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The remains of the alum quarry at Boulby, although the pyramid shape at the top of the photograph is such a prominent feature of this part of the site, it is not in fact anything special. It appears to be sitting on top of a general quarrying level but is only composed of earth and stones from above the alum shale layer. It is a tip of overburden dumped here to allow the sandstone from beneath its original position to be removed and thus expose the alum shale. It has probably been a larger tip originally which has been eroded to its current distinctive shape. It was probably formed by building out a wooden gantry from the cliff face so that the removed material could be dumped well clear of the intended quarry face.
Image courtesy of Alan Richardson and information kindly supplied by Simon Chapman.
This view of a double track railway incline, is believed to be one of several located in Weardale, so although outside our area has strong connections owi ng to the iron and steel industry, hence the inclusion on our site. The quarries were used for the limestone for the iron and steel industry.A similar arrangement was in operation at Ingelby incline, which was part of the Rosedale Railway. Chris Twigg tells us: ”The location certainly looks like it could be Parson Byers, which was owned by Bell Brothers and Dorman Long so a good chance of a picture ending up in our area”. David Richardson also advises: ”Yes it is the incline head of Parson Byers Quarries, the track disappearing behind the trees to the right of the photo heads around to the main quarry. Very little changed at the incline between the 1890′s and 1920′s but the photograph was likely taken in that 30 year period.”
Any further information will be welcome.
Image courtesy of Maurice Grayson; also thanks to Chris Twigg and David Richardson for those updates.
Joyce Dobson loaned us this rather good photograph of the Alum House at Hummersea; all previous images have been of the house has been in ruins. Obviously in it’s time a substantial building.
Image courtesy of Joyce Dobson.
Maybe I would ’cos I am nosey, it’s the entrance to the alum mine on Hummersea beach. However Chris Twigg tells us: ”Rather than a mine, it was connected by a shaft to the Alum House on the cliff top. Presumably to allow the transportation of goods in and out. The alum shale was actually been quarried on the cliff top to the west.”
Image courtesy of Julie Morrison, thanks to Chris Twigg for the update.
You can almost smell the damp in this part of the tunnel, I wonder who were the last workers here, has anyone got any photographs of the alum workers?
Image courtesy of Julie Morrison.
At one time well used tracks but now rusting and decaying; but what brick work on that tunnel, believed to have been built in the 18th century. Chris Twigg advised: “17th century I believe.”
Image courtesy of Julie Morrison, thanks to Chris Twigg for the update.
Doesn’t fill you with confidence to go much farther into the tunnel does it?
Image courtesy of Julie Morrison.
Looks like some climbing to do to get any farther into the tunnel.
Image courtesy of Julie Morrison.
This is going to be a squeeze, there might be enough space to get through. What lies beyond?
Image courtesy of Julie Morrison.
An unusual view taken from inside the alum tunnel, viewing outwards; from underneath Hummersea/Boulby cliffs.
Image courtesy of Julie Morrison.
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