Chatterley ironworks, Harecastle

The Chatterley Iron Company was established in 1865 and soon developed three blast furnaces opposite the Ravensdale Forge near Harecastle on the Trent and Mersey Canal in North Staffordshire. A vertical blowing engine by Adamson of Manchester was erected in 1868 in this building. The venture was not very successful and went into voluntary liquidation in 1879. The company continued to trade under supervision for a few years before final winding up in 1889. Subsequently in the ownership of Chatterley Whitfield Collieries Ltd the last furnace was blown out in 1900.

The empty blowing engine house stood derelict until the 1980's when it was demolished during the construction of a new road. Another fascinating relic lost to progress.