Marsden limekilnsMarsden limekilns
As you head out of Whitburn heading towards South Shields you cannot miss Souter Point lighthouse on the right. Now look away from the coast to the left and you will see the remains of the limekilns that are, perhaps the most visible reminder of this area's industrial past.Your browser may not support display of this image. Limestone has been quarried at Marsden for many years. The stone was used in some notable local buildings, including Whitburn windmill. These limekilns were built in the 1870s, taking advantage of Whitburn colliery which provided fuel for burning the limestone to make quick or unslaked lime (calcium oxide). Quicklime was used to neutralise soil, and to make cement and concrete. It was also important for the steel and chemical industries. 
You can still see two types of limekilns here. The older ones are in the square shaped building, and the later ones are circular. The bands around the circular kilns are made of iron and were designed to reinforce the structures. The kilns were essentially large ovens. Layers of limestone and coal were poured in the top and burnt slowly. The resulting quicklime would be extracted at the bottom and loaded onto railway wagons. This was almost a continuous process, with more limestone and coal being added at the top, as quicklime was taken out at the bottom. The rail line brought in coal to fire the kilns from Whitburn Colliery. The line continued to the docks at South Shields on which was transported the quicklime. Did you or a member of your family work at the lime kilns. We.d love for you to share your experiences with us. |
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Marsden
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Taken on the 7th April 2008
Taken on the 7th April 2008
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