1888-1899
Recent archaeological work carried out during the demolition of Wood Wharf Wood Wharf
There were three of these, one for each platform, over 150 feet deep (this depth has been verified by diving). Further excavation revealed remains of a drain at a lower level which ran to an outfall a short way to the north of Wood Wharf Greenwich New York Effra Vauxhall Gardens
Bob Carr (extracted from GLIAS Newsletter.)
Clive Chambers is due to speak on the ferry remains at our February meeting.
The Swiftstone Trust
Swiftstone is a locally preserved tug. The following extracts are from a review of their work in the past year along with work on preserved firefloat, Massey Shaw.
On September 18th 2004 Swiftstone took part in the Thames Festival at Bankside. We went on up to Bankside for the festival where we circled round hooting and tooting for the benefit of spectators. They waved and blew bubbles appreciatively.
On October 25th 2004 we went to inspect Woolwich Arsenal pier for a potential mooring. It was not ideal for the Swiftstone but Massey Shaw is currently moored there.
In October 2004 ft was discovered that Swiftstone had a leak. Not too bad at that time and, as she was moored at Wood Wharf on the foreshore the water that came in with the tide and for the most part drained out with the tide. On the night of October 22nd Ian and Julian spent a very uncomfortable time digging away the sand and mud and gravel in a torrential downpour to find the leak.
On 28th October 2004 . Reg was informed of a break-in on the Massey Shaw. Vandals had been aboard, smashed in the cabin door and gained access to the crew space and galley area. The lads of the were greeted by a sorry sight. The vandals had drunk some and stolen other bottles of beverages, had left excrement and committed acts of general havoc.
On 1st November Reg got another phone call to say that Massey Shaw appeared to be sinking. The phones ran red hot for a time – fortunately Swiftstone’s pumps were working so Massey Shaw was pumped out and refloated and it was found that the engine room had been broken into and valves had been opened causing the sinking.
Later that day Massey Shaw was towed away by agents of the insurer's after which she went to Woolwich Arsenal Pier.
We were hoping for a repair of Swiftstone in time for summer events but it was not to be. There are so few repair facilities on the Thames and we had to wait our turn at Corys. This is the first time that Swiftstone had been in the dry dock at Cory despite having been owned by them for more than 50 years.
In our search for potential moorings for Swiftstone we discovered in the Greenwich
Association for Industrial Archaeology Awards
The AIA award programme aims to enhance the understanding of industrial archaeology and to encourage high standards in fieldwork and publications. Annual awards are made in the following categories
• Fieldwork and Recording
• Essays
• Publications
Applications for the three awards above must be received
by 31st March. Entries are also invited at any time from voluntary groups for the Conservation Award.
www.industrial-archaeology.org.uk
Beam engine gets Lottery cash boost
Hidden away in Crossness Record is the information that Crossness Engines have been offered a lottery grant. However News Shopper’s Linda Piper provided a more detailed account telling us that The Heritage Lottery Fund had awarded the money to the Crossness Engines Trust for the restoration of the Grade I Listed buildings and to create a series of visitor facilities.
“ The first installment of £99,000 of Lottery cash will enable the trust to produce detailed restoration and development plans. Once those have been approved the rest of the cash will be released to start the work. As well as the restoration of the original buildings, new facilities such as a cafe, lecture room and library will be created, together with car parking and the launch of a revamped website. The trust will then be able to tell the story of London
She continues: “There will be activities for schools and visitor workshops, talks, guided tours and hands-on activities as well as dressing up and role play to bring the sewage works to life. Described by the Heritage Lottery Fund as "a heritage gem," the complex is currently open for only 30 days a year. Once restored, the trust plans to open it three day week during spring and autumn and two days a week during the winter.”
They quote The Lottery Fund London manager as saying "The buildings at the pumping station are nationally important and the proposed scheme will open up its history to as many people as possible”. Peter Bazalgette, great great grandson of Sir Joseph and chairman of the trust, said: "The trust's volunteers have already restored one of the magnificent engines. "Now they are a concrete step closer to their dream the creation of an exhibition and steam centre at t heart of the community which will become the Thames Gateway."
Gasworks to the Dome Project
The Independent Photography Project are starting a new series of workshops for Gasworks to Dome for 2006. It will focus on training for taking 'then and now' digital photos of
The Town Hall in Wellington Street Calderwood Street Victoria