Loftus History
Mining
Here is a photo taken at Loftus Mine Drift.
Seated front left 3rd back is Robert Harker born 1874 Rosedale Yorks.
4th back is Robert Harrison (Gordon's Grandfather) born 1868, East Barnby, died 14.8.1921 Loftus.
Right side of photo coming down steps 3rd down right hand side Thomas Harker, born 1868 Kirby Moorside, died 1938 Loftus.
Kindly contributed by Freda & Gordon Harrison.
Loftus Mine
The Discovery of Ironstone
Samuel Frederick Okey was looking for ironstone pieces on the beach at Skinningrove in 1847 when a man, Anthony Lax Maynard, told him that there was a seam of ironstone on some land that he owned. A friend of Samuel Okey agreed to work the stone but he soon sold the lease to Messrs Roseby for a glass of brandy and water! Messrs Roseby started to mine at Skinningrove on 7 August 1848. The ironstone was hauled by horses along a short railway to a jetty where it was taken to Middlesbrough by boat.
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Alum Mining in Loftus
Alum was necessary to “fix” dyes (all vegetable in early days) in cloth, and for centuries it had come from Italy. After the reformation this supply was cut off Sir Thomas Chaloner, a local land owner, persuaded two Italians to come to England to see if any could be found here.
It was not easy to get the Alum salt out of the shale, first it had to be burned for as long as six months and then leached with water. This produced a solution of aluminium and Iron sulphates and Alum is a double sulphate containing potassium or ammonium as well as aluminium, so potassium, obtained in those days by burning masses of seaweed or ammonium derived from urine, had to be added.
Finally the alum had to be induced to crystallise out of the solution without the Iron sulphate being dissolved in it, this was done by heating the solution to drive off some of the water and concentrate the salts.
When the concentration was just right, Alum crystals would form as the solution cooled.
The industry developed rapidly along the coast from Saltburn south to Ravenscar.
At its peak in 1768 over 4000 tons were produced, and it took 12 tons of shale to produce a ton of Alum and at least three times as much rock had to be removed to get at the shale band, this was done with pick axe, shovel and wheelbarrow.
The scars are still visible today.
Taken from the diary of Ralph Jackson.
In 1754 Ralph Ward of Guisborough became a partner with Mr Baker and they owned a third of the Loftus Alum mine. Mr Stephenson was the clerk, and Mr Wardle the manager.
On the death of Ralph Ward his share was left to his Nephew Ralph Jackson.
In 1759 the Sloop 'The Darling' was loaded with 40 ton of Alum and in March 1760 the same Sloop was loaded with 50 tons, which took four hours to load, this was sold at the price of twelve shillings and sixpence a ton with one months credit.
Later Mr George Dodds became the manager.
Rats and Mice
Fancy anyone ever being keen to have rats and mice playing about their feet. Cleveland miners were like this. They preferred to see and hear them, even fed them titbits to keep them happy and came quite pally with them.
This unlikely companionship was based firmly on superstition, which played a big part in the life of the miners in Cleveland.
They were more contented if rats and mice were running about because they believed the animals were sensitive to danger. While they were about, the miner felt there was little danger of roof falls.
So strong was this belief that the feeding and the friendship fostered.
The photograph of half-a-dozen miners beside a tub in Loftus mines was taken about 1907 or 1908 and has particular interest because the photographer was the Rev. T. C. Booth, for long congregational minister at Loftus.
The picture belongs to Mr. A. Smith of Queen Street, Carlin How, whose father, Mr Mod Smith, is sitting at the back on the right beside the tub.
Others in the picture are (from the left) J. Gary, J. Playforth, J. Richards, W Sayers and Tom Forrest, who was well known in his younger days throughout Teesside and Cleveland as a billiards player.
And although it is difficult to see, one of the friendly rats is with them. It is sitting quietly on Mr Richards' right knee.
The very last shift and the end of Cleveland's Iron age - a flashback to the lst day at North Skelton mine in January 1964.
Cleveland mining era ends
A sad occasion at Loftus ironstone mines as an industry dies. After nearly 100 years of production, the final load had be brought up, and now the mine is shut down on the grounds of economy.
Gathered round the last tub are some of the workers responsible for seeing it safely on its way, including Mr. H. R. Gibson (centre) blacksmith, who has worked at the mines for 59 years and (on his left, in pit cap) Mr. Jim Easton, the overman.
Most of the men employed in the mine have been found other employment by the owners, the Skinningrove Iron Co., at the nearby Ironworks.
Train of Engines
This special train of nine new locomotives for Skinningrove works caused tremendous interest for the whole of its journey from Shrewsbury. Two Birtish Railways motive power inspectors, Mr George Finley of Darlington and Mr W.E. Ashmore of Middlesbrough, who travelled from Northallerton, were amazed with interest.
Said Mr Finley: "There were even people standing on bridges to see the train."
It was the largest train of locomotives ever to leave the manufacturers' works. But for many of the men at Skiningrove, the fleet will not be seen for a fortnight. They started their holidays last night before the train arrived.
Picture shows Mr H.G.W. Debenham, chairman and managing director, with Mr Thomas Hill of Rotherham, inspecting the new diesel locomotives after their arrival at Skinningrove.
The village square at Skinningrove, overlooked by the gaunt steelworks, was splashed with colour and the happy shouts of children yesterday - the first day of May.
The boys and girls of the junior school, carrying posies of flowers, walked in procession from the school to the square, led by the younger children who formed a percussion band.
There the Maypole was erected and 120 children took part in the dancing to music recorded by Miss M. Pullan, a member of the school staff.
The tradtional welcome to May was arranged by the headmistress, Miss M. Jordan, and the whole village turned out to watch.
The names of the six oldest children were put into a hat and Lynne Grout, who will be 11 next week, was chosen May Queen and was crownded by Mrs Tidman, wife of Mr C.F. Tidman, chairman of the school managers.
Later the school, parents and friends heard a programme of music by the choir and percussion band.
Loftus presentation to Iron Works man
Mr C Reed, works manager, presents a chiming clock to Mr F. C. Senior (Left) who is retiring after 40 years’ service with the Skinningrove Iron Co. Also seen are Mr K Coverdale (second from Left), secretary of the local branch of BISAKTA, and Mr T Codling
A presentation to Mr Fred Senior of 65 Rosedale Crescent, Loftus, who recently retired from the Skinningrove Iron Works took place at a social evening in the Loftus Angel Inn last night.
He began work at Skinningrove Iron works in 1910, served for four years in the first world war and worked 39 years in the melting shop a the works. In addition, he was a delegate to the BISAKTA union, and was the first ambulance driver at the works.
Last night he received an inscribed chiming clock from his colleagues in the melting shop and it was presented by Mr C. A. Reed of Saltburn, director and works manager of the Skinningrove Iron Co Ltd.
In handing over the gift, Mr Reed recalled that when he went to the Skinningrove Iron Works over 24 years ago, Mr Senior was the delegate who gave him a welcome on behalf of the men in the shop. He paid tribute to the services of Mr Senior and expressed good wishes for his retirement. The chairman was Mr K Coverdale and Mr R. G. Proctor, melting shop manager was also present.