An open rope walk is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1859, but not on the 2nd edition 1894 map, when it had been built over by a school and a number of other unidentified buildings, probably industrial in nature. It is not shown on an 1849 map of the area, however, and is unlikely to have consisted of any substantial structures.
SITEASS
Ropes were made by hand in ropewalks in standard lengths of 120 fathoms (720 feet). The ropewalk had to be straight and around 1320 feet long. The simple equipment consisted of two frames, one at each end of the ropewalk. The stationary frame (jack) had hooks on it which were revolved by a handle. Yarn was attached to each hook and to the other frame (traveller) which was mounted on a trolley. The rope maker held a circular hardwood block (top) between the strands near the traveller. The top had three grooves with a strand slotted into each. He walked slowly towards the jack pushing the top along and the rope formed itself behind the top. Before the invention of synthetic fibres, ropes were made from cotton, flax, hemp, jute, coir, manila and sisal. Hemp ropes were used in colleries until about 1840 when Andrew Smith patented the iron stranded wire rope. Rope making began to be mechanised in the late C18 (William Jones, 1996, Dictionary of Industrial Archaeology).
Site Type: Broad
Rope Manufacturing Site
SITEDESC
An open rope walk is shown on the OS map of 1859 but not on the 1894 map, when it had been built over by a school and a number of other unidentified buildings, probably industrial in nature. It is not shown on an 1849 map, and is unlikely to have consisted of any substantial structures {1}.
Site Name
Elswick, Rope Walk
Site Type: Specific
Ropewalk
HER Number
4905
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4905 >> Northern Archaeological Associates, 2000, Elswick Lead Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
424140
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
1
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563140
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
These 19th century coal drops are of a type that would usually be fed from a railway line. One of the drops is of stone construction and was located immediately behind an engine house shown on the c.1850 plan. It is probable that a wagonway or other track existed between the coal shaft (HER ref. 4118) and the engine house, although there is no map evidence for this.
Site Type: Broad
Lifting and Winding Structure
SITEDESC
These coal drops are of a type that would usually be fed from a railway line. One of the drops is of apparently 19th century stone construction and was located immediately behind an engine house shown on the c.1850 plan. It is probable that a wagonway or other track existed between the coal shaft (SMR 4118) and the engine house, although there is no map evidence for this {1}.
Site Name
Elswick, Coal Drops
Site Type: Specific
Coal Drop
HER Number
4904
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4904 >> Northern Archaeological Associates, 2000, Elswick Lead Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
4118
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
424170
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
1
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563070
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
This probable spoil heap takes the form of a roughly circular mound, measuring 5 metres in diameter, apparently with a spiral track leading to its top. It appears to be a spoil heap, and is shown on maps from 1859 to 1914. It is possible that this mound contained lead smelting waste, but it is more likely to be either a coal heap/storage area from the coal mine to the north (HER ref. 4118) or a general waste tip containing spent tanning bark, coal ash or broken ceramic jars.
Site Type: Broad
Mining Industry Site
SITEDESC
A roughly circular mound, measuring c45m in diameter, apparently with a spiral track leading to its top. It appears to be a spoil heap, and is shown on maps from 1859 to 1914, but is no longer shown in 1940. It is possible that this mound contained lead smelting waste, although it is unlikely that any ore smelting took place on the site. It is more likely to be either a coal heap/storage area from the coal mine to the north (SMR 4118) or a general waste tip containing spent tanning bark, coal ash or broken ceramic jars. {1}
Site Name
Elswick, Spoil Heap
Site Type: Specific
Spoil Heap
HER Number
4903
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4903 >> Northern Archaeological Associates, 2000, Elswick Lead Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
4116
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
424160
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
1
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563040
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Mid 20th Century 1933 to 1966
Place
Elswick
Description
This building was referred to as the power house on a site plan of 1955, but it is not clear whether it housed a hydraulic engine or was a hydraulic pumping house. It appears likely to have been a source of hydraulic power for powering presses etc, in the pipe mill (HER ref. 4901) on the site. The structure was built between 1914 and 1940, relatively late for the use of hydraulic power, and consists of four stories, all presently unused. The lower floors have been unused since before 1955 and may contain the remains of hydraulic machinery.
Site Type: Broad
Power Generation Site
SITEDESC
A building referred to as the power house on a site plan of 1955, and referred to as the power house by the present managing director. It is not clear whether it housed a hydraulic engine or was a hydraulic pumping house. It appears likely to have been a source of hydraulic power for powering presses etc, in the pipe mill (SMR 4901) on the site. The structure was built between 1914 and 1940, relatively late for the use of hydraulic power, and consists of four stories, all presently unused. The lower floors have been unused since before 1955 and may contain the remains of hydraulic machinery {1}.
Site Name
Elswick, Lead Works Hydraulic Power Site
Site Type: Specific
Hydraulic Engine House
HER Number
4902
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
<< HER 4902 >> Northern Archaeological Associates, 2000, Elswick Lead Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
424250
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
1
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563080
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
This building was constructed after 1859, probably in 1874, on the site of a number of earlier buildings. It was built as a pipe mill and probably contained the 6 hydraulic presses noted in a sale catalogue of 1884. The upper floor was rebuilt and re-roofed prior to 1980 to be used as offices. The two northern corners of the original building survive at upper floor level. The southern face of the building was rendered between 1969 and 1980. Lead pipe was originally produced by soldering or welding sheet lead which had been rolled into a cylinder. Later it was produced by drawing and extruding, in a similar way to the manufacture of wire. The pipe mill built in c.1874 would almost certainly have been producing pipe by drawing and extrusion. An earlier pipe mill, shown to the west of the main white lead stacks area on a plan of c.1850 is likely to have been producing pipe by welding.
Site Type: Broad
Metal Industry Site
SITEDESC
This building was constructed after 1859, probably in 1874, on the site of a number of earlier buildings. It was built as a pipe mill and probably contained the 6 hydraulic presses noted in a sale catalogue of 1884. The upper floor was rebuilt and re-roofed prior to 1980 to be used as offices, but currently houses welfare facilities. The lower floors are not used at present. The two northern corners of the original building survive at upper floor level. The southern face of the building was rendered between 1969 and 1980. Lead pipe was originally produced by soldering or welding sheet lead which had been rolled into a cylinder. Later it was produced by drawing and extrusion, in a similar way to the manufacture of wire. The pipe mill built in c.1874 would almost certainly have been producing pipe by drawing and extrusion. The earlier pipe mill, shown to the west of the main white lead stacks area on a plan of c.1850 is likely to have been producing pipe by welding. {1}
Site Name
Elswick, Lead Pipe Mill
Site Type: Specific
Lead Working Site
HER Number
4901
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
<< HER 4901 >> Northern Archaeological Associates, 2000, Elswick Lead Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
English, British
Class
Maritime
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
424270
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
1
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563080
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Elswick
Description
This jetty was built between 1827 and 1844 to provide the lead works (HER ref. 4116) with level access to the river. It may have been easier to move goods on the level and then to lower or hoist them rather than using an inclined plane. It seems to replace the use of the quay (HER ref. 4907) as the main point of site access from the river.
Site Type: Broad
Landing Point
SITEDESC
A jetty to provide lead works (SMR 4116) site level access to the river, built between 1827 and 1844. It may have been easier to move goods on the level and then to lower or hoist them rather than using an inclined plane. It seems to replace the use of the quay (SMR 4907) as the main point of site access from the river {1}.
Site Name
Elswick, Jetty
Site Type: Specific
Jetty
HER Number
4900
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4900 >> Northern Archaeological Associates, 2000, Elswick Lead Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
4116
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
424290
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
1
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563160
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Elswick
Description
The lead works (HER ref. 4116) site office, if it survives inside the later rebuilding, is probably the oldest upstanding structure on the site. It appears to have lain in the residential part of the original 2 acre site, and is apparently shown on the earliest map available of the site. It may have originally been built a a house rather than an office.
Site Type: Broad
Metal Industry Site
SITEDESC
The lead works (SMR 4116) site office, if it survives inside the later rebuilding, is probably the oldest upstanding structure on the site. It appears to have lain in the residential part of the original 2 acre site, and is apparently shown on the earliest map available of the site. It may have originally been housing rather than an office {1}.
Site Name
Lead Works Office
Site Type: Specific
Lead Working Site
HER Number
4899
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
<< HER 4899 >> Northern Archaeological Associates, 2000, Elswick Lead Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
English, British
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
424320
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
1
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563190
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Elswick
Description
From map evidence it appears that this house, called Low Elswick House from the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map of 1894 onwards, was built between 1802 and 1827, perhaps coinciding with one of the changes in partnership of the lead works (HER ref. 4116). It replaced an earlier partner's house probably located immediately to its south. The house probably survives within the present company offices, which comprise additional structures added up to at least the 1950s. Both the interior and exterior have apparently been much altered.
Site Type: Broad
House
SITEDESC
From map evidence it appears that the house, called Low Elswick House from the 1894 OS map onwards, was built between 1802 and 1827, perhaps coinciding with one of the changes in partnership of the lead works (SMR 4116) which occurred during this period. It replaced an earlier partner's house probably located immediately to its south. The house is likely to survive within the present company offices, which comprise additional structures added up to at least the 1950s. Both the interior and exterior have apparently been much altered. The house was visited during the last re-listing but was not listed. {1}
Site Name
Low Elswick House
Site Type: Specific
Managers House
HER Number
4898
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
<< HER 4898 >> Northern Archaeological Associates, 2000, Elswick Lead Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
English, British
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
424350
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
1
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563180
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Elswick
Description
A small (6 metre diameter) circular icehouse is marked on a map of c.1850 as a chimney, but is marked on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey plan of 1859 as an icehouse. It is still marked as an icehouse on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey plan of 1894 but is not shown subsequently.
Site Type: Broad
Icehouse
SITEDESC
A small (6m diameter) circular icehouse is marked on the c.1850 plan as a chimney. It is marked on the 1859 OS map as an icehouse, and is still marked as an icehouse on the 1:500 scale map of 1894 but is not shown subsequently {1}.
Site Name
Elswick, Icehouse
Site Type: Specific
Icehouse
HER Number
4897
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4897 >> Northern Archaeological Associates, 2000, Elswick Lead Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
English, British
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
4116
DAY1
05
District
Newcastle
Easting
424380
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
1
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563190
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Elswick
Description
Worker's cottages appear to have been on part of this site from a very early date, from the first partnership of the lead works (HER ref. 4116) when three cottages were built, probably at the north end of the row. Nine cottages were noted as belonging to the lead works when it was offered for sale in 1884, although there may have been others located elsewhere on the site. The cottages still appear on the 4th edition Ordnance Survey plan of 1940. The front walls of the cottages are still visible in the wall at the edge of the road, as is a blocked semi-circular arch which may contain a drain.
Site Type: Broad
Industrial House
SITEDESC
Worker's cottages appear to have been on part of this site from a very early date, from the first partnership of the lead works (SMR 4116) when three cottages were built, probably at the north end of the row. Nine cottages were noted as belonging to the lead works when it was offered for sale in 1884, although there may have been others located elsewhere on the site. The cottages were still shown in 1940. The front walls of the cottages are still visible in the wall at the edge of the road, as is a blocked semi-circular arch which may contain a drain. {1}
Site Name
Lead Workers Cottages
Site Type: Specific
Workers Cottage
HER Number
4896
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 4896 >> Northern Archaeological Associates, 2000, Elswick Lead Works, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Assessment