THE ROYAL GUNPOWDER MILLS
BALLINCOLLIG, CO.
INTRODUCTION
The Royal Gunpowder Mills at Ballincollig, Co.
The site is exceptional in its size, approximately 53 hectares, and in
the survival of buildings, now all without roofs, associated with the
manufacturing process. The original choice of site for the process was governed
by the need for a substantial river source of water to power the mills, a
degree of remoteness for security and safety and sufficient space to separate
the various process areas because of the risk of explosion.
A major requirement for the site was a safe means of transporting the
incorporated ingredients to the various buildings involved in the finishing
process. In Ballincollig, the chosen method was a system of canals connecting
all the process areas in a single flat system without locks, and with the same
canals providing the water source to power the mills.
The site is approximately 2.4 kilometres in
length. The canals are fed from the River Lee at the western end of the site
where a weir was constructed. This arrangement allowed a continuous flow of
water to the canal system which, combined with the length of the site, allowed
sufficient level difference between water in the canals and the River Lee at
the eastern end to power the mills.
The canal system survives more or less intact. The site overall is in
use for recreation, with the western end containing playing fields and other
sporting facilities.
PROTECTION STATUS
The Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills are protected under the Cork County
Development Plan 2003. That protection is carried on into the Draft Development
Plan 2007, R.P.S. Nos. 00816, 00817, 00818 and 00819. It is also listed in the
Sites and Monuments Record for
METHODOLOGY
The governing principles for undertaking the survey and report are the
ICOMOS Charter “Principles for the Recording of Monuments, Groups of Buildings
and Sites” (1991). This report forms part of a comprehensive set of studies and
reports dealing with the many aspects of the site.
The site of each building was visited, whether it had substantial
upstanding remains or was discernible only at ground level or as a map
reference. Each of the sites is reported on herein, however, those sites where
no building remains were discernible are not reported on. The inventory
prepared by Donaldson Consultancy was followed, and the identification
numbering for the sites in that inventory is carried into this report. In
addition, the 1841 and 1900 editions of the Ordnance Survey maps were consulted
and the sites of any buildings or structures not in the inventory were also
visited.
The report for each site contains a description of the structure and its
setting, together with a wall by wall report on condition, and concludes with
recommendations in relation to the principal conservation issues for that site.
The canal system was also examined visually to the extent that it is
accessible and will be reported on in a general way herein.
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
The survival of upstanding remains of buildings and structures is quite
significant. A substantial number of buildings associated with the site are
within the study area, i.e. the area now owned by Cork County Council. In
addition, there are many buildings which are still in use and in private
ownership, which have not been included in this study. There is quite a dense
concentration of masonry buildings surviving as upstanding walls at the eastern
end of the site where it is entered from what is now a public road. These
buildings formed the core of the basic manufacturing processes such as sawing
timber, making barrels, refining saltpetre and sulphur and the manufacture of charcoal, together with
ancillary buildings. All of the buildings associated with this primary
manufacturing area were of substantial masonry construction, of good quality
and fairly typical of 19th century industrial buildings.
The incorporating mills at the extreme eastern end of the site were
housed in timber structures. The incorporating process ran the risk of
explosion, and the use of timber buildings reduced the distance that flying
debris would be carried and which would endanger other buildings on site and,
for the same reason, pairs of incorporating mills were separated by substantial
blast walls to prevent a chain reaction developing. There is one reconstructed
incorporation mill building with mill machinery installed on the site. However,
the head and tail races and support structure for most of the mill wheels
remains intact even though the buildings have not survived.
The third set of buildings are those which were
involved in the final finishing processes, all of which were carried out at the
western end of the site. The handling of gunpowder in its near finished state
carried the risk of very substantial explosions and, therefore, the buildings
involved in these processes are very widely spaced and, where the risk of
explosion was highest, the process buildings were sub-divided and separated by
very substantial blast wall structures. It is clear that almost all of these
buildings had timber superstructures supported on masonry foundations.
Inevitably, there are no surviving timber structures. There are also a number
of roofless magazine buildings scattered throughout the site which held the
product between the various stages of finishing, and there are a number of
masonry arch bridges in varying states of repair.
CANAL SYSTEM
The canal system is in three parts: the original 18th century head race
canal which was taken out of use when the site was expanded in the 19th
century, the principal canal system, dating from the 19th century, and the tail
race canal from the various mills.
The original canal system is too dilapidated to be rehabilitated at this
stage. However, the main 19th century canal is, essentially, in good condition,
particularly where it is still flooded at the western end. The eastern section
of that canal system has been dried out for some years resulting in some growth
of weeds and scrub, which could be easily cleared, and the collapse of part of
the canal revetment in the incorporating mills area. The same is true of the
tail race canal system. The canals should be kept full, as drying and wetting
of the banks only leads to failure and rapid draw down of water levels can
cause precipitative collapses of banks. Keeping the
canals full also discourages the growth of trees and scrub in the canal system.
The initial examination of the canals indicates that there is no significant
requirement for repairs, though some repairs will be necessary. The control
systems seem to be in reasonably good order but some repairs will be needed to
stonework, particularly in the dried out section. Some cleaning and clearing
will be required, even in those areas which are now flooded, because the lack
of water flow has encouraged the growth of aquatic weeds, etc.
EXISTING USE OF THE SITE
The site is already quite extensively used for recreation, especially at
the western end, but walkers also make continuous use of the pathway through
from the eastern end to the western end. There is great potential for expanding
the network of pathways and enhancing them with nature trails for school
children and adults alike, as a resource, not just for the town of
POSSIBLE NEW USES FOR THE SITE
The canal systems, once cleaned out and filled with gently flowing
water, will provide a safe yet exciting resource for kayaking and canoeing,
particularly for introducing young people to the sport. There is even the possibility
at the western end of introducing some gentle rapids which are also an
essential part of the sport of canoeing and kayaking.
There are a number of buildings which are capable of being brought into
use, either for commercial enterprise or by Government or Local Authority
agencies. There is one building at the western end, i.e. the Round Tower Watch
House (No. 003), which is roofed, and could be brought into use in association
with the recreational facilities at that end. At the eastern end there are a
number of substantial buildings which could be readily repaired, re-roofed and
brought into use, such as the Charcoal Mill (No. 054), the Sawmill (No. 048),
the Workshops (No. 053) and others listed on the Schedule in Appendix 1. The
Coal Store (Record No. 026), with its surviving circular enclosing wall,
approximately 28 metres in diameter, is such an
exceptional building in a magnificent site, to warrant a prestige public use,
such as conversion to theatre, concert hall or arena.
The site presents an excellent opportunity for the generation of
electricity using a modified mill-wheel, at very least in the incorporating
mills’ area. There are also other areas where mill-wheels were employed and
which with little work could also have such a use. Improvements in water-wheel
technology are such that a good return on investment is possible. While the
amount of electricity generated would be small relative to the two dams on the
River Lee, that electrical energy could be further leveraged if some of the
buildings were brought back into use to power heat pumps using geothermal
sources to heat the buildings. Before the advent of steam virtually all of the
mechanical energy required for various process industries in this country was
provided by water power. The site would thus be an excellent show case for
reclaiming small scale water power as a clean energy source.
CONSERVATION
All works on the site are subject to legislation governing “Protected
Structures” and “
The principles set out in the various Charters of the International
Council on Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS, which are relevant to the Gunpowder
Mills’ site have been taken into account in the
recommendations contained in this report on the conservation of buildings and
structures in the site.
The long-term conservation of the site requires at least immediate
action to prevent the remaining upstanding structures being damaged by ivy,
saplings and uncontrolled tree growth. The control of vegetation should not be
undertaken by the use of sprays or toxic chemicals, except in exceptional
circumstances. Heavy ivy infestation should, in the first instance, only be
trimmed back, since the aerial roots of ivy can cause wedging within the
masonry joints, and killing off the ivy may cause the structure to collapse. Where
a structure is not being brought back into use, it would be sufficient to keep
the ivy under control until such time as funds are available to consolidate the
walls once the ivy has been removed. Where ivy growth is recent, it may be cut
off at the root and the root killed off. Saplings and scrub may generally just
be cut back and kept under control until such time as either the re-use or
presentation of the ruin has been decided.
A comparison of photographs in various publications listed in the
reference section of this report indicates that the growth of vegetation is
becoming a serious threat to the site.
Some of the sites which are now reduced to ground level have become
overgrown with substantial trees. It is probable that the removal of the trees
would do as much damage as leaving them in place and those sites might be
better recorded in detail, with the substantial trees left in place, but scrub,
etc. cleared out.
An important aspect of all the upstanding remains is their method of
construction. All of these buildings pre-date the use of Portland cement: they
are almost entirely built of limestone and brick, using lime mortar. That
method of construction is very accommodating of differential ground movement
and the thermal expansion and contraction of the walls, without the need to
provide special expansion or contraction joints as in modern buildings. Repairs
must, therefore, be carried out with similar materials, i.e. using lime mortars
and stone or brick where appropriate. Modern materials would be needed for
re-roofing, windows, new floors, etc., but reinforced concrete wall capping
beams, or similar systems, should be avoided as such rigid systems are not
compatible with the flexible nature of the walls.
The nature of this historic site is such that fairly substantial
intervention over a period will be needed if its significance is to be
preserved for future generations. While it is generally the case that the
principles underlying conservation are that there should be minimum
intervention in historic monuments, it is also recognised
that in some situations adaptation is necessary for historic sites and
buildings to survive. This site presents a very strong case for the principles
of adaptation because its extent is such that funds would most likely not be
forthcoming for its preservation purely as a historic industrial site, even
though in the longer term it, most likely, has potential in relation to sites
of military importance in combination with, for instance, Fort Camden, Spike
Island and the forts at Kinsale and Bere Island.
CONCLUSIONS
The site is exceptional and unique in relation to the industrial
heritage of
The recording of the site can only be a first stage in the conservation
of this unique heritage site. The immediate need at this stage is for the
control of vegetation which could be done without great expense, since the
skills involved are not great other than those required for supervision. The
context of the site and its buildings can best be protected by bringing some of
the buildings back into use since, if they are allowed to deteriorate into
ruins, they will, ultimately, be demolished and cleared and the site
redeveloped and thus the context of the site will be lost.
The surviving structures consisting of walls of quite significant
buildings are of exceptional quality for industrial buildings, which makes them
attractive for adaptation and re-use without the need for exact replication of
the original building, but by use of sympathetic materials and designs which
would allow the original building to be recognised in
its new use.
The canal system, which is a unique feature of the site, has great
potential for recreational use. The fact that it has no strong currents and is
relatively shallow makes it suitable for use by young people learning to kayak,
or even recreational use with small punts, either rowed or pole propelled as in
the original use of the canals.
The existing walks through the site are well used and there is potential
for the development of extra walks, particularly around the eastern perimeter,
and the development of nature trails. There is immense potential for such
recreational use, not only from the expanding town of
The “protected” status of the site will require the co-operation of the
various Government and Local Authority Departments responsible for the
enforcement of the legislative status of the site. There is, however, ample
scope within the national and international best practice guidelines for the
conservation of historic sites, monuments and buildings.
SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS
The site is capable of being made available for a much wider range of
public uses, including recreation, while, at the same time, retaining the
unique history of the site. The surviving walls of the buildings are of
exceptional quality for industrial buildings, and many are capable of being
re-roofed and brought back into use. There is potential for environmentally
friendly generation of electricity. The canal system, which should be kept full
and flowing, has potential for safely introducing young people to canoeing and
kayaking, and there is potential for more walking routes and nature trails.
List of References:
Framework and Principles for the Protection of Archaeological Heritage,
published by the Department of Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the
Policy and Guidelines for Archaeological Excavation, also published by
the
Department of Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht
and the
Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities,
published by the Department of the Environment,
Heritage and Local
Government,
Regulatory Environment for the Management and Repair of Historic
Buildings, published by the Heritage Council
International Charters for Conservation and Restoration, published by
the
International Council on Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS, which set out the
guiding principles which underlie International and Irish
legislation.
Cork
Cork
Sites and Monuments Record for
Archaeological Inventory of
The Industrial Archaeology of
Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills, a Hidden History – Jenny Webb and
Anne Donaldson, 2006.
The Royal Gunpowder Mills, Ballincollig – Structures Data Base –
Donaldson
Tourism & Heritage Consultancy.
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Volume 150 –
November,
2002 – “Old Watermills”
BUILDINGS WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR ADAPTATION
BY INCORPORATING THEIR WALLS INTO A NEW STRUCTURE
Record
Possible Use
Guard House (Record No. 003)
for amenity facilities in conjunction with
the
New Magazine (Record No. 021-2)
possible adaptation for community use
Coal Store (Record No. 026) potential for conversion to an arena and
general purpose hall
Sawmill (Record No. 048) conversion for
commercial use
Workshops (Record No. 053) conversion for commercial
use
New Sawmill (Record No. 045-1)
conversion for commercial use
Cooperage (Record No. 051) conversion for commercial
use
Charcoal Mill (Record No. 054) conversion for commercial use
Sulphur Refinery (Record No. 046) conversion for commercial use
Steam Stove (Record No. 017)
possible use in conjunction with the use
of the canals for kayaking/canoeing and
punting
RECORD NO. 003 – ROUND TOWER WATCH HOUSE
DESCRIPTION
Located at the western entrance to the Gunpowder Mills’ site, the Round
Tower Watch House is now located within the public car-park. The building
consists of an original two-storey circular tower structure, with a conical
slate roof covering. The tower has a series of recessed, downward-pointing
musket loops around the base of the wall. The Watch House has a later extension
at the eastern side which is rectangular in plan, single-storey, with a pitched
slate roof. The walls have a whitewash finish. There was no access to the Watch
House at the time of the survey.
CONDITION
The tower structure consists of coursed limestone masonry walls to the
top of recessed musket loops, above which the wall is brick construction. There
is a projecting masonry eaves to the conical slate
roof overhead. The slate roof, which is damaged on the west side, is capped
with a copper finial. There is a blocked-up window opening at the south side of
the tower and some narrow slit openings at the upper level of the tower in this
area. The upper brick structure is showing signs of deterioration with some
cracking evident at high level and the lime mortar pointing has been washed out
in some places.
Overall Condition
The overall condition of the western Tower Watch House is good. The
walls are structurally sound with no significant structural cracks. The
whitewash finish to the tower bricks should be maintained to reduce the effects
of moisture ingress on the brick walls. The slate roofs are in a poor
condition.
CONSERVATION
The damaged slate roof covering should be repaired to prevent water
ingress into the building causing further deterioration of the building fabric.
The whitewash surface finish should also be maintained to protect deteriorating
brickwork after re-pointing cracks and washed out mortar joints. Rainwater
gutters should also be replaced.
RECORD NO 021 NEW MAGAZINE
DESCRIPTION
This building is located south-west of the Old Magazine (Record No.
021-1) and just east of the main canal. The main axis of the building runs
north/south and there are entrances from both ends. The building is of stone
masonry construction with dressed stone archways on the northern and southern
entrance doors. There is a small rectangular fanlight over the arched entrance
on each side. Eaves heights stand at approximately 3 metres
above external ground level and the top of the gable-ends are approximately 6 metres above ground level. There are stone corbels at eaves
level spaced at approximately 2.5 metre centres.
Overall Condition
The building is in reasonably good condition. There is some loose
brickwork on the inside of the entrance doors on the north and south which
should be consolidated or supported.
CONSERVATION
There is significant growth within the building, and around the
perimeter of the building, which should be removed. Large trees are growing
inside the building and in close proximity to the exterior of the building. Ivy
growing on the walls and particularly on top of both gable-ends should be cut
back and removed. Loose masonry around the eaves level and the top of the gable
should be consolidated. The brick archways inside the north and south entrance
doors should be consolidated or propped in place.
RECORD NO. 026 – COAL STORE
DESCRIPTION
The Coal Store is located on the south bank of the main canal, close to
the River Lee. This is one of the most northerly points of the Gunpowder Mills’
site. The stone building is circular in plan, with a diameter of approximately
24 metres, and a wall height of approximately 4.5 metres.
CONDITION
There are three door openings in the building and one window opening.
The door openings are on the northern, western and eastern points and the
window is on the southern side. The doors to the east and west are brick arched
double-door openings, with the door to the north being a brick arched single
entrance. There is a vertical crack over the crown of the arch on the northern
side. The stone masonry walls are constructed vertically on the inside but are
battered externally. The walls are generally in good condition but have some
loose masonry at the top of the walls due to excessive vegetation growth.
CONSERVATION
Ivy growing on the walls should be cut back and removed. Loose masonry
at the top of the wall should be consolidated. Large diameter trees in close
proximity to the Coal Store should be removed and internal trees and saplings
should all be removed.
RECORD
NO. 048 – SAWMILL
DESCRIPTION
Located in the eastern section of the Gunpowder Mills’ site, the Sawmill
building faces east with its northern gable constructed on the edge of the main
canal. The building is a two-storey rectangular building constructed with
coursed limestone masonry walls with limestone quoins on the corners. The
windows have brick surrounds and limestone sills. There is a projecting brick
at eaves level and the remains of a cut limestone verge coping on the four
corners. The building has a limestone paved floor with a deep octagonal-shaped
brick-lined pit that contains the remains of a turbine. The mill-race from the
turbine pit connects to the canal through the east wall of the building and
exits under the canal in a culvert directly to the River Lee. The walls of the
building are approximately 500 millimetres thick.
Overall Condition
The walls of the building are reasonably plumb and in good condition.
Two areas of cracking should be monitored but are not of immediate concern.
Some loose masonry, where lintels have rotted away, needs consolidation.
CONSERVATION
There is a significant amount of ivy growth on the walls of the building
which should be removed, together with tree saplings and other vegetation.
Large trees in close proximity to both the east and west walls should be
trimmed back to prevent damage to the building and may need to be removed
entirely. There are young trees growing on the outside of the north wall which
need to be removed along with the heavy ivy growth in this area.
Loose masonry at the tops of the walls, especially the projecting brick
eaves, and around openings where timbers have rotted away should be consolidated.
Pits should be cleared of rubbish and vegetation and covered to prevent them
becoming re-filled. The mill-race should also be cleared of vegetation and
trees to prevent damage to the brick-lined walls.
SAFETY
The turbine pit is very deep and contains the remnants of the turbine.
There is a second rectangular pit, approximately a metre
deep. The building should be fenced off to prevent access by the public until
the pits are cleared and properly secured with fencing. This will prevent
further vandalism and damage to the building structure caused by fires within
the building.
RECORD NO. 053 –
WORKSHOP BUILDINGS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Located at the eastern section of the Gunpowder Mills’ site, the
workshops consist of three single-storey masonry structures: a large
Carpenter’s Shop in the centre, with a smaller Millwright’s Shop on the west
side, and a Copper Store on the east side. The buildings face south, with the
main mill canal to the north, in close proximity to the rear of the buildings.
COPPER STORE
DESCRIPTION
The easternmost building (Copper Store) is a single-storey, square
building. All four walls stand to eaves level, a height of approximately 3.5 metres. The walls are of coursed limestone masonry
construction with a projecting plinth and eaves.
Overall Condition
The walls are generally plumb with no significant cracks. The rear wall,
however, is very poor. Loose masonry should be consolidated and the remaining
arched heads propped. There is a considerable amount of vegetation growth,
particularly on the rear wall, causing damage to the masonry and many of the
stones at eaves level are loose and ready to fall.
MILLWRIGHT’S SHOP
DESCRIPTION
The westernmost building of the workshops’ complex (the Millwright’s
Shop)is also a single-storey building, square-shaped
in plan, and similar in size to the Copper Store. The four walls generally
stand to eaves level, a height of approximately 3.5 metres.
The walls are of coursed limestone masonry construction with a projecting plinth
and eaves.
Overall Condition
The walls of the Millwright’s Shop are relatively plumb and there are no
significant structural cracks on the original masonry. The infill masonry
panels to the rear are very loose and require considerable consolidation. Any
remaining arched limestone heads should also be propped. Loose masonry around
missing window heads should also be consolidated. There is a significant amount
of vegetation at the northern and eastern sides of the building, and also
within the building, which should be removed.
CARPENTER’S SHOP
DESCRIPTION
The larger central building of the workshops’ complex (the Carpenter’s
Shop) is a single storey building, rectangular in plan. The walls of the
building generally stand to eaves level, a height of approximately 3.5 metres. The walls are coursed limestone masonry
construction, approximately 450 millimetres thick,
with a projecting plinth and eaves stones. The walls were constructed with a
pair of central bonding timbers at the third points, approximately, in the
height of the wall. These timbers have long since rotted
away leaving cavities in the centre of the walls.
Overall Condition
The overall condition of the Carpenter’s Shop is one of structural
soundness generally, with the exception of the rear wall of the building. This
wall has a number of collapsed areas of masonry where window openings were
blocked up. Further masonry collapse has occurred where internal bonding
timbers have rotted away leaving large voids in the masonry structure. The remaining
arched limestone masonry heads are poorly supported and the projecting eaves
stones are loose in many areas.
CONSERVATION
All three buildings in the workshop complex are heavily overgrown with
vegetation undergrowth and tree saplings, all of which should be removed. The
loose and collapsed masonry of the rear walls should be consolidated and
rebuilt in areas to prevent further collapse. All remaining arched limestone
masonry heads should be propped. The walls should also be re-pointed with lime
mortar, where significant washing out has occurred.
SAFETY
The workshop buildings should be fenced off to prevent access by the
public until such time as the rear walls have been secured and the arched
masonry heads propped.
RECORD NO. 045-1 –
NEW SAWMILL
DESCRIPTION
The New Sawmill is located directly north of the Saltpetre
Refinery. The original building was a stone masonry building which was later
extended in brickwork construction. The major axis of the building runs
north/south and all the brick arches remain in place on the outside face of the
walls. The wall height is approximately 3.4 metres to
eaves level, with the total height of the structure to top of the gable being
approximately 6.5 metres above ground level.
CONSERVATION
Large diameter trees in close proximity to the building, particularly on
the western side, should be removed. Ivy, briars and saplings growing within
the building and around the perimeter of the building should also be removed to
expose the structure. The exterior brick arches should be propped in place as
they are no longer tied to an inner timber lintel.
RECORD NO. 051 – COOPERAGE 1 and 2
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Located immediately to the north of the infilled
canal, this is a rectangular single-storey building with gable-ends, running on
an east/west axis, in two parts with a northern projecting two-storey wing. The
eastern section is now all but gone and fully overgrown. The front wall of the
western section is largely missing but the southern and gable walls are mostly
intact. The western section was constructed from yellow stock bricks throughout
while the eastern and northern sections were built of limestone masonry.
Overall Condition
The building is in reasonable condition overall but collapse of either
of the brickwork arches in the northern elevation or further deterioration in
the southern gable could lead to the collapse of a significant portion of the
building. The continued decay of the timber bearers on the eastern and western
walls will slowly destabilise these walls also.
CONSERVATION
Remove all the overgrowth. Support the arches and the southern gable.
Remove the decayed timber bearers. These will have to be replaced by a modern
material, possibly brickwork.
RECORD NO. 054 – CHARCOAL MILL
DESCRIPTION
Located at the eastern section of the Gunpowder Mills’ site, the
Charcoal Mill faces south with a mill-race running through the centre of the building
from the original canal to the canal north of the mill. The Charcoal Mill is a
two-storey rectangular building with gable-ends and internal cross-walls to a
central brick-lined wheel pit that housed a low breast shot water-wheel. The
walls are of coursed limestone masonry construction with large limestone quoins
and shallow arched brick heads to door and window openings. The walls stand
5.25 metres from ground level to the underside of a
projecting stone, with the gable walls rising a further 1.8 metres
approximately. Ground level within the building is approximately 400 millimetres below the surrounding ground level, which
suggests the building had a suspended timber floor originally.
The floor and roof structures are all missing. However, there is some
evidence of a ground floor supporting dwarf walls under the vegetation. The
external walls are also holed where first floor beams and joists were
supported. There is a substantial amount of vegetation and briar growth within
and around the building and young trees are growing in some parts. There is
also ivy growth on most of the walls.
Overall Condition
The building overall appears to be structurally sound with the possible
exception of the tops of both gable walls. There are also many areas of loose
masonry around door and window openings making the building dangerous to the
public.
CONSERVATION
Ivy will need to be removed from most walls of the building as well as
the removal of young trees and other vegetation from the inside. Loose masonry
should be consolidated around door and window openings, where timber lintels
are missing, and also at both gable walls. Damaged sections should be rebuilt
to prevent collapse of the tops of the gable walls. Projecting masonry at eaves
level should also be secured where loose. These works should all be carried out
using a lime mortar to specification.
SAFETY
The building should be fenced off until all loose masonry has been
secured and both gable walls are closely inspected and secured. There is
currently one warning sign on the south-west corner of the building which
should be supplemented with an additional sign at the eastern side of the
building. The water-wheel pit should also be fenced off.
RECORD NO. 046 – SULPHUR REFINERY
DESCRIPTION
The sulphur refinery is located directly north
of the saltpetre refinery and to the east of the
Sawmill. The building is rectangular in plan, with the major axis running
east/west. The building is essentially divided in two equal parts with a
gable-end on the eastern and western sides and the central dividing wall
running the same height as the gable-ends. The building is constructed of
limestone masonry up to eaves level, on the northern and southern sides, and
the gable-end on the eastern side, made of brick, is complete up to ridge
level. The central dividing wall and the gable-end on the western side are
constructed using limestone masonry. The wall height to eaves level is
approximately 4 metres and is capped off in some
areas with flat stone.
Overall Condition
The building as it stands is quite dangerous. The brickwork gable-end at
the eastern side appears quite unstable with most of the brickwork being
decayed by frost action. The brick arches on the northern side have collapsed
and it is likely that the stone masonry which is arching over will follow if
left unsupported.
CONSERVATION
Ivy growing on the walls should be removed. Briars, scrub and saplings
around the perimeter of the building and also inside in the building should be cut
back and removed to expose the entire structure. The openings in the northern
side should be propped in place to prevent further collapse. The brickwork
gable-end should be shored in place to prevent collapse and the building should
be sealed off to the general public.
RECORD NO. 017 – STEAM STOVE AND DRYING HOUSES
The Steam Stove is situated adjacent to a substantial inlet on the
northern sideof the canal. The building is oriented
north-east/south-west and comprises three distinct structures: a rectangular
gabled structure oriented northeast/ south-west at the north-eastern end, low
foundation walls at the southwestern end, and a substantial circular structure
in the centre, which originally housed the boiler. The easternmost rectangular
structure is linked by a single wall to the circular structure. Only the lower
portions of the walls of the westernmost rectangular structure remain. The
upper structure of this section may have been of timber construction.
Immediately to the north of the Steam Stove there is a stream or narrow canal
with steep side slopes, un-surfaced. There is small tree growth in the canal
but it does appear to flood occasionally. A brick plinth outside the northern
entrance to the circular structure opens out on to this small canal.
DESCRIPTION
This building consists of a stone outer wall, elliptical in plan,
inclined inwards, with two openings and a central passage through, running
north-west/southeast. The top of the wall is approximately 4 metres above ground level and is heavily overgrown with
ivy. There is a projecting eaves which appears to be
stone. There are several pipes exiting the wall around its perimeter.
CONDITION
Exterior
Generally the wall is in good condition but there are some open joints
on the south-western face. The top of the wall is heavily overgrown and there
are substantial trees growing out of the roof.
Interior
The interior of the building is a vaulted structure with two side
chambers accessed from the middle of the building. There is
the remains of a stone and brick flagged floor. There is one substantial, and a
number of minor, openings into the space above the vault. The vault is of brick
construction and seems generally to be in reasonable condition. Two side
chambers are in similar condition. There are stones missing at the base of the
easternmost arch.
Overall Condition
The building appears to be in reasonable overall condition but it is
impossible to assess the damage that the substantial growth of trees is doing,
and has already done, to the crown of the vault. These should be removed as a
matter of urgency.
CONSERVATION
Remove the ivy and overgrowth on the top and the trees in the crown of
the vault. Make good eroded joints in existing stonework on the western side of
the building. Consolidate loose masonry.