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Other Brandy Bottom Pages
As well as an introductory page, the other Brandy Bottom pages cover the history, and the AIBT's conservation work at the site. The latter is divided into a summary of progress at work parties, plus several pages of photos of the buildings, work parties, and nature. There are also images of the display boards, and a page with a location map, plus directions to the site and the dates of work parties.
FINDS
(1 foot rule indicates the size of many of the objects in photos taken before 2014. A yellow/black 30cm scale is used after that date. Unless otherwise stated, the photos are by Robin Whitworth.)
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2011
Parallel Motion Anchorage Point being uncovered in the passageway near the Cornish Engine House.
'Finish 1923' inscribed on the capping of the Pumping Shaft, September 2011.
Securing bolt on roof edge, Horizontal Engine House, October 2011.
Shaped stone found in November 2011.
Rail Chair, November 2011
Glass vial found outside the Cornish Engine House, November 2011. There is a bishop's crown embossed on the base.
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2012
Piece of glazed stoneware found outside Horizontal Engine House, February 2012. This could include the overflow for a sink.
Piece of glazed stoneware, shaped like the corner of a sink, found outside Horizontal Engine House, February 2012. Some more pieces, with a similar glaze, were found in the same area in August 2017.
Brick floor laid outside the Horizontal Engine House, March 2012
A piece of pipe can be seen in the middle of the photo, outside the north-west wall of the Horizontal Engine House, March 2012 (1 ft black/white scale)
Almost complete example of roofing tile, found alongside the South Pit Heapstead, May 2012
Track spike found alongside the South Pit heapstead, May 2012
Pad with soft rubber face found alongside the South Pit heapstead, possibly a lubrication pad. May 2012
Shaped block found near South Pit heapstead, August 2012. Probably made of limestone, its use in a matter of conjecture.
Steps found at side of Cornish Engine House, September 2012. A later photo shows them after all the surrounding spoil was removed in June 2017.
Jennings-type double helix drill bit for carpenter's brace found in the alcove of the Cornish Engine House, October 2012
The engine bed in Cornish Engine House in October 2012, before being covered up again for protection. There is an annular groove worn into the bed, with an outer diameter of 64" and an inner diameter of 55". The diameter of the cylinder was 60". A crack, just to the right of the 1 ft scale, runs across the bed.
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2013
Bull-nosed brick with Shortwood stamped into frog, May 2013
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2014
Pole end chain found near base of Old Pit heapstead ramp, February 2014
Metal Palmolive shaving stick container found inside Old Boiler House, March 2014 (5cm x 5 cm scale)
Some of the glass bottles found near the base of the Old Pit heapstead ramp, March 2014 (1 ft scale).
Metal shovel with worn blade found outside Old Boiler House, April 2014
Bricks found in spoil from inside of Vertical Engine House, April 2014. One has the name 'Shortwood' in the frog, while the other has an ornate frog with inwardly curved corners.
Beam socket in north-western wall of Vertical Engine House, May 2014
Fragment of Sloan's Liniment bottle found by northern corner of New Pit heapstead, May 2014. An intact bottle, with cap, was found at the base of the Old Pit heapstead ramp in February 2018.
Remains of steps on top of Pumping Shaft crossover, July 2014
North-east wall of Vertical Engine House, July 2014
North-west wall of Vertical Engine House, July 2014
Fragments of pot with internal glazing found in Vertical Engine House, October 2014
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2015
Fragment of tile with part of maker's name "Phil...". This was found in the Vertical Engine House in February 2015, but another fragment with the name "Phillip's" was found near the Fan Ducts in August 2017.
Close-up of the Thompson & Southwick logo on the winding wheel sheave by the cycle path, April 2105
Sole and heel of a hobnailed boot found in the winding drum pit of the vertical Engine House, June 2105
Glass stopper found in the winding drum pit, Vertical Engine House. It was made by Cannington Shaw in St Helens between 1875 and 1892, June 2015. (10 cm x 10 cm scale)
The layout of the drains in the winding drum pit, Vertical Engine House, September 2105
The north-east end of the Vertical Engine House before the engine bed was unearthed, October 2105
Close-up of the engine bed in the Vertical Engine House, November 2105
Close-up of the securing nut on the engine bed in the top left of the previous photo. Unable to undo it despite trying to split it with a cold chisel, the scrap metal crew had to break the cylinder casing leaving a fragment still attached.
The northern fan duct before removal of spoil in December 2015 ...
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2016
... and after cleaning in January 2016 to reveal the sloping floor. The brick base of the fan housing is located at the far end.
Remains of damper found at heapstead (western) end of the southern fan duct, January 2016. (An overhead view can be seen in a later photo)
Part of a flanged wheel found in the southern tippler slot, Old Pit heapstead, January 2016. It may have come from a coal tub.
Square engine beds on a plinth to the north of the fan ducts. They may have secured two electric motors, used for driving the fan, as there is a length of armoured power cable between the beds and the brick wall, February 2016
Section of Top Hat rail found near Fan Engine House, February 2016.
The broken remains of what are thought to be pick heads. They were found on top of the Old Pit heapstead in April 2016. A complete pick head was later discovered.
Substantial metal plate at bottom of engine bay, Vertical Engine House, August 2016.
One half of an ammonite fossil was uncovered when a piece of building stone split ...
... and the other half, August 2016
Two 15" long bolts found in spoil at the bottom of the engine bay in the Vertical Engine House, August 2016
A 15" long cranked spanner found in spoil at the bottom of the engine bay in the Vertical Engine House, August 2016
A piece of glass tubing that may have come from a manometer used to monitor the performance of the condenser. This was found in spoil at the bottom of the engine bay in the Vertical Engine House, September 2016
Solid platform at bottom of engine bay, Vertical Engine House, September 2016.
Remains of a metal bucket found in spoil at the bottom of the engine bay in the Vertical Engine House, September 2016
40" long lifting chain found in spoil at the bottom of the engine bay in the Vertical Engine House, September 2016
Iron casting with a 2" wide channel machined around the outer edge, found in spoil at the bottom of the flywheel slot in the Vertical Engine House, September 2016
Iron bracket with reinforcing rib, found in spoil at the bottom of the pit below the engine bed, September 2016. This is similar to a bracket at the base of long holding down bolts outside the south-west wall of the building, and probably was originally attached to a holding down bolt inside the building.
15" long latch hook, found in spoil at the bottom of the pit below the engine bed, September 2016
Coach-bolt (left) and -screw, found in spoil at the bottom of the pit below the engine bed, September 2016
Lumps of spoil containing iron objects found at bottom of pit below engine bed, Vertical Engine House, September 2016 ...
... which contained these iron artefacts, October 2016
Iron plates at bottom of holding down bolts in the flywheel slot, Vertical Engine House, October 2016
Well in bottom of Vertical Engine House, October 2016.
Iron guide found at bottom of engine bay in the Vertical Engine House, October 2016. An identical one was found outside the Old Boiler House in October 2017. Both have now been identified as guides to stop the cages twisting in the shaft.
Structure uncovered outside south-east wall of Cornish Engine House, October 2016. Photo by K Kemp
Culvert discovered in November 2016 at the southern end of the pond.
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2017
Metal handle found near the southern tippler slot when leveling the top of the Old Pit heapstead, January 2017
Pipe found near the a possible tippler slot on the north-west side of the New Pit heapstead, January 2017
Bracket found in slot on the north-west side of the New Pit heapstead, February 2017 ...
... and after removal from the slot, February 2017
Brick forming part of the foundations for the egg-ended boiler. It has a crown and the legend JOHNSON AND... stamped into the face, February 2017 The same brick can be seen in a later photo after cleaning.
North-west wall of winding ramp, New Pit heapstead, in February 2017
Two lengths of wire rope joined by a clamp, close to the north-west wall of winding ramp, New Pit heapstead, in February 2017
4" long tea pot lid discovered on the top of the New Pit heapstead, February 2017
1" fragment of pottery with a blue pattern on the concave side, found by the southern corner of the Cornish Engine House in February 2017
Two fragments of pottery with a blue floral pattern on the outside, found by the southern corner of the Cornish Engine House in February 2017
The same brick seen in an earlier photo after cleaning. The maker's name can now be seen as JOHNSON ANDREWS & CO, February 2017
Brick-lined holes in the north-west wall of the New Pit heapstead that were uncovered when the ivy was stripped back, February 2017
Half-pint capacity, thick-walled glass bottle with the inscription ‘John Arnold & Sons, Wickwar’ in raised lettering around the shoulder. This has an internal screw thread in the neck, and may have been used for a fizzy drink such as ginger beer. This brewery was closed down after it was taken over by the Bristol Brewery Georges & Co in 1917. The bottle was found in the pond area, March 2017
Two pint capacity bottle found in the pond area, March 2017. The broken necks of two other similar bottles were found nearby.
Fragment of a clear glass bottle found in the pond area, March 2017. The oval base is 2¾” by 11/8” in size, and the side carries the inscription ‘Ross, Elliott & Weston, Leicester’ in raised lettering. The company was known to be ‘wine, spirit, ale, stout and cider merchants’, and this may be the remains of a spirit bottle, say the size below a ¼ bottle, but of very uncertain date.
Rail fishplate found when removing spoil from the winding ramp on the New Pit heapstead, March 2017
Part of the uneven brick floor of a building that stood at the top of the New Pit heapstead, April 2017. Close-ups of two areas can be seen in the following photos.
Close-up of the sunken brick floor at the western corner of the building seen in the previous photo, April 2017
Close-up of what appears to be a deliberately constructed pedestal in the floor of the building, April 2017
Slot in north-west wall of New Pit heapstead after removal on encroaching ivy, April 2017. A close-up of one end of the slot can be seen in the next photo.
Close-up of one end of the slot in the north-west wall of the New Pit heapstead, April 2017
Inside view of one end of the egg-ended boiler, May 2017
Distinctively shaped glass bottle found in the Old Boiler House, May 2017
'Southwells' logo at base of the glass bottle seen in the previous photo, May 2017
Cobbled floor being uncovered in eastern corner of Old Boiler House, May 2017
Neck of a stoneware flagon used by 'Pickup & Co' of Bristol, June 2017. This was found to fit together with two other fragments that were found in October, allowing the jar to be dated to 1925.
A 8" high bottle with G C King in raised letters on one side, found in the Pond area, June 2017. G C King was a mineral water bottler, with a factory in St Pauls, Bristol between 1888 and the 1950s. The company's trademark, Mr Pickwick standing on a leaf, appears on the other side in a 3" high logo.
A 7" high bottle with Lamb & Watt in raised letters on one side, found in the Pond area, June 2017.
A 6" high bottle with Scotts Emulsion in raised letters on one side, found in the old Boiler House, June 2017. Scott's Emulsion was a mixture of cod liver oil with glycerine added as a sweetener. This bottle still holds a small quantity of a whitish emulsion.
8 1/2” high bottle from T Brooke, Bristol, found in the Old Boiler House, June 2017. This design can be dated to some time between the company's founding in 1861, and its amalgamation with Batten and Prudencio in 1889 to form Brooke and Prudencio. An example of a Brooke and Prudencio bottle was found in the pond area in October 2017.
A close-up of the logo found on the bottle seen in the previous photo, June 2017.
A barrel hoop largely buried in spoil in the Old Boiler House ...
... and freed from the spoil, June 2017.
Hole in cobbled floor of Old Boiler House, June 2017.
Area outside south-west wall of Cornish Engine House cleared of spoil down to original working surface, June 2017.
An unusually shaped nut attached to a 10" long bolt, June 2017.
A complete pickhead of a type used by miners, June 2017. The broken remains of others had been found on top of the Old Pit heapstead.
The broken-off bowl of a clay pipe found when clearing spoil from outside the south-west wall of the Cornish Engine House, July 2017. While a number of broken-off stems have been found, this is the first complete bowl.
The base of a platform outside the south-west wall of the Cornish Engine House. The stone surface has been removed at some time in the past, leaving one broken stone which has been marked with an arrow. (See close-up in next photo) (July 2017)
Close-up of the stone marked with an arrow in the previous photo. The drill hole running upwards from its base suggests that the stone was originally used elsewhere. (July 2017)
Inside of alcove under platform outside south-west wall of Cornish Engine House. The low brick platform can be seen on the left hand side of the photo. (July 2017)
A 1" diameter military-style brass button found in the Old Boiler House, July 2017. The central shield has been damaged, making it difficult to determine its association.
A 3 7/8" high salt glaze pot found in the Old Boiler House, July 2017.
A piece of glazed stoneware found outside the north-west wall of the Horizontal Engine House, August 2017.
A piece of glazed stoneware found outside the north-west wall of the Horizontal Engine House, August 2017. This, and the piece seen in the preceeding photo, are similar to those found in the same area in February 2012
The 'LD' logo on a milk bottle used by the Longs dairy in Downend, found in the Old Boiler House, August 2017.
3 fluid oz capacity bottle, found in the Old Boiler House, August 2017. The distinctive logo on the back can be seen in the next photo below, while the markings on the base can be seen in the one after that. (1/2 cm squares)
Close-up of the logo on the bottle seen in the above photo.
Close-up of the markings on the base of the bottle seen in the photo two above. Close-examination of the original shows that there are acute accents above both the 'e's, suggesting that the bottle may be French.
Fragment of tile with the maker's name 'Phillips' found by the Fan Ducts during a site clear-up, August 2017.
The inside of the door to the Old Boiler house after the all the spoil was removed, September 2017.
This broken neck of a glazed stoneware flagon was found at the entrance to the Old Boiler House in September 2017. It is marked with 'Pearson & Co (Chesterfield) Ltd' and 'Huntingdon'. Pearson & Co were a Derbyshire company making stoneware.
This 6" square tile was found about 200 yards down the cycle path in September 2017. It was made by Cattybrook Brick, and the presence of cracks at the edges suggests it was classed as a second.
A metal guide found outside the entrance to the Old Boiler House in October 2017. It is identical to the one found in the well in the Vertical Engine House in October 2016. Both have now been identified as guides to stop the cages twisting in the shaft.
Two fragments from a stoneware jar found outside the entrance to the Old Boiler House in November 2017. The full inscription reads "Peter Showell Wine & Spirit Merchant Oldbury"
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2018
Intact Sloan's Liniment bottle found near the base of the Old Pit heapstead ramp, February 2018. It is probably of domestic rather than a mining origin as it was found in an area that was known to be used as a dump by the the nearby cottages.
A somewhat battered metal cigarette case found near the base of the Old Pit heapstead ramp, February 2018. Again it is probably of domestic origin for the same reason as the previous artefact.
A metal plate found in the same area as the two previous artefacts in February 2018. It may be a base plate for a hand-powered water pump.
A 17" long section of bridge rail found when clearing vegetation from the edge of the New Pit heapstead ramp, March 2018.
Complete (2 3/4” x 1 7/8" x ~3/4”) fossilised scallop found embedded in the face of one of the stones laid on the northern corner of the New Pit heapstead, May 2018.
A tapered firebrick, made by Rufford in Stourbridge, found in the under croft of the Horizontal Engine House, October 2018.
A tapered firebrick, stamped with a 'B' as a maker's mark, found in the under croft of the Horizontal Engine House, October 2018.
This quart bottle, with stopper, was found among the rubble of the under croft of the Horizontal Engine House in November 2018. It is marked with 'Georges Bristol' so it would have been used by the Georges Bristol Brewery on the Floating Harbour. The company was founded around 1730, and was taken over by Courage in 1961. Brewing ceased in 1999, and the site was subsequently redeveloped. The bottle may have been left in the under croft when the false floor was built.
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2019
This worked stone was found in the spoil under the floor of the Cornish Engine House, February 2019. Its purpose has still to be discovered.
Two metal objects found when removing spoil from inside the Cornish Engine House, February 2019. The top object is a curved strip of lead, while the bottom object appears to be part of a metal flange. The curvature of the lead strip matches that of the flange.
This 28" x 11" (outside dimensions) metal frame was found lying in the spoil inside the Cornish Engine House, February 2019. Made from 1 1/2" wide by ~1/2" thick metal, it appears to be part of a flange. There is a fragment of a leather gasket in one area, and also fragments of wood attached in another. (30 cm scales)
Close-up of the fragment of leather gasket found in the frame seen in the previous photo, February 2019. (5 cm x 5 cm scales)
Close-up of the remains of a piece wood attached to part of the metal frame seen in a previous photo, February 2019. (5 cm x 5 cm scales)
When the scrap metal merchants were salvaging the metal fittings at Brandy Bottom, they probably smashed the cast iron beam in the Cornish Engine House into pieces to make it easier to recover. However they left this heavy fragment behind. (30 cm scales, June 2019)
Fragment of pottery found in the Cornish Engine House in July 2019. The image is thought to be that of Queen Mary. (5 mm grid)
The fragment of pottery on the right was found in the Cornish Engine House in September 2019 (5 mm grid). The decoration appears to match that found on the piece found in July, seen here on the left and in the previous photo. A third piece was found in October. The inscription on that fragment confirmed that the three fragments came from a commemoration mug for the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary on 22 June 1911.
A piece of flat limescale with raised lines, that may have been deposited on a some form of indicator scale. (30 cm scale, September 2019)
An overhead view of the damper at the heapstead end of the fan ducts, October 2019. An earlier photo was taken at ground level.
Top half of a bearing found in the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House, October 2019 (5 mm grid).
Alternative view, from directly above, of the bearing seen in the previous photo, October 2019 (15 cm scale).
Fragment of pottery with an inscription found in the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House, October 2019 (5 mm scale). The pattern matches the fragments found in July and September. This find confirms that the three fragments came from a commemoration mug for the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary on 22 June 1911. (5 mm grid)
All three fragments of of the commemoration mug found in the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House, October 2019 (5 mm grid).
A tar-covered brick found in the under croft of the Horizontal Engine House, November 2019
Three pieces of pottery found in the under croft of the Horizontal Engine House, November 2019. They have been stuck together temporarily with sellotape to confirm that they came from the same object, possibly a bowl. (5 mm grid)
A fragment of a set of points for light gauge railway, found on top of the New Pit heapstead, December 2019. (30 cm scale)
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
2020
Pieces of planking recovered from the condenser pit, Cornish Engine House, January 2020. (Photo by K Kemp)
Piece of rubber bonded to metal, recovered from the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House. (30 cm scale, January 2020)
Masonry structure at the bottom of the south-west end of the condenser pit, Cornish Engine House. Its function is at present unknown, February 2020.
Close-up of the structure seen in the previous photo. The object in the centre of the photo appears to be a wooden plug, February 2020.
Metal door found in condenser pit (30 cm scales), March 2020. This may have been an access door for a boiler and its position in the pit has been marked with an arrow in the next photo. A later photo shows the door after cleaning.
The position of the door seen in the previous photo has been marked with an arrow, March 2020.
The door after cleaning, June 2020. (30 cm scales)
A firebrick with the maker's name 'Hickman Stourbr...' found in a stockpile, July 2020. It is not known where the brick was originally unearthed. The full name of the company was found to be 'Hickman & Co' of Stourbridge. For some reason the 'N' of 'Hickman' has been inverted in this example. (30 cm scale)
A 3" high salt-glazed jar found on top of the Old Pit heapstead, August 2020. The inset shows a close-up of the maker's mark, and the '4' may refer to the capacity which is 4 fluid oz. The Price pottery works were in Redcliffe between 1809 and 1961. (cm scale)
A segment of a circular casting, with the remains of holes for securing bolts at each end, August 2020. It has been painted black to conserve it and the diameter of the outer ring marked as 26". (30 cm scale)
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022)
2021
Heavy duty mesh attached to a metal frame, found in the spoil on the batch side of the south-west wall of the fan ducts, April 2021. This may have been part of the screen covering the external inlet to the fan. (30 cm scales)
This glass bottle with an octagonal base was found in the undercroft of the Horizontal Engine House, June 2021. It stands just over 2" high, and the inside of the neck is chamfered, possibly to make it easier to insert a stopper. (5 mm grid)
This light railchair was found in the spoil filling the firebox end of the Egg-ended Boiler settings in December 2021. The main photo shows a view from the top with a 30 cm scale, while the inset is a side view on a 0.5 cm grid. A similar one was found in the same area in April 2022.
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
2022
This metal frame for a hacksaw was found in the New Boiler area, January 2022. Made from a strip of 2" wide iron, it is 30½" long overall.
This 65" long buried metal plate was found when using a metal detector in the passage beside the Pumping Shaft capping, March 2022 ...
... while under the plate were the two pieces of firebar seen closest to the camera and the piece of broken iron plate seen at the rear ...
... and some bricks that appear to have been laid as a path, March 2022
This piece of metal was found when excavating around the engine bed of the Vertical Engine House in December 2015 (30 cm scale). At the time it was thought that the slot was used to secure it, and the casting it was attached to, with a bolt ...
... After cleaning in April 2022, it was found to be part of a gear wheel with an estimated diameter of around 6 feet. That suggests it was part of the winding drum drive.
This light railchair was found in the spoil filling the firebox end of the Egg-ended Boiler settings in April 2022. it is similar in shape to the one found in December 2021. (5 cm x 5 cm scale)
A length of Dramway fish-bellied rail still buried under some 2 feet of spoil, September 2022. This was on display at the September HODs weekend when it was surrounded by a safety rail.
Part of a Dramway rail chair after conservation. The fixing spike has been painted white, September 2022.
(Go to photos of finds taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
Unless otherwise stated, the photos are by R Whitworth.
Other Brandy Bottom Pages
As well as an introductory page, the other Brandy Bottom pages cover the history, and the AIBT's conservation work at the site. The latter is divided into a summary of progress at work parties, plus several pages of photos of the buildings, work parties, and nature. There are also images of the display boards, and a page with a location map, plus directions to the site and the dates of work parties.
< Back to Project List
Page updated 12 Mar 23
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