Whitaker Brick Company, Ravenscar

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This brickworks was setup in 1900 to provide bricks for the nearby Ravenscar development that never materialised, it is located inside an old Alum quarry.

The remains of the single large Hoffman Kiln are still to be found on the site.
Ravenscar Brick Works
Although heavily overgrown the outer doors can still be identified
Ravenscar Brick Works
Ravenscar Brick Works
Despite the failure of Ravenscar, the brickworks was next to the railway and found work supplying bricks to Scarbrorough until the 1930s. The chinmeys on the site remained in place until demolition in the 1960s.
A bridge nearby still stands that carried the abanboned Whitby to Scarborough line
Ravenscar Brick Works

Ravenscar Railway Tunnel

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The tunnel was buiilt around 1885 and stands on the abandoned Scarborough-Whitby line
Ravenscar Tunnel
The tunnel was cut so W.H. Hammond, the lord of Raven Hall, didn’t have to see the railway actually crossing his land.
Ravenscar Tunnel
The tunnel is only 279 yards long but has a sharp curve and with the gradient up to Ravenscar being 1-in-39 it proved troublesome for many trains.
Ravenscar Tunnel

1914 Culvert under Chalenor Tramway

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An ironstone tramway between the Chalenor mines near Guisborough and the Eston mines was built in 1914 when the underground link was severed.
Several traces of this remain, including this culvert for Moordale Beck with the 1914 date carved into the arch.
1914 Culvert under Chalenor tramway
1914 Culvert under Chalenor tramway
The arching has been strengthened a long time ago as the two lower tubes both resemble riveted boiler pipes.
1914 Culvert under Chalenor tramway

Saltburn Alum Works

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Very little information exists on the Saltburn Alum works which operated 1670-1695 and 1765-1775.
Saltburn Alum Works
The semi-circular sandstone structure with a water-tight clay lining that is currently eroding out of the cliff strongly resembles a cistern for alum liquor such as those seen at well known alum working sites such as Boulby and Loftus.
Boulby Alum Works CisternLoftus Alum Quarry

Much timber and brickwork is also present, suggesting there was a building adjacent and perhaps even steeping pits.
Saltburn Alum Works
Saltburn Alum Works

The site is gradually being destroyed by erosion as a central wooden post was originally visible in the cistern.

Update 2013 : Sadly the remains of the stone cistern were completely destroyed by the storm surge on 5th December 2013 (photo by Simon Chapman)

19.12.2013.

Saltburn World Speed Records Plaque

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Between 1906 and 1937 the sands between Saltburn and Marske were used for speed record attempts.
Saltburn, Land Speed Records
Sir Malcolm Campbell recorded 138.08mph on 17th June 1922 in Sunbeam (although this was not recognised offically as electronic timers were not used)

The plaque say he reached 144.32mph in 1924,  (at this time the record seems to have been beaten on a weekly basis)

On two wheels Ron Storey recorded 122.91mph in 1928 on a Brough Superior SS100

The plaque was unveiled in October 2011 by Desmond Heckle, one times holder of motorcycle speed record.

Spigot Mortar – Greatham Creek

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This metal pin is another part of the extensive network on anti-landing measures around Greatham Creek.
Spigot Mortar, Greatham Creek
It was the mounting point for a Spigot Mortar or Blacker Bombard which would have been able to fire a 20lb anti-tank explosive approximately 100 yards, presumably at any invading force on the nearby bridge.
Greatham Creek Bridge
The original bridge which has since been replaced, was itself mined to allow its total destruction

Greenabella QF Decoy Site, Greatham Creek

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After a little more research and some input from readers i’m now confident these are the remains of a QF decoy site called Greenabella. These sites lit controlled fires during air raids to appear as targets struck by bombs. This location was a civil decoy for Middlesbrough.

A reference in ‘Fields of Deception’ by Colin Dobinson idenifies a generator house and site shelter at this location.
Mystery Structures, Greatham Creek
Mystery Structures, Greatham Creek
Both have an offset entrance or a blast wall for protection
Mystery Structures, Greatham Creek
Mystery Structures, Greatham Creek

I think the larger structure with the holes for pipes and a chimney is likely to be the generator building, with the smaller structure the shelter.
Mystery Structures, Greatham Creek
Other decoy sites in the area also have unusual structures.