The smithy or forge was the workplace of a blacksmith or ironsmith, where iron was worked into useful objects such as weapons, armour in the Middle Ages and locks, hinges, spades and tools, iron horseshoes (machine-made horseshoes were introduced from USA in 1870s), grilles, gates, railings, metal parts for locomotives, coaches, waggons and carts. The blacksmith's raw material was wrought iron in bar form. The smithy comprised a hearth, bellows, anvil and bosh (quenching trough). A small forge had hand-operated bellows, a large industrial forge water-powered bellows, power hammer and shears (William Jones, 1996, Dictionary of Industrial Archaeology).
Site Type: Broad
Metal Industry Site
SITEDESC
Smithy. Not shown on 2nd edn OS mapping, so out of use by 1895.
Site Name
Longbenton, Smithy
Site Type: Specific
Blacksmiths Workshop
HER Number
1121
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1121 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
1122,1124
DAY1
25
District
N Tyneside
Easting
428170
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
569030
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Longbenton
Description
The function of this engine house is unclear but may be related to the nearby quarries (HER ref. 1122 and 1124). Apparently out of use before 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Power Generation Site
SITEDESC
Engine house. Its function is unclear but may be related to the nearby quarries (SMR 1122 and 1124). Not shown on 2nd edn OS mapping, so may have been out of use before 1895.
Site Name
Longbenton, Engine House
Site Type: Specific
Engine House
HER Number
1120
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1120 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
1086
DAY1
25
District
N Tyneside
Easting
428560
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
569340
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Longbenton
Description
A Station on the Blyth & Tyne Railway (HER ref. 1086), apparently out of use by 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Railway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Forest Hall Station, on the Blyth & Tyne Railway (HER 1086). Opened at Waggonman's Row on 27th June 1864 and closed on 1st March 1871. In 1874 Benton Station was renamed Forest Hall Station (HER 1084).
Site Name
Forest Hall Station
Site Type: Specific
Railway Station
HER Number
1119
Form of Evidence
Demolished Building
Sources
<< HER 1119 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89; W.G. Elliott and Edwin Smith, Bygone Days of Longbenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor and Killingworth, p 47
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
25
District
N Tyneside
Easting
429000
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
569390
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Longbenton
Description
Hope Pit is a probable old coal mine dating to before the 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map of 1858.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Hope Pit, probable old coal mine, if so it dates to before the OS 1st edition 1858 survey.
Site Name
Hope Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
1118
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1118 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
DAY1
25
District
N Tyneside
Easting
429060
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
569640
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Killingworth
Description
Killingworth Tile Works was being worked in 1858 by R.Edington, but appears to have been out of use by 1895.
Site Type: Broad
Brick and Tilemaking Site
SITEDESC
Killingworth Tile Works. Not shown on 2nd edn OS mapping, so out of use by 1895. Killingworth Tilery was being worked in 1858 by R.Edington.
Site Name
Killingworth, tile works
Site Type: Specific
Tile Works
HER Number
1117
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1117 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
P.J. Davidson, 1986, The Brickworks of the North East, Proceedings Prehistoric Society, 56-7
YEAR1
1994
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Claire MacRae
DAY1
25
DAY2
04
District
N Tyneside
Easting
429820
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
MONTH2
12
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
569850
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Benton Square
Description
Coal shaft, east of Benton Square. Probably dates to before 1858.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Coal shaft, east of Benton Square. Marked "Old" on 1st edn OS mapping, so probably dates to before 1858.
Site Name
Benton Square, Coal Shaft
Site Type: Specific
Coal Workings
HER Number
1116
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1116 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89; ASUD, 2010, Scaffold Hill, North Tyneside - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2014
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Claire MacRae
DAY1
25
DAY2
26
District
N Tyneside
Easting
429540
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
3
MONTH2
8
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
569890
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Benton Square
Description
Coal shaft, west of Benton Square. Marked "Old" on 1st edn OS mapping so probably dates to before 1858. Durham Mining Museum Website say that Prosperous Pit proper opened in 1906 and closed December 1960. There is a piece of winding gear still on the site [2004] - removed from its tower.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Coal shaft, west of Benton Square. Marked "Old" on 1st edn OS mapping so probably dates to before 1858. Durham Mining Museum Website say that Prosperous Pit proper opened in 1906 and closed December 1960. W.G. Elliott's book says 1913 to 1931, then worked until 1966 as part of Algernon pit. Run by the Backworth Collieries Ltd. There is a piece of winding gear still on the site [2004] - removed from its tower. The pithead wheels were mounted on a raised platform to mark the site of the pit. Now removed. Brick structures observed during an evaluation of the site in 2011 by ASUD.
Site Name
Backworth Colliery, Prosperous Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
1115
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1115 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89; http://www.dmm.org.uk; W.G. Elliott, Bygone Days of Longenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor, Killingworth, Palmersville and Benton Square, Book 2, p 83; Archaeological Services Durham University, 2011, Benton Square, Backworth, North Tyneside - archaeological evaluation; TWM, 2010, Stanley Miller site, Palmersville - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2014
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Claire MacRae
DAY1
24
DAY2
03
District
N Tyneside
Easting
431640
EASTING2
0
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ37SW
MONTH1
3
MONTH2
12
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
572220
NORTHING2
0
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Earsdon
Description
Earsdon Colliery, Church Pit was part of Backworth Colliery, opened in 1838, closed in 1846, reopened in 1893 and closed again in 1933. Since then some of the buildings have continued in use for both light industrial use and agricultural purposes. A number of 20th century colliery buildings survive, including the pithead baths of 1926, sub-station and office buildings.
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
SITEDESC
Earsdon Colliery, Church Pit. Part of Backworth Colliery, opened in 1838, closed in 1846, reopened in 1893 and closed again in 1933. Since then some of the buildings have continued in use for both light industrial use and agricultural purposes. A number of colliery buildings survive, including the pithead baths, sub station and office buildings. They date to the C20, the pithead baths being erected in 1926. Typical of pit buildings once common in the area until the post-war period. The substation in particular has many interesting details.
By 1898 the Backworth Colliery Railway (Church Pit Branch) linked this colliery with the Earsdon Colliery Duke and Duchess pits site to the south-west.
Air photos taken in the late 1940s show the small Church Pit site, with extant buildings and a small spoil heap. In the latter part of the 20th century spoil was deposited on the fields to the west of the colliery, probably from other active collieries in the area. These spoil heaps were subsequently relandscaped.
Site Name
Earsdon Colliery, Church Pit
Site Type: Specific
Colliery
HER Number
1114
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
<< HER 1114 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
I. M. Ayris, Northumberland Mining Records Survey; Durham Mining Museum www.dmm.org.uk; Roy Thompson, 2004, Thunder Underground - Northumberland Mine Disasters 1815-65, photo on p 23; RAF/CPE/UK/2352 RP 4013 04-OCT-1947;
Next Perspectives APGB Imagery NZ3172 10-APR-2015; MAL/66016 V 34 28-APR-1966; MAL/58318 V 60239 12-APR-1958
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2018
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
1110,1143,1172
DAY1
24
DAY2
05
District
N Tyneside
Easting
430450
EASTING2
3536
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ36NW
MONTH1
3
MONTH2
11
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
571640
NORTHING2
6646
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Backworth
Description
The Backworth Wagonway from from NZ 3045 7164 to NZ 3536 6646, including the Bell engine at its northern end (HER ref. 1110), also Allotment Engine (HER ref. 1143), Murton Row Engine (HER ref. 1172). Its Southern end is at Clarks Walls End Drop (Her ref. 2079) at NZ 3536 6646, with an ajacent jetty or pier and a short branch or siding. The 2nd edition Ordnance Survey Map shows new lines at the southern end which seem to go to the Albert Edward Dock and the Commissioner's Staiths North (HER refs. 2142 and 2147). The wagonway probably opened sometime between 1810 and 1818. Closer to the river it probably incorporated part of an earlier route (a wagonway of c.1764 which ran from a pit at High Flatworth to staithes at Hayhole Point). The section from Backworth to Allotment was initially horse-drawn, but had rope haulage by 1821. The Allotment to Percy Main section was converted in 1823 and the rest down to the staithes near Northumberland Dock by 1827. In 1838 the wagonway was extended north to West Cramlington. It became the Backworth Colliery Railway and was the last wholly steam operated system in the North-East, eventually closing in December 1975. The route is largely preserved as a public footpath, lined by hedgerows. The embankment survives to a height of 1.1 metres and is 8.5 metres wide.
SITEASS
The route is largely preserved as a public footpath, lined by hedgerows. The embankment survives to a height of 1.1m and is 8.5m wide. There has been erosion by ploughing along its western side and a cutting containing a water pipe along its eastern side. Further damaged by rabbit burrows and vegetation. A trench was excavated across the line of the wagonway at West Allotment in 2003 in advance of a housing development. Two parallel rows of settings for stone sleeper blocks were located. A stone sleeper block was recovered, although it was not in-situ. These blocks would have carried cast iron fish-bellied rails. The track was flanked by walls of dressed sandstone, 1.08m high and 0.50m wide. The walls were better faced to the outside, suggesting that they were free-standing and did not retain an earthen bank. They were well maintained - the north wall had been rebuilt three times. Presumably they kept livestock off the rails. The original form of the wagonway was dismantled before the trackbed was raised by 0.85m with colliery waste dumped between the stone walls, creating the embankment was survives today. Iron nails and bolts were found on the surface of the trackbed. These changes were probably made to accommodate locomotives used on the Backworth Colliery Railway.
Site Type: Broad
Tramway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Backworth Wagonway, from NZ 3045 7164 to NZ 3536 6646. Had Bell engine at its northern end (SMR 1110), also Allotment Engine (SMR 1143), Murton Row Engine (SMR 1172). Southern end is at Clarks Walls End Drop (SMR 2079) at NZ 3536 6646, with an adjacent jetty or pier and a short branch or siding. 2nd edn OS mapping shows new lines at the southern end which seem to go to the Albert Edward Dock and the Commissioner's Staiths North (SMRs 2142 and 2147). Backworth Wagonway was opened by 1818 (the date of the first reference to Backworth coals being loaded on a ship on the Tyne) by the Backworth Collieries. As early as 1810 John Buddle was negotiating with Butterley Ironworks for cast iron rails for the owners of Backworth Colliery. Therefore it is probable that the wagonway opened sometime between 1810 and 1818. Closer to the river it probably incorporated part of an earlier route (a wagonway of c.1764 which ran from a pit at High Flatworth to staithes at Hayhole Point). The section from Backworth to Allotment was initially horse-drawn, but had rope haulage by 1821. The Allotment to Percy Main section was converted in 1823 and the rest down to the staithes near Northumberland Dock by 1827. In 1838 the wagonway was extended north to West Cramlington. At Backworth Station (HER 1146) the wagonway crossed the NER on a steel girder bridge built circa 1878. The original bridge would have been wooden. It became the Backworth Colliery Railway and was the last wholly steam operated system in the North-East, eventually closing in December 1975.
Site Name
Backworth Wagonway
Site Type: Specific
Wagonway
HER Number
1113
Form of Evidence
Earthwork
Sources
<< HER 1113 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89
C. R. Warn, 1976, Wagonways & Early Railways of Northumberland, 1605-1840 p.49
G. Brogan, 2003, Tyne and Wear Museums, West Allotment, Archaeological Appraisal
Excavation report, Tyne and Wear Museums, 2003, Backworth Waggonway, West Allotment, Archaeological Evaluation
C.E. Lee, 1951, The Wagonways of Tyneside, Archaeologia Aeliana, series 4, Vol 29, p 135-202
C.R. Warn, 1976, Railways of the Northumberland Coalfield; John Elliott & Derek Charlton, 1994, Backworth - An Illustrated History of the Mines and Railways
YEAR1
1994
YEAR2
2003
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Truman L.P.H
Crossref
1086,1055
DAY1
24
District
N Tyneside
Easting
430970
EASTING2
3088
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ37SW
MONTH1
3
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
571460
NORTHING2
7170
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Backworth
Description
A short section of railway from NZ 3088 7170 to NZ 3095 7122, forming a link between two sections of the Blyth & Tyne Railway (HER refs. 1086 & 1055).
Site Type: Broad
Railway Transport Site
SITEDESC
Short section of railway from NZ 3088 7170 to NZ 3095 7122, forming a link between two sections of the Blyth & Tyne Railway.(SMR 1086 & 1055).
Site Name
Blyth & Tyne Railway
Site Type: Specific
Railway
HER Number
1112
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 1112 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1865, 6 inch scale, Northumberland 89