Posted on 06/10/2007 8:03:52 AM PDT by blam
ARCHAEOLOGISTS FIND EARLY EXECUTIVE TOILET IN SHEFFIELD WORKS
By Caroline Lewis 08/06/2007
A grinding workshop at the site. Courtesy University of Sheffield/ARCUS
The Victorians were great inventors, and their progress in the field of sewage disposal was not one of their least achievements. Thomas Crapper is famed for popularising the flush lavatory in the 19th century, but not many examples of his early ‘work’ survive.
So archaeologists from the University of Sheffield got quite excited when they found a toilet dating back around 150 years in an old cutlery and grinding works, believing it to be an original Crapper.
Further research revealed that the design of this particular Bramah pan closet toilet was a little more unusual, not a Crapper, but definitely a high class throne that would have been used by the company directors.
The archaeology team have spent the last two years surveying, investigating and unravelling the history of the Grade II* listed Butcher Works in Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter, prior to its redevelopment.
The toilet as it was found. Courtesy University of Sheffield/ARCUS
Brothers William and Samuel Butcher established their cutlery and grinding works in the early 19th century and by 1822 it was a major producer of edge tools and cutlery in the city. The Butchers became world players by the 1850s, establishing a New York office.
The specialist team from the Archaeological Research and Consultancy at the University of Sheffield (ARCUS) ascertained that the works buildings, on the west side of Arundel Street, grew originally from two small plots on Eyre Lane in the late 18th century. They expanded in the next century to form the existing works.
Toilets were not provided for the workers at the factory until the late 19th century, by which time pan closets had fallen out of favour and the valve closet toilet – essentially what we use today – was universally adopted.
A curved toilet block was constructed around the chimney towards the end of the 1900s.
The toilet block in the courtyard. Courtesy University of Sheffield/ARCUS
Asked what the workers would have used before being provided with toilets, ARCUS Director Dr James Symonds said: “They probably used buckets, I suppose. Sheffield was a pretty grimy place!”
When the chimney was in use, two of the cubicles would have been heated. The managers would have got top dibs on these, it is likely, with their use restricted to them.
“Access was probably by key,” explained Dr Symonds. “Access around the different rooms would have been very carefully controlled.”
The pan closet was a rare find as their moving mechanical parts and metal fittings tended to rust away, and crucially failed to provide an effective seal against sewer gases. The cast iron bowl of the Sheffield discovery would have originally been topped by a (possibly decorated) ceramic bowl. Remnants of the cast iron and ceramic lip have survived.
The early executive toilet was just one find at the works. In the site’s four main ranges, which extend three or four storeys, the team found evidence of grinding wheels. The buildings surround an enclosed yard with a tall brick chimney and the toilet block. One of the site’s ranges had grinding workshops arranged on three floors, supported on brick arches and cast iron columns.
The central courtyard and chimney, showing the size of the works. Courtesy University of Sheffield/ARCUS
“The works is probably one of the most significant sites of its kind that survives in Sheffield,” commented Dr Symonds.
“This development is an excellent example of how heritage-led regeneration can transform a down-at-heel location, while at the same time protecting one of Sheffield’s most important historic buildings.”
The developers, JF Finnegan, have honoured an agreement not to significantly alter the structure of the buildings and have retained part of the original works that will be open to the public as a kind of museum display on the works (with input from ARCUS).
The Science Museum in London is one of the few places where a pan closet is on public display.
Ping.
Hard to believe they didn’t at least have a jakes for the workers, though.
Hardy souls, our ancestors!
On day tourists from other lands will be able to tour the ruins of American manufacturing.
The first thread I have seen on Free Republic that went there in its initial post.
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Nice....
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Well, when you gotta go, you gotta go!
So was it 5 gallons or 1.6 gallons?
Bathroom bump.
Cool.
I read a great novel a few years back that took place in London during the mid-to-late 19th century. It’s called, “The Quincunx” by Charles Palliser. He puts you right in 19th century London very effectively.
I wonder if they found any magazine racks?
As a plumbing designer, I find that really cool!
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