Baltic Works

SK38NE 784-1/6/306

SHEFFIELD EFFINGHAM ROAD (South East side) Baltic Works

II

Crucible steel works, now workshops. 1854, with later C19 and early C20 additions, and late C20 alterations. Brick with ashlar dressings and corrugated asbestos roofs, with single brick ridge and gable stacks. EXTERIOR: plinth and string course. 2 storeys; 47 window range. Off-centre entrance bay has the first floor divided by plain pilasters, and 3 wooden framed Venetian windows. Below, a segment-arched cart entrance with rusticated piers, voussoirs and keystone, with a pair of board doors, flanked to left by a segment-headed plain sash and to right by a door with moulded segment-headed surround and overlight. Rusticated flanking pilasters to ground floor. The entrance bay is flanked to right by 8 round-arched glazing bar windows with impost band, and to left by 2 similar windows. Below, 3 segment-headed plain sashes to right and 2 to left. Beyond, to right, an addition with flanking pilasters, rusticated on the ground floor and topped with ball finials. Low plain parapet. 3 altered glazing bar windows with concrete lintels, and impost bands, set in recessed panels under blocked relieving arches. Below, 4 reglazed windows with round-arched rubbed brick heads. To right, a bay with 2 windows on each floor, those to the ground floor with round heads. To right again, a rounded corner addition, early C20, with parapet and stepped flat gable. 8 casements, and below, irregular fenestration. Right return has 2-storey range of fireproof construction. Beyond, to left, a 2 storey workshop with first floor band. 6 round-arched windows with transoms, and below, to left, a segment-arched window. To its left, a slightly lower block flanked by rusticated pilasters with string course and 4 round-arched openings with transoms. Beyond again, a single storey workshop flanked by rusticated pilasters, with impost band and 4 segment-arched windows set in recesses. Between them, a granite and ashlar tablet recording the bombing of the works in 1916. To left, 3 segment-headed windows, then a pair of sliding doors. To their left, a small segment-arched window, then 2 larger windows, all set in recesses. Beyond again, a further single storey block with coped wall, segment-arched blank openings and coped wall. In the centre of the site, a workshop with lean-to roof and crucible stack. INTERIOR not inspected. HISTORICAL NOTE: Baltic Works is an example of an integrated works which included its own crucible steel making plant. The crucible steel process was a highly significant metallurgical advance, which transformed steelmaking techniques and paved the way for the development of special and alloy steels. (Sheffield Trades Historical Society recommendations: Bayliss D; An Architectural Survey of Urban Development Corporation Areas: RCHME: Sheffield: London: 1989-: 24).

Listing NGR: SK3734288247