James Binnie, Gartcosh Fire Clay Works, nr Glasgow.
A cracking example of a J Binnie water pipe – Gartcosh – found St Columba Street, Christchurch, New Zealand by Hamish Williams, an archaeologist for Underground Overground Archaeology.
It is possible that the brickmark actually says ” J Binnie, Gartcosh” – The Gartcosh appears to be stamped under the Binnie but it is apparently very very faint. Other examples of the pipe have been found stamped solely ‘Gartcosh’. Hamish states they have also found Glenboig bricks too in Christchurch.
Earthenware wastewater pipes on Colombo St – Recently, one of SCIRT’s McConnell Dowell crews helped Hamish salvage a metre or so of wastewater line from its Colombo St trench, between Hereford and Cashel Streets, where it had been laid in 1882.
Laid half-bedded in concrete and now in storage at the company’s office, research on the manufacturer’s impression revealed an interesting history. Marked J. Binnie, these pipes were produced by the Gartcosh** fireclay works in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. That these pipes were imported from the other side of the world might support the belief held by disgruntled ratepayers of the day that the Drainage Board was guilty of corruption, and were not justified in raising the rates for drainage works. Local newspaper reports were highly critical of Drainage Board engineers for lining their pockets with a commission made on expensive imported pipes, rather than opting for much cheaper locally produced ones.
“I tell the crews that when digging up and replacing pre-1900 sewer pipes we are keen on obtaining samples, particularly of the socketed ends of the pipes, which varied greatly in their size, shape, and method of manufacture. Analysis of these samples can help us work out where, when and how these pipes were produced. Those that exhibit distinct finger marks left in the still-wet clay are a poignant reminder that these items were crafted by hand, not by a modern machine like the plastic pipes that are replacing them. You can definitely feel that connection to the maker of the pipe when you see those.”
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Brian Tarbuck states this brick was found in Augusta, Maine, USA while replacing a water pipe. Allan & Mann, Port Eglinton, Glasgow Alternative brickworks include: Rutherglen Pottery, Glasgow. Mallsmire Works, Myrtle Park, Crosshill, Glasgow. ,
Found by John Barnard at Fitzroy, Falkland Islands. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein & Co, Anchor Brickworks, Denny, Stirlingshire. Milnquarter Fireclay & Gannister Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire .
Many thanks to Vladimir Smirnov for highlighting this brick to me which was found in the vicinity of the St. Petersburg Region, Gatchina Region, Russia by a brick collector, Alexander Korolev. It was discovered the stove of a private house. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein &…
Found by Glyn Harrison at an unknown location in New Zealand. This example is not in my possession. Douglas Fireclay Works, Dalry, Ayrshire. The reference to Bigelow on this special undoubtedly refers to the Bigelow Arch Company of Detroit, USA. Bigelow-Liptak Corporation was originally incorporated in 1927 with the merger of the Bigelow Arch Company of…
Found by Ken Sousa in Massachusetts, USA. Gartcraig Fire Clay Works, By Millerston, Glasgow. . . . .
Found by Claudio Ernesto Rios. Claudio states – The bricks were found in the City of Zárate, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In a fridge (almost totally destroyed today) the fridge’s name was Smithfield Refrigerator of English capital, built in 1903, so I would believe those bricks were manufactured in the last decade of the 19th century….
Found by Patricio Peralta in an old bakery, Lincoln, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. “Calder British Made”. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire. Hepworth Ceramic Holdings plc (GR-Stein Refractories Ltd. parent co) bought the Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co. Ltd in 1972, closed Bonnybridge…
Found by Senja Salmi in Sääksjärvi, Mäntsälä, Finland. Senja states – We are not sure how old this house is but at least about 100 years old and it was built by the last blacksmith of this village. Bonnybridge Silica & Fireclay Co Ltd, Bonnybridge. alt Calder Firebrick Works, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. alt Chapelhall Works, Lanarkshire….
Found by Hans Nilsson in the sea at Furuögrund, Sweden. Hans states – The brick was found in Furuögrund north of Skellefteå. Furuögrund was the port where wood products from the area where produced and shipped. At many places ballast was left. The ballast, usually stone not found in Sweden…like flint and sometimes even a…
Many thanks to Liam Miles and Jenny Miller for much of the following information regarding their ancestor, Christopher Ingram. Christopher Ingram Born 1843, died 30/06/1924 aged 81 years. Jenny states:- Mr Ingram was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, 181 years ago and served his apprenticeship as an engineer on the Clyde. With his young family…
