Monument record MWX3406 - Stoneworks, Bottom Coombe, Portland

Stone sawmills and masonry works

Several steam-powered stone sawmills and masonry works were built in Portland in the later 19th century. By 1900 there were quarries and associated works at Bottom Coombe and Wakeham. Webber and Pangbourne's 'Easton Steam Saw Mills Masonry Works erected at Easton in the 1890s, apparently on the site of what is now the Lower Yard at Bottom Coombe. Subsequent history and development tied up with the adjacent Top Yard at Bottom Coombe. Former medieval open field systems reflected in layout of property. Surviving Industrial Features include: tramway tunnel and arch (SY69147167); retaining wall (SY69147167); building remains (SY69147168); building, office (SY69147170); building, stone works and office (SY69197169); building, secondary stone works (SY69187167); building, masonry workshop (SY69227164); building, smithy and canteen (SY69217164); building, offices, etc (SY69187164); building, electricity power house (SY69237164); chimney stack (SY69247163); waste tips (SY69257168); tramway course? (SY69257170); water tank (SY69257168); stone wall feature (SY69267167); toilet block (SY69267166); waste tips and disturbed ground (SY69197170) (1) Large, long, covered building, steel framed with corrugated asbestos and iron walls and roof. In 1999 machinery included circular saws for squaring and shaping stone blocks brought from the primary works, and planing machines. At the east end was a large stone lathe made by Mauer & Turner of Huddersfield. The whole building was served by two electric overhead travelling cranes (gantry cranes), the west one of 10-tons capacity manufactured by Herbert Morris Ltd of Loughborough. Their rails were in part supported by stone pillars. A ramp led to the masonry workshop. Offices and a former smithy were nearby. (2) By September 2007 all interior fittings had been scrapped. (3)

Record last edited

Mar 2 2021 4:50PM