HISTORY
The River Porter is one of Sheffield's five rivers in the 1860,s the river had 21 dams and 19 water
wheels and was one of the most industrial parts of Sheffield. The water wheels were used for Rolling
Mills, Forge hammers and Grinding Wheels for the steel industry which made Sheffield world famous.
The steep River Porter provided a efficient way of working, each gallon of water was used 19 times as it
flowed through 19 water wheels before joining its sister river the Sheaf.
In 1860,s the river ran in the open, not yet diverted through culverts apart from a few early culverts
installed under roads, this report covers four of these Victorian culverts, beautifully constructed and in
great condition 150 years later, in the Nether Green and Hunters Bar areas.
THE EXPLORE
A cool February day was chosen to explore the culverts as the weather outside was wet and windy but
inside the culverts the weather was pleasant and ideal for photographs. The first two culverts passed
under Oakbrook Road built around 1870 and made completely of dressed stone. Although only short
both are beautifully constructed, both with interesting old tributaries flowing through small side culverts
A walk through Endcliffe Park proceeded, my green waders attracting amusing glances as I made my way to the next 2 culverts. A steep waterfall provided interesting access. In the short culvert three different types of construction due to road widening, a modern concrete slab, brickwork arch and then possibly the original stone culvert, as the road was shown on a 1850,s map the stone work was possibly early Victorian and in excellent condition.
Another short walk in open river for a hundred meters with the main road only feet away from
passers-by perhaps not realizing what was hidden by mature gardens. The next culvert was reached, the entry was disappointing as the 1880,s culvert had been sprayed concreted but never the less photographed. Walking in for 100 meters and the culvert split into two very low, 1.2 m culverts that pass under what was a major road and still is, again shown on a 1850,s map, so early Victorian brickwork, nice and smooth as my rucksack scraped a long the roof, I appeared at the outlet a few feet from a well known pub to the surprise of someone enjoying a pint and looking at the river.
Oakbrook Road Culvert, nice dressed stone
Tributary Culvert
Peaceful Outlet
Next Stone Inlet
Inside Second Culvert
]
Interesting Access
Three Types Of Construction
Brick Tributary
Great Workmanship
What Was a Nice Stone Culvert
Looks Low in Here
1850 or Earlier Brickwork
Back Out Again
The River Porter is one of Sheffield's five rivers in the 1860,s the river had 21 dams and 19 water
wheels and was one of the most industrial parts of Sheffield. The water wheels were used for Rolling
Mills, Forge hammers and Grinding Wheels for the steel industry which made Sheffield world famous.
The steep River Porter provided a efficient way of working, each gallon of water was used 19 times as it
flowed through 19 water wheels before joining its sister river the Sheaf.
In 1860,s the river ran in the open, not yet diverted through culverts apart from a few early culverts
installed under roads, this report covers four of these Victorian culverts, beautifully constructed and in
great condition 150 years later, in the Nether Green and Hunters Bar areas.
THE EXPLORE
A cool February day was chosen to explore the culverts as the weather outside was wet and windy but
inside the culverts the weather was pleasant and ideal for photographs. The first two culverts passed
under Oakbrook Road built around 1870 and made completely of dressed stone. Although only short
both are beautifully constructed, both with interesting old tributaries flowing through small side culverts
A walk through Endcliffe Park proceeded, my green waders attracting amusing glances as I made my way to the next 2 culverts. A steep waterfall provided interesting access. In the short culvert three different types of construction due to road widening, a modern concrete slab, brickwork arch and then possibly the original stone culvert, as the road was shown on a 1850,s map the stone work was possibly early Victorian and in excellent condition.
Another short walk in open river for a hundred meters with the main road only feet away from
passers-by perhaps not realizing what was hidden by mature gardens. The next culvert was reached, the entry was disappointing as the 1880,s culvert had been sprayed concreted but never the less photographed. Walking in for 100 meters and the culvert split into two very low, 1.2 m culverts that pass under what was a major road and still is, again shown on a 1850,s map, so early Victorian brickwork, nice and smooth as my rucksack scraped a long the roof, I appeared at the outlet a few feet from a well known pub to the surprise of someone enjoying a pint and looking at the river.
Oakbrook Road Culvert, nice dressed stone
Tributary Culvert
Peaceful Outlet
Next Stone Inlet
Inside Second Culvert
]
Interesting Access
Three Types Of Construction
Brick Tributary
Great Workmanship
What Was a Nice Stone Culvert
Looks Low in Here
1850 or Earlier Brickwork
Back Out Again
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