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Govan Iron Works Dig Gallery

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aerial photo of Govan Iron Works
Govan Iron Works.  The aerial photograph shows the entire site under investigation.  To the top of the picture is Cathcart Road, and running left to right diagonally across the picture is the west coast main railway line.   The area closest to Cathcart Road has been identified as the Lower English Buildings (workers accommodation) and the area below is the foundry.

Lower English Buildings
Govan Iron Works.  The Lower English Buildings were two ranges of housing running parallel to each other.  Between them we believe there was a court yard area, with circular wash houses.  This picture shows the eastern wash house.

Lower English Buildings
Govan Iron Works.  This picture gives an idea of how the Lower English Buildings survived.  You can see to the bottom right an area of paving, the top area of the picture shows the building enclosed by two walls and other paved surfaces within the structure.  This building was probably reused my the Home Guard during World War II and this can be seen in the 4 bays created with concrete towards the top of the picture.

railway system
Govan Iron Works.  The Ironworks made use of its own railway system to move raw and finished materials around the site.  Here you can see the remains of one of the railways.  If you look very closely at the first sleeper, you may be able to see that they have used young tree trunks for the sleepers rather the conventional railway sleepers that you would expect.

foundry area
Govan Iron Works.  The Foundry area of the site, revealed traces of numerous structures.  This picture shows a brick surface with a range of buildings towards the top right.

well in the foundry area
Govan Iron Works.  An unexpected discovery was a well in the foundry area.  It had been covered with a sheet of cast iron, and was constructed with red brick.

flue
Govan Iron Works.  The Foundry made use of Flues to move hot air around the site.  This picture shows one such flue leading into a building.   Towards the top of the picture you can see the flue as designed with an arched top to it.  The lower half of the picture shows the flue without its arched top and it backfilled with a waste product from the foundry.

 McIntyre family
Govan Iron Works.  The McIntyre family outside No. 22, Lower English Buildings. 1925. Mum, Dad, Bette, Bill, Mary, Jenny.

foundry workers
Govan Iron Works.  A group of Foundry workers with Charles Alexander McIntyre, of 22 Lower English Buildings (centre row, 3rd from left).
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