Nineteenth century salt works, 'Maldon Saltworks', Fullbridge (EHER 7978)

A 19th century salt works comprising a group of red-brick buildings with many modern additions. It is home to the Maldon Crystal Salt Co. The only original feature surviving is the chimney which may have dispersed heat from the two brick-built evaporation pans.

"Possibly post-medieval bricks found in renovation of Maldon Saltworks. 1974". <1> <2> 13 September 1971. Field survey. Salt works, Maldon Crystal Salt Co. Water is drawn from the river, into a pond, each fortnight at spring tides. From this pond, each day, crystals are formed which sink to the bottom and are taken out. The main building is reputed to be around 200 years old, which may point to a continuity of salt making beyond the available written evidence. The tiles are deliberately set to allow dispersal of steam from evaporators. An old lead pump head, decorated, survives. The furnaces are fire from outside with a common stack between. Two evaporation tanks are brick built and lined with malleable steel over furnace flues. The older tank is not more than about 25 years old. The newer tank has doors to enable flues to be swept from within the building. The draining bin was 'old' when present Mr Osborne joined his father 43 years ago. No machinery is used, except the pumps. There is no mention of the company in Kelly's Directory (in Essex Record Office) before 1886, but insurance records reveal details from 1882, 1899, and 1909. <3> OS 1st edition 6" series. <4> Maldon crystal saltworks (TL 8520 0730), still operational, have occupied the same site since their establishment and had their own wharfage facilities. The extant 19th century buildings, although in traditional weatherboarding, have been much altered. The only original feature surviving is the chimney which may have dispersed heat from the two brick-built evaporation pans. <5> The production of salt is attested in Maldon from the prehistoric period and post-medieval salt working took place along the banks of the River Blackwater, in and around Maldon, Heybridge and Goldhanger. At some time between 1855 and 1859, Thomas Worraker moved his salt works from Heybridge to the present site of the Maldon Saltworks Company in Fullbridge, Maldon, after thirty years of manufacture. The new works remained in the Worraker family for another twenty years, until T. E. Bland bought the business in 1882 and the reputation of the Maldon Crystal Salt Co. as a manufacturer of sea-salt from water taken from the Blackwater estuary became established. It was acquired by Mr Cyril Osborne in 1922 and ownership remains in his family. <6> <7> Source <6> provides a detailed history of salt production in the area. See also <8>. NRHE data transfer, 880523: Salt works, 19th century. A low group of red-brick buildings with modern additions, home of Maldon Crystal Salt Co. Two brick-built evaporation tanks lined with malleable steel over furnace flues. No machinery used except pumps and underfeed stokers. <9> NRHE data transfer, 1514693: Salt works by the River Blackwater founded in 1777. Water is drawn in from the highly saline river and filtered, to be heated in two stone baths, heated by a furnace beneath them. Evaporation is facilitated by the open nature of the roof tiling. When slowly cooked, large crystals of a distinctive pyramid shape are precipitated. <10> See also <11>.