Relining Elisabeth Supplement 1976

A special supplement to Bilston’s own ‘Steelworks News’ was published to commemorate the relining and relighting of Elisabeth and is reproduced below. Names referenced include David Hunter, Walter Freeman, Barry Hodgson, Peter Leach, Tony Holland, George Deans, Doug Martin, Ken Evans, Dan Moody and Ron Shelley. See also pictures under ‘Gallery/Relining Elisabeth’.

NOTE : when you have clicked on an image it can be further enlarged for ease of reading by clicking again on the arrow box at the bottom r/h corner. To close the image simply click on it again.


Bilston, Wolverhampton & Birchley Works Information Paper #1

Front Page

A nice picture of David Hunter’s daughter Anita putting the lighted torch into the tuyere port illustrates the top right corner whilst the rest of the page covers the history of Elisabeth and details of how the reline was accomplished. (Note – this is a colour scan of the page to show the red highlights hence its yellow appearance (age!). The rest of the pages are from straight black and white scans.)


Bilston, Wolverhampton & Birchley Works Information Paper #1

Inside Left – Page 2

More interesting details on the work carried out including computer planning, the quantity of wood needed to erect internal working platforms, external scaffolding and electrical issues.


Bilston, Wolverhampton & Birchley Works Information Paper #1

Inside Right – Page 3

The bricklaying aspects of the reline are covered here along with pictures showing the cascade of water from the damp down phase, the wrecking of the lining and an interesting picture looking up through the centre of a freshly relined furnace.


Bilston, Wolverhampton & Birchley Works Information Paper #1

Back Page

Atmospheric photo of a planning meeting including David Hunter and Walter Freeman plus descriptions of the roles played by key members of the team such as the riggers and individuals including Ken Evans and Ron Shelley.


Bilston, Wolverhampton & Birchley Works Information Paper #1

Express & Star

Not actually from the BSC newspaper but the local Express & Star reporting on the re-lighting, 19th August 1976.