Furnace Slag Used As Coping Stones Blaenavon Ironworks 14 October 2010
Blaenavon Ironworks was founded in 1787 by Thomas Hill of Amblecote, Staffs, his brother-in-law Thomas Hopkins, a Staffordshire ironmaster and Benjamin Pratt of Oldswinford. The site was selected because of the coal and iron in the locality, and it was set against the hillside to facilitate serving of the furnaces. Blaenavon became one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution. In 1878, Sidney and Percy Gilchrist developed the Bessemer process at Blaenavon, which was crucial to the world steel industry. The works moved into steelmaking. In the late 18th Century the works declined and finally closed in 1904, reopening very briefly in 1924. By 1970 it was considered a dangerous eyesore, and there were calls for its demolition. Thankfully, instead, the decision was made to preserve it , work starting on this in 1974. Because of its industrial importance, including the ironworks, Blaenavon was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Furnace slag used as coping blocks on a wall near the Balance Tower. Use of furnace slag as a building material is quite common in South Wales; I doubt it is confined to this area.
Furnace Slag Used As Coping Stones Blaenavon Ironworks 14 October 2010
Blaenavon Ironworks was founded in 1787 by Thomas Hill of Amblecote, Staffs, his brother-in-law Thomas Hopkins, a Staffordshire ironmaster and Benjamin Pratt of Oldswinford. The site was selected because of the coal and iron in the locality, and it was set against the hillside to facilitate serving of the furnaces. Blaenavon became one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution. In 1878, Sidney and Percy Gilchrist developed the Bessemer process at Blaenavon, which was crucial to the world steel industry. The works moved into steelmaking. In the late 18th Century the works declined and finally closed in 1904, reopening very briefly in 1924. By 1970 it was considered a dangerous eyesore, and there were calls for its demolition. Thankfully, instead, the decision was made to preserve it , work starting on this in 1974. Because of its industrial importance, including the ironworks, Blaenavon was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Furnace slag used as coping blocks on a wall near the Balance Tower. Use of furnace slag as a building material is quite common in South Wales; I doubt it is confined to this area.