Dating from about 1914 when this photograph was taken; a mine barrow waits near the weigh cabin. Following the comment from Robert Silkstone: “I just thought it was worth noting that this picture is not of a mine barrow. It is more important as these tubs are rarely photographed at ground level. They are the tubs that were taken by men who hand charged the blast furnaces before the conveyor system was introduced. The shape of the tub is deleberate to allow charging at the top of the furnace. This is quite a rare and interesting picture to a historian as I am.” Eric Johnson tells us: ’At Skinningrove ironworks the term ”mine” refers to the ironstone carried in the barrows which came from the company’s Loftus mine, this stone was roasted in kilns and the calcined ironstone was taken from the kilns to the weigh machine cabin. Then weighed and the barrows hoisted to the furnace top, emptied and returned. Coke and limestone were also carried in the barrows, but they were always known as ”mine barrows”.’
Steven Partlett has added: ” I remember these as being termed “Barrows”. My father worked these after Loftus mine closed and he moved to the Ironworks. What is not obvious in these images is that the ground where they operated was completely covered in plates which were either Steel or Iron. The barrows had a knife edged wheel, similar to a flanged rail wheel. The combination reduced friction, and made it easier to push the loaded barrows. The area was known in the works as “the plates” because of the feature.”
Image and information courtesy of Eric Johnson, also thanks to Robert Silkstone and Steve Partlett for the updated information.
Skinningrove stockyard where the men are slinging angles, that’s what the caption said on this photograph.Alan Franks comments: “This looks like it is the ore tips where odds and ends of various steel sections were stocked. I was a stock taker here for a few months in 1960 before I moved to the 18 inch mill. I do not recognise the two slingers, the slinging chains are from a steam powered jib crane. In the background is the old basic slag building.
Image courtesy of Eric Johnson, thanks to Alan Franks for the update.
Barring out calcined ironstone from kiln after roasting, taken to weighbridge and then placed on lift platform prior to raising to the charging platform at top of the furnace. Note the almost nappy effect on the workman’s trousers; this is in fact a protective pad (made from discarded belting) to protect from the heat which came from the calcined ironstone in the barrow. An early version of PPE!
Image (from a glass plate) and information courtesy of Eric Johnson.
A long time ago on Skinningrove works the ’barrows’ are there some still laden, they must have been very heavy for one man to pull when fully loaded, each barow is numbered and I am supposing each man had his own barrow.
This further image of Mine Barrows in use at Skinningrove works also dates from about 1914, showing barrows already filled with ironstone awaiting hoisting to the furnace tops. Robert Silkstone pointed out the importance of these images: “these tubs are rarely photographed at ground level. They are the tubs that were taken by men who hand charged the blast furnaces before the conveyor system was introduced. The shape of the tub is deleberate to allow charging at the top of the furnace.” Eric Johnson explained their use at Skinningrove works: “At Skinningrove ironworks the term ”mine” refers to the ironstone carried in the barrows which came from the company’s Loftus mine, this stone was roasted in kilns and the calcined ironstone was taken from the kilns to the weigh machine cabin. Then weighed and the barrows hoisted to the furnace top, emptied and returned. Coke and limestone were also carried in the barrows, but they were always known as ”mine barrows”.Steven Partlett was able to confirm this analysis with: “My father worked these after Loftus mine closed and he moved to the Ironworks. What is not obvious in these images is that the ground where they operated was completely covered in plates which were either Steel or Iron. The barrows had a knife edged wheel, similar to a flanged rail wheel. The combination reduced friction, and made it easier to push the loaded barrows. The area was known in the works as “the plates” because of the feature.” These plated areas can be seen if careful attention is paid to the lower areas of these images.
Image (from a glass plate negative) and information courtesy of Eric Johnson, also thanks to Robert Silkstone and Steve Partlett for the updated information.
The SS Skinningrove was one of the four main pig iron transporting vessels used by the Skinningrove Iron Company from their jetty at Skinningrove. Terry Shaw has assisted with the following information: “SS Skinningrove a steel screw steamer (General Cargo) IMO 5230454 was built in 1895 by J. L. Thompson and Sons Ltd. at North Sands yard no 332, the vessel was completed on 2nd July 1895. Dimensions: Length 155 feet, Breadth 26 feet, Depth 11.7 feet, 516 tons. The first owners were Skinningrove Iron Co Ltd – T. C. Hutchinson Middlesbrough. The Ships other names were: 1919 – Hailsham 1923 – Skinningrove 1936 – Stangrove 1941 – Castilla Del Oro 1944 – Condestable 1954 – Sotileza 1955 – Mechelin The SS Skinningrove was broken up at Aviles by Desguaces y Salvamentos S. A. on 12/07/1971.
Note: This ship ( off no 98787) built in 1895 was the second of two ships named SS Skinningrove, the original (off no 98773) was built by Wood, Skinner and Company Ltd in 1891 for Charles Henry Pile, London, (Shipping Investments, Cork). Skinningrove Iron Company Ltd used this ship for the export of pig iron from 1891 to 1895 when the ship was sold to P. Biraben & Fils, Bordeaux and renamed Pierre-Paul.
Image (from a newspaper cutting) courtesy of several sources including Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum, thanks to Terry Shaw for the additional information.
Yes I know we have some aerial photographs of the works ;but this one is lovely and clear you can even see the line going onto the jetty, it is suggested by Simon Chapman: “The sinter plant is working and the blast furnace still stands so I would suggest the picture was taken about 1967.”
Image courtesy of Cleveland Mining Museum and thanks to Simon Chapman for the update.
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