This may look like a rather poor quality photograph, but considering how difficult the area is to photograph, this is quite fantastic (take it from someone why has tried this shot!).
Clearly visible is No.1 Hammer with its spring beam and its heavy frame of wood and iron. It is unusual to see the hammer in the dropped position. During its normal working life, the hammer would be left propped open with a 'gag'. Allowing the cast iron faces of the hammer and anvil to come together was likely to cause very expensive damage.
There is a cast iron water trough under the hammer, which we think was used to cool the forming tool employed during forging. A water pipe has been run in from outside the building and can be seen filling the trough. Also there is a major leak in the pipe at the side of the water wheel.
The stone piled against the anvil is small coal that was burnt on cold days in order to heat the anvil to stop it being too fragile.
To the right is a hammer assembly of helve and trunnions. It is assumed that that this is an old unit removed from No.1 hammer and dumped in the nearest space, however it could be for performing a different duty on the hammer, but exchanging items as big as this would not be an easy job. Our current millwright estimates it would take 3 to 5 days to complete. Propped against this spare hammer are four axle ends that must have been cut off production axles, while behind it are three broken 'gags'.
On other prints, that have been underexposed, details of a platform and disused gearwheel can be made out in the open air beyond the wheel.
Return to Photo Gallery - Contents