Neepsend Rolling Mill Crucible Furnace

Neepsend Lane, Sheffield

Other site, structure or landscape

Assets that cannot fit any of the other categories. This category includes sites of archaeological interest, where the original form and function may not be apparent without the use of archaeological techniques and interpretation.

Asset type

Preserved archaeological site.

Age

The crucible furnace dates from the late nineteenth century.

Rarity

The remains at the site were curated for preservation in situ. Though Sheffield produced thousands of tons of crucible steel during nineteenth century using a fundamentally small-scale craft process, the severe decline of the metal trades industries in the late twentieth century resulted in the demolition of large numbers of its associated buildings, and the Neepsend crucible furnace is one of around only eighteen furnaces known to survive.

Architectural and Artistic Interest

The area has several pieces of street art in relation to its dedication to Naomi Colcomb: https://streetartsheffield.com/gallery/naomi-s-corner.

Group Value

Research has confirmed that crucible and cementation furnaces were particularly associated with Sheffield and its environs, with innovation and development of the technology directly contributing to the city's international pre-eminence of reputation in the manufacturing of quality metal goods. The survival of important steel making structures at this site preserves evidence of this important technology and forms part of an important curated group of remains across the city that have been identified for preservation in situ.

Historic Interest

Crucible furnaces first developed in Sheffield in the mid eighteenth century, and were the steel and steel alloys produced contributed greatly to the city's International pre-eminence of reputation in the manufacturing of quality metal goods Whilst once commonplace, relatively few furnaces now remain, with most standing examples statutorily designated. The area has added communal interest as a community garden dedicated to Naomi Colcomb, including planters, benches, art and book swap library maintained by the local community.

Archaeological Interest

The furnace at Neepsend preserves the stack, flues, melting holes and cellar illustrative of the typical form of crucible furnaces with evidence for its conversion to gas firing at a later date. The remains are of significant research interest and have the potential to contribute to topics identified in the South Yorkshire Historic Environment Research Framework including improving understanding of innovation in steel-making and tool production; the development of large-scale industrial concerns; and the potential evidence of undocumented or poorly documented industrial processes.

Landmark Status

The site has been preserved as an area of public space, with seating and interpretation material.

n/a

04 May 2023