From close by No.1 Hammer, this photograph is looking towards the furnace for No.2 hammer.
In the foreground are 'gags', used to hold the hammers open when not in use, and a dumped assembly of 'helve & trunnion' for a hammer (very different from those that are shown in other photographs).
In the centre can be seen the furnace for No.2 hammer, with from left to right, the firing hole (with coal pile below), two doors (closed) where the axles were heated, and the flue rising up to the base of one of the chimneys.
Note the chimneys are clearly built up off iron columns, the reason for which is not known.
Right of centre is the 'third' furnace. Unlike the other two, there is no crane to swing the hot axles over to a hammer in one smooth operation. It is possible that the 'faggotts' of iron bars (from which axles were forged) were heated up from cold and 'soaked' in this furnace before being transferred to the other furnaces for actual forging. The chimney may be seen through the arch behind the furnace. It seems unlikely that the bench seat is for the men to sit on as it would be extremely hot if the furnace was to heat the iron up to 'forging temperature'.
The floor is covered with slabs, but these look to be stone, not iron as is usually quoted.
Against the stone column to the left of the bench seat, is a pair of tongs. These have clearly been left in the same position for many years as there is a hollow in the stonework behind them and a dip in the floor.
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