Chatham in Medway, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Plate Bending Rolls, 1913

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

1. Plate Bending Rolls, 1913 Marker

Inscription.
Plate-Bending Rolls, 1913
Hugh Smith & Co, Possil Works, Glasgow

One of the largest machine tools ever used in Chatham Dockyard, this set of 42ft (12.8m) plate-bending rolls weighs 200 tons. It was installed in the yard's No. 5 machine shop in 1913 and was used to bend metal plates up to 1 1/2 inches (37.5mm) thick. The rolls were rescued by Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust in 1986, shortly before the machine shop was demolished. They were re-erected on this site in 2010 as part of the No.1 Smithery project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 51° 23.761′ N, 0° 31.752′ E. Marker is in Chatham, England, in Medway. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Western Avenue and Main Gate Road, on the left when traveling north. Located in Historic Dockyard Chatham. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chatham, England ME4 4TZ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Timber Seasoning Sheds, 1774 (a few steps from this marker); Propeller, RFA Reliant, c.1954 (a few steps from this marker); 30 CWT ‘Cochrane’ Steam Hammer (within shouting distance of this marker); No. 1 Smithery, 1808 (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Steam Hammer, 1955 (within shouting distance of this marker); Mast Houses & Mould Loft (within shouting distance of this marker); North Mast Pond, 1702 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); South Mast Pond, 1696 (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Also see . . .
1. Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. (Submitted on June 8, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Chatham Dockyard Historical Society. (Submitted on June 8, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
3. Chatham Dockyard on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 8, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

2. Plate Bending Rolls, 1913 Marker

Plate Bending Rolls image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

3. Plate Bending Rolls

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 8, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.