This is a return visit for me as the last time I was here Wolfism and I ran out of usable light and missed the last 3rd or so of this immense factory.
If anyone is interested in seeing this place, get along there now as the demo team are in there and the place is undergoing a strip prior to demolition.
Xm and I had to sneak past a security caravan (Probably empty TBH and used as a bait wagon) to get to the entry point. Things have changed notably in the short time since I was last here and can see the place being largely flattened by Christmas.
Greatham Salt Factory was founded back in the 1874 after a 65ft salt seam was found by mistake while Bolckow Vaughan & Co were drilling for water.
The Factory later was bought by Cerebos Salt in 1903 and after the final deposits were extracted by brine well irrigation, the site changed hands and was operated by Sharwoods of the 'burn yer ass off' fame.
My previous report concentrated on the workshops as, at the time, were in pristine condition, with only cobwebs as any major damage. I was slightly disappointed to see the place turned over and ripe for clearance.
Instead I thought I'd concentrate on the bits I hadn't seen.
Engineering canteen and locker room
Workshops
One of the many conveyor belts around the factory
Two rows of pressurised vats. For boiling the salt to purify it?
Nicely painted corridor
One of two wood panel rooms
'Enquiries' and trophy cabinet to the left
Staff shop
Staff canteen and kitchen (Trashed since last visit)
This room is mental. The size of a tennis court and used as a hooooge freezer!
Upper floor storage areas
Man-walkway across the pipe bridge for the conveyor
Finally the two Wallsend pumps that fed and extracted the brine from a depth of 1127ft
It's a very good site to get in, wander around and just get a feel for the place.
If anyone is interested in seeing this place, get along there now as the demo team are in there and the place is undergoing a strip prior to demolition.
Xm and I had to sneak past a security caravan (Probably empty TBH and used as a bait wagon) to get to the entry point. Things have changed notably in the short time since I was last here and can see the place being largely flattened by Christmas.
Greatham Salt Factory was founded back in the 1874 after a 65ft salt seam was found by mistake while Bolckow Vaughan & Co were drilling for water.
The Factory later was bought by Cerebos Salt in 1903 and after the final deposits were extracted by brine well irrigation, the site changed hands and was operated by Sharwoods of the 'burn yer ass off' fame.
My previous report concentrated on the workshops as, at the time, were in pristine condition, with only cobwebs as any major damage. I was slightly disappointed to see the place turned over and ripe for clearance.
Instead I thought I'd concentrate on the bits I hadn't seen.
Engineering canteen and locker room
Workshops
One of the many conveyor belts around the factory
Two rows of pressurised vats. For boiling the salt to purify it?
Nicely painted corridor
One of two wood panel rooms
'Enquiries' and trophy cabinet to the left
Staff shop
Staff canteen and kitchen (Trashed since last visit)
This room is mental. The size of a tennis court and used as a hooooge freezer!
Upper floor storage areas
Man-walkway across the pipe bridge for the conveyor
Finally the two Wallsend pumps that fed and extracted the brine from a depth of 1127ft
It's a very good site to get in, wander around and just get a feel for the place.
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