Furnace Bank

Very long furnace bank, retained to form lower two-thirds of charging bank for (removed) later C19 blast furnaces. High NW-SE bank faced in Pennant stone, some 250 metres long.

NW end of furnace bank has high retaining wall, set back from main central section. Retaining wall has three inserted coal shutes with cast iron lintels and shutes. To the NW again is ruinous elevated single storey three-bay building of rock-faced rubble, with polychrome brick surrounds to windows, set on moulded brick stringcourse. Central segmental window set within round-arched recess. Round-arched flanking windows.

Long central section of bank is higher, with three buttresses towards its SE end. This section probably incorporates the earliest remains of the furnaces, but due to height of deposited spoil, any likely surviving casting arches (probably two) at the NW end are hidden. The NW third of this section of wall (including the first buttress) is a late C19 rebuilding in rock-faced Pennant stone. Lower part of the central section is hidden by spoil, but still visible is a blocked broad semi-circular casting-arch, which has yellow reverbatory brick arch-ring. To the right is a late C19 partial rebuilding of the retaining wall, brought out to a battered profile, built of large sandstone blocks. At the same date, the arch was infilled with stone surrounding a new inner brick arch.

The wall continues to the SE on a slightly recessed plane, with much late C19 rebuilding. Towards the centre of the taller section is a high and narrow round-headed doorway set high up; yellow brick surround. To the right, a straight joint, with a second large casting arch below. High segmental arch of yellow brick, blocked with squared stonework to include a blocked brick-framed access oculus, arch has eroded illegible inscribed keystone. To the SE the height of the spoil is greater, including overgrowth. To the right of the second arch is the third casting arch: segmental yellow brick arch with inscription to keystone reading ‘E.V. 18(5?)8’, or possibly the date is 1838, contemporary with the known date of construction of the fourth furnace at Ebbw Vale. Oculus above arch, framed in brick. To the SE, the top of a fourth casting arch is visible, also of brick, the keystone dated ‘E.V. 1862’. To the SE, a straight joint in the masonry, and then another joint, before the start of the fifth casting arch, also of brick. This furnace was either never completed or much reduced in height before the late C19 charging bank was completed. This furnace is built of rock-faced stone, which terminates above the arch, with horizontal crease above. To the SE is yet another (obscured) semi-circular brick arch, perhaps too narrow for a casting arch. Retaining wall continues at lower level for some distance before splaying out and terminating to the S.

In total, a possible six furnaces are visible, probably with two more concealed behind spoil at the NW end of the taller central section of bank.