Derwentcote Steel Furnace Traditional Cache
Pie Man: It's been more than a year since it was found. It was head height in the rotten tree which just keeps rotting away. Thanks for visiting.
Derwentcote Steel Furnace
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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The Derwent Valley was once the centre of the British steel industry. During the 18th century steel was made using the cementation process using local supplies of coal and wrought iron imported from Sweden.
Derwentcote is the earliest and most complete authentic steel making furnace to have survived to the present day. It was one of a number of steel manufacturing works along the banks of the River Derwent. This area, along with neighbouring Tyneside, produced nearly half of Britain’s steel output in the 18th Century.
The furnace is a sandstone rubble built structure, buttressed on all sides with a central chimney, containing two flue openings on the ground floor. It is adjoined by buildings to the north, south, and south east which were used as storage. The furnace was constructed around 1733 and remained in use until 1875 when there was a shift to crucible steel production. Excavations revealed deposits of iron and steel slag within the southern building suggesting that it may have been used for forging or smithing. In the northern part of this building the base of a possible charcoal grinding mill has been uncovered. The excavations have also identified the presence of timber framed buildings which were used as sand stores, along with a series of metalled trackways. The foundations of a rectangular building situated 29 metres to the south of the furnace are thought to be the remains of an office.
The cache is hidden along the public footpath which passes the furnace. It is not among any of the ruins. Note that Forge Lane is a private road – no cars allowed. Please use the signposted car-park opposite.
Slightly bigger than a 35mm film canister.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Urnq urvtug va gur prager bs n qlvat gerr