Hi everyone,
There is a smelter chimney at Trooper's Hills, overlooking Crews
Hole, Bristol. This was perhaps associated with Somers's leadwork
on the banks of the Avon nearby. It is certainly late C18 in date, and
the top was recently restored. It is clearly visible from the railway
to Bristol on the opposite bank of the Avon.
On 26 Nov 2002 at 20:46, Andy Cuckson wrote:
> At Snailbeach, even building the smelt works chimney on the hillside did
> not clear the smoke over the top of the Stiperstones. The Snailbeach Mine
> Co. Ltd. took the lease of Lordshill farm to stop the tenant taking action
> over the loss of livestock. The farm was roughly in the direction of the
> prevailing wind.
>
> The chimney collapsed in the mid-1880s and Dennis would not resume smelting
> until it was rebuilt - he told the captains that the fumes would kill the
> young trees.
>
> There might be some evidence of action for the death of horses grazing on
> land close to the spoil heaps but it appears the case was not proved. The
> plaintiff was given some cash but told that the Co. was not admitting
> liability.
>
> A farmer several miles downstream tried to take action for loss of
> livestock, but went quiet when told that plenty of fish were living in the
> waterways.
>
> For the effects in urban areas, I would refer them to the dissertation by
> Janet Hordley on Burr Brothers' lead works business in Shrewsbury (U of
> Brimingham 2000). It also talks about conditions around lead works in
> London and various Acts of Parliament.
>
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