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Sussex Industrial History: Journal of the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society, edited by Dr. Brian Austen, published 2001 (issue no. 31, Sussex Industrial History, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506529] Download PDF
Chimney Cowls with particular reference to Brighton, by John Redfern, published 2001 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 31, article, pp.2-8, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506529] Download PDF
Abstract:Wind figured largely in the domestic and economic fortunes of seaside towns, and Brighton with its long history of fishing, seaside therapy, varied attractions and thriving social life was no exception. As Brighton expanded and houses appeared on the banks and steep slopes on either side of The Steine, mostly in close proximity and at the same time rising in narrow steps one behind another, problems arose, particularly in the area of heating and in venting the smoke and fumes that came with it. It was here that the very wind, that frequently caused rooms to be almost uninhabitable, was harnessed to provide the remedy for the nuisance of which it was the main cause. A diversity of unique cowls and smoke cures was developed to ameliorate the problem of the vagarious currents of air that the complex developments promoted and the stiff winds that are a feature of our coastline. What is now an almost forgotten industry came into its own. It could be said that this 'hidden' industry produced a range and number of essential artefacts over a period of many years that could rival the output of any similar enterprise in the town to date. There have always been cowls on the scene. Charles I is said to have granted a patent to the inventor of a rotating smoke cure (probably a "Lobster Back") and there are earlier references to creaking apparatus on the chimney. Prince Albert applied his considerable engineering talents to the chimneys of Osborne. It is said that on the night of his death the cowls that he had designed roared and ground in the vicious tempest that assailed the house. Chimney cowls, (the word derives from the Latin cucullus: a hood), became an established and profitable industry early in the nineteenth century when a plethora of shapes, shafts and erections appeared almost overnight. For the Victorians decoration, even on the heights of the house, exemplified in these artefacts the principle that anything on which time, trouble and money had been expended should be decorous and effective and should be seen to be so.
Longley's Perfected Wood Block Flooring, by Norman Longley, published 2001 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 31, article, pp.9-21, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506529] Download PDF
Abstract:During the Victorian era wood block flooring was being used extensively for the ground floors of public buildings such as town halls, churches and schools. With their new Steam Joinery Works at Crawley, Longleys found themselves well equipped to make the blocks and Charles Longley hit on the idea of making a sort of tongue on each end of every block that would engage loosely (aided by the hot laying mastic) with the side of the adjoining block. Charles Longley, with the aid of his friend John Every, ironmaster of the Phoenix ironworks at Lewes, designed a machine that with one movement of the flooring strip across two saws would give the desired tongued end - the side groove having already been made by the four-cutter machine.
He thought the system worth patenting so that Longley's flooring could be sold for buildings for which Longleys were not general contractors. This was achieved and a patent granted in 1890, but not without a man called Charteris muscling in on the idea claiming he had just thought of it also.
He thought the system worth patenting so that Longley's flooring could be sold for buildings for which Longleys were not general contractors. This was achieved and a patent granted in 1890, but not without a man called Charteris muscling in on the idea claiming he had just thought of it also.
The Private Press Movement in Sussex, by Peter Longstaff-Tyrrell, published 2001 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 31, article, pp.22-23, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506529] Download PDF
Abstract:Sussex remains rich in many areas of its industrial past and hand press establishments, or should we collate them as private presses, differed from more commercial concerns in that they could decide upon the work they undertook and were not necessarily restricted by commercial influences. Much of the equipment used in hand printing had of course previously been used in more commercial environments.
Hunston Canal Bridge, by A. H. J. Green, published 2001 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 31, article, pp.24-27, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506529] Download PDF
Abstract:The flat coastal plain of the Selsey Peninsula offered little in the way of natural obstacles to the Engineer of the Hundred of Manhood and Selsey Tramway, the redoubtable Lieutenant-Colonel H.F. Stephens, Indeed the stage was set for a cheap and cheerful railway taking full advantage of the dispensations offered by the 1896 Light Railway Act.
There was, however, one man-made obstacle namely the Chichester Branch of the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal which required to be crossed in a manner which did not impede navigation. At the time of construction of the line (1897) the canal traffic was dwindling, having been creamed off by the LB&SCR which reached Chichester in 1846. However ocean-going barges were still sailing into the City's canal basin bringing timber to Covers who were the principal timber merchant in the area. As such there were no immediate plans for closure, so the Colonel was forced to come up with a design for a bridge which would permit the passage of fully-masted vessels. A fixed design would have entailed high approach embankments and considerable cost. As unnecessary expense was not a term in the Colonel's phrase-book he plumped for a movable structure. He would not have had to look far for inspiration for the LB&SCR had two movable railway bridges over navigable rivers in Sussex at Ford and Southerham but these would have been too conventional, not to say far too costly, for the Colonel.
There was, however, one man-made obstacle namely the Chichester Branch of the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal which required to be crossed in a manner which did not impede navigation. At the time of construction of the line (1897) the canal traffic was dwindling, having been creamed off by the LB&SCR which reached Chichester in 1846. However ocean-going barges were still sailing into the City's canal basin bringing timber to Covers who were the principal timber merchant in the area. As such there were no immediate plans for closure, so the Colonel was forced to come up with a design for a bridge which would permit the passage of fully-masted vessels. A fixed design would have entailed high approach embankments and considerable cost. As unnecessary expense was not a term in the Colonel's phrase-book he plumped for a movable structure. He would not have had to look far for inspiration for the LB&SCR had two movable railway bridges over navigable rivers in Sussex at Ford and Southerham but these would have been too conventional, not to say far too costly, for the Colonel.
King's Standing, Crowborough, by Ron Martin, published 2001 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 31, article, pp.28-35, ISSN: 0263-5151) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506529] Download PDF
Abstract:"Germany Calling" was William Joyce's (Lord Haw-Haw's) catch phrase from quite early in WWII, his first broadcast being in September, 1939. The British response was to set up a network of short wave transmitters based at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire under the control of the Political Warfare Executive (PWE) with the object of countering the enemy propaganda. Most of this material was of a comparatively innocuous nature, and was really preaching to the converted.
In May 1941 a more ambitious project got the backing of the Prime Minister to use German wavelengths to transmit confusing broadcasts and Harold Robin, the chief Engineer was sent to USA to purchase a large transmitter for £165,000.
There was a search on for a suitable site for the transmitter. By now it was being jocularly known as the "Aspidistra" after the Gracie Fields song "The Biggest Aspidistra in the World" and this was shortened to ASPI. The first one was ASPI 1 and subsequent ones numbered consecutively. A 70 acre site was eventually found on the Ashdown Forest near the parish of Crowborough at King's Standing 620 feet above sea level and work commenced to excavate a large hole to house the transmitter. At first, the task seemed interminable until a team of Canadian Engineers, stationed nearby, were brought in, extensively bribed with the promise of unlimited quantities of beer and the excavation was completed within six weeks. The rest of the building works was carried out by a team of 600 men working round the clock.
There were also two Parasitic Aerial Tuning Buildings in underground bunkers, and a third bunker under the Driven Tower Mast which was on top of and accessible from the main bunker. In the eastern Parasitic bunker was located ASPI 2 and this could be used as a backup in case ASPI 1 failed!
Other buildings that were erected in 1941-42 were the No.1 Power House and Cooling Tower, the Transformer House, the Power Maintenance Workshop, which was also believed to have been used by Harold Robin as his office, and two pillboxes.
The first broadcast made from King's Standing was in November 1942, when in support of the Torch Landings in North Africa, President Roosevelt's nephew spoke in French to the Vichy French. However there were still disagreements between PWE and the BBC and for a time ASP1 1 was only used by the BBC for their European Service.
In addition to this a new short-wave transmitter (ASP1 3) was installed at Crowborough in a building known as the "Cinema" because of its similarity to a 1930s cinema building.
In May 1941 a more ambitious project got the backing of the Prime Minister to use German wavelengths to transmit confusing broadcasts and Harold Robin, the chief Engineer was sent to USA to purchase a large transmitter for £165,000.
There was a search on for a suitable site for the transmitter. By now it was being jocularly known as the "Aspidistra" after the Gracie Fields song "The Biggest Aspidistra in the World" and this was shortened to ASPI. The first one was ASPI 1 and subsequent ones numbered consecutively. A 70 acre site was eventually found on the Ashdown Forest near the parish of Crowborough at King's Standing 620 feet above sea level and work commenced to excavate a large hole to house the transmitter. At first, the task seemed interminable until a team of Canadian Engineers, stationed nearby, were brought in, extensively bribed with the promise of unlimited quantities of beer and the excavation was completed within six weeks. The rest of the building works was carried out by a team of 600 men working round the clock.
There were also two Parasitic Aerial Tuning Buildings in underground bunkers, and a third bunker under the Driven Tower Mast which was on top of and accessible from the main bunker. In the eastern Parasitic bunker was located ASPI 2 and this could be used as a backup in case ASPI 1 failed!
Other buildings that were erected in 1941-42 were the No.1 Power House and Cooling Tower, the Transformer House, the Power Maintenance Workshop, which was also believed to have been used by Harold Robin as his office, and two pillboxes.
The first broadcast made from King's Standing was in November 1942, when in support of the Torch Landings in North Africa, President Roosevelt's nephew spoke in French to the Vichy French. However there were still disagreements between PWE and the BBC and for a time ASP1 1 was only used by the BBC for their European Service.
In addition to this a new short-wave transmitter (ASP1 3) was installed at Crowborough in a building known as the "Cinema" because of its similarity to a 1930s cinema building.