Kettleness Alum Works
Alum production occurred at Kettleness from 1727 until 1871. This has radically altered the appearance of the area.
The original Alum house at beach level was destroyed by a huge landslide in 1829, what now appear to be cliffs are the face of the quarry where the sandstone over the shale has been removed.
The remains of the second alum house are on a flat area on the west side of the works, foundations remain and jet mines can be found under the platform which holds the building. The whole area is covered is loose blown shale where little grows.
The foundations of another building can be seen on the eastern edge of the site.
To the south of the building are a number of steeping pits which are slowly being lost over the cliff edge.
The remains of stone conduits used to transport liquids are also visible in the south east.
To the north of the steeping pits is the top of a cistern, again collapsing over the cliff edge.
There are a huge number of features around the site although they are often difficult to interpret due to being buried by the constantly shifting shale, they are however extensively covered in English Heritage survey AI/24/2003
January 19th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I would like to get details of the process used to produce Alum at Kettleness my interest ie due to the fact that William Mackridge who was agent for Earl Mulgrave who owned the mines. Where is Sandsend gepraphbically in relation to Kettleness
Looking forward to your comments
Bill Mackridge
January 19th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Theres a hugely detailed English Heritage report on Kettleness AI/24/2003 which costs about £15
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.4172
Theres a book called “Steeped in History: the Alum Industry of North-East Yorkshire” but those arent particurly easy to come by.
Teesside Archives sell a small cheap booklet on the subject
Cleveland Industrial Archaeology Society Volume 2 - The Alum Industry in North Yorkshire.
http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/download/asset/?asset_id=7426336
Although it would be worth checking with them as I don’t think their availability list is particularly up to date.
Kettleness is about 3 miles NW of Sandsend
Chris