tarboat's photos with the keyword: redcar

Redcar steelworks from the harbour South Gare. At the time the steelworks was due to close imminently but was eventually reopened for a short period before the final axe fell.

Opening in 1979, the Redcar blast furnace was the largest in the UK and the second largest in Europe. It was capable of producing 10,000 tonnes of iron per day. It had a chequered career after this photo was taken in 2010 shortly before it was shut down. Revived in 2012 it was in blast for just three years before the final shutdown and closure of the steelworks.

Redcar's Regent Cinema opened as a music hall, the Pavilion, in 1928, and was where Larry Grayson, performing under stage name Billy Breen, coined his "shut that door" catchphrase. It closed in 2018 due to structural damage to the building and was demolished in November 2020. A new cinema is under construction on this seafront site. The new three screen cinema is expected to open in spring 2022.

Coke plant at Redcar steelworks from South Gare.

Just before the first shutdown of the Redcar blast furnace I took a trip to record the works. This overview is from the railway bridge at Coatham.

Ore terminal for Redcar steelworks seen from South Gare.

Coke quenching at the Redcar steel plant seen from South Gare.

Defence of the entrance to the Tees and the Redcar furnaces included a series of pillboxes on the coast. Erosion of the dunes under this example at The Gare has seen it toppled. The background is formed by the steelworks and associated coking plant.

Coke quenching at the Redcar furnace viewed from South Gare.

During the first world war there were a number of air attacks made upon the North-East coast by German aircraft. Zeppelins raided the area fifteen times between April 1915 and November 1917. Defence against these raids was very limited and depended on knowing when aircraft were approaching and from what direction. To this end a series of listening stations were erected along the coast (and also in the south of England) in the form of 'sound mirrors'. This example, now sitting in the midst of a Redcar housing estate, and listed Grade II, was constructed by the Royal Engineers in 1916. It is about 17ft high. The sound of the approaching aircraft was reflected off the concave surface and into a receiving trumpet mounted on a steel column in front. This was connected to the listening operator by a stethoscope and this was moved to find the part of the dish producing the most sound, which indicated the direction of approach. At least the local populace could then be given advanced warning of the impending raid. Acoustic listening devices of various shapes were constructed along the coasts until the 1930s after which they began to be replaced by Radar.

Sadly, what was coming soon was closure of the Redcar Blast Furnace in February 2010. This view from the railway bridge at Coatham.

Defending the coast and the steelworks. Pillbox on the dunes/slag outside the Redcar steelworks. The brick facing was, I believe, initially used as a form of shuttering for pouring the concrete. It was then left in situ as extra protection.

Quenching tower in action at the Corus South Bank Coking Plant, Redcar Steelworks.

Panorama of Redcar furnace and associated structures in June 2008 when business was good and recession was not in anyone's mind.

I made a sad trip to Teesside to say goodbye to the blast furnace and steel plant that are due to be mothballed (closed) by Corus by the end of January. The Redcar furnace and associated coke and chemical plant are seen here over the conglomeration comprising the encampment of the South Gare Fishermen's Huts Association.

Gasholders adjacent to the coking plant and blast furnace at Redcar. Renown gives scale whilst making his own shot.

Not long left for the Redcar furnace that produces 10,000 tonnes of iron a day.

Tapping molten iron into the torpedo wagons beneath the blast furnace for transfer to the steel plant at Redcar.