Medway anyone know what this used to be?

[lynall]

Had a look see today, have noticed it before but today moored up by the old barge just up from Cuxton marina.
Its seems to be a large brick structure set into the hill side, with a large tunnel entrance which is bricked up and a smaller tunnel next door which is open, theres also a large ramp a hundred yards down river, obviously some sort of old industrial workings, but curious as to what.

Lynall

 

[thames cruiser]

A lime kiln?

 

[Brayman]

Boatone would know if that's where Fred (OldGit) lives

 

[boatone]

Boatone would know if that's where Fred (OldGit) lives

Well, I certainly passed by, and here's a pic to prove it. However, I think I can safely say it's not where Fred lives - bit upmarket for him !

 

[dash300]

Looks like its of ferro concrete construction from the picture.

 

[maby]

The answer is probably here http://www.kurg.org.uk/ if you have enough time.

 

[mlines]

Perhaps...

http://www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk/i...9444c275de668e9c&topic=2057.msg88347#msg88347

 

[lynall]

Looks like its of ferro concrete construction from the picture.

Barge is ferro, apart from a few holes you can see in the pictures it still floats as the tide comes in.
Joined Kent history yesterday.
Now of to see what kurg is


Lynall

 

[talltim]

I agree with Thames Cruiser

I think they are Lime Kilns and wharf which remains from one of the once numerous cement works and chalk pits

 

[oldgit]

Ferro concrete lighters were built during the war when iron and steel was in very short supply.They could be buuilt cheaply and quickly and were used to carry anything liquid especially petrol and gas oil.There are several small coaster type ships built out of the same materials still around,usually now being used as pontoons or sunk to provide cheap harbour protection.Holes were puinched in the sides to stop them floating again.
That one in the picture was moored there some while ago,it was supposed to be the start of some construction work,which all fell through and the lighter has been there ever since.
The Medway is covered with them,from Hoo Marina to the concrete mooring barge at Queenborough.

 

[TrueBlue]

Ferro concrete lighters were built during the war when iron and steel was in very short supply.They could be buuilt cheaply and quickly and were used to carry anything liquid especially petrol and gas oil.There are several small coaster type ships built out of the same materials still around,usually now being used as pontoons or sunk to provide cheap harbour protection.Holes were puinched in the sides to stop them floating again.
That one in the picture was moored there some while ago,it was supposed to be the start of some construction work,which all fell through and the lighter has been there ever since.
The Medway is covered with them,from Hoo Marina to the concrete mooring barge at Queenborough.

There's at least one on the Thames. One in particular has been converted into a floating residence on the island opposite Hampton boat club / moorings. So if looked after they survive.

 

[boatone]

Ferro concrete lighters .......The Medway is covered with them,from Hoo Marina to the concrete mooring barge at Queenborough.

All very interesting, Fred, but the OP was asking about the derelict building on the bankside behind the lighter - any lowdown ?

 

[oldgit]

You did ask..........

All very interesting, Fred, but the OP was asking about the derelict building on the bankside behind the lighter - any lowdown ?

Just spoken to my father.
The entire Medway was lined with cement works more or less from Wouldham to Rochester in the 19th century until the last one was shut down (Halling) a few years ago.
After the war a combine bought out all the small indepedant companies to obtain the mineral rights for all the chalk pits in the local area.
Many of the redundant cement works were demolished to provide hardcore for the Isle of Grain refinery,the one in Wickam Reach "Whornes Place" was one of them.The site has been derelict for many many years and became covered in scrub and silver birch until the growth was cut back recently and the construction in the picture reappeared.It is most probably a lime kiln predating the "modern" cement works.
For real history freaks the site was once part of a palace with gardens that rivalled Hampton Court,all that is left is the gate house up on the Cuxton road.
Most of those lighters were constucted in the West country if you break off a chip you can see the cornish marble used in the aggregate.
They were used for heavy oil and water.
Petrol used the leach out.



Whornes Place.Owned by a Mayor of London.No not W Whittington or B Johnson.
"He erected a house, Whorne's Place, on the north bank of the River Medway at Cuxton, Kent, between Halling and Strood. In Tudor times this was the principal house in the village but only an outlying granary survived in 1971."


http://cityark.medway.gov.uk/query/...tate_Cuxton_1670/DE1016.html&Mode=View+Images

Pdf of plans.needs someone lots cleverer than me to get them to size viewable on putor screen.

 

[lynall]

Oldgit thanks for the info, i have seen the gate in Cuxton, even weirder i used to work at the RMC/Cemex cement works just down the road before it shut and the blue circle one at Northfleet.


Lynall