick and Tilemaking on the Dicker in East Sussex, by M. Beswick, published 1983 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 13, article, pp.2-10) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:In the 18th and 19th centuries the manufacture of bricks and tiles expanded throughout Sussex, but on the Dicker Common, in the parishes of Chiddingly and Hellingly, this expansion amounted almost to an explosion. To discover the reason for this, two factors of particular importance must be considered: firstly, the suitability of the sub-soil, the Weald clay, and secondly, the fact that the area, being waste land, was not under cultivation and was therefore available for exploitation when the demand arose.
Early Private Estate Water Supply (Worth Priory), by Worth School Lower VI Form I.A. Group, published 1983 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 13, article, pp.13-15) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:The following is a precis, prepared by Mr. A. G. Allnutt, of the prize-winning project submitted for the Schools Project of 1982 organised by the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society. The original manuscript was profusely illustrated by photographs, copies of old drawings and descriptions of various types of pumps and rams, but lack of space has necessitated their omission from the precis. The area concerned in the project is mainly wooded country on the Tunbridge Wells sands intersected by streams and draining south; these have cut valleys down to the Wadhurst clay and are fed by springs from the interface. It is typical Wealden Iron country, there having been iron workings at the hammerpond (TQ 328323); slag may be found in the stream bed below the dam.
Petworth House Ice-House, by R. G. Martin, published 1983 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 13, article, pp.15-21) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:Ice-Houses and Ice-Wells were a common feature in large country estates in the 18th and 19th centuries. Ice was collected from convenient stretches of water and was stacked in the chamber often packed in straw. The ice was used throughout the year in the kitchens for cooling and preservation. During the second half of the 19th century ice was imported from Scandinavia or manufactured locally. Most domestic Ice-Houses were comparatively small with a single sunken circular chamber 2½ - 3 m (8ft - 10ft) in diameter and about 3 m (10 ft) deep, with a domed roof. Loading was normally through a hatch in the roof and the ice was removed through a horizontal tunnel with double doors. Melt water was discharged through a drain from the lowest part of the base. They were built mainly below ground or into the side of a bank and were covered with earth to increase insulation.
Old Brewery Well at Hastings, by A. J. Haselfoot, published 1983 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 13, article, pp.21-25) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:Breeds Brewery appears to have been established in the early years of the 19th century in High Street in the Old Town at Hastings. In early directories the address is given as 61, High Street up to at least 1826, but in 1881/2 is appears as the Hastings Brewery at 32a High Street; later they seem to have acquired a depot in The Bourne also. In 1939 Breeds Brewery Company was taken over by Fremlins Brewery and the depot in The Bourne closed down; also presumably the brewery at 32a High Street, if it had not been closed down earlier, as the 1940 directory quotes a brewer's stores at this address.
In the autumn of 1982 development of the site of the old brewery uncovered the brewery well which was found to have most of the original pumping and hoisting machinery still intact. The curb of the well was about 8 ft. below the then ground level with a narrow chamber alongside it which was found to lead to another well about 16 ft. away to the west. The machinery in this latter well has unfortunately been broken by concrete debris falling into it and it had fallen down the well and jammed.
In the autumn of 1982 development of the site of the old brewery uncovered the brewery well which was found to have most of the original pumping and hoisting machinery still intact. The curb of the well was about 8 ft. below the then ground level with a narrow chamber alongside it which was found to lead to another well about 16 ft. away to the west. The machinery in this latter well has unfortunately been broken by concrete debris falling into it and it had fallen down the well and jammed.
Worthing by Gaslight 1835-1901, by Marjorie L. Morris, published 1983 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 13, article, pp.26-32) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:The Royal signature on Worthing's Town Charter was barely two years dry, when in 1805 the first public demonstration of gas street lighting took place in Pall Mall, London, to mark the King's birthday. Developed by a Cornishman, William Murdock of Redruth, it was an immediate success and a company was formed at once to provide gas lighting on a commercial scale. By 1809 gas street lighting was an accepted way of life, providing illumination and safety in the streets after dark such had never been known before in the history of Western Europe. Towns and Companies competed with one another to cash in on the social and entrepreneurial advantages of the new illuminant.
But not Worthing . . . or, at least not at once!
The first Town Commissioners, whom the Charter had vested responsibility for providing street lighting, were not able so early in the growth of the Town, to get together a sum of money large enough to install street lighting as a major priority. Even after 14 years they could do no better than agree that the Town should have street lamps but the only way they could see to provide them would be to open a subscription fund. With the small amount of money donated a start was made on providing the Town with oil lamps, and for the next 12 years Worthing folk depended for the illumination of their night-time activities on an uneasy compromise between the full moon and the smokey glimmer of seal-oil lamps on the tops of wooden posts.
During the autumn of 1829, the Commissioners began to think about up-dating the street lighting and invited proposals for lighting the Town with gas. George White, a Worthing tinsmith came up with an acceptable proposal and the Commissioners gave him the job of preparing a specification for building a gas works and providing suitable street lamps.
But not Worthing . . . or, at least not at once!
The first Town Commissioners, whom the Charter had vested responsibility for providing street lighting, were not able so early in the growth of the Town, to get together a sum of money large enough to install street lighting as a major priority. Even after 14 years they could do no better than agree that the Town should have street lamps but the only way they could see to provide them would be to open a subscription fund. With the small amount of money donated a start was made on providing the Town with oil lamps, and for the next 12 years Worthing folk depended for the illumination of their night-time activities on an uneasy compromise between the full moon and the smokey glimmer of seal-oil lamps on the tops of wooden posts.
During the autumn of 1829, the Commissioners began to think about up-dating the street lighting and invited proposals for lighting the Town with gas. George White, a Worthing tinsmith came up with an acceptable proposal and the Commissioners gave him the job of preparing a specification for building a gas works and providing suitable street lamps.
History of St Pancras Engineering Works, Chichester, by J. G. Woodruff, M.I.E.E., F.I.Prod.E., published 1983 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 13, article, pp.32-35) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525] Download PDF
Abstract:When the Romans occupied parts of England they introduced industrial activities of many kinds based on experience going back for many centuries. These activities included founding in bronzes, brasses and also in iron. In the second century A.D. a rising tide of militant barbarous people began to overrun the Roman Empire from many directions and by the end of the third century the Roman Empire was fallen, resulting in a period known as the Dark Ages when there was a general decline in authority and organisation.
This unsettled state of affairs continued until the ninth century but at the beginning of the tenth century the cultural pattern in various countries slowly established a more ordered way of life. In England, founding, which had managed to survive throughout the Dark Ages, began to be conducted more systematically; the existing methods were, however, used and in the next five hundred years or so only details were improved. Furnace temperatures were increased by the use of water power for providing forced draught but charcoal was still the main fuel. New methods of making steel were developed including the melting of iron in open-hearth furnaces and puddling. In England the iron industry was centred mainly in the Wealds of Kent and Sussex where deposits of iron ore existed and timber for charcoal was plentiful.
By the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries iron founding had developed rapidly and Sussex iron founding had become an industry of national importance. In the early sixteenth century the knowledge of steel making in the area enabled the production of steel needles to begin in Chichester and by the early seventeenth century almost the whole of the English production of such needles came from the Chichester needle makers.
The needle-making industry was based outside the walls of the old Roman city near the East Gate in the Parish of St. Pancras and was largely carried out in the needle-makers' dwellings. In the middle of the seventeenth century, however, a body of Parliamentarians headed by Sir William Walker besieged the area, occupied the Church and sacked the buildings in the parish. The industry was thus severely hit and with strong competition from the north, where steel was then being made and needles supplied very cheaply (although of poorer quality), the Chichester needle making industry slowly declined in common with its iron founding activities. By 1797 the Universal British Directory published by Peter Barfoot and John Wilkes stated that "manufacturing in Chichester was negligible although there had been a considerable manufactory of needles here, which were very much esteemed, but it has now dwindled almost to nothing". Remnants of the iron founding industry undoubtedly continued in the area and the first sign of the 'rekindling' of the iron foundry furnaces appeared shortly after 1798.
This unsettled state of affairs continued until the ninth century but at the beginning of the tenth century the cultural pattern in various countries slowly established a more ordered way of life. In England, founding, which had managed to survive throughout the Dark Ages, began to be conducted more systematically; the existing methods were, however, used and in the next five hundred years or so only details were improved. Furnace temperatures were increased by the use of water power for providing forced draught but charcoal was still the main fuel. New methods of making steel were developed including the melting of iron in open-hearth furnaces and puddling. In England the iron industry was centred mainly in the Wealds of Kent and Sussex where deposits of iron ore existed and timber for charcoal was plentiful.
By the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries iron founding had developed rapidly and Sussex iron founding had become an industry of national importance. In the early sixteenth century the knowledge of steel making in the area enabled the production of steel needles to begin in Chichester and by the early seventeenth century almost the whole of the English production of such needles came from the Chichester needle makers.
The needle-making industry was based outside the walls of the old Roman city near the East Gate in the Parish of St. Pancras and was largely carried out in the needle-makers' dwellings. In the middle of the seventeenth century, however, a body of Parliamentarians headed by Sir William Walker besieged the area, occupied the Church and sacked the buildings in the parish. The industry was thus severely hit and with strong competition from the north, where steel was then being made and needles supplied very cheaply (although of poorer quality), the Chichester needle making industry slowly declined in common with its iron founding activities. By 1797 the Universal British Directory published by Peter Barfoot and John Wilkes stated that "manufacturing in Chichester was negligible although there had been a considerable manufactory of needles here, which were very much esteemed, but it has now dwindled almost to nothing". Remnants of the iron founding industry undoubtedly continued in the area and the first sign of the 'rekindling' of the iron foundry furnaces appeared shortly after 1798.