Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Site of I C Johnson's Cement Works at Cliffe thought to have been in use from 1853?-1908?. Also know as the Quarry Works. Seen as a nationally important site due the use of Johnson's patent chamber kilns shortly after their invention at his Gateshead works in 1872. Much is now destroyed after the construction of a Petrol Storage Depot. The Canal (see TQ 77 NW 123) and Tramway (see TQ 77 NW 124) linked the works to Cliffe Creek and the Nine Elms Works (see TQ 77 NW 37).

Monument Types

• CEMENT WORKS (Post Medieval to Modern - 1853 AD to 1908 AD?)
• KILN (Post Medieval - 1872 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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Site of cement works established by I C Johnson (1811-1911) in 1853 adjacent to an existing challk pit that the works subsequently enlarged. Originally using bottle kilns Johnson added one of his patent chamber kilns shortly after its invention at his Gateshead works in 1872. Shortly after he sold the works (c1874-9) which continued operating into the 20th century (source 2 suggests the site was abandoned after 1880). The site has largely been cleared but some remains survive, much overgrown, including the massive base of a chamber kiln bank. This structure has buttresses with pointed arched openings along one side. It may be the one constructed by Johnson. The area is surrounded by clay extraction pits for the process (1-3), site photographs (4-10).
Additional information (11-12).
The Canal (TQ 77 NW 123) and Tramway (TQ 77 NW 124) linked the Works to Cliffe Creek and the Nine Elms Works (TQ 77 NW 37). OS map regression show Johnson's works labelled 'Quarry Works' and including 9 circular kilns, possibly 'flare kilns'. Half the Works have been destroyed by the Petrol Storage depot, built on the southern half of the site. The Monuments Protection Programme report states that the site retains an important example of a nationally rare chamber kiln with other structures of clear national importance. The functioning of chamber kilns is not fully understood and opportunities for study are rare (11).
The works were built in the Quarry supplying the Whiting Works (TQ 77 NW 125). Eve suggested the site continued in use until 1908, when the mill block contained the nine 'bottle' kilns. See source for modern site description, some of the structures have been demolished/covered in rubble fall from the quarry edge (12).
Chalk quarrying took place at the "chalk cliffs" by 1791 on land owned by a John Knight. The digging was at the eastern end of a canal (TQ 77 NW 123) which had been " lately cut". [Medway Archives, U2191.T10] A document dated 1818 states that there were no lime works (kilns) at Cliffe, the chalk being taken by horse drawn punt on the canal to the Creek to be used for making whiting, or to be loaded onto barges for use in agriculture, to be taken to lime works elsewhere or to be taken as large blocks for making sea walls. [ Medway Archives DRC LA3/57] In 1853 I C Johnson leased a half acre at the Creek [TQ 77 NW 125] for the manufacture of Portland cement, as well as chalk land at 'the Cliff'. The quarry and the Creek works were linked by a tramway which ran along the line of the present day track. It is possible the chamber kiln to be found in the area of the Johnson lease was the prototype for the Johnson chamber kiln patented in 1872. However, there is no supporting evidence. Johnson and Co renewed the lease to the northern section of the quarry for 21 years in 1874/5, and Johnson retained a presence at Cliffe until c1885 when the lease was I the hands of John Poynter, who appears to have assigned the lease of at least the three and a half acres of the Creek works to Francis and Co. in 1888.
In 1866 Francis and Co leased 10 acres of chalk from the Earl of Darnley,[ Darnley Mss. U565 E9] laying to the south of the Johnson lease, as well as 15 acres for buildings (TQ 77 NW 37) and wharf at the Creek and for a linking tramway (TQ77 NW 124) In 1886 Francis and Co amalgamated with Empson, Holcombe and Co and Johnson to operate as Francis and Co Ltd, taking control of the whole of the quarry. There is a possibility that the chamber kiln was erected at this time. The de Michele family were partners/shareholders in Francis and Co,and they too patented a chamber kiln as well as other improvements in cement manufacturing.(13)

This feature is recorded in the English Heritage Historic Area Assessment for Cliffe parish. The report states:
"Chalk had been quarried at this location since Saxon times, and by the early 1940s production had intensified: a Whiting works, where chalk was pulverized for use in whitewash and putty was established in the early 19th century on the banks of Cliffe Creek, which was linked to quarries near Manor Farm by means of a canal. A short-lived small-scale venture in Portland cement by IC Johnson followed in 1853 but the works started by Francis and Company in the late 1860s on the same site were larger and longer-lasting, bringing a new prosperity to the parish. An offshoot of firm’s business at Nine Elms, Vauxhall, London, the Cliffe Creek works grew rapidly under the supervision of the young engineer Vitale de Michelle (1848-1906) manufacturing Portland cement with the brand name ‘Nine Elms’ as well as Roman, Medina and Parian cement, Portland stucco, Plaster of Paris, shipping chalk, flints and fire bricks. The works were a conspicuous feature from both landward and seaward vantages with rows of smoking bottle kilns, a 156-foot high stayed chimney and an elaborate series of tramways that complemented the canal. In 1886 Francis & Company amalgamated with other local firms including Empson, Holcombe and Company but a further amalgamation in 1900 with 23 other firms to form Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers marked the onset of decline at the Francis works which finally wound up in 1920. However in 1910 Thames Portland opened its works on an adjacent site bringing continuous local employment until the late 20th century." (14)

<1> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Francis, AJ 'The Cement Industry 1796-1914' (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<2> Barnes, B. and Innes, B., 1984, A nineteenth Century Cement Works at Cliffe (Article in serial). SWX7719.

<3> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Site visit by DC Eve April 1996 (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<4> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9426.

<5> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9448.

<6> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9449.

<7> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9777.

<8> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9857.

<9> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9864.

<10> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9865.

<11> English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme, 2001, Lime, Cement and Plaster Industries Step 4 Report (Unpublished document). SKE12174.

<12> Eve, David., 1999, The Cement Industry in Kent: Results of a Sites and Monuments Record Enhancement Project 1996 - 98 (Unpublished document). SKE12011.

<13> Jim Preston Personal Communication (Verbal communication). SKE13236.

<14> historic england, 2014, Hoo Peninsula Outline Historic Area Assessment: Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Parish. Research Report 2014-54 (Bibliographic reference). SKE31591.

Sources and further reading

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